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Week 7 at Minneapolis
Another week, another former Tornado quarterback. This time it's Timothy Atkins and the Lakers. They're behind us in the division at 3-2, and so this is a vital game for them if they want a chance to catch up.
The Lakers get the crowd right into it, hitting Ludwig for a 54 yard pass first play. They end up punching it in for a 7-0 lead. It's a reversal of last week, as Nichols falters in turn, throwing an interception on his second pass. We hold them to a field goal this time. Things look dire as our drive gets backed up due to a holding call. But instead Austin ends up hauling in a 35 yard touchdown pass to cut it to 10-7.
We pick Atkins off to set up another drive. Tyrus Goettl is just a monster defender in the middle though, we end up punting. Good playcalling gets them to the redzone And a big run by Springfield gets them to the goal line. We stuff them on 3rd and 1 and they settle for the three points. In turn Nichols marches us down the field in a two minute offense, crossing into the redzone at the two minute warning in the half. A Davidson run and unsportsmanlike conduct gets us to the four yard line, where Hiscock runs it in for a 14-13 lead. Our prevent D gives up a huge 40 yard run, which gives them a chance to score again. Great pass pressure forces them to kick and they make it 16-14 at the half.
Hiscock's 16 yard run keys our next drive, getting us to the 4 yard line again after another run and penalty. Fulton catches the short TD pass and it's 21-16. They come right back to score though, taking advantage of a roughing the kicker penalty which negates their punt. McCracken's sack holds it to a field goal, 21-19.
It's Fulton who yet again makes a play of the game, turning into the playmaker in Bratton's absence. He busts open a short pass to take it 43 yards for a TD, making the score 28-19 in the fourth. I actually think we may be playing better with Bratton on the bench somehow. The ball goes over on downs as they make a last attempt to score. We give them the ball back, pinned on the 1, with 1:46 left and no timeouts. It's almost cruel. We end up kneeling down at their 1 as time runs out.
Harry Fleming is a justified player of the game, his pass pressure the main thing keeping Atkins from stealing the game from us. 2 sacks, 1 blocked pass and 5 hurries is his stat line to go along with 8 tackles.
Edwin's rival in Chicago, Xavier Kirkaldie has the game of the week with a 457 yard, 2 TD performance, hitting Brant Murphy for 10 catches for 197 yards. That's a record for passing yardage and the first 400 yard game in league history. Edwin has a mundane 20/30, 250 yard, 3 TD game.
Omaha Tornadoes 28, Minneapolis Lakers 19
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