April 26, 2008

Fort Collins, Colo. -The Colorado Ice (2-5) gave up a 9-7 lead in the first quarter to the Omaha Beef (6-2) Saturday night and never got it back.  The win was the fifth in a row for the Beef and pushed them even farther ahead of the other teams in the division.  The Ice tried for a comeback in the second quarter, holding the Beef to just seven points.  However, Colorado was only able to generate seven of their own when QB Garrett Mehl hit WR Brian Sump from 19 yards out for his second touchdown to move within eight, down 23-31.

Colorado K Deric Yaussi hit a 39-yard field goal to put the first points of the game on the board.  Omaha took their first lead on a five yard run from R.J. Rollins.  The Beef would dominate the game, scoring five more times before the end of the half.  Ricky LeBeda added a field goal and a rouge for the team while QB James McNear recorded two passing touchdowns and another on the ground.  Mehl ran one in from three yards out to end the half 16-31.Each team added a touchdown in the third quarter and held each other scoreless in the fourth.

Colorado put up 54 rushing yards compared to Omaha's 130 and was only able to convert on two of their seven third downs.  RB Cody Wood led the team in rushing with 24 yards on eight carries.  Mehl added 23 and a score as well as 88 yards in the air with a touchdown.  QB Ryan Clement went 3-for-8 with 40 yards and a score.  Sump led the receiving corp, hauling in seven passes
for 89 yards and two touchdowns.

DB Quinten Womack had a career-high nine tackle performance, followed by DB Dorsey Golston with 8.5.  DL Kurt Kissner had the only sack for the Ice, adding to the team's four tackles for loss for 15 total yards.  DB Robert Cook II and DB Thomas Smith each had a pass breakup.

Colorado hosts Billings next Friday, May 2, for the first of a three game home stand.  The game is themed kids night and has a 7:30 p.m. MST scheduled kickoff.  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.  Wichita and RiverCity will visit the Budweiser Events Center the following two Saturdays.