Box Score APRIL 8TH, 2022 MOLINE, IL – The Quad City Steamwheelers return to the TaxSlayer Center for the first time in nearly a month for Union Night Presented By Crawford Company to take on the 2-1 Sioux Falls Storm. The Wheelers lost their Week 1 matchup to Sioux Falls 34-24 and now look to notch their first "W" against the 7x IFL Champions.
On the opening drive, quarterback Aaron Aiken connected with veteran WR Keyvan Rudd for an explosive 22-yard touchdown. Wheelers up 7-0 early in the first quarter.
Wheelers DB Malik Duncan nearly picked off Storm quarterback Taz Wilson on their opening drive, but an illegal defense penalty negated the 3rd down stop. The Storm took advantage of their second opportunity as RB Nate Chavious picked up the first down on a 10-yard run. Wilson later connected with WR Tim Keith for a 3-yard touchdown pass. Sioux Falls missed the PAT, Wheelers still up 7-6.
On the next drive, Aiken picked up 17-yards on a convincing RPO rush. The drive stalled in the red zone, and the Wheelers settled for a field goal to take a 10-6 lead. Just as the Storm were gaining momentum, Wheelers DB Darreon Jackson recovered a fumble for the first turnover of the night. Veteran kicker Kimo Naehu connected with his second field goal of the night to put the Wheelers up 13-6.
The Storm put in quarterback Daniel Smith, but couldn't generate much momentum, settling for a field goal to bring the score to 13-9. A failed onside kick attempt gave Quad City the ball at the 15-yard line.The Wheelers capitalized as Rob Jones pushed the ball into the end zone for a 5-yard touchdown run. Wheelers up 20-9.
Before the end of the first half, the Storm drove down the field and Smith connected with Carlos Thompson Jr. for an 8-yard touchdown to bring the score to 20-16. A competitive first half comes to a close.
The Storm didn't waste much time as Smith connected with Thompson Jr. for a 30-yard touchdown pass on the first snap of the second half. The PAT was botched, but a successful drop-kick brought the score to 24-20 Storm, giving Sioux Falls their first lead of the game.
After Rudd returned the ball to mid-field, Aiken rushed for 18-yards on Quad City's first offensive snap of the second half. Later in the drive, an illegal formation penalty negated an Aiken touchdown run. Naehu missed on his third field goal attempt of the evening—Storm still up 24-20.
On the Sioux Falls' next drive, Smith connected with WR Kahliq Muhammad for a big completion to put them into the red zone. The Wheelers defense held the Storm in check, forcing a field goal attempt that failed to connect. Score still 24-20 Storm.
Aiken helped drive the Wheelers into field goal range, but instead of opting for a tough 39-yard field goal attempt, Quad City went for it on fourth down and failed to pick up the necessary yardage. The Storm's next drive was stalled by a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty. Their field goal attempt was botched, resulting in a turnover on downs.
On the next drive, Aiken helped Quad City push the ball downfield with both his arm and legs, capping the drive off with a 7-yard touchdown pass to WR Isaiah Grice. Wheelers take the lead back, 27-24. On the Storm's next drive, the Wheelers defense would not let up. They forced a long field goal attempt that failed to connect, keeping them in the lead 27-24 with 4:12 left in the fourth quarter.
Quad City's final drive was calculative—slow, methodical. Carefully designed run plays slowly drained the clock. But Rudd couldn't help himself, and the moment he had an open lane, he jetted down the field for an aggressive 29-yard run. Aiken capped the drive off with a 3-yard touchdown run. Wheelers up 34-24.
Quad City's defense closed out the game, forcing a failed fourth down attempt. The Wheelers offense took over possession and drained the clock to 0:00, ending the game with a 34-24 victory.
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