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HARTFORD, CT - The Hartford Defense is lucky this game was played in Hartford. If it was played in Madison, they would probably be waiting for the coaching staff to post bail for assault charges against Will Irby.
The defense, led by rookie SLB Courtney Cleeland, teed off on Irby to the tune of a team record 10 sacks! Each of the starting linebackers picked up at least one sack, with Cleeland and 3rd year RDE Randal Williamson adding 2 and 2.5 sacks respectively.
Overshadowed by the defense, the offense quietly amassed a team record 417 yards of offense for the game, 173 yards rushing and 244 yards passing. Jim Hickman looked extremely poised in the pocket as he completed 20 of 25 passes, one of which was a touchdown to Dave Billings. Most impressive for Grizzlies fans, the Grizzlies only had one three and out the entire game.
In the first half it appeared as though the game was going to be close. Madison took the opening kickoff down to the Hartford 2 before settling for a short Paul Pickett field goal. The Grizzlies took the ensuing kickoff back to their 44 yard line. From there, they marched 56 yards for a touchdown. A fumble on a sack by Williamson gave the Grizzlies the ball on the Demons 17 yard line, which was converted when Stanley Jamison took the ball in from 5 yards out. The Demons then closed to 14-10, before a Alonzo Booher field goal closed the scoring at the end of the half.
After a punt on the opening drive gave Madison the ball on their 35 yard line, the Grizzlies defense took over. With 2:38 left in the 4th quarter, the Demons had gained a total of -2 yards in the second half. During that span, the Grizzlies scored two touchdowns and had a missed 46 yard field goal. The yardage differential was 229 yards to -2. Up 31-10, the Grizzlies gave up a late 80 yard drive over the final 2:38 for the final score of 31-17.
Up next for the Grizzlies is a showdown with Fresno in Fresno. This should be an exciting game between two of the more surprising teams in the IFL this season.
The defense, led by rookie SLB Courtney Cleeland, teed off on Irby to the tune of a team record 10 sacks! Each of the starting linebackers picked up at least one sack, with Cleeland and 3rd year RDE Randal Williamson adding 2 and 2.5 sacks respectively.
Overshadowed by the defense, the offense quietly amassed a team record 417 yards of offense for the game, 173 yards rushing and 244 yards passing. Jim Hickman looked extremely poised in the pocket as he completed 20 of 25 passes, one of which was a touchdown to Dave Billings. Most impressive for Grizzlies fans, the Grizzlies only had one three and out the entire game.
In the first half it appeared as though the game was going to be close. Madison took the opening kickoff down to the Hartford 2 before settling for a short Paul Pickett field goal. The Grizzlies took the ensuing kickoff back to their 44 yard line. From there, they marched 56 yards for a touchdown. A fumble on a sack by Williamson gave the Grizzlies the ball on the Demons 17 yard line, which was converted when Stanley Jamison took the ball in from 5 yards out. The Demons then closed to 14-10, before a Alonzo Booher field goal closed the scoring at the end of the half.
After a punt on the opening drive gave Madison the ball on their 35 yard line, the Grizzlies defense took over. With 2:38 left in the 4th quarter, the Demons had gained a total of -2 yards in the second half. During that span, the Grizzlies scored two touchdowns and had a missed 46 yard field goal. The yardage differential was 229 yards to -2. Up 31-10, the Grizzlies gave up a late 80 yard drive over the final 2:38 for the final score of 31-17.
Up next for the Grizzlies is a showdown with Fresno in Fresno. This should be an exciting game between two of the more surprising teams in the IFL this season.
