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The Vegas Knight Hawks find themselves sitting at 5-9 after a 57-56 loss to the Quad City Steamwheelers (8-6) Friday, June 24 from the Dollar Loan Center.
While the Knight Hawks still have a chance to make the playoffs, this loss to Quad City makes the road a little bit tougher to get to the postseason. Vegas currently sits with the 11th best win percentage in the IFL (.357) and are still fifth in the Western Conference standings, trailing the Duke City Gladiators.
Next up, the team will finish out their home regular-season schedule on Saturday, July 2 against the Bay Area Panthers. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. PST.
The Vegas defense gave up the second most amount of points in a game this season. The only other time they gave up more points in a game was in early April against the Arizona Rattlers when the defense allowed 67 points.
Vegas also scored the second most points in a game all season Friday night and most points scored at home. The only other game the Vegas offense scored more points was May 14 versus the San Diego Strike Force when the team scored 68 points.
“We didn’t make the play at the right time,” head coach Mike Davis said.
Friday night’s game came down to the last play when Quad City Kicker Kimo Naehu made an extra point attempt following a three-yard EJ Hillard rushing touchdown to put Quad City ahead 57-56 with three seconds remaining in regulation.
For the Knight Hawks defense, it was the running game that was the Achilles heel Friday night. Vegas allowed 178 yards on the ground on 20 attempts and five touchdowns for an average of 8.9 yards per carry.
The Vegas offense was making it happen through the passing game with quarterback Cameron Dukes accounting for 228 passing yards on 20-28 passing with eight touchdown passes and an interception. He averaged 8.1 yards per attempt and 11.4 yards per completion.
“[Dukes] good for us,” Davis said. “He’s good for the team,”
Former UNLV Wide Receiver Jordan McCray reeled in eight catches for 96 yards and four touchdowns to lead Vegas in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns for the game.
“We have an explosive offense,” McCray said. “Anytime we can just let loose and play, it’s unmatched. The fact that we came out here and fought hard, I’m proud of everybody.”