CHARLESTOWN, MI-The Michigan Bombers refused to admit that they may have suffered a letdown after their thrilling overtime victory last week. Instead, they gave credit to the Houston Hotshots for earning a 23-10 victory in Week 8 of the CIFL season.
On the second play of the game, Whitey Barnwell fumbled and Justin Gary recovered for Houston at the Michigan 44-yard line. After a seven-play, 14-yard drive, Martin Seal kicked a 47-yard field goal to give the Hotshots a 3-0 lead with 11:25 left in the first quarter. On the Bombers' next possession, Gitch Tims would get intercepted by Esteban Reed who returned it 18 yards to the Houston 44-yard line. Following a five-play, 21-yard drive, Seal would kick a 52-yard field goal to make it 6-0 with 4:31 remaining in the first.
After trading punts, Michigan would move 30 yards on 6 plays. Orey Calhoun would kick a 52-yard field goal to make it 6-3 with 10:24 remaining in the second quarter. The Hotshots moved into scoring position, but Seal would miss a 53-yard field goal attempt. Michigan would punt the ball, and down it on the Houston 7-yard line. But the Hotshots would not be deterred, driving 93 yards on 10 plays. Barney Brant finished it off with a 2-yard touchdown pass to Hank Olive to pull ahead 13-3 with 1:08 remaining in the half. The Bombers tried to score before the half, but Calhoun would miss a 53-yard field goal attempt.
Houston opened the second half with an 11-play, 44-yard drive, and Seal kicked a 32-yard field goal to make it 16-3 with 9:16 left in the third quarter. Michigan went three-and-out, and the Hotshots went 59 yards on 11 plays. Brant would throw an 8-yard touchdown pass to Richie Buckner to extend Houston's lead to 23-3 with 1:35 left in the third.
The Bombers would not quit, and drove 82 yards on 9 plays. Tims finished the drive with an 8-yard touchdown pass to Oneal Little to make it 23-10 with 12:09 to go in the fourth quarter. After a Hotshots punt, the Bombers moved to try and close the gap further, but Tims would get picked off by Stewart Lavue at the Houston 22-yard line. The Hotshots would run out the clock from there.
Houston (4-3) gained 322 yards of total offense. The Hotshots ran for 120 yards on 39 carries. Buckner led the team with 64 yards on 13 carries. Brant went 18-of-28 passing for 203 yards and 2 TD. He was sacked once for a 1-yard loss. Wallace Hinshaw (67 yards) and Buckner (38 yards, TD) each caught 5 passes in the game. The Hotshots travel to Sacramento to face the Knights next week.
Michigan (5-2) gained 279 yards of total offense. The Bombers ran for 50 yards on 17 carries. Bernest Noon led the team with 22 yards on 3 carries. Tims went 21-of-35 passing for 257 yards, 1 TD and 2 INT. He was sacked four times, losing 28 yards. Dalls Kilburn led the receiver with 7 catches for 112 yards. The Bombers host the Anaheim Splash next week.
Coming Up: The updated standings for Week 8, followed by the midseason league leaders for the CIFL.
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