Week 8 Preview

Iowa Barnstormers vs. Arizona Rattlers

Friday May 21, 2010

Kickoff: 7:05pm

Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Field, Wells Fargo Arena (11,209) Des Moines, IA

2010 Record- 3-3 (1-2 at home 2-1 on the road) - Streak: Won 1- Fourth Place, National Conference, Midwest Division

Week 7 Recap:

The Barnstormers sought revenge on the Chicago Rush this past weekend and they were fulfilled as they defeated the Rush 44-30. The Barnstormers defense came out strong once again preventing the Rush from scoring in the first and third quarters of the game. The defense also recorded one interception from Khalil Carter and two from Jason Simpson. Simpson also had a block kick recorded on the night.

The game started out strong in the Barnstormers favor when Ryan Vena connected with Errick McCown for a 47 yard touchdown on his first pass of the game. Todd Blythe had two touchdown receptions, Jeff Glas made a 22 yard field goal and Rodney Filer caught a touchdown pass to bring the score 36-23 at the half.

In the second half the Barnstormers held the Rush to only 7 points and with the addition of a Jesse Schmidt touchdown in the fourth quarter the Barnstormers came out on top with a score of 44-30 to bring their record back to .500.

Week 8 Preview:

Arizona has been an up and down team similar to the Barnstormers thus far this season with a record of 2-3 on the year. Arizona most recently faced up against the Spokane Shock and were defeated 63-56. Arizona held on through the whole game until the fourth quarter when Spokane pulled ahead and Arizona just couldn’t catch up. The team was on a bye last week and are looking to break their two game losing streak.

Week 8 Schedule:

Iowa Barnstormers vs. Arizona Rattlers will be broadcast LIVE on NFL Network, the radio broadcast on 1700 AM The Champ, on the Internet at www.theiowabarnstormers.com, and at www.nifty-tv.com

Friday, May 21- 7:05pm – Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Field

vs. Arizona Rattlers (2-3) - Streak Lost 2

Second Place in National Conference, West Division

-This is the eighth meeting between the Arizona Rattlers and the Iowa Barnstormers. The Rattlers currently lead the series 5-2. This will be the first time these two teams face each other in 10 years. The Barnstormers have lost the last five match-ups against the Rattlers. The most notable loss came in 1997 as the Barnstormers, led by quarterback Kurt Warner, lost in the ArenaBowl against the Rattlers 33-55.

-Leading Passer: Nick Davila (#10) - 5 GP, 145-for-226, 1692 yds, 34 TDs, 6 INTs

-Leading Rusher: Nick Davila (#10) - 5 GP, 10 carries for 31 yds, 2 TDs, 3.1 Avg./G

-Leading Receiver: Rod Windsor (#1) - 5 GP, 62 catches for 779 yds, 14 TDs, 12.6 yds per catch, 155.8 Avg./G

-Leading Tackler: Terrance Sanders (#2) - 5 GP, 31 tackles (27 solo, 4 assisted), 4 pass breakup, 1 interception for 17 yards

Barnstormer Player of the Week: (Week 8)

Jason Simpson-DB-#6   Week 7 Line: 10 tackles, 2 interceptions, 1 blocked kick

Simpson set his game high for the year this past weekend against Chicago, recording 10 solo tackles. Simpson recorded a huge play each quarter last week to keep the Barnstormers in the lead over the Rush be it his interceptions or blocked kick he was making the Rush turn the ball over and get it back to our offense to get more points on the board. Simpson has been a huge defensive threat this season ranking second on the team in tackles with 43 and tied for first place on the team in interceptions with 3 for 34 yards. Simpson has also recorded a fumble recovery for a touchdown this season.

Iowa Barnstormers Team Leaders

Passing

-Attempts: Ryan Vena (196)

-Completions: Ryan Vena (116)

-Percentage: Ryan Vena (59.0)

-Yards: Ryan Vena (1481)

-Touchdowns: Ryan Vena (26)

Receiving

-Receptions: Jesse Schmidt (44)

-Yards: Jesse Schmidt (635)

-Touchdowns: Todd Blythe (12)

-Yards/Catch: Jesse Schmidt (14.4)

-Yards/Game: Jesse Schmidt (105.8)

-Long: Todd Blythe and Jesse Schmidt (47)

Rushing

-Attempts: Ryan Vena (37)

-Yards: Ryan Vena (127)

-Touchdowns: Ryan Vena (12)

-Yards/Carry: Rodney Filer (3.6)

-Yards/Game: Ryan Vena (21.2)

-Long: Ryan Vena (20)

Kick Returns

-Attempts: Tim Dodge (18)

-Yards: Tim Dodge (292)

-Touchdowns: none

-Yards/Return: Tim Dodge (16.2)

-Long: Larry Kendrick (52)

Field Goals

-Attempts: Jeff Glas (6)

-Kicks Made: Jeff Glas (4)

-Percentage: Jeff Glas (67.0)

-Long: Jeff Glas (30)

-PAT Made: (29)

-Touchbacks: (13)

Defense

-Tackles: Tanner Varner (51)

-Solo Tackles: Tanner Varner (39)

-Assisted Tackles: Jason Simpson (14)

-Sacks: Micah King (1.5)

-Tackles For Loss: Charles Johnson (2.5)

-Interceptions: Tanner Varner and Jason Simpson (3)

-Pass Breakups: Tanner Varner (6)

-Fumble Recoveries: Larry Kendrick (3)

-Forced Fumbles: Four tied with (1)

Don’t forget this Friday’s game is “Kurt Warner Night,” as the former NFL Quarterback and Barnstormer returns to Des Moines. Tickets in the 200/300 level are just $13 for “Kurt Warner Night.” The Barnstormers take their second bye week next week and return home to Wellmark Field to take on the Alabama Vipers on Saturday June 5^th. Call the Barnstormers Front Office to get your tickets TODAY: 515-633-2255!