Post by cavfan on Mar 24, 2009 22:53:13 GMT -5
OREM, Utah -- All that stands in the way of the Wyoming Cavalry hosting the American Indoor Football Association championship are two expansion teams and a struggling second-year franchise.
Don't print up the playoff tickets yet, though.
The expansion Utah Valley Thunder battled the Cavalry tight for three quarters before Wyoming spoiled the Thunder’s inaugural game with a 62-34 decision before 3,127 at the David O. McKay Center by scoring the game's final 24 points.
Matt Strand had three fourth-quarter touchdowns, and the Cavalry's defense posted a goal-line stance and a Robert Cook interception to help Wyoming take control.
"We got lazy for a while," said Wyoming coach Dan Macijcak. "We have a lot of do, but this was a good start. Everybody did their role."
Utah Valley led 13-8 after the first quarter and made that strong third quarter run, but 11 penalties and Wyoming's experience were too much in the final 15 minutes.
And with New Mexico stunning Ogden 42-37, the AIFA West may not be as easy as indoor football pundits think.
"People who think that don't know these teams," Macijcak said. "Utah's put together a good football team here, and New Mexico's going to be tough."
Strand had a typical Matt Strand game – 16 of 25 for 219 yards and seven touchdowns. His only downside were two third quarter picks allowed Utah to chip away at the lead.
He distributed the ball evenly, but the night belonged to Dante Dudley, who had three touchdowns on his four catches in addition to a pair of two-point conversions.
AJ Street had five catches for 98 yards and two scores, the final on a 41-yarder that basically sealed the game. BJ Charlton caught six for 52 yards and one score as well as three two-pointers, while James Jones ended the scoring on a 25-yard pass to go along with his one rushing touchdown.
The Cavalry scored on all four first-half possessions, taking control in the second quarter when they outscored Utah Valley 22-0. Wyoming also blocked two field goal attempts.
The Thunder's Michael Affleck finished with 218 yards and three touchdowns, all to Akamu Aki. The last TD cut Wyoming’s lead to 38-34 with 17 seconds left in the third quarter.
Jeff Johnson had 16 catches for 141 yards, but didn't score for UtahValley.
Wyoming plays at Ogden on Saturday night.
Don't print up the playoff tickets yet, though.
The expansion Utah Valley Thunder battled the Cavalry tight for three quarters before Wyoming spoiled the Thunder’s inaugural game with a 62-34 decision before 3,127 at the David O. McKay Center by scoring the game's final 24 points.
Matt Strand had three fourth-quarter touchdowns, and the Cavalry's defense posted a goal-line stance and a Robert Cook interception to help Wyoming take control.
"We got lazy for a while," said Wyoming coach Dan Macijcak. "We have a lot of do, but this was a good start. Everybody did their role."
Utah Valley led 13-8 after the first quarter and made that strong third quarter run, but 11 penalties and Wyoming's experience were too much in the final 15 minutes.
And with New Mexico stunning Ogden 42-37, the AIFA West may not be as easy as indoor football pundits think.
"People who think that don't know these teams," Macijcak said. "Utah's put together a good football team here, and New Mexico's going to be tough."
Strand had a typical Matt Strand game – 16 of 25 for 219 yards and seven touchdowns. His only downside were two third quarter picks allowed Utah to chip away at the lead.
He distributed the ball evenly, but the night belonged to Dante Dudley, who had three touchdowns on his four catches in addition to a pair of two-point conversions.
AJ Street had five catches for 98 yards and two scores, the final on a 41-yarder that basically sealed the game. BJ Charlton caught six for 52 yards and one score as well as three two-pointers, while James Jones ended the scoring on a 25-yard pass to go along with his one rushing touchdown.
The Cavalry scored on all four first-half possessions, taking control in the second quarter when they outscored Utah Valley 22-0. Wyoming also blocked two field goal attempts.
The Thunder's Michael Affleck finished with 218 yards and three touchdowns, all to Akamu Aki. The last TD cut Wyoming’s lead to 38-34 with 17 seconds left in the third quarter.
Jeff Johnson had 16 catches for 141 yards, but didn't score for UtahValley.
Wyoming plays at Ogden on Saturday night.