STEAMWHEELERS STEAMROLL BUCKS IN SEASON SWEEP AT HOME
MOLINE, IL – The Quad City Steamwheelers return to the TaxSlayer Center in hopes to secure their playoff bid hosting the Bismarck Bucks (3-10).
WR Mike Carrigan takes the opening kickoff 29 yards, setting up the Wheelers with possession at the 21 yard line. QB E.J. Hilliard takes the offense down the field with interim RB Robert Jones punching it in from 8 yards out. PAT good, Wheelers up 7-0.
Bucks start their first possession at their own 20 yard line. Picking up the first down with the help from an illegal defense, RB Xavier Quick topped off the drive with a score. PAT missed, Wheelers up 7-6.
Following the Bismarck score, Wheeler's offense started deep in their own territory. Hilliard connects with WR Isaiah Grice for a huge gain followed by extra yardage from a Bucks penalty. Coach Ross loses the challenge after the ruling on the field was a Jones fumble at the goal line.
With barely any room to breathe, Bismarck QB Giovanni Sanders connects with WR John Brunner for a 35 yard completion. Delay of game backs them up 5 yards on second down. Wheeler's defense holds them to a field attempt which is missed from 33.
Quad City responded, going 45 yards with a heavy 17 yard carry by WR Londell Lee and finished with a strike from Hilliard to another Lee contribution resulting in 6. PAT connected, Wheelers 14-6.
Kicker Kimo Naehu kicks the ball out-of-play making it first down for the Bucks at their 15 yard line. Bizarre play on second down with a pass from Sanders tipped at the line into the hands of his OL Donte Ogburn for a slight gain of 3 yards. Next play the ball lands into the hands of Quad Cities' Antwan Smith.
Following the turnover, Hilliard unleashes a booming 35 yard pass to WR Mike Carrigan for the score. PAT missed, Wheelers 20-6.
Bismarck tries to answer with a score of their own, but is stopped by Malik Duncan and the rest of the Wheeler's defense. Result of the drive is a turnover on downs after an incompletion by Sanders.
Great field possession for the Wheelers at Bismarck's own 20, is started with an over the wall snag by WR Keyvan Rudd picking up the first down. Hilliard sneaks into the end zone from 6. Yet another PAT missed, Wheelers 26-6.
Closing out the half, Sanders finds Brunner for a touchdown with 6 seconds left in the half. The 2 point attempt is good, Wheelers 26-14.
The Quad City Steamwheelers entered the second half with a 26-14 lead.
Bucks open with possession picking up first down on their two quick plays. Later Sanders connects with WR Rob Brown to cut the lead to one possession. PAT good, Wheelers 26-21.
Following the kick off, Carrigan picks up 35 yards but is brought back with a holding penalty. Hilliard then commits an illegal forward pass in the end zone resulting in a safety. Coach Ross loses another challenge after discussion with his coaching staff. Wheelers 26-23.
A surprise onside kick from Naehu shifts the momentum back to the Steamwheelers. Second down attempt was followed by a Hilliard 18 yard run. Next play, Rudd coughs up the ball to the Buck's defense.
With a battle of possession this quarter, Bismarck's QB caps off the short fieldage by taking it himself for the score. PAT missed, Bucks 29-26.
Steamwheelers offense needing to find some rhythm do just that. They convert on second down by a Hilliard carry for 16 yards. The very next play is an acrobatic catch from Carrigan for a touchdown. PAT good, Wheelers regain the lead 33-29.
Short kick-off results in Brown taking it up the sideline to the Wheelers 12 yard line. Not gaining anything from a short field, Bismarck is forced to go for it on fourth down when Duncan knocks down the pass attempt. Turning the ball over on the Wheelers 5 yard line.
With the change of possession, Hilliard opens with two incomplete passes and on third down fumbling the ball back to the Bucks recovered by DL Jalen Steward.
With 9:36 to go in the game, Bismarck is looking to gain a late lead. Obtaining the first down on a short third down run, Bismarck ends with a Sanders 5 yard keeper on the left side for the touchdown. PAT connected, Bucks 36-33.
Steamwheelers offense has 4:17 to work with in securing a win. Possession starts on the 7 yard line after Rudd is uplifted by Brown. Jones' heavy carry of 30 yards sets them up for a Hilliard draw for the touchdown. PAT connects, Wheelers 40-36.
Muffed snap recovered by DL Teon Burroughs looks like it can be put down as another win for the Steamwheelers. Offense takes over at the 4 yard line. And yet again, Hilliard finds the end zone making it a two score game over the Bismarck Bucks. PAT just left, Wheelers 46-36.
Sanders ends his offensive night with an interception to DB Kendell Jefferson. Steamwheelers advance, moving them to 7-6 on the season, just outside the playoffs. Wheelers travel to Las Vegas next week to take on a Western Conference Vegas Knight Hawks.