www.reporterherald.com/news_story.asp?ID=31959Publish Date: 4/4/2011
Colorado remains perfect with win over Bricktown
Ice overcome injuries in 38-26 victory
© 2011 Loveland Reporter-Herald
OKLAHOMA CITY – Before Sunday's kickoff, Colorado coach Collins Sanders felt like his team had been hit by a load of bricks.
Starting nose guard and longsnapper Yaniv Barnett was injured during pregame warmups, and two plays into the road game with the Bricktown Brawlers, staring offensive lineman and backup longsnapper Karl Glimp went down with a knee injury that may possibly end his season.
Despite not being able to attempt placement kicks, the Ice moved to 5-0 on the year with a 38-26 Indoor Football League victory over the expansion Brawlers.
“The real story of this game is we had to overcome a number of key injuries,” Sanders said. “The field was terrible. It was worse than the one we played on last year (at home).”
Before the first quarter was done, running back Terry Washington was out with an injury, and stalwart defensive end Chase Vaughn exited the contest before the final whistle.
“It was ridiculous,” Sanders said. “We had some guys who really sucked it up and played it out, a couple of them who probably shouldn't have.”
Trailing most of the early going, the Ice stole momentum at the end of the first half with three quick touchdowns and held on down the stretch. Quarterback David Knighton hit receivers Jason English and Mark Henderson for 11-yard scores to give the Ice their first lead, 24-20. On the ensuing Brawlers possession, Tyrone King intercepted Nate Samas and returned it 19 yards for a score and a 30-20 halftime lead.
“That's a huge play,” Sanders said. “Our defense has certainly played outstanding this year and again showed why it's one of the best defenses in the league.”
King intercepted Samas again in the final two minutes to seal the victory for the Ice, their second on the road this year after losing all seven away from home in 2010. The Ice sacked Samas three times and recorded six tackles for a loss.
The Brawlers (2-3) scored in the third to close the gap, but Duane Brooks capped the scoring
with a 4-yard rushing touchdown with 12 minutes, 6 seconds remaining in the game. Knighton had his best outing of the year on an afternoon the Ice needed it, completing 17-of-23 passes for 153 yards and four scores. More importantly, he didn't turn over the ball and he led the team with 39 rushing yards.
“We're really pleased with the way David played,” Sanders said. “He did a very good job of managing the game and taking care of the ball. If he continues to do that, we'll do nothing but keep getting better and better.”
Lemans Casimier led the team with five catches for 76 yards, including scoring catches of 10 and 30 yards that jump-started the Colorado offense.
The Ice have a short week to deal with the injury issues with another road game looming Saturday at winless Amarillo (0-5).