Wild Return Home to Battle Roughnecks
May 22, 2009 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Wichita Wild News Release
The Wichita Wild of the Indoor Football League (IFL) return to Hartman Arena this week for a matchup with the Odessa Roughnecks (2-5). The Wild (3-5) are 2-0 when facing an opponent from the Lone Star Division in 2009. Kick-off for Saturday?s game is scheduled for 7:05 PM and doors will open at 6:00 PM. Tickets are available at the Hartman Arena Box Office by calling 927-3999 or online at www.stage1tickets.com.
Derek Rasmussen, who started the first four games of the season for the Wild, will be back at the helm of the offense on Saturday. Rasmussen had been nursing a back injury. Alex Melugin, who led the Wild to a 2-2 record as starter, went down with a shoulder injury late in last week?s game vs. Sioux Falls.
Rasmussen will have a huge target in Wild receiver Clinton Solomon. Solomon?s 677 receiving yards is best in the IFL for the 2009 season.
The Wild Defense ranks in the top 10 among IFL teams in rush defense, scoring defense and total defense. However, they are coming off a game in which they allowed 49 points, the 2nd most points allowed by Wichita in a single game this season. Defensive back Randy Kelly led the team in tackles last week with 6.5 and defensive lineman John Mobley recovered two Sioux Falls fumbles.
Odessa is led on offense by quarterback Dennis Gile. Gile has thrown for 1,260 yards and 22 touchdowns on the season. Gile is also surrounded by talented wide receivers Jimmy Conner and Eric Taylor. Conner, who doubles as the team?s kick returner, ranks 2nd in the IFL with 171 all-purpose yards per game.
While solid on offense, the Odessa defense has allowed an opponent to score over 70 points twice this season. The Roughnecks enter this week?s game allowing an average of 53 points per game, 2nd worst in the IFL. Much of Odessa?s defensive problems could be blamed on their pass defense which statistically ranks them worst among IFL teams. Linebacker Arthur Harris leads the Roughnecks in tackles this season with 31.
Following Saturday?s game, the Wild will hit the road and return home on Saturday, June 13 to face the Omaha Beef. The game is sure to have major playoff implications. Tickets for all home games are available at the Hartman Arena Box Office, by phone at 316-927-3999, stage1tickets.com and all Stage 1 Ticket Outlets.
Indoor Football League Stories from May 22, 2009
- Back-and-Forth Game Ends in ICE's Loss to Beef - Colorado Crush
- Back-and-Forth Game Ends in ICE's Loss to Beef - Colorado Crush
- Alaska nearly pulls out road win in Fairbanks - Alaska Wild
- Wild Return Home to Battle Roughnecks - Wichita Wild
- Meet the Odessa Roughnecks - West Texas Roughnecks
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