((HT: Wichita Eagle/Kollen Long))
Even though he played for the visiting team, the quarterback you probably want to know about this morning is Quincy Carter, and that's understandable.
It's a compelling story: Former NFL player, troubled by off-the-field issues, tries to keep his career alive in the Indoor Football League.
But the QB who made the loudest statement was lesser-known Alex Melugin, the hometown boy who overcame an unsightly first half to lead the Wichita Wild ((the defnese is pictured, thanks Fernando Salazar/Wichita Eagle))to a 49-33victory over the Abilene Ruff Riders on Saturday night in Hartman Arena.
A former Friends University star, Melugin completed 21 of 32 passes for 230 yards and four touchdowns, helping the Wild improve to 2-4 in front of 3,548 fans. The Ruff Riders, playing outside Texas for the first time, dropped to 4-2.
"We got some great play from Alex, once he settled down," Wild coach Ken Matous said. "He showed resiliency out there tonight. I'm really proud of him."
While inconsistent, Carter showed off his arm on several occasions, making throws you won't see at any other IFL game this season. The former Cowboys starter threw for 227 yards and five touchdowns.
But he also completed just 16 of 40 passes, tossed two interceptions and lost his composure late, picking up an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty that helped the Wild score an important insurance touchdown.
"I think he's a heck of a player," Matous said. "He made the throws, and he was dangerous on a couple runs."
To be sure, Melugin is still very much a work in progress. He threw three interceptions in the first half, and his throwing motion is a bit unorthodox at times.
Even so, he led the Wild on a key scoring drive to end the first half, hitting Clinton Solomon on a 13-yard touchdown pass to push Wichita's lead to 20-12 at halftime.
In the third quarter, Melugin connected on two long touchdown passes -- a 27-yarder to Carlos Cavanaugh and one to Solomon for 36 yards -- to give the Wild the lead for good at 32-20.
"That first half... I haven't thrown three interceptions since junior college," Melugin said. "It can be tough to keep your self confidence up, but the team was relying on me. I had to do it for them.
"Really, my job was easy. Coach Matous is a great X's and O's coach. And when you're throwing to guys like Clinton, Tim (Riley), (Brian) Murph, Carlos (Cavanaugh), I just have to deliver it somewhere close and they make the plays."
Somewhat overshadowed in a game that included 29 total first downs and more than 500 yards of total offense was a big kick by Dylan Pohlman.
With the Wild leading 32-27 in the fourth quarter, he booted a 45-yard field goal -- a kick that forced Abilene to go for a two-point conversion to tie late in the game. That try failed when Carter threw an incompletion; he apparently thought pass interference should have been called and argued with the officials, leading to the penalty.
It was an unlikely field goal for Pohlman, given the distance and the fact that he had missed three extra points. (Matous said Pohlman's timing is off because the Wild has used several snappers).
"It was a relief," Pohlman said. "You just have to have a short memory and stay focused. It was a blessing."
Here's your highlights, thanks to our friends from KAKE-TV
No comments:
Post a Comment