April 18, 2008

Fort Collins, Colo. - It was a night of introductions.  The Colorado Ice
were proud to welcome new owner John Cunningham and also excited for the return of University of Miami QB Ryan Clement.  The Colorado Ice (2-4) got revenge against the Sioux City Bandits (3-3) in a 55-32 decision Friday night at the Budweiser Events Center in Loveland, Colo.  The win gave the Ice a 4-1 series lead over Sioux City.

Colorado opened scoring :24 seconds into the game on a 23-yard pass from returning star Clement to WR George Hill to put the Ice up 7-0.  DB Travis Garcia recovered a fumble and ran it 41 yards to increase the lead.  Sioux City put up their first points at the end of the first quarter when QB O.J. Simpson hit WR Chad Kapanui from 12 yards out.

The Ice added 17 more points in the second with a field goal by K Deric Yaussi, a one-yard run from RB Cody Wood and another Hill reception. Kapanui hit Tommy Hofer and Kaylon Price to end the half with Colorado leading 31-20.

Each team would add a touchdown in the third quarter before starting the fourth with the Ice leading 38-26.  The Ice dominated the fourth quarter, getting a second rushing touchdown from Clement, a field goal from Yaussi and a four-yard run from Thomas Smith.

Clement, signed on Thursday, made an impressive return to the Ice after playing the first half of Colorado's inaugural season.  He finished 12-of-16 for 146 yards and two touchdowns.  Clement carried the ball five times for seven yards and two scores.  Wood led the rushing attack with 13 carries for 52 yards and a score.  Smith added the last rushing touchdown.  Former Colorado State WR George Hill pulled in six passes for 84 yards and two scores. 

The defense dictated the game, recovering three fumbles and hauling in two interceptions.  Craft had one of each while DB Quentin Womack recorded the other interception.  DB Travis Garcia and DL Kyle Van Horn each recovered a fumble.  LB Ryan Palmer tallied 8.5 total tackles, three solo and 11 assisted with 1.5 for a loss of four.

Colorado travels to Omaha next weekend, April 26, for a 7:00 p.m. CST/6:00 p.m. MST kickoff.  The Billings Outlaws return for the second time to the Budweiser Event Center on May 2 for Kids Night.