MILWAUKEE-C.C. Cage caught the game-winning touchdown with 7 seconds left to break the Milwaukee Mustangs' 3-game losing streak and defeat the Iowa Barnstormers 27-24 in a Week 8 AFL game.
The Barnstormers opened the game with a punt, and the Mustangs would answer with a 9-play, 50-yard drive, ending with a 24-yard field goal by Rock Philbrook to take a 3-0 lead with 9:43 left in the first quarter. Iowa would punt again, and a 26-yard return by Rory Bane placed the ball at the Barnstormers' 37. But after three plays, Philbrook would miss a 47-yard attempt. After another Iowa punt, Milwaukee would get in position for Philbrook to attempt a 27-yard field goal, but it was blocked by Grant Douglass and returned it to the Iowa 38-yard line.
Both teams traded punts, and then early in the second, Ev Blansett threw a long pass that was intercepted by Conn Kriner who returned it 41 yards to the Barnstormers' 17-yard line. Following a 5-play, 13-yard drive, Philbrook connected on a 21-yard field goal with 7:58 to go in the half to make it 6-0 Milwaukee. After another three-and-out by Iowa, Milwaukee appeared to be driving for a touchdown, but Nigel McClain's fumble was recovered by Stew Fugundo at the Barnstormers' 7. Both teams would trade punts, and Iowa would move the ball 20 yards on 4 plays. SB Rhoads would finally put the Barnstormers on the board with a 53-yard field goal with 34 seconds left in the half, and the score was 6-3 in favor of the Mustangs at halftime.
Milwaukee opened the second half with possession, and JC George's first pass of the second half was picked off by Seth Waltrip who returned it 16 yards to the Mustangs 31-yard line. Five plays later, Blansett threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Davlin Coggins to put Iowa up 10-6 with 12:04 to go in the third. The teams traded punts, and Milwaukee drove 40 yards on 8 plays, with Philbrook kicking a 38-yard field goal with 4:20 to go in the third to make it 10-9. The Barnstormers went three-and-out, and Jean Butler's punt was blocked at the Milwaukee 24-yard line. Six plays later, George plunged in from 2 yards out for a touchdown. The 2-Point Conversion was good, and the Mustangs pulled ahead 17-10 with 1:25 remaining in the third quarter.
The Barnstormers would answer with a 7-play, 64-yard drive. Blansett completed a 1-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah O'Connell with 13:00 to go in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 17. The Mustangs would drive 27 yards on 5 plays, and Philbrook kicked a 41-yard field goal to put Milwaukee up 20-17 with 9:49 remaining. Iowa would respond with a 10-play, 67-yard drive that ended with Blansett connecting with O'Connell for an 8-yard touchdown to give the Barnstormers a 24-20 lead with 4:26 to go. Both teams punted, and the Mustangs were on their own 33 with 1:28 left in the game. An 8-play, 67-yard drive ended with George throwing a 2-yard touchdown pass to Cage with 7 seconds to go to give Milwaukee a 27-24 victory.
Milwaukee (5-3) gained 348 yards of total offense. The Mustangs ran for 92 yards on 26 carries. Chester Brice led the Mustangs with 41 yards on 6 carries. George went 23-of-44 passing for 284 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT. He was sacked four times, losing 28 yards. Nelson Romine led the Mustangs with 5 catches for 59 yards. Milwaukee will host the Albany Firebirds next week.
Iowa (4-4) gained 173 yards of total offense. The Barnstormers were held to 46 yards rushing on 19 carries. Powell Ramos led the team with 18 yards on 7 carries. Blansett went 20-of-32 passing for 171 yards, 3 TD and 1 INT. He was sacked five times, losing 44 yards. O'Connell led the Barnstormers with 9 catches for 62 yards and 2 TD. Iowa will host the Grand Rapids Rampage next week.
No comments:
Post a Comment