Wild Destroy Danger
May 19, 2012 - Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL)
Wichita Wings News Release
WICHITA, KS. - The Wichita Wild of the Indoor Football League (IFL) put together a "never say die" game and walked away with a 57-50 victory over the visiting Nebraska Danger; winning the game with just 4 seconds remaining. Wichita is now 5-5 and is one of the hottest teams in the league with their 3rd consecutive home win; Nebraska dropped to 4-7 on the season. With this win, Wichita is now 4th place in the Intense Conference trailing Colorado Ice (7-4) and above the Nebraska Danger. Wichita was without high-flying rookie wide receiver Doug Pierce who just recently signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League, but the Wild receiving core stepped their game up in his absence, performing admirably with a combined 133 yards receiving.
Wichita's offense came out somewhat flat to start the game, not performing as expected. Nebraska's offense torched the Wild secondary on several long passing plays. On the first drive of the game, Danger wide receiver Moore caught a touchdown reception from Danger quarterback Hinds. To not be shown up, Wild quarterback Marcus Jackson hooked up with Landon Turner for a 25 yard touchdown, tying the game 7-7. Moore once again hooked up with Hinds on a 6 yard touchdown reception, putting Nebraska back in front. Wichita's next drive was kept alive thanks to a roughing the passer penalty. The penalty gave Wichita new life on what seemed to be a bad drive. The majority of the drive came off of Nebraska penalties. On what seemed to be a bad quarterback-center exchange, Jackson lost control of the ball erupting in mad scramble as Jason Enos pounced on the ball, tying the game at 14's. Moore completed the hat-trick of touchdown receptions from Hinds for 34 yards after broken coverage left him wide open. Hubbard took the ensuing kickoff 47 yards and who have ultimately capped off the run with a touchdown, but Danger kicker Pierson stopped him just short. Jackson fumbled while scrambling from the onslaught of Danger rushers ending the quarter with Nebraska up 21-14.
Scooter Rogers ended the Danger drive with an interception. Wild quarterback Phil Staback entered the game for the first time in the second quarter and filled in nicely for the Wild. On Staback's first throw, he found a wide open Tim Simmons in the endzone on a 16 yard completion tying the game 21-21. The Danger once again took the lead 27-21 after Hinds scrambled to find Chris Bell for 13 yards. Danger was not able to complete the PAT. Hubbard, returning to his scoring form, found the endzone from 3 yards out on Wichita's next drive giving Wichita the lead 28-27. Looking to regain the lead, Danger killed their chances after a personal foul penalty. Pierson attempted a 44 yard field goal, but missed it wide left. Starting on their own 5 yard line after the missed field goal, Staback and Hubbard botched the handoff resulting in a recovery touchdown for the Danger defense putting them back in front 34-28. Hubbard was knocked out of the game after a huge hit from the Danger defense that popped off his helmet; it looked as if he needed stiches. Jackson scrambled for a 2 yard touchdown to cap off the drive. As history usually repeats itself, Moore and Hinds connected for their 4th touchdown on a 31 yard pass as Moore climbed high and pulled it in between two Wild defenders. On a last ditch effort to put points on the board before the half ended, Chandler attempted a 46 yard field goal that was wide left. Nebraska leading Wichita 41-35.
Wichita started the second half with the ball. Hubbard returned to the game as if nothing happened to him scoring on a 1 yard run tying the game 41-41 after Chandler missed the extra point. Nebraska's Terrell gave his team great field position after a 41 yard return to Wichita's 7 yard line. After a fumble, recovered back by Nebraska, and two incomplete passes, Pierson missed a 20 yard field goal that deflected off the upright. Jackson couldn't rally the troops and the offense stalled forcing them to attempt a 62 yard field goal by Chandler which missed to the left. Nebraska's next drive was highlighted by Daniel Libre who had 2 rushes for 27 yards. Jameel Sewell punched the ball home with a QB keeper from the 1 yard line. Nebraska defense, looking to help out the offense, sacked Jackson for a safety giving them a 50-41 lead. Wichita gained an advantage after Nebraska fumbled the kickoff and Brian Murph tackled the Danger return man for a 1 point safety. Wichita trailed Nebraska 50-42 to end the third quarter.
Nebraska offense couldn't muster anything as the Wild defense was phenomenal. Pierson missed a 55 yard field goal, returning the ball to Wichita. Staback stepped back in under the quarterback carousel. Wichita's drive was saved by a pass interference penalty. Staback methodically spread the ball around the field mixing between pass and runs with Hubbard getting the brunt of the work. The drive sputtered after a sack and incomplete pass. Chandler's kick was blocked. Chandler limped off the field with an apparent knee injury from the blocked kick. Nebraska recovered the kick, but the Wild defense was marvelous forcing two incomplete passes. After an unsportsmanlike penalty pushing the Danger further back, Pierson attempted a 60 yard field goal, but was short. On the first play, Staback threw a hail mary that fell incomplete, but the Danger defense was flagged for passing interference. Nebraska lost their cool as the picked up two penalties: roughing the passer and unsportsmanlike penalty. Hubbard completed the drive for his third rushing touchdown of the night. With Wichita trailing by 2 points, they attempted the 2 point conversion and converted. Staback found Murph in the back of the endzone tying the game 50-50 with just 2:30 remaining. The Wild defense stood up the Danger offense heroically forcing a long field goal. Pierson missed the field goal giving Wichita the ball back with 40 seconds remaining. Staback completed the 90 second drill going 4-4 for 45 yards to Murph(1) and Simmons(3) and the third was a 14 yard touchdown to Simmons giving Wichita the 57-50 lead. Dangers last ditch effort fell incomplete.
Hubbard continued his IFL Offensive Player of the Week form with 3 touchdowns and 69 yards rushing. Staback and Jackson combined to go for 13-22 for 159 yards and 4 touchdowns. Simmons and Turner highlighted the wide receiving core with 7 catches for 115 yards and 3 touchdowns. Nebraska put together 228 total yards of offense and Wichita had 213 yards of total offense.
The Wichita Wild will hit the road next weekend to face the Allen Wrangle, in Allen Texas, before returning home to Hartman Arena on June 2nd to take Bloomington Extreme in the team's final regular season home game of 2012.
• Discuss this story on the Major Indoor Soccer League message board...
Major Indoor Soccer League Stories from May 19, 2012
- Wild Destroy Danger - Wichita Wings
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
