Iowa Barnstormers win vs Massachusetts Pirates

DES MOINES, IA - Down 21 points in the first half, a strong second-half push helped the Iowa Barnstormers sail to a 42-34 comeback victory.

The Barnstormers (2-5) stayed home at Wells Fargo Arena for a battle against the Massachusetts Pirates (5-2) Saturday night.

On the game's opening drive, Massachusetts quarterback Alejandro Bennifield found wide receiver Dallas Daniels for a 15-yard completion and from there, the Pirates got on the board first with the IFL's fifth leading rusher Jimmie Robinson scoring from two yards out.

Without missing a beat on the ensuing drive, wide receiver Teo Redding found his way free deep down the sideline for a 45-yard score to extend the lead 14-0 in the first quarter.

Quarterback Kyle King found wide receiver Quian Williams to help the Barnstormers finally get their footing, but defensive lineman Guy Thomas derailed the drive with a sack on the very next play. Kicker Gabriel Rui drilled a 40-yard field goal to cut the lead 14-3 heading into the second quarter.

Despite a penalty nullifying a long return, Massachusetts cruised down the field once again. Daniels made a 14-yard catch and Bennifield ran into the end zone for a touchdown.

Down 21-3 midway through the second quarter, the Barnstormers defense needed to make a stop. Linebacker Ian McBorrough did just that, getting his first sack, which ultimately forced the Pirates to a field goal attempt that they later missed.

Defensive momentum then reflected onto the offense. Running back Robert Washington bullied his way down the field and two plays later, he ran through multiple tacklers to get Iowa's first touchdown of the game.

In the waning seconds of the second quarter, Massachusetts marched down the field and Bennifield rushed in for the 8-yard score. However, nine seconds was all the Barnstormers needed as King found wide receiver Keshaun Taylor in the back of the end zone to end the half 28-19.

King, unphased by the halftime break, led a methodical drive down the field. After a pass interference call against the Pirates overturned a fourth down incompletion, he took the ball into the end zone himself to cut the lead to two points.

As the third quarter seconds wound down, defensive lineman Tyler Tate got his first sack of the season forcing a fourth down. The roar of the crowd continued with defensive back Jefferson Fritz returning the long kickoff 50 yards to the opposite 10 yard line.

Washington took advantage of the short field, scoring his second touchdown of the game to put Iowa in front 33-28. Rui then added his first deuce of the game to extend the lead.

A penalty against the Pirates further gave the Barnstormers offense a shot in the arm. King whipped a ball to Taylor down the sideline and despite a holding call against Iowa, King found Taylor anyway for a 13-yard score.

Bennifield threw to wide receiver Thomas Owens for a late touchdown to cut the game back to one score, but it was too little too late as Iowa held on to win 42-34.

King threw for 97 yards and two touchdowns, both to Taylor who had a team-leading 63 yards. Washington also added 63 yards and two scores on the ground.

The Barnstormers will hit the road next week when they take on the Quad City Steamwheelers for the second time in less than two weeks Friday at 7:05 pm. 
 

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