Frustration Continues For Command, Lose To Barnstormers 62-42

Despite wide receiver Armand Robinson’s four touchdown catches for the Kansas City Command, their struggles continue as they lost their eighth straight game Saturday night 42-62 against the Iowa Barnstormers at the Wells Fargo Arena in front of 7,962.  Iowa quarterback JJ Raterink threw for 253 yards and six touchdowns, and rushed for one more to put an end to Iowa’s three-game losing streak.  “It’s a tough loss,” said Command coach Danton Barto. “Matt, statistically had his best game with passing and touchdowns (334 yards for six TD’s), but the key thing was three interceptions that stopped three drives.  We just can't get over the hump.  It's two or three drives every game that's killing us and keeping us out of games."
Raterink connected with four different receivers for touchdowns lead by Jesse Schmidt who had nine receptions for 11 yards and 3 TD’s and helped the Barnstormers get back on track to a 4-5 record.
The Command took the lead on an eight yard touchdown pass to Armand Robinson with 5:05 left in the first quarter, but two early Command turnovers (fumble and net recovery) gave the Barnstormers opportunities to score on their next two possessions resulting in a 17-7 to end the first quarter.  Robinson was the leading receiver of the game with 13 receptions for 143 yards and four touchdowns. Barnstormer defensive end Justin Mincey’s leaping interception off Gutierrez and 20 yard return for an Iowa touchdown gave the Barnstormers a 31-21 lead and kicker Camay scored a 50 yard field goal just as time expired in the second quarter to give Iowa a 34-21 lead going into halftime.
Iowa kept their momentum going to start the second half, scoring on their first drive to take a 41-21 lead with 11:29 left in third quarter.   The Barnstormers defense intercepted Gutierrez for the third time and quickly scored to go up with 10:21 left in the third quarter.  Four Command turnovers (3 INTs, 1 net recovery) plus Iowa’s consistent scoring helped the Barnstormers maintain a lead throughout the entire second half.
Regarding KC’s offense, “they’re getting it,” said Barto.  “We’re trying. Armand Robinson had a great game.  Our young players are starting to make plays, we’ve just got to be more consistent.  It’s maddening because we work on it every day, but it’s just part of being young.”