2010 Record- 1-2 (1-1 at home 0-1 on the road)- Streak: Won 1- Fifth Place, National Conference

 

 

The Barnstormers received their first “W” on the 2010 season, defeating the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz 68-60. During the first half, both teams came out hot, taking turns scoring on the first seven possessions of the game. Two big plays by the special teams highlighted early action in the game with the Yard Dawgz blocking and returning the first PAT attempt by kicker Jeff Glas. On the ensuing kickoff, Glas hit the post with his kick which enabled the ball to rattle away from the Yard Dawgz before being recovered by defensive back Larry Kendrick for a Barnstormers touchdown. Both teams had chances at the end of the half, but came away empty handed due to missed field goals. The score going into halftime had the Yard Dawgz leading the Barnstormers 31-27.

 

After the teams exchanged scores in the opening of the second half, the Yard Dawgz knocked the ball loose from quarterback Ryan Vena and returned the fumble 44 yards for a touchdown and a 44-34 lead. With the Barnstormers next possession ending on downs, a big play needed to be made. Momentum swung into the Barnstormers favor when defensive lineman Brent Curvey had a strip sack which led to linebacker Micah King scooping up the football for an easy six points. After a missed Yard Dawgz field goal, Vena hooked up with his favorite target of the night, Jesse Schmidt, for a 31 yard touchdown pass. Defensive back Tanner Varner came away with a huge interception on the next possession early in fourth quarter which led to another touchdown. The Barnstormers never looked back after that, going on to win the game 68-60. Schmidt recorded seven catches for 141 yards and three touchdowns, while Vena finished with four touchdown passes and three more on the ground.

 

 

The Barnstormers head out to the “Sunshine” State this weekend to take on the Orlando Predators. The Predators have started the year 0-2, suffering losses to Bossier-Shreveport and Jacksonville. The Orlando Predators are currently 3-4 against the Barnstormers all-time.

 

While Orlando may be off to a 0-2 start on the season, the team has also had both of their bye weeks during these first four weeks of the AFL season, with their second being this past week. This leads to the question does this give them an ample advantage of extra practice or just a small push over against the opposition since they’ve only played two games so far this season?

 

Iowa Barnstormers @ Orlando Predators will be broadcast on the NFL Network. All games are broadcast LIVE on 1700 AM The Champ, on the Internet at www.theiowabarnstormers.com, and at www.nifty-tv.com

 

-This is the eighth meeting between the Orlando Predators and the Iowa Barnstormers, the first since the Barnstormers rebirth into the AFL. Iowa currently leads the series 4-3.

 

-Leading Passer: Nick Hill (#11) - 2 GP, 61-for-82, 584 yds, 7 TDs, 2 INTs

-Leading Rusher: Nick Hill (#11) - 2 GP, 7 carries for 30 yds, 3 TDs, 15 Avg./G

-Leading Receiver: Antoine “T.T.” Toliver (#17) - 2 GP, 24 catches for 287 yds, 3 TDs, 12 yds per catch, 143.5 Avg./G

-Leading Tackler: Marlon Moyer-Moore (#9) - 2 GP, 16 tackles (4 solo, 12 assisted), 0 pass breakup

 

Jesse Schmidt has become the clear leader in receiving for the Barnstormers this season. The only category he does not lead is touchdowns, but he is only behind Todd Blythe by one touchdown reception. Schmidt is averaging almost 15 yards per catch and 117 yards per game. Schmidt has also shown to be a very versatile player, recording four tackles on the year and one kick return for 11 yards.

-Attempts: Ryan Vena (107)

-Completions: Ryan Vena (59)

-Percentage: Ryan Vena (55.0)

-Yards: Ryan Vena (714)

-Touchdowns: Ryan Vena (14)

 

-Receptions: Jesse Schmidt (24)

-Yards: Jesse Schmidt (352)

-Touchdowns: Todd Blythe (6)

-Yards/Catch: Jesse Schmidt (14.7)

-Yards/Game: Jesse Schmidt (117.3)

-Long: Jesse Schmidt (33)

 

-Attempts: Ryan Vena (15)

-Yards: Ryan Vena (54)

-Touchdowns: Ryan Vena (6)

-Yards/Carry: Ryan Vena (3.6)

-Yards/Game: Ryan Vena (18)

-Long: Ryan Vena (20)

 

-Attempts: Larry Kendrick, Tim Dodge (10)

-Yards: Tim Dodge (171)

-Touchdowns: none

-Yards/Return: Tim Dodge (17.1)

-Long: Tim Dodge (31)

 

-Attempts: Jeff Glas (3)

-Kicks Made: Jeff Glas (1)

-Percentage: Jeff Glas (33.3)

-Long: Jeff Glas (29)

-PAT Made: (14)

-Touchbacks: (8)

 

-Tackles: Jason Simpson (22)

-Solo Tackles: Khalil Carter, Tanner Varner (12)

-Assisted Tackles: Larry Kendrick, Jason Simpson (11)

-Sacks: Micah King (1.5)

-Tackles For Loss: Micah King 1.5

-Interceptions: Jason Simpson, Tanner Varner (1)

-Pass Breakups: Tanner Varner (5)

-Fumble Recoveries: Four tied w/ 1

-Forced Fumbles: Brent Curvey (1)