The Iowa Barnstormers have used a heavy rushing attack as a big part of their journey to six wins in a row, but not necessarily how some would think.
The rushing attack has come from quarterback Travis Partridge.
Partridge, a St. Joseph, MO native, rushed for five touchdowns on Saturday, leading the team to a 41-34 win over the Green Bay Blizzard.
Travis Partridge’s Rushing Attack IFL’s Best
“As an offense, there are so many ways to score.,” Partridge said. “Whether it’s our running game with the running backs, quarterback run stuff, or our passing game. Whatever the defense is giving us that night is what we [run].”
His five rushing touchdowns not only set a Barnstormers single game record, but also earned him Indoor Football League (IFL) Offensive Player of the Week.
“We try to keep things as balanced as we possibly can, but my number got called a lot last Saturday,” Partridge said.
His number is getting called a lot this season, in the red zone specifically.
“I think it does a lot for us in the red zone with Travis running, because of the fact that he is a big guy that’s also very athletic,” coach Dixie Wooten said. “It also gives us numbers in the blocking game.”
Partridge now leads the IFL with 16 rushing touchdowns, becoming one of the biggest rushing threats in the league.
However, he says a large part is due to the offense around him.
“When you see a quarterback running the ball, a lot of things have to [go] right,” Partridge said. “The offensive line has to block their scheme, the running back has to get a block, and we have to execute.”
That just leaves one question: What about the passing game?
“Our passing game, if we need it, is there,” Partridge said. “When you’re winning games and playing defense like we do, we like to control the football. Until that changes, which I don’t see it changing, [the run game] will be a big part of our offense.”
The Barnstormers will look for their seventh straight win this Saturday as they take on the Cedar Rapids Titans at Wells Fargo Arena. Kickoff is at 7:05 p.m.
