Albuquerque Matadors Season Capsule

[hawkster]

Week 1 - Matadors squeak by with victory on missed FG

Albuquerque opened it's season at homew this weekend hosting division rival Portland. Albuquerque erased a 10 point deficit in the second half and won the game 24-23 as Portland kicker Marquis Wolters missed a 45 yard field goal attempt with 11 seconds remaining in the game.

Portland started off the game pounding the Matador front seven with tandem backs Terrance Greeley and Derek Prescott. On Prescott's first carry of the game, he blasted through a hole inside created by backup LT Levon Abrams for 26 yards. Two plays later, Greeley one-upped him with a 30 yard touchdown gallop.

Albuquerque answered back through the air and ground as QB David Humphrey completed all 3 of his passes, including a 25 yarder to WR Louis Halstead. Kelly 'Crisp' Wheat showed flashes of greatness on the drive, gaining 24 yards on 5 carries including a 6 yard touchdown run to tie the game at 7.

The game didn't stay tied long as Portland CB Gary Montiel took the ensuing kickoff back 88 yards for a touchdown. Albuquerque answered back in the opening minutes of the second quarter with a field goal to close the score to 14-10. On Portland's next drive, Terrance Greeley broke another big run of 31 yards and Portland's Marquis Wolters put the Seals back up by 7 with a 34 yard field goal.

At the end of the half, Albuquerque's Haywood Tate, 3rd all time in IFL history for field goals made, lined up for a 53 yard attempt, but came up short. Portland took over on their own 43 with 29 seconds left and all of their timeouts, but QB Jay Caro threw an interception to S Paul Runnels, giving the Matadors another shot to get in field goal range. QB David Humphrey immediately threw an interception to CB Gary Montiel who returned it to the Portland 41, thus giving the Seals another shot to lenghten their lead. After two completions by Caro, Portland's Marquis Wolters nailed a 55 yard attempt to leave the score 20-10 at the half.

On Albuquerque's first drive of the 2nd half, a surprise threat emerged. With WR's Scott Scharf and Louis Halstead getting most of the attention, rookie WR Tom Cady, a 4th round pick out of Iowa, caught 3 passes for 38 yards on the drive, all of them for first downs. Albuquerque FB Felton Bartel punched in a 1 yard touchdown to close the gap to 20-17.

Portland once again began a strong drive to answer back. Rookie WR Blake Ameche, a 2nd round pick out of Colorado, brought in 2 passes for 49 yards on the drive as Portland shot deep into the Matador redzone again. A huge goal line stand by the Matadors, thanks to a big tackle for a loss by CB Andy 'Vegas' Rouleau, resulted in Portland settling for Wolter's 3rd field goal.

Down by six as the fourth quarter began, the Matador offense looked sluggish. 2 straight drives resulted in no points. The Matador defense locked down Portland, forcing them into two huge 3 and outs. When Humphrey took over with 10:30 left in the half, he finally found his groove. Humphrey's second pass his IFL all time reception leader Scott Scharf for 35 yards, putting Albuquerque at the Seal 23. Crisp Wheat covered the next 22 yards on 3 carries, and 3rd round pick Tony Copeland put the Matadors ahead for the first time in the game with a 1 yard touchdown run behind workhorse RT Rick McCloskey.

Portland came out confident they could match the Matador offense and drove strongly, getting to the Albuquerque 42. A false start penalty caused the drive to sputter and Portland sent it's defense out to stop the Matadors in order to give their offense one last chance to earn the victory.

Albuquerque forced the Seals to burn their timeouts thanks to an 11 yard pass to TE Roger Webster for a first down. The Seals defense held strong though, forcing the Matadors to punt with 1:06 remaining in the game.

Caro looked to rookie Blake Ameche again on this drive, linking up for 21 yards and putting the Seals into Matador territory. After a spike and a 9 yard run by Prescott, Wolters marched confidently onto the field for the 45 yard attempt as the Matador crowd went wild. Wolters entered the game as the 8th most accurate kicker in IFL history. As the kicked sailed wide right all Wolters could do was shake his head. David Humphrey came in for the kneel down to end the game and was named game MVP.

News and Notes: Matador G Brian Pihos left the game in the 2nd quarter with a knee injury. He's doubtful for next weeks game against Lansing....This is the 2nd season in 4 years that Albuquerque has hosted Portland in the opening weekend. Albuqueque won the previous matchup in 2004 37-7......The reported crowd of 53,500 is the largest home crowd reported at Matador stadium since a Week 17 matchup against Anchorage in 2004.
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[hawkster]

Week 4 - Wheat, defense step it up as Matadors defeat St. Louis

RB Kelly 'Crisp' Wheat had his biggest game of the season gaining 100 yards on 20 carries including two 20+ yard runs in the 4th quarter to put the Cardinals away 17-13 in St. Louis. Wheat also scored both Matador touchdowns. St. Louis WR Olin Holst had a monster game with 13 catches and 185 yards, but in the red zone the Cardinals only came away with 1 TD in 4 red zone visits thanks to a bend but don't break Matador defense.

The Matadors travelled to St. Louis for their 2nd straight road game after winning their first two games at home. St. Louis came into the game without starting QB Mark McMurray, but came out slinging regardless. QB Kurt Walsh threw for career highs in attempts, completions and yards.

The Matadors took the opening kickoff and started driving strong with two first down completions from QB David Humphrey to Scott Scharf, but stalled due to a pass knocked down by St. Louis FS Gil Langevin. K Haywood Tate came on to kick a season long 52 yard field goal and the Matadors took an early 3-0 lead.

Both defenses kept each team out of the field goal range for the rest of the first quarter. Halfway into the 2nd quarter the Matadors attempted to break the stalemate by attempting a 4th and 2 conversion, but FB Felton Bartel was stopped inches short of a first down by SILB Noel Daniels and Langevin and the ball went over on downs giving the Cardinals great field position. The Cardinals capitalized. Gaining only 8 yards rushing all half, the Cardinals kept throwing the ball, driving deep into Matador territory and scoring a touchdown on an 8 yard throw from Walsh to WR Zachery Hall.

On the ensuing kickoff, David Humphrey needed just two throws to get the Matadors into Cardinal territory in the waning minutes of the half. 4 plays later Humphrey made another strike with an 18 yard pass to TE Roger Webster to get the Matadors to the Cardinal 4. 2 plays later Kelly Wheat scored his first touchdown behind C Luke Ford and the Matadors took the lead at halftime 10-7.

The Cardinal's woes on the ground continued in the 2nd half, but Walsh and Holst looked brilliant. Time and again Walsh found Holst on 3rd and long taking the Cardinals into the Matador red zone to start the half, but the Cardinals were stopped short, which would become the theme of the half. They settled for a FG, tying the game at 10.

While the Cardinal defense held strong, the Cardinal passing offense continued to dominate the quarter and as the 3rd quarter ended, St. Louis looked to take the lead, driving to the Matador 9 yard line. However, on the first play of the 4th quarter, Walsh made his biggest mistake trying to force the ball into Holst. CB David Brown, last season's interception leader, intercepted the pass in the end zone and the Matadors took over.

David Humphrey again came up huge, throwing 2 passes for 48 yards to get the Matadors to the Cardinal 31. Kelly Wheat took over from that point, gaining 28 yards on his next two carries to get the Matadors to the 3 yard line. 2 plays later, Wheat punched it in for his 2nd touchdown of the day. The Matadors led by 7 with just over 10 minutes left in the game.

Walsh looked shaky on his first two throws after the kickoff, but then found Olin Holst on 3 straight throws for 52 yards. After a 34 yard bomb to Zachery Hall, Walsh had the Cardinals looking to tie the game from the Matador 9. Thanks to a false start penalty, and a monster pass rush, Walsh was unable to get the Cardinals in the end zone, and once again a red zone visit came up short, resulting in another field goal. With 6 minutes to go, the Matadors led 17-13.

The Matadors successfully took the clock down to the 2 minute warning, setting the stage for a chance at Walsh bringing the Cardinals back from behind. He looked good on his first throw, a 20 yard pass to, who else, Olin Holst. However, DE Clement Oakley finally found his way to Walsh on the next play and it was that one play that ended the game. Oakley flattened Walsh, knocking the ball loose. DE Rudolph Michell then fell on it to give the ball back to the Matadors with under two minutes to go.

Kelly Wheat nearly scored his 3rd touchdown on his next carry, breaking loose for 24 yards, but he was stopped short on the 1 yard line. Humphrey kneeled the ball to end the game bringing the Matadors to 3-1.

News and Notes...... Cardinal G Marshall Cuomo was injured in the 2nd quarter with a hyperextended elbow and may not recover in time for the road trip to Houston......QB Mark McMurray may be ready to return after the Cardinal bye week....Kelly Wheat leads all RBs with 5 rushing TDs on the season. He set his career high for TDs in a season last year with 10....This was the first time the Matadors have ever beaten the Cardinals.....Albuquerque travels to Murfreesboro for their third straight road game next week.

[hawkster]

Week 5 - Wheat tramples the Mules

Kelly 'Crisp' Wheat came alive once again for the Matadors, scoring 2 touchdowns for the 2nd straight week and gaining 109 yards as the Matadors finished their 3 game road trip with a 31-7 win in Murfreesboro. David Humphrey had his best outing of the season completing all but 4 passes for 205 yards and 2 touchdowns, both to FB Felton Bartel.

It was all Albuquerque in the first half. The Matadors scored touchdowns on their first 3 possessions. David Humphrey found FB Felton Bartel at the end of the first two possessions for touchdowns. Afterwards Kelly Wheat took over the game behind the dominant blocking of All-League Second Team Tackle Miles Perkins. Perkins punished defenders all day, freeing up Wheat for Albuquerque's final two touchdowns.

Murfreesboro's young offensive duo of QB Otis Peterson and RB Scott Fortune were stifled all day by the Matador defense. Peterson had his worst outing of the season as he was held to 14 completions and 123 yards. Rookie Fortune couldn't find his groove and was held to 31 yards. The Mule running game wasn't helped by the fact that starting OG Charles Poteat and starting LT Amos Barnhill both suffered minor injuries that prevented them from playing up their ability. The Mules were held to 74 yards in the first half and no points.

In the second half the Matadors resumed their scoring roll as Kelly Wheat finished off the Matadors first drive of the half with his second touchdown. After the Mules turned the ball over on downs, the Matadors made their only major mistake of the game as rookie RB Tony Copeland fumbled the ball away. LB Billy Joe Schwartz fell on the ball and that Mules took advantage of the shift in momentum.

Otis Peterson moved the Mules into Matador territory and then inside the 10 thanks to a 24 yard completion to WR Lester Bridges. Peterson then found FB Sheldon Mendez for a 2 yard touchdown pass, representing the Mules only score.

News and Notes...... RB Kelly Wheat is tied for the scoring lead in the IFL among non-kickers with 7 touchdowns......IFL career reception leader Scott Scharf did not catch a pass in the game, breaking his streak of 68 straight games with a reception.....The Matadors return home next week to host division rival Anchorage. Anchorage leads the series 7-2.

[Cringer]

News and Notes...... RB Kelly Wheat is tied for the scoring lead in the IFL among non-kickers with 7 touchdowns......IFL career reception leader Scott Scharf did not catch a pass in the game, breaking his streak of 68 straight games with a reception.....The Matadors return home next week to host division rival Anchorage. Anchorage leads the series 7-2.

Wheat is off to a heck of a start. I have always cheered him on for some reason, so it's nice to see.

[hawkster]

Week 5 - Costly victory as Matadors seize control of the AC West

An unlikely hero emerged in the Matador's 24-14 victory over the Anchorage Lynx. Rookie RB Tony Copeland, drafted in the 3rd round out of Michigan, racked up the 7th highest rushing output in IFL history, torching the Lynx for 215 yards and 2 TDs.

The game started off on a sour note for the Matadors. On the opening kickoff, star RB Kelly 'Crisp' Wheat, well on his way to a career season, sprained his ankle and is expected to miss the rest of the regular season. The Matador offense, stunned by this loss, started off slowly, unable to find it's rhythm early on. The Matador defense on the other hand came out with something to prove against the Lynx, frustrating QB Leslie Steiner and RB Chad Richardson. Neither team scored in the first quarter.

Tony Copeland was tenative in the first two possessions, unable to really break anything open. The Matadors gathered momentum heading into the second quarter. Copeland found his groove at the end of the first quarter as he accounted for 39 yards on a 74 yard drive that resulted in a 10 yard touchdown pass to WR Scott Scharf.

Anchorage answered back big 3 possessions later. QB Leslie Steiner came alive, throwing 5 straight first down passes as the Lynx drove 96 yards for a touchdown. The drive ended on a 3 yard pass from Steiner to WR Simon Thompson. The first half ended with the game tied 7-7.

Both defenses came out strong in the second half. Neither team could get a push and disaster struck for the Matadors once again. First round pick DE Burt Dukes sprained his ankle and was carted off the field, effectively ending his season. Finally, mid-way through the 3rd, the Matadors broke the stalemate.

An unlikely hero emerged for the Matadors. Slot WR Burton Boswell came out of nowhere to snag 2 passes for 69 yards, taking the Matadors from their own 27 to the Anchorage 4. Tony Copeland punched it in 2 plays later and the Matadors led 14-7.

The Lynx's next drive was a 3 and out and the Matadors weren't ready to slow down. Tony Copeland broke a 12 yard run for a first down, then Boswell caught another pass for 15 more yards taking the Matadors into Lynx territory. After a holding call, Copeland took a 1st and 20 handoff around the left side following a monster block by OT Rick McCloskey. Copeland took it the distance, 47 yards for a touchdown, the longest run of his short career. At the end of the 4th quarter, the Matadors led 21-7.

The Matador defense refused to give an inch to Steiner and the Lynx as once again, the Lynx punted after 3 plays. The time the Matadors didn't score, but momentum was still in their favor as Steiner's first pass in the ensuing possession was snagged by WLB Kenneth Fricke. The Matadors took the ball in Lynx territory on the legs of Tony Copeland who gained 29 yards on the drive, putting the Matadors in range for a Haywood Tate FG increasing their lead to 24-7.

Finally the Lynx were able to answer, but it was too little too late. Thanks to a 35 yard pass from Steiner to WR Brent Hafer, the Lynx scored their final points with an 8 yard pass from Steiner to RB Chad Richardson. The Lynx kicked the ball off with 3:09 remaining and all of their timeouts, but Tony Copeland and the Matador line refused to give the ball back, pounding for 2 first downs and ending the game.

Copeland's output of 215 yards shattered the previous team record of 146 held by Kelly Wheat on 2 different occassions. Copeland's 215 also represents the 7th most yards gained by a running back in league history. The loss of Wheat hurts, but the emergence of Copeland gives hope for a team expecting to go deep into the playoffs.

News and Notes: Copeland becomes the 4th player in team history to rush for 2 touchdowns in a game. FB Felton Bartel and QB David Humphrey have both done it once before. Kelly Wheat had done it 8 times previously, 3 in this season......WR Burton Boswell set a career high in yardage in a game with 104 yards on 5 catches.....LT Miles Perkins is on pace to have 69 KRBs this season which would shatter the previous season record of 58.