Offense explodes as Knight Hawks earn first win of second straight title quest

Vegas’ Knight Hawks have completed the first step to potentially capturing a second straight IFL Championship, earning their first win of the new season.

Coming off a bye week, Vegas picked up a Week 3 win over Tucson Sunday, March 29 from Arizona with a 64-43 final score. Last season’s Knight Hawks went 2-0 against the Sugar Skulls.

“They were business as usual [after the game],” head coach Mike Davis said. “The expectations for this team, they hold themselves in such a high regard that that’s their expectations. Anything less is unacceptable.”

This past week was a third straight week away from home for the reigning IFL champions. To open the season, the club lost in the league’s annual Hall-of-Fame Game to the Green Bay Blizzard.

Vegas will have to sit through a second bye week before playing in its banner-raising home opener.

“Who knows [what it’ll feel like],” Davis said. “It’ll be nice to see some of these guys that were a part of this turnaround and kind of put it to rest. Time to move on.”

That home opener will be played Sunday, April 12 from Lee’s Family Forum when the team takes on Jacksonville in a Week 5 matchup. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

After enduring two fumbles in the Knight Hawks’ season opener, running back Josh Tomas appeared ready to make up for his past errors.

Most of Tomas’ damage came in the kick return game where he logged 127 yards and a touchdown on seven attempts. That lone kick return touchdown came early in the second quarter to put Vegas up, 28-14.

“He was just like, ‘Let’s get to work,’” Davis said. “[The Sugar Skulls] have been talking a ton of shit, right. They’re going to ‘dominate the IFL.’ Go on their social media talking about, bleep our name out, ‘Yall on deck.’

“Our guys see all that and our guys aren’t going to stand for that. So they just wanted to let them know this isn’t the new Tucson, this was the same old Tucson.”

Tomas only racked up 20 scrimmage yards on six offensive touches but he did score on the ground for his second rushing score of the season.

By halftime, Vegas held a 42-17 lead over Tucson. After being the second-best offense last season, Davis believes this offensive group this year can have an even higher ceiling.

“Without a doubt [the offense got better],” Davis said. “I’ve been telling people that. I think all-in-all we’ve gotten better and our young guys have so much potential. And we were talented last year, I won’t take anything away from those guys – we were super talented.

“But these guys’ confidence and swagger is on a whole nother level.”

First-year Knight Hawk quarterback Avaun Rucker took his first snap with the team on the first possession of the game. He launched an 18-yard touchdown pass to receiver Deshon Stoudemire for a fast scoring start to the contest. Rucker went 2-for-2 for 27 yards and a touchdown in the win.

“You have to always be in your bag,” Davis said. “If you’re not working hard to be creative, you’re missing out on opportunities for your guys. We’re asking these young men to step into work everyday and grind and do what we ask, we’ve got to keep it fun and exciting for them.”

Normal starter Jayden De Laura was masterful when it was his time under center, finishing with 96 yards and five touchdowns on 7-of-10 through the air. One of those touchdowns came on his second snap of the game before airing one out to receiver Quentin Randolph just before the end of the first quarter.

At that point of the game, Vegas was 3-for-4 passing with three touchdowns to show for it.

Randolph hauled in three touchdowns on three receptions worth 37 yards, continuing to add to his stats as the franchise’s leading receiver.

Former UNLV product Senika McKie added two more touchdowns on two catches for 43 yards.

The Knight Hawks’ defense killed two Sugar Skulls’ drives including an interception by defensive back Irshaad Davis just before the end of the first half. Additionally, fellow defensive back Terry Roberts snagged the team’s second interception of the game in the fourth quarter.

Even with that, Davis paid more close attention to the 43 points allowed in the win highlighted by the 26 points scored by the home team after halftime.

“We made a couple of bonehead plays,” Davis said. “We had them in some timely third and longs and we missed a check or misplayed the ball or whatever – missed two sacks. We’ve just got to clean up the little things but you’ll take the win when you can get it because wins are hard.

“Then you go into a bye riding high ready for a home opener.”