Post by 50yardfan on Apr 17, 2011 13:13:31 GMT -5
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, KY - When there were plays to be made, defensive back/receiver Butch Abshire made the two biggest as Northern Kentucky inched closer to a playoff berth with the 59-42 victory over Eastern Kentucky Saturday at the Bank of Kentucky Center in Ultimate Indoor Football League action.
Abshire, who was pressed into action offensively due to an injury to Harry Lewis, hauled in a 22-yard touchdown pass with 2:29 left in the game. It helped shutdown any momentum the Drillers had gained by cutting the NKY lead down to three points. On the ensuing possession as Eastern Kentucky still had a pulse, his interception in the end zone ended any thoughts of a Drillers comeback. The University of Cumberlands graduate finished the game with six catches for 61 yards and two touchdowns to go along with two tackles and an interception.
"Butch is such a threat," said head coach Rodney Swanigan. "When Harry went down to showed how effective he really is, and took over the game."
Northern Kentucky will secure a playoff spot in the league's four-team tournament with a Johnstown loss Sunday against Saginaw. But, this game has additional importance to the organization.
"It was important to us for so many different reasons," said Swanigan. "We can start gauging how we are going to take care of our injuries. I have to take my hat off to my coaching staff. They dealt with adversity through and through. I am so proud of the staff and players."
It looks as though the River Monsters were ready to run away with the game. They tallied a receiving touchdown, an Uno and a safety in the matter of two possessions to take a 24-7 lead. However, the Drillers continued to plug away at the River Monsters lead before falling short.
Jared Lorenzen finished the game with 268 yards on 23-of-38 passing and five touchdowns. He added 32 yards and one touchdown on the ground. Willie Idlette came up big for NKY, hauling in nine passes for 134 yards and two touchdowns. Maurice Douse added two rushing touchdowns.
Highlands graduate Brett Hamblen recorded six tackles and two interceptions, one on first play from scrimmage and another on the final play of the game. The UIFL's leading tackler Jon D'Angelo added six tackles with two tackles for loss and one sack.
Northern Kentucky (7-1) will host Saginaw (5-2) Saturday at the Bank of Kentucky Center in the Krebs Foundation game. Part of the proceeds from all tickets sold on game day will go to the Foundation.
Abshire, who was pressed into action offensively due to an injury to Harry Lewis, hauled in a 22-yard touchdown pass with 2:29 left in the game. It helped shutdown any momentum the Drillers had gained by cutting the NKY lead down to three points. On the ensuing possession as Eastern Kentucky still had a pulse, his interception in the end zone ended any thoughts of a Drillers comeback. The University of Cumberlands graduate finished the game with six catches for 61 yards and two touchdowns to go along with two tackles and an interception.
"Butch is such a threat," said head coach Rodney Swanigan. "When Harry went down to showed how effective he really is, and took over the game."
Northern Kentucky will secure a playoff spot in the league's four-team tournament with a Johnstown loss Sunday against Saginaw. But, this game has additional importance to the organization.
"It was important to us for so many different reasons," said Swanigan. "We can start gauging how we are going to take care of our injuries. I have to take my hat off to my coaching staff. They dealt with adversity through and through. I am so proud of the staff and players."
It looks as though the River Monsters were ready to run away with the game. They tallied a receiving touchdown, an Uno and a safety in the matter of two possessions to take a 24-7 lead. However, the Drillers continued to plug away at the River Monsters lead before falling short.
Jared Lorenzen finished the game with 268 yards on 23-of-38 passing and five touchdowns. He added 32 yards and one touchdown on the ground. Willie Idlette came up big for NKY, hauling in nine passes for 134 yards and two touchdowns. Maurice Douse added two rushing touchdowns.
Highlands graduate Brett Hamblen recorded six tackles and two interceptions, one on first play from scrimmage and another on the final play of the game. The UIFL's leading tackler Jon D'Angelo added six tackles with two tackles for loss and one sack.
Northern Kentucky (7-1) will host Saginaw (5-2) Saturday at the Bank of Kentucky Center in the Krebs Foundation game. Part of the proceeds from all tickets sold on game day will go to the Foundation.