Post by Banana Cat on May 15, 2012 7:18:03 GMT -5
Colorado set the IFL single game rush record by a team this past weekend, 260 yards on the ground.
QB Knighton was also released by the Ice yesterday, so Sanders will be the guy going forward and his opponents will have to start looking to defend the run more.
www.reporterherald.com/sports/colorado-ice/ci_20616412/sanders-sparks-record-setting-rushing-performance
QB Knighton was also released by the Ice yesterday, so Sanders will be the guy going forward and his opponents will have to start looking to defend the run more.
www.reporterherald.com/sports/colorado-ice/ci_20616412/sanders-sparks-record-setting-rushing-performance
Sanders sparks record-setting rushing performance
One-time receiver has big debut at quarterback
By Sean Star Sports Writer
5/13/2012
Looking to spark his offense, Colorado Ice coach Heron O'Neal made a bold move prior to Saturday night's game at the Wyoming Cavalry. Veteran quarterback David Knighton, who had started 24 straight games for the team, was benched in favor of Jeremy Sanders, who up until Saturday was used primarily as a wide receiver.
O'Neal's decision certainly paid off, as Sanders ignited a record-setting performance in leading the Ice to a 59-46 win.
Sanders accounted for six total touchdowns (four rushing and two passing) while helping Colorado rush for an Indoor Football League record 260 yards. But according to O'Neal, Sanders' impact was beyond his impressive stats (124 rushing yards, 64 passing yards).
"He came in with the mindset that he was going to dominate. I truly believe our O-line and receivers got an extra boost because of that," O'Neal said. "It's infectious with how hard he works and how much he wants to be great. He's very coachable, and guys just gravitate toward his personality. So it was a risk, a gamble, but he was definitely ready. He was coached up all year to be ready to go. It just shows how great of an athlete he really is to go in and play three games at receiver and then play quarterback. To have six touchdowns in his first game at quarterback is unreal."
Sanders ran (13) more than he passed (12), but O'Neal said the former Baylor Bear was plenty efficient when he did throw -- most notably a 32-yard touchdown pass to James Walton on the team's first possession and a fourth-down scoring pass to Mark Henderson at the end of the third quarter that gave the Ice their biggest lead of the game.
"He was very efficient with where he went with the ball. He only made one mistake all night, which was the interception he threw, but everything else he threw it to where the defense dictated it to go," O'Neal said. "He went through his progression, and he put it only where our guy could make a play, except for that one ball. And I was definitely happy with that.
"That fourth-down throw was huge. Fourth-and-goal, we go for it, and he throws a touchdown to Mark Henderson. That was the biggest turning point in the game there."
Three of Sanders' four touchdown runs went for more than 20 yards (22, 32, 37), as he displayed his unique ability that has earned him the same nickname as one of the NFL's elite receivers, Calvin Johnson.
"It's rare to have straight-line speed like he has, as well as lateral speed and power to go all in one package," O'Neal said. "I mean he played a razor-sharp game, and his athletic ability is second to none. That's why we call him Megatron, because he is definitely freakish."
With Sanders' emergence, that leaves Knighton's role with the Ice unknown, as O'Neal said today the team's front office will discuss Knighton's future with the team.
One-time receiver has big debut at quarterback
By Sean Star Sports Writer
5/13/2012
Looking to spark his offense, Colorado Ice coach Heron O'Neal made a bold move prior to Saturday night's game at the Wyoming Cavalry. Veteran quarterback David Knighton, who had started 24 straight games for the team, was benched in favor of Jeremy Sanders, who up until Saturday was used primarily as a wide receiver.
O'Neal's decision certainly paid off, as Sanders ignited a record-setting performance in leading the Ice to a 59-46 win.
Sanders accounted for six total touchdowns (four rushing and two passing) while helping Colorado rush for an Indoor Football League record 260 yards. But according to O'Neal, Sanders' impact was beyond his impressive stats (124 rushing yards, 64 passing yards).
"He came in with the mindset that he was going to dominate. I truly believe our O-line and receivers got an extra boost because of that," O'Neal said. "It's infectious with how hard he works and how much he wants to be great. He's very coachable, and guys just gravitate toward his personality. So it was a risk, a gamble, but he was definitely ready. He was coached up all year to be ready to go. It just shows how great of an athlete he really is to go in and play three games at receiver and then play quarterback. To have six touchdowns in his first game at quarterback is unreal."
Sanders ran (13) more than he passed (12), but O'Neal said the former Baylor Bear was plenty efficient when he did throw -- most notably a 32-yard touchdown pass to James Walton on the team's first possession and a fourth-down scoring pass to Mark Henderson at the end of the third quarter that gave the Ice their biggest lead of the game.
"He was very efficient with where he went with the ball. He only made one mistake all night, which was the interception he threw, but everything else he threw it to where the defense dictated it to go," O'Neal said. "He went through his progression, and he put it only where our guy could make a play, except for that one ball. And I was definitely happy with that.
"That fourth-down throw was huge. Fourth-and-goal, we go for it, and he throws a touchdown to Mark Henderson. That was the biggest turning point in the game there."
Three of Sanders' four touchdown runs went for more than 20 yards (22, 32, 37), as he displayed his unique ability that has earned him the same nickname as one of the NFL's elite receivers, Calvin Johnson.
"It's rare to have straight-line speed like he has, as well as lateral speed and power to go all in one package," O'Neal said. "I mean he played a razor-sharp game, and his athletic ability is second to none. That's why we call him Megatron, because he is definitely freakish."
With Sanders' emergence, that leaves Knighton's role with the Ice unknown, as O'Neal said today the team's front office will discuss Knighton's future with the team.