AUBURN HILLS, MI-Ralston Eason ran for two touchdowns, including the game winner, to give the Detroit Neon a 23-17 victory in overtime over the Anaheim Splash in Week 11 of the CIFL season.
The teams traded punts to start the game, then Detroit went on a 7-play, 51-yard drive that ended with Enrique Covey scoring on a 6-yard touchdown run to take a 7-0 lead with 3:32 remaining in the first quarter. Anaheim went three-and-out, then the Neon drove 66 yards on 12 plays. Eason would then score on a 1-yard quarterback draw to go up 14-0 with 13:32 remaining in the second quarter.
The Splash would respond with an 11-play, 62-yard drive. Butler Elliott would kick a 19-yard field goal to make it 14-3 with 7:01 left in the half. Detroit would punt on their next possession, and Anaheim drove for a potential score, but Elliott would miss a 54-yard field goal attempt, and the half would come to an end.
The Neon moved for a potential score in the second half, but Stafford Vilmer sacked Eason and caused a fumble that was recovered by Bat Roe who returned it 25 yards to the Detroit 45-yard line. Brett Fusco would finish the subsequent 12-play, 45-yard drive with a 4-yard touchdown run. The Splash would miss a 2-point conversion and Anaheim trailed 14-9 with 6:21 remaining in the third quarter. The Neon were thwarted again when Benny Dobler stripped Eason and Roe recovered at the Splash 48-yard line.
After a poor Anaheim punt, Detroit got on track with a 7-play, 40-yard drive. DJ Pilgrim kicked a 39-yard field goal to give the Neon a 17-9 lead with 14:18 to go in the fourth quarter. The Splash would answer going 80 yards on 16 plays. Harlan Finnegan scored on a 2-yard quarterback keeper on fourth-and-goal and a successful 2-point conversion tied the game at 17 with 6:52 left in regulation. The teams would trade punts and the game would go to overtime.
Detroit got the ball first in the extra session, and looked as if they would win the game on their first drive. But Pilgrim's 31-yard field goal attempt was blocked by Rodney Kuykendall who fell on it at the Anaheim 27-yard line. The Splash would have to punt, and the Neon would move the ball 48 yards on 9 plays. Eason would take it himself on a 1-yard touchdown run with 3:27 remaining in overtime to secure the win.
Detroit (6-4) gained 401 yards of total offense. The Neon ran for 139 yards on 31 carries. Eason led the team with 61 yards on 9 carries and 2 TD. He went 23-of-43 passing for 294 yards and was sacked five times, losing 32 yards. Leonard Echols was the leading receiver with 6 catches for 115 yards. The Neon host the Houston Hotshots next week.
Anaheim (2-8) gained 319 yards of total offense. The Splash ran for 106 yards on 31 carries. Fusco led the team with 87 yards on 21 carries and a TD. Finnegan was 23-of-37 passing for 226 yards and was sacked twice, losing 13 yards. Kaleo Hendricks (61 yards), Fusco (41 yards) and Benny Gee (24 yards) each caught 4 passes. The Splash will visit the Washington Warthogs next week.
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