Twisters win Opener 39-38
It was great to be back in ALLTEL Arena for another season of Twisters football. Lawrence Richardson and Robert Johnson both former Arkansas Razorbacks, received warm ovations during their introductions. The new Twisters' jerseys were unvailed and they looked very good in my opinion. (see above photo)
This game was lead up to be an defensive battle and indeed it was. On the opening kickoff, BC/S's kickoff hit the overhead scoreboard giving the Twisters the ball on the 20 yard line. Kyle Rowley's first pass of the season was a completion to Steven Bergeski for a 15 yd gain. A couple plays later however Kyle had his first pick of the season. Fortunately BC/S could do nothing on their first possession and turned the ball back over to the Twisters on a failed FG attempt.
Arkansas took the ball from the 5 and completed the drive with a touchdown pass from Kyle Rowley to Robert Johnson, James Paul's extra point gave the Twisters a 0-7 lead with 6:00 minutes left in the 1st qtr. of play. BC/S's next possession ended with Jason Schule scoring a TD on a nice run by the FB, making the score 7-7 after a successful PAT by BC/S. Arkansas's proved they could move the ball after going for it on a 4th and 1 with FB Chad Cook picking up the first down to keep the Twisters alive early. The Twisters would score when Kyle Rowley's pass from the 14yd line would be a completion to Tyre Burks for the Twisters second touchdown of the season. James Paul's PAT attempt would be no good making the score 7-13 Arkansas.
Bossier City/Shreveport took the next possession and made a quick strike for a score, when QB Andrico Hines found PJ Berry for a TD. PAT good and it made the score 14-13 with 12:58 left in the first half.
After some nice ball movement the Twisters took the ball down inside the BC/S's 5 yd line and on a fourth and one they tried to draw BC/S offside on a hard count, with no luck. They called a timeout and on the next play the Twisters drew a flag and were called for a false start. Going for it on fourth down again, Kyle Rowley's receivers were well covered and in my opinion could have ran for the first but instead tried to force the ball down low to make a completion. BC/S took over on downs after Coach Sig's and Rowley's contesting a no call pass interference. BC/S wasted no time in scoring making the score 20-13 after the PAT was blocked. Twisters Rowley made an awesome pass to Tyre Burks taking the ball all the way down to the BC/S 6 yd line and taking the clock down to 1:00 left in the first quarter. Holding call for 10 yds against the Twisters, pushed them back to the 16, however they would score and with James Paul's PAT attempt being good the score would be 20-20. BC/S got the ball back and with no time hardly on the clock had to settle for a long FG attempt. The FG attempt would be no good making the score 20-20 at the half.
The defense picked up where they had left off in the first half and stopped BC/S on their first possession of the second half, after BC/S went for it on 4th down and failed to convert. Kyle's troubles picked up as well however and he was picked off again by Lee Thomas of BC/S for a touchdown with 6:37 left in the 3rd. The following PAT was no good making the score 26-20 BC/S. Arkansas got the ball back and the " '08 af2 Offensive Player of the Year" took his team down the Field and made a strike to Olan Coleman for a TD, JP's PAT was good, making the score 26-27 Arkansas lead with 36 seconds left in the third. James Paul's kickoff was returned for a TD, James was the last man between the kick returner and the end zone and made a very decent attempt at the stop to no avail however. After a failed PAT by Bossier's kicker the score would be 32-27 Bossier. Their kicker stunk the place up and I'm glad JP kept his head up because in the end we needed him to score.
The fourth qtr. started with a kickoff return to the 17 and another hook up between Kyle Rowley and Steven Bergeski all the way down to the 15. Another pass to Bergeski (15 on the night) moved the ball to the 3 yd. line. The next play Chad Cook ran the ball in for the score and the PAT was no good making the score 32-33 Arkansas with 10:51 left in the 4th. quarter. The Battlewings would take the ball and score when QB Andrico Hines would connect with WR Buchie Ibeh for a TD. The Wings would make a 2 pt conversion attempt and fail because of pressure by Arkansas's DL Jerry Turner on BC/S QB Hines, making the 38-33 BC/S with 7:21 left in the fourth quarter.
The kickoff returns were handled very well by Olan Coleman, I must admit this was one of my concerns this year. Coleman brought the ball all the way down to the Arkansas's 22 and then Rowley made a completion to Bergeski short of the 1st down after several failed attempts to move the ball. Then Rowley connected to Bergeski on fourth down at the BC/S's 2 1/2yd. line. On the next play Kyle Rowley was sacked by BC/S's Eddie White for a loss of 6. On the next play Rowley connected with Bergeski for a TD. Both kickers struggled all night and James Paul's troubles continued as he missed the PAT bringing the score to 38-39 Arkansas. The Battlewings get the ball back deep in their own territory, with the game clock on Arkansas's side. QB Andrico Hines hooked up with WR Manwell Talbert on a 7-yard pass on first down, but that was the only positive play of the possession. FB Jason Schule was tackled for a 2-yard loss on 2nd down and Hines was sacked and penalized for intentional grounding on 3rd down. Hines was then intercepted by Lawrence Richardson who benefited from a strong pass rush that had harassed Hines for the entirety of the drive. Arkansas would kill 25 seconds off the clock and win their Season Opener and the first game of their 10th Anniversary Season 38-39.
The announced crowd of 3,819 was great at times but seemed flat at others. Awesome game and Congrats to the Twister Organization.
Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game: Steven Bergeski
Aaron’s Defensive Player of the Game: Lawrence Richardson
JLS Ironman of the Game: Brandon Freeman
Cutters Catch of the Game: Tyre Banks
