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Wild Win A Huge Game On A Field Goal In The Final Seconds!
POHLMAN SAVES BEST FOR LAST FOR WILD - Kollen Long/Wichita Eagle
Dylan Pohlman kicked a 24-yard field goal with five seconds remaining, lifting the Wichita Wild to a dramatic 39-37 upset of the Omaha Beef on Saturday night in Hartman Arena.
The kick was both a blessing and a relief for Pohlman, who had missed wide left on a 29-yarder with 1 minute, 13 seconds remaining. And he had missed two extra points earlier as well.
"As much as my field goal at the end was a factor, 10 times more important was the fact that all the guys did their part," Pohlman said. "They did an incredible job of fighting back and not giving up.
"I was inconsistent all night. For me, it was just a blessing to have the opportunity to make up for the misses."
With the victory, the Wild (6-6) moved two games ahead of Sioux Falls, which lost to Bloomington, with two games left in the race for the third and final playoff spot in the United Division.
The victory was certainly the Wild's most exciting performance of the season.
Wichita trailed 13-0 after one quarter, led 24-13 at halftime and was up 36-23 early in the fourth before sloppy play allowed Omaha back in the game.
The Beef (8-3) took its first lead on a four-yard touchdown run by Alan Burrell with less than two minutes to play.
"It was exciting -- that's what indoor football is all about," Wild coach Ken Matous said.
Tireless running back Darius Fudge had a costly fumble in the fourth quarter, but he continued to emerge as the team MVP by rushing for 25 times for 98 yards and five touchdowns.
"Incredible," said Pohlman of Fudge. "Because of his character and talent, he's the type of guy you want on your team, and the type of guy you're afraid to play against."
Omaha entered the game averaging nearly 50 points, and the Wild's defense limited the effectiveness of quarterback James McNear.
"We contained him well," Matous said. "That guy's been running all over people."
Notes -- The Wild may have a new quarterback heading to town. Matous said that he has been contacted by Dixie Wooten, who was recently released by River City. Wooten was averaging 182 passing yards, with 41 touchdown passes and seven interceptions. Matous said he is "open to the possibility" of Wooten joining the Wild.... Wild receiver Carlos Cavanaugh played one series at quarterback, leading the team on a 45-yard touchdown drive. Cavanaugh played quarterback in junior college.