Colorado Ice Drop Close Decision to Billings Outlaws

April 10, 2008

Fort Collins, Colo. – It was almost a repeat.  Last season the Colorado Ice (1-4) hosted the Billings Outlaws (4-1) in their inaugural season home opener and got a last second field goal from kicker Deric Yaussi to pull ahead 26-25.  This year, on a Thursday night rescheduled game for the Colorado Eagles playoff game, the Ice led 26-25 with :18 seconds left in the game.  But it was Billings’ kicker that hit a 32-yarder at the buzzer to pull ahead 28-26 for the final.

Colorado was first to put points up with a 27-yard pass from QB Garrett Mehl to WR Brian Sump.  After two Yaussi field goals and two touchdowns, one failed kick, for Billings, the teams went in tied at 13 for the half.

The first score in the second half wasn’t until the 8:55 mark in the third when Mehl hit WR David Bellinger from four yards out.  The Outlaws put 12 more on the board with two touchdowns, a 30-yard pass from QB Chris Dixon to WR Willie Austin and a four yard run from Dixon which made it 25-20.

Mehl hit WR Justin Gallas with :18 seconds left to make it 26-25 before K Aaron Galvan split the uprights with a 32-yard field goal to end the game.

Mehl finished 14-for-23 for 164 yards and three scores.  RB Sean Ingram led the rush with 18 yards while Sump put up 76.  Dixon hit 20-of-26 for 198 yards and two touchdowns, both to Austin.  Dixon also rushed for 44 yards and a score.  DB Dorsey Golston talled 11 total tackles and one TFL.  LB Ryan Palmer was close behind with nine total.  DL Steve Frye had two sacks for 12 yards plus another TFL.

Sioux City will visit the Budweiser Events Center next Friday, April 18, 2008 for a 7:30 p.m. MT kickoff before Colorado travels to Omaha for a 7:00 p.m. CST/6:00 p.m. MST kickoff on Saturday, April 26.