June 11, 2008

Fort Collins, Colo. – The Colorado Ice professional indoor football team (5-8) will close the 2008 season with a home game against the United Indoor Football League’s newest expansion team, the Wichita Wild, this Friday, June 13, at the Budweiser Events Center.  Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. and will be preceded by an end-of-the-season tailgate party starting at 5:30 p.m. outside the front entrance. 

The two teams last met on May 10, in Loveland, Colo. when Wichita pulled a 35-31 upset over Colorado.  QB Ryan Clement finished 10-for-17 for 144 yards and three touchdowns, two to WR Brian Sump and one to WR George Hill.  RB Cody Wood carried the ball 11 times for 26 yards.  It was UNM kicker John Sullivan’s debut game and he connected on a 47-yarder.  LB Ryan Palmer led the defense with 12 total tackles while DB’s Dorsey Golston and Quinten Womack tallied nine a piece.  DB’s DJ Craft and Travis Garcia each pulled in an interception.

Colorado is coming off a huge victory over defending champion Sioux Falls Storm by a final 29-24 margin.  It was the first time the Ice had ever defeated Sioux Falls.  The Ice defense held the Storm scoreless in the fourth quarter and produced two interceptions, four tackles for loss and three QB hurries during the game.  Womack, Garcia and Palmer all tallied six total tackles while Womack added a TFL and Garcia picked off QB Terrance Bryant.  QB Garrett Mehl led the team in rushing with 11 carries for 59 yards and a score and completed 11-of-20 passes for 150 yards and three scores, two to Sump and one to RB Terry Washington.  Sump finished with 99 yards.

Wichita struggled in week 13 with a 58-31 loss to Billings.  RB Cliff Edwards carried the ball six times for 40 yards while QB John Wise finished 8-of-22 for 46 yards and four scores.

Join the Colorado Icicles and Big Country 97.9 to celebrate the season with a pregame tailgate party starting at 5:30 p.m. outside the front entrance of the Budweiser Events Center.  Discounted food and drink will include $2 hot dogs, $2.50 beers and free popcorn for all fans.  The tailgate party will feature a live broadcast and music from Big Country 97.9, several giveaways for fans, including CDs, concert tickets, Ice t-shirts, Ice/Bud Light glass and more, the Colorado Icicles and a table to secure your 2009 season tickets.