OUTLAWS REMAIN UNBEATEN WITH 26-7 WIN OVER SHAWNEE

The Stillwater Outlaws beat the Shawnee Millers 26-7 in the Oklahoma Metro Football League’s first night game of the season. The win keeps the Outlaws in the top spot at 3-0 and Shawnee falls to forth place in the league at 1-2. After the third game of the season the Outlaws were eligible to be ranked and came in at 5th in the region by Western Football News.

It was a big day for offense, defense, and special teams. The defense held the Millers to only 100 yards and had two interceptions. The offense produced three scores, over 200 yards rushing, and held the ball for over 40 minutes. Special teams contributed greatly as Ryan Henderson kicked two field goals and was 2 of 3 on extra points. Matt Taylor also recovered a muffed punt to keep the offense on the field late in the second quarter.

"Our offense prides itself on being able to control the clock and the tempo of the game. We held the ball for over 40 minutes of this game, so I think they did a great job," said offensive coordinator Karey Jones. “It's hard to lose a game when your defense is fresh and your offense is taking six or more minutes off the clock with each drive.”

The offense got the game started by marching 65 yards down the field in 10 plays. Terrance Burris punched it in from the one yard line. Henderson came in and made the extra point to put the Outlaws up 7-0 with 8:54 left to play in the first quarter.
The Outlaw defense forced the Millers to go 3-and-out on their first drive, but they got the ball back four plays later after a bad snap was fumbled. The Millers weren’t able to reach the endzone and elected to kick a 35 yard field goal. The kick was blocked and picked up by the Outlaws’ Cliffton Howards and returned Stillwater 47 yard line. Terrance Burris ended the 12 play drive with a 4 yard run and his second touchdown of the day. Henderson kicked another extra point to extend the Outlaw’s lead 14-0 with 11:15 left to play in the first half.

The Millers were able to get on the board after a 6 play drive that went 70 yards. Miller’s tailback Brandon Davis eluded the Outlaw defense and was able to score on a 25 yard run. Chad Thomas made the extra point kick to cut the lead 14-7 with 8:00 left in the first half.

The Millers were able to hold the Outlaws to a 3-and-out, but the punt was muffed by Chad Gibson and Matt Taylor recovered it at the 16 yard line.  Three plays later Ryan Henderson kicked his first field goal of the night from 30 yards out to extend the lead 17-7 with 3:19 left in the half.

The Outlaw defense kept the pressure on the Millers and were able to return the ball to the offense after Ryan Henderson intercepted a pass and returned it to the 25 yard line. The offense was able to run out most of the half before Henderson nailed his second field goal of the night from 20 yards out. This extended the lead at halftime 20-7.

The Outlaws came out fired up and the defense forced Shawnee into a 3-and-out on their first procession. Still water then drove 65 yards in 10 plays. The drive was capped by a 6 yard run by Kyle Belveal for a touchdown. Henderson’s kick was blocked, but the Outlaws lead 26-7.

Special teams almost had another big moment as it appeared Matt Taylor recovered an onside kick, but a penalty backed the Outlaws up to the 25 yards line and forced a rekick. The kick went out of bounds and the Millers started their drive at the 41 yard line. The drive was short lived at Jesse Martin intercepted Chris Beaty at the Outlaw 26 yard line on the first play.

After several great punts by Henderson and the Millers not being able to convert critical fourth downs, the Outlaws got procession of the ball with 3:40 seconds left in the game. They were able to move the ball to the 3 yard line before quarterback Chuck Ferguson took two knees and ran out the clock to give Stillwater their third win of the season regular season.

The Stillwater Outlaws will take on the 1-2 Norman Nitro at 4:00pm on Saturday, April 6th. The game will be played at Crooked Oak Stadium on SE 22nd and Eastern Avenue in Oklahoma City. More information as well as video highlights can be found at www.StillwaterOutlaws.com.