It has been a roller coaster of a ride this season for Taylor Genuser, quarterback of the Iowa Barnstormers.
Genuser started off his 2015 season playing for the Erie Explosion in their inagural season in the PIFL. At the time, Barnstormer defensive coordinator, Brian Schmidt, was coaching in Erie.
After a couple of rock solid performances, he was offered a spot to play for the Billings Wolves, in Iowa’s league. Two weeks in, Genuser suffered a concussion and was released.
Shortly after, Genuser set out to play for the Duke City Gladiators and seemingly–like always–performed well.
That’s when former Iowa quarterback, Robbie Nallenweg, went down with an injury.
“Coach Schmidt called me, said they needed a quarterback, and got me in touch with Coach Brannen,” Genuser said. “A few days later, I was in Des Moines playing football.”
Ever since then, Genuser has been a hit with the crowd, getting more pumped up for a big play than a kid on Christmas day.
“I like to have fun while I’m out there,” Genuser said. “If I’m not having fun, I won’t play very well.”
Genuser is now the Barnstormers only quarterback and is happy playing with no backup.
“I look at it in a positive way; I get more reps out of it.” Genuser said. “Coach Brannen might take me out for a couple plays if I’m sore, but that rarely happens.
It’s not very shocking, but Barnstormer fans seem to love it.
“It’s a really cool fan base. I haven’t played in front of so many [people], and it makes for an entertaining atmosphere,” Genuser said. “Billings had a championship team, so fans expected success when they reopened their doors. Iowa fans have been superb.”
The large crowd that witnessed the Barnstormers beatdown of Bemidji saw another fantastic game from Genuser as he threw for 133 yards and six touchdowns.
“That was my first breakout game in the IFL, I feel like,” Genuser said. “I felt great, but give Cash (LeMans Casimier) the MVP for that game; he had four touchdowns.”
Genuser reiterated on the importance of Barnstormer fans and how well they have been this season, especially in the latest showing of 7,165 fans at the Well.
Fans will have one more game to cheer on the Barnstormers in 2015 as their home and season finale will be against Green Bay on July 20th.
After the season, Genuser plans on coaching football at his former high school in California, Clover West. He also disclosed his offseason plans.
“I won’t be leaving the Barnstormers,” Genuser said. “Unless I get a contract for AFL or a higher level of football, I will be in Iowa again.”
