Renegades Roll Over Defenders

The Oklahoma Defenders were looking to make it two wins in a row on Saturday night as they hosted the Kansas City Renegades at the Tulsa Convention Center. This was also a revenge game as the Defenders lost to the Renegades 54-47 in Kansas City back on March 30. Instead Oklahoma ran into a buzzsaw that night and lost to the Renegades 65-28.

Throughout the game, the Kansas City defense plagued the Defenders’ offense.  The defense forced five turnovers (including two that resulted in immediate scores by Renegades LB Rashad Washington) and caused the Oklahoma offense to commit several mistakes that lead to the victory.

The Renegades offense was led by Chris Coffin, who went 15-23 for 184 yards and seven touchdowns (to six different receivers) on the night.

Return man O.J. Simpson continued to make an argument for Special Teams Player of the Year as he returned a second quarter kickoff 50 yards for a touchdown.

The loss drops the Defenders to 3-7 on the season and the Renegades improve to 6-4.

Kansas City host their last home game of the season this Saturday as they take on the Kansas Koyotes at Kemper Arena. The Renegades have teamed up with the Salvation Army on a food drive. If you bring a canned good to the box office you will receive $1 off every ticket purchased.

There will also be a pregame concert by local band Run With It in the parking lot.

The Renegades Pick Up First Win Of The Season, Downing Oklahoma 54-47

The Renegades got off the schneid in a big way Saturday, with a 54-47 win over the Oklahoma Defenders at Kemper Arena. After turnovers had marred them in their first two games (both losses), KC played a clean game Saturday, with just one turnover compared to three for the Defenders.

Protecting the ball was key. The KC offense had moved the ball in their previous games, but couldn’t recover from giveaways.

Last night that wasn’t an issue. Quarterback Dennis Gile threw 7 touchdown passes on his way to a 19-27 day. He had to operate behind a makeshift offensive line.

“[Gile] played outstanding, the offensive line has to get a little better but they hung in there,” coach Ken Matous said. “What’s amazing is that we had a center who isn’t a center play most of the game [nose tackle Brandon Ford], and he played against an All-AFL tenured vet Aaron McConnell. He did a great job and helped us win this football game.”

The score was 40-37 in the middle of a wild fourth quarter. The Defenders were answering every Renegade touchdown with a score of their own. But with two minutes to play, KC scored to go up 47-39. On the Defenders’ next drive, Oklahoma got inside the 20, but QB Rico Watkins’ pass fell into the hands of Renegade Donte Moore.

Gile led KC down the field for another score, putting the Renegades out of Oklahoma’s reach. Oklahoma added one more score, but KC recovered the kickoff, and Gile kneeled the clock dead.

The Renegades, 1-2, face the undefeated Wichita Wild next Saturday at Kemper Arena. Gile says getting the first win helps the team’s confidence going into a tough matchup next week.

“Getting the win lets guys come together instead of pointing fingers. Especially on a team with this much talent, when you lose you point fingers because you don’t understand why you’re losing,” Gile said. “But this win shows that when we come together and play as a team, we can win every game.”

Full Stats: http://www.cpifl.org/stats/KansasCity/