Game 11 Preview: Sioux City Bandits

May 22, 2008

Fort Collins, Colo. -

The Colorado Ice professional indoor football team (4-6) begins a two-game road trip this weekend when they visit the Sioux City Bandits (3-7) Saturday, May 24.  Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. CT/6 p.m. MT at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa.  The Ice are looking to take a series lead after splitting two games thus far this season.  The Ice swept Sioux City in three games last season, outscoring them 136-60.

Colorado last faced Sioux City on April 18 at the Budweiser Events Center when QB Ryan Clement’s four touchdowns (two rushing and two passing, both to WR George Hill) lifted the Ice over the Bandits 55-32.  RB’s Cody Wood and Thomas Smith each added a score on the ground.  LB Ryan Palmer tallied 8.5 tackles, 1.5 for loss.  Palmer currently ranks first in the league in fumbles recovered with three and second with 68 total tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss.  DB’s Quinten Womack and DJ Craft each hauled in an interception and Craft added a fumble recovery.  DL Kyle Van Horn had another fumble recovery but it was DB Travis Garcia who returned a fumble 41 yards for the score.

The Ice traveled to Sioux City on April 5 for a disheartening 52-29 loss.  QB Garrett Mehl led the team in rushing with 35 yards and a score.  Wood added 30 yards and a touchdown.  K Deric Yaussi finished three-of-five on field goal attempts.  Craft led the defense with 4.5 total tackles and one of the team’s interceptions, returned for 14 yards.  Garcia pulled in the other one and added a tackle for four yard loss.

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.