Mustangs defense earns team second victory
Jeff Sawatzke
Sunday May 1, 2011
In front of the largest home crowd the season the Milwaukee Mustangs (2-5) defeated The Tampa Bay Storm (2-5) with a final score of 50-33 . Milwaukee came out of the gate stronger than they had all season.
After last week’s loss to the Georgia Force, Milwaukee’s Coach Bob Landsee told the team that they will have to “look in the mirror and figure it out.” It seems that the self reflection brought out the best in the team, especially the defense.
Milwaukee was still outscored 7-14 in the first quarter even though they managed to put the first seven points on the board. Their first drive led to a touchdown as they scored easily in seven plays.
Tampa Bay quickly responded as Storm quarterback Brian Zbydniewski went 3-for-3 in a three-play drive capped off with a 28 yard touchdown pass to Hank Edwards.
During Milwaukee’s next drive Damian Harrell lost a fumble which Tampa Bay capitalized with one quick pass to Amari Jackson for a second touchdown.
The second quarter was all Milwaukee as the Mustangs outscored the Storm 23-0. Milwaukee started the second quarter with a 21 yard field goal by Garrett Lindholm.
On the second play of Tampa Bay’s next drive Marcus Everett made a one handed interception which he returned for a touchdown. The extra point was blocked. After the kickoff, the first play of the drive had Zbydniewski’s pass intercepted by Milwaukee’s Kelvin Rodgers which he then ran in for a touchdown.
It seemed that this was definitely Milwaukee’s quarter as the kickoff was fumbled and recovered by Milwaukee. Milwaukee capitalized on that fumble with another touchdown. In less than six minutes Milwaukee’s defense had three huge turnovers which they turned into twenty points.
The defense stepped up and had another huge defensive stand keeping the Storm out of the end zone for seven consecutive plays in the red zone and getting the ball back on downs. “We knew exactly what they were going to do.” Milwaukee linebacker Marcus Everett stated, “We were prepared for them [Tampa Bay]. We watched a lot of film and we just made plays.”
The first half ended with a controversial call on a missed field goal attempt by Garret Lindholm.
The rest of the second half was a back and forth battle as each team traded three touchdowns. Tampa Bay was trying to create something with onside kicks but Milwaukee was able to recover them and ended up with great field position.
With about six minutes left in the game R.J. Archer left the game with a mild ankle sprain. Eric Ward stepped in and went 2-for-2 for 12 yards passing and rushed three times for 12 yards.
“They think it is just a mild sprain, they don’t think it is anything serious.” Coach Landsee said of Archer’s injury. “He has come around as a quarterback. Eric Ward is biting at the bit to get his chance to get back in there. He did a nice job finishing up. “
Milwaukee has a short week ahead of them. They play travel to Cleveland to take on the Cleveland Gladiators [4-2] on Friday at 6:30pm. “Cleveland is a well coached team.” Coach Landsee stated, “Offensively they light it up.”
Report Card
Offense – B
The offense played a solid game. Archer went 18-25 on passing with no interceptions and there was only one fumble which Milwaukee recovered. The offensive line did a decent job protecting the quarterback.
Defense – A
The defense had three interceptions and two fumble recoveries. If this defense shows up for the rest of the season the Mustangs have a chance to win most of the rest of their games this season.
Special Teams – B
Milwaukee had one extra point attempt blocked and a missed field goal. These were the only negatives on the special teams this week. They had very good kick coverage and decent kick returns. They did a good job handling all three of Tampa’s onside kicks.