April 30, 2008

Fort Collins, Colo. –The Colorado Ice (2-5) will host Billings for the second time this season when the Outlaws (5-2) visit the Budweiser Events Center this Friday for a 7:30 p.m. MST kickoff.  Billings has defeated Colorado three out of the last four meetings with the Ice taking the first game, their inaugural season home opener, on March 23, 2007, with a last second field goal from K Deric Yaussi to pull ahead 26-25. It will be the second contest between the two teams this season with Billings taking the first game in Loveland, Colo. with a last second field goal to top the Ice 28-26.

The teams last met on April 10, 2007, at the Budweiser Events Center in Colorado’s home opener only to have the Outlaws win with a last second field goal for a final 28-26 decision.  Colorado jumped to an early 7-0 lead with a 27-yard pass from QB Garrett Mehl to WR Brian Sump while the defense held Billings scoreless in the first quarter.  Yaussi opened the second quarter with a 19-yard field goal.  The Outlaws added two touchdowns, a pass from QB Chris Dixon to WR Willie Austin and a run from Ryan Grosulak.  Yaussi hit another field goal at the buzzer to close the half tied at 13.

WR David Bellinger hauled in a 4-yarder before Dixon and Austin connected to try and match the score, but K Aaron Galvan’s kick was blocked.  Each team would add a touchdown in the fourth, but neither could convert on two-point conversion attempts.  Colorado took a 26-25 lead with :18 seconds left but the Outlaws charged down the field in four plays and 20 yards before Galvan split the uprights from 32 yards out at the buzzer to end the game, 28-26.

The Ice are coming off a loss to Omaha in a hard-fought battle last Saturday.  The 38-23 victory was the fourth in a row for the Beef.  The teams went in 31-16 at the half, but Colorado rallied in the third and came to within eight.  Omaha added one more score, but that was all they would get as the Ice defense held the Beef to just seven points in the second half.

Billings is coming off a big win over Wichita, beating them 55-13 last Saturday.  Dixon led the team, going 15-for-20 for 193 yards and five touchdowns.  WR Robert Reed would pull in four of those.  The Outlaw defense tallied an interception, two sacks and seven pass break-ups.

May 2 is the first of a three game home stand for the Ice.  The game is themed Kids Night and all kids 12 and under will receive half price tickets at the door.  Wichita and RiverCity will visit the Budweiser Events Center the following two Saturdays.

Pre-registration has started for the Annual Colorado Ice Kids Football Camp held June 9-12, 2008.  The camp is open to third through eighth graders and is hosted by Fort Collins Indoor Soccer at OD’s Sports Crossing in Fort Collins, Colo. Ice players and coaches will provide expert instruction on the fundamentals of football.  Participants will sharpen offensive and defensive skills through on-field drills and practices.  For more information or to register for the camp contact Colorado Ice headquarters at (970) 472-0128, visit the Ice website at www.thecoloradoice.com or visit OD’s Sports Crossing at 218 Smokey Street in Fort Collins.