Des Moines, IA – The Iowa Barnstormers (0-1) fell to the Wichita Falls Nighthawks (1-0) 68-53 Saturday Night at the Kay Yeager Coliseum in Wichita Falls, Texas.

In the first quarter, Wichita Falls wasted no time finding the end zone scoring on its first possession of the season with a passing touchdown from Nighthawks quarterback Charles McCullum. The Barnstormers were quick to answer as quarterback Travis Patridge found receiver Lucas Hefty for a short passing touchdown. The Barnstormers later recovered a Wichita Falls fumble and capitalized with a long touchdown pass from Partridge to receiver Brady Roland, giving the Barnstormers a 12-6 lead. On the next series, Wichita Falls connected on a touchdown ending the first quarter with a 14-12 advantage.

During the second quarter, Iowa Barnstormers kicker Kenton Chun made a pair of long field goals, while Wichita Falls delivered a passing and rushing touchdown, giving the Nighthawks a 27-18 lead midway through the second quarter. Nearing the end of the first half, Partridge scored his third Barnstormers touchdown of the half by running in a 5 yard score cutting the Nighthawks lead 27-25. In the final moments of the first half, McCullum threw his fourth passing touchdown of the half to give the Nighthawks a 33-25 lead going into halftime.

The second half started with back and forth scoring from the Barnstormers and the Nighthawks, each scoring on its first possession. Roland hauled in his second touchdown of the game, while the Nighthawks threw a short passing touchdown to take the lead 41-32. On the next Wichita Falls possession, the Nighthawks scored on a passing touchdown giving them a 47-32 lead going into the fourth quarter.

At the start of the final quarter, the Barnstormers wasted no time as Partridge found receiver Ryan Balentine for a touchdown, cutting the Nighthawks lead to 47-38. The Barnstormers defense was unable to keep the Nighthawks offense out of the end zone on the next play, increasing the lead to 53-38. Iowa answered back with touchdown receptions from Balentine and Roland, but Wichita Falls kept its foot on the gas and answered both times defeating the Barnstormers 68-53.

The Barnstormers will return to Wells Fargo Arena on Sunday, March 26, 2017 for their HOME OPENER against in-state rivals the Cedar Rapids Titans. Kickoff is set for 3:05 p.m. Tickets are available now. For more information call the Iowa Barnstormers front office at 515-633-2255 or visit www.theiowabarnstormers.com

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