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The Austin Turfcats smash the North Texas Crunch with a convincing 71-15 win

AUSTIN, Texas – The Austin Turfcats welcomed the North Texas Crunch (5-1) to the Southern Indoor Football League with a 71-15 trouncing Saturday night. The Turfcats (5-1) have become the team to beat in the SIFL and the Crunch found out just how tough it is to come in to Austin and take on the Turfcats.

The first quarter was a sloppy one as both teams fumbled early in the quarter. However, the Turfcats made up for theirs a short time later when Michael Rutledge picked off a James Wilson pass. Austin turned the turnover into points moments later when Deron Ellis connected with Robert Quiroga on a 19-yard touchdown strike. The touchdown gave the Turfcats a 6-0 lead and that is where the score stood as play moved into the second quarter.

Austin wasted very little time getting on the board in the second quarter as they put together a six-play drive with a Keith Clay touchdown allowing him to redeem himself for an earlier fumble. The Turfcat defense then took their turn stepping up as they turned back the Crunch on a fourth and one by sacking Wilson for an eight-yard loss.

The Turfcats then took possession and needed all of two plays to strike pay dirt again. This time it was Ellis racing to the end zone for the touchdown to help Austin build their lead.

The Crunch finally got things rolling as Ricky Madison found his way to the end zone from five-yards out.

Austin lit the score board up once again on their next possession when Darrick Wallace returned the kickoff 36-yards before Darren Brown booted a 24-yard field goal.

The Turfcats took a 29-9 lead into halftime after the Crunch’s John Bryant kicked a 33-yard field goal late in the first half.

The Turfcats used their outstanding speed on offense and a tenacious defensive effort to hold the Crunch offense in check throughout the second half. Nick Lewis hauled in a 10-yard pass from Ellis for the last score of the game as the Turfcats closed out the 71-15 win with a touchdown.