Game 16 Preview vs Tulsa
By Timothy Wallis
After being eliminated from playoff contention two weeks ago and dropping their last contest on a walk-off field goal, the 5-10 Quad City Steamwheelers will come back home for the last game of the 2026 season, a season they would like to forget. This week, they will once again take on the 10-5 Tulsa Oilers and will seek revenge against the team that defeated them just last time out.
Kick-off is at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 25th, at the Wheelhouse at the Vibrant Arena at The Mark in Moline, IL. To watch, you can go to the Yahoo Sports Network online or watch on services like Fubo, Amazon Fire TV, Plex, Prime Video and Roku.
About the Steamwheelers
Last week, the Steamwheelers rallied from a 17-point deficit but came up just short in a 44-41 loss to Tulsa after the Oilers kicked a game-winning field goal as time expired. Despite falling behind early because of two first-half interceptions by quarterback Daquan Neal, the Wheelers battled back behind Neal's four total touchdowns and briefly took their first lead of the game early in the fourth quarter. Neal threw three touchdown passes, including two to Keyvan Rudd, while adding a rushing score, and Trenton Barnes and Jazeric Peterson each added rushing touchdowns during the comeback effort. The loss dropped Quad City to 5-10 overall and 4-7 in Eastern Conference play in its final road game of the 2026 season.
QC - Players to Watch
Trenton Barnes / RB - Last week against Tulsa, Barnes had one of his best performances with the Steamwheelers, racking up 32 yards and a touchdown on nine carries, while also catching seven passes for 51 yards. As his role has gradually increased as the season has gone on, Barnes will look to cap off his rookie season with another great performance.
Chima Dunga / DL - Dunga was one of two Wheelers to record a tackle for loss last week against the Oilers' potent offense, and will look to do the same this week. While the veteran nosetackle hasn't played as much as he did in the 2025 campaign, his impact hasn't lessened, and the Wheelers' defense will need him to be there if they want to stop that offense.
About the Oilers
Last week, the Oilers held off a late comeback by the Quad City Steamwheelers to earn a dramatic 44-41 victory on a game-winning field goal as time expired. Tulsa built an early 22-6 lead behind quarterback TJ Edwards II, who accounted for multiple touchdowns, while the defense forced two first-half interceptions to help establish control. Although Quad City briefly took the lead in the fourth quarter, the Oilers responded with another touchdown drive before driving into field goal range in the closing seconds. Axel Perez sealed the win with a last-second field goal after also contributing multiple extra points and kickoff deuces throughout the game.
Tulsa - Players to Watch
Jerminic Smith Jr. / WR - Smith has developed into one of the best wideouts in the IFL this season, with performances where he has racked up 130 yards and four touchdowns, 101 yards and two touchdowns, 95 yards and three touchdowns, and 99 yards and four touchdowns. While he only had one reception for 14 yards and a touchdown, Smith will continue to cause a lot of issues for the Wheelers' defense if they do not focus on him.
Tre Harvey / LB - While already having an impressive season, Harvey last week snagged two interceptions in the first half against Neal, which helped the Oilers stop the Wheelers in the first half in what turned out to be a tight matchup. This week, in the last week of the regular season, Harvey will look to help solidify the Oilers' playoff spot and hold onto the third seed.
Last Time Around….
The Steamwheelers and Oilers last met on 7/18/26, when Tulsa defeated Quad City 44-41 on a game-winning field goal as time expired in a back-and-forth Eastern Conference matchup. Tulsa built a 22-6 lead behind quarterback TJ Edwards II and two first-half interceptions by its defense, but Quad City rallied behind quarterback Daquan Neal, who accounted for four total touchdowns, to briefly take the lead early in the fourth quarter. The Oilers answered with another touchdown drive before the Wheelers tied the game late on Neal's third touchdown pass of the night. Tulsa then drove into field goal range, where Axel Perez connected on the game-winning kick to secure the victory.