Tulsa, Okla. — Tulsa Oilers Football, a proud member of the IFL and powered by Community Care, open their home schedule against the Iowa Barnstormers on Saturday, April 6 at 7:05 pm. CT.
LAST TIME OUT Tulsa, Okla. — The Oilers return home for the first time since the end of their inaugural season, entering their home opener, 0-1. Tulsa opened their 2024 season against the Frisco Fighters on the road, which resulted in a fourth-quarter comeback by the Fighters ending in a 31-25 overtime victory for Frisco to conclude the first edition of the Red River Rumble. The Fighters received the opening kick of the game and would find a way to score on their opening drive via a 15-yard rushing touchdown by returning QB T.J. Edwards made it 7-0 Frisco with 10:14 left in the opening quarter. Tulsa responded with a touchdown of their own on the Oilers' first drive, connecting on a quick hand off to
Jonathan Nance who ran for eight yards into the end zone with 4:39 remaining in the first. The extra point attempt was missed making it 7-6 Fighters. The Oilers grabbed two touchdowns to open the second quarter.
Montero Dubose had a 2-yard run into the end zone with 11:48 left in the half. The following two-point conversion was missed, making the score 12-7 Tulsa, and
Joshua Crockett snagged a 16-yard reception from new Oilers' QB
Daniel Smith with one hand for his first score of the season giving the Oilers an edge of 19-7 at the end of the second quarter after a converted extra point. The second half didn't see points until Frisco's Bryce Crawford hit a 31-yard field goal to bring the game within nine points at 19-10 with 7:24 left in the third.
Alexis Rosario entered the scene in response, grabbing a 10-yard touchdown catch with 2:30 remaining in the third quarter, pushing the game to 25-10 in favor of Tulsa. The fourth quarter saw two rushing scores from the Fighters' QB Edwards to help tie the game after a two-point conversion 25-25 with 3:15 left in the game. Smith would throw an interception in overtime allowing Frisco to have possession. Edwards added one last rushing score for 2-yards to conclude the game and give the Fighters the first taste of the boot trophy awarded to the winner of the Red River Rumble. The final score was 31-25 Frisco making the Oilers 0-1 to start the 2024 season.
FOCUS AHEAD Tulsa remains focused on the next task at hand, the Iowa Barnstormers. Iowa also enters 0-1, after falling to the Green Bay Blizzard 35-24 on Saturday, March 23. Barnstormers' QB Darius Peterson avoided turning the ball over via interception in his first game while going 10 for 24 through the air. Tulsa will seek to keep that completion rate low once again as
Taylor Hawkins and the Oilers' secondary look to continue to lock things down. Tulsa proved they can get an early lead last time out, something they struggled last season with. In order to play a complete game, Marvin Jones and his team will seek to have more focus in the second half to prove the full sixty minutes can be played effectively by this group.
HOW TO BURN THE "BARN" Tulsa can create a riot at the BOK Center if they play their cards right. Proving to be one of the best crowds in the entire league last year, the biggest weapon Tulsa has is also off the field, the fans. An early dominance or at minimum a mistake free first quarter with good execution will go a long way in an attempt to get the building loud and the momentum built for a full game effort. Tulsa will also look to improve and fine tune the run game in their second outing to allow more of a presence in the second half against a team in Iowa that rushes well themselves.
The home opener against Iowa Barnstormers is at the BOK Center on April 6, 2024, at 7:05 p.m. CST. The first 1000 fans will receive a Tulsa Oilers 3'x5' house flag.
Tulsa Oilers Football Season and Group Tickets are on sale now! Call the front office at 918-632-7825 or visit
www.tulsaoilersfootball.com for more information.
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