It took the Iowa Barnstormers just two games to achieve their first win in the Indoor Football League. Iowa transferred to the IFL from the Arena Football League during the offseason and it looks as though the move is going well.
Iowa upended the Bemidji Axemen on Monday Night in front of 2,719, leading 38-26 when the clock hit zero.
Barnstormers earn first ever IFL win
The Barnstormers started off the game by giving up two touchdowns. On the extra point of the second score, Iowa DL Sean Daniels made a block, and DB Kirkland Davidson returned it for two points. Bemidji lead 13-2. On the ensuing possession, Robbie Nallenweg threw a 42 yard pass to 2014 NAIA All American, Brady Roland, for a touchdown.
After a turnover by each team, Bemidji finally capitalized and got in the end zone once more, leaving just two minutes on the clock. Nallenweg lead the final drive and completed a seven yard pass for the touchdown with 16 seconds to go. Iowa headed into the locker room trailing 20-15.
On the other side of the half, Iowa kept their momentum. Nallenweg threw another pass to Roland, this time 23 yards for the receiver’s second touchdown of the night. The rest of the third quarter went relatively quietly, keeping the score 21-20 with Iowa leading. To start the fourth, Iowa scored another touchdown by, you guessed it, Brady Roland.
Throughout the final fifteen minutes, Iowa forced two more interceptions and held the Axemen to just six points. The win was sealed with a fumble recovery by DL Jeremy Stephens.
At the conclusion of week three, Brady Roland sits second in the league in both receiving yards per game, and touchdowns. The Grand View graduate has 163 yards and four touchdowns through two games.
The team’s defense had a stellar outing against Bemidji and lead the league with four interceptions as a team, all by different players.
Iowa’s first win gives the standings some ease as the ‘Stormers are now tied for third trying to chase Sioux Falls and Cedar Rapids.
| IFL United Conference Standings | |||||
| Pos | Team | Record | Behind | ||
| 1 | Sioux Falls Storm | 3-0 | 0 | ||
| 2 | Cedar Rapids Titans | 2-1 | 1 | ||
| 3 | Iowa Barnstormers | 1-1 | 1.5 | ||
| 3 | Green Bay Blizzard | 1-1 | 1.5 | ||
| 5 | Bemidji Axeman | 0-2 | 2.5 | ||
Iowa returns to the field on Sunday at 4:00pm ET to take on the Green Bay Blizzard, and try to settle the tie for third. The two teams previously met in the developmental league for the AFL, developing somewhat of a rivalry that included fans, players, and coaches of teams trash talking one another. They will play each other two weeks after this matchup as well for the Barnstormers home opener on April 11th.
| Iowa Barnstormers Upcoming Schedule | ||||
| Date | Matchup | Time (ET) | ||
| Mar. 22 | Iowa @ Green Bay | 4:00pm | ||
| Mar. 27 | Iowa @ Nebraska | 8:00pm | ||
| Apr.11 | Iowa vs. Green Bay | 8:05pm | ||
| Apr. 18 | Iowa vs. Nebraska | 8:00pm | ||
