 1 rating(s)
Current Members: 17
Bookmark URL: http://my.billingsgazette.com/Groups/Billings_Outlaws |
|||
|
Outlaws complete season sweep of Storm
Posted by:
ryanminch on
June 14, 2009 at
9:10AM MT
Defense comes up big for the Outlaws
Billings snaps Sioux Falls' 35-game home winning streak with a 34-22 win
 SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Give the game ball to the defense.The Billings Outlaws rode the backs of their stingy defense, and Chris Dixon and Co. made just enough plays as the Billings Outlaws got a monumental victory Saturday night in Sioux Falls, S.D., knocking off the Storm for the third time this season, 34-22. "They never get talked about, but tonight, if it wasn't for the defense, I don't think we could have pulled this one out," said Outlaws head coach Heron O'Neal. "Tonight we had the intestinal fortitude to win it." It was the Outlaws' first win in Sioux Falls since June 12, 2004. The Outlaws improved to 11-1 on the season and in doing so, snapped the Storms' 35-game home winning streak. The last team to defeat the Storm at home was the Omaha Beef, 49-44 on July 2, 2005. The Beef, ironically, are the only team to beat the Outlaws this season. "Tonight's win speaks volumes of our coaching staff," O'Neal said. "I vowed to myself last year I was going to do what it took to get our team over the hump. As far as professional sports go, the run that Sioux Falls had hasn't been matched." Following a sluggish start that saw both defenses pitch a first-quarter shut out, the Storm struck on the opening play of the second quarter on a 7-yard run by running back Sean Treasure. "They made a lot of adjustments from last week and it took us about a quarter to figure out what they were doing", said O'Neal. "The second half was much better for our offense." The Outlaws defense held the IFL's leading rusher to only 20 yards on 9 attempts, 40 yards below his season average. Although Outlaws quarterback Chris Dixon did add to his Indoor Football League-leading TD pass total (60), Saturday night belonged to the defense. The Outlaws defense allowed just 160 total yards, while limiting the Storm to a season-low 22 points. Billings forced one turnover and blocked two first half extra-point attempts. Defensive back Javon Jackson led the charge, recording 6 1/2 tackles and coming up with a the crucial fourth quarter interception, as the Outlaws held on to a two-point lead, 17-15. "His play was huge", said O'Neal. "We needed that, and (Jackson) made a great play." "I saw two guys going deep and Coach (O'Neal) made a great call, I saw he (Bryant) wasn't looking my way so I cheated a little bit and was able to make a play", said Jackson. Dixon, who completed 24 of 28 passes a week ago against the Storm, was held in check for most of the night. He finished the game completing just 10 of 21 passes for 170 yards and also ran for a score. James Walton got the Outlaws on the board early in the second quarter, hauling in the first of his two first-half scores. As Dixon rolled to his right, he found a wide open Walton down the right sideline for a 32-yard score to put the Outlaws up 7-6. Trailing, 17-9 at halftime, the Storm got back into the game on their first possession of the second half with a 12-play, 45-yard drive that consumed nearly eight minutes and was capped by quarterback Terrance Bryant's 1-yard run. After regaining the lead with 9:45 remaining in the final quarter, the Storm special teams unit allowed Tim Brown to set the Outlaws up in good field position following a 24-yard kick return. From there, Dixon led the Outlaws downfield in just six plays and capped the drive himself, scoring from one yard out on fourth and goal, putting the Outlaws on top for good 27-22 with under seven minutes left. With 1:26 remaining, on third and seven from the 22 yard line, Dixon scrambled to his left and under threw Robert Redd, who fell to the turf while making the catch but was able to get in the end zone, sealing the victory. Redd led the Outlaws with five catches for 90 yards, while Charles Anthony led the running attack with 19 yards on 8 carries. Bryant finished 21-of-32 for 131 yards and three touchdowns. The Outlaws return to Rimrock Auto Arena next Saturday for a their final regular-season home game, a Pacific Division matchup against the rival Colorado Ice. Kickoff is set for 7:05. NOTES: Outlaws kicker Nate Parseghian continued his streak of made PATs, improving to 31 for 31 as an Outlaw...Parseghian also booted a 50-yard field goal late in the second quarter... The Storm, who fall to 4-8 on the season, trail the Wichita Wild by two games for the third and final playoff spot in the IFL's United Conference Central Divison...Wichita defeated Omaha 39-37 Saturday night.
Send This | Categories:
(1) Comments
|
About This Blog
Older Posts
|
||
