Colorado Ice Out-Rage-Ous

May 17, 2008

Fort Collins, Colo. -

The Colorado Ice professional indoor football team (4-6) defeated the River City Rage (3-7) by a final 32-30 decision Saturday night for Military Night at the Budweiser Events Center. Colorado evened the series season between the two teams after losing in St. Charles, Mo. 42-35 on March 9.

Colorado's offense dictated the game, almost doubling River City's
total offensive yards, 236 to 124. QB Ryan Clement opened with a four-yard pass to WR Justin Gallas to put the Ice up 7-0 with five minutes left in the first quarter. The Rage countered when WR Hurtis Chinn returned the ensuing kickoff 50 yards to even the score.

The second quarter generated the most points for each team, starting
with a three-yard run from newly signed RB Terry Washington, who played last season with the Rage. River City's Joe Bevis ran in from one yard out to match Colorado at 13 after both kickers missed the extra point attempts. Clement connected with WR Brian Sump on a five-yard pass to go ahead by seven before the Rage added a safety. River City would end the half down 20-18 after a 50-yard field goal from K Mike Matheny.

K John Sullivan hit his first field goal of the game to open the second
half before Matheny answered with three. The two kickers would alternate field goals once more going into the fourth quarter before QB Garrett Mehl came in in relief of Clement to hit WR George Hill from 19 yards out, but Sullivan would miss another PAT to make the score 32-24. River City rallied, but a two-yard run from QB Peejay Jack and a failed two-point conversion left them down 32-30 at the buzzer.

Washington led the rushing attack with 17 carries for 84 yards and a
score. Clement finished 10-of-18 for 95 yards and two touchdown passes. Mehl added 46 passing yards and a score. The numbers were evenly split among Sump, Hill and Gallas, each with a score and 37, 40 and 31 yards, respectively. LB Ryan Palmer led the team with seven total tackles, six solo and 2.5 for loss. DB Robert Cook nabbed the only pick of the game late in the third quarter and DB Dorsey Golston would force and recover a fumble in addition to his 3.5 tackles.

Colorado will hit the road next week against the Sioux City Bandits.
The game is slated for Saturday, May 24, at 7 p.m. CT/6 p.m. MT. The Ice will visit rival Billings Outlaws on May 31 at 7 p.m. before returning home for the final two regular season games; June 6 at 7:30 p.m. against the Sioux Falls Storm for Hometown Heroes Night and June 13 at 7:30 p.m. against the Wichita Wild for Fan Appreciation Night.