DOMINATION!

Thunder keeps rolling, blanks Joplin

Tulsa, Oklahoma – June 8, 2019

The top-ranked Oklahoma Thunder continued their winning ways Saturday night, beating their regional rival Joplin Crusaders 42-0.  The meeting was the first ever between the two teams, with the Crusaders making the leap into GDFL and AAA minor-league play for the first time this season.

The Thunder struck first in the contest, using a balanced attack to score on a 7 play, 71-yard scoring drive capped by a 20-yard pass to standout receiver #4 Prentiss Elliott.  The Thunder would score again on a 3-yard rush by #30 Devin Dean later in the quarter, leading to a 12-0 halftime score.

A scoring outburst in the 3^rd quarter put the game out of reach for Joplin.  After a couple of Crusader drives ending deep in Thunder territory, Oklahoma scored 24 points within a three-minute span of game play that was spurred by the following plays:.

• A 49-yard reception by #88 that set up a 3-yard touchdown reception by #15 Winston Holder on the following play
• An interception by #26 DJ Wolfe deep in Crusader territory that led to a 14-yard rushing touchdown by Derrick Hunt
• A fumble recovery by #87 Rashawd Rushing that led to another 4-yard rushing touchdown by #30 Devin Dean

  By the end of the game, the Thunder offensive line and running back committee had posted one of the most dominating outings in team history, averaging 8 yards per carry on 30 rushing attempts (241 yards total, 4 touchdowns).

  The Thunder defense also dominated, with key performances by the following standout players:

• #55 Shawn Jackson, who had 11 total tackles and three passes broken up
• #76 JJ Hugine, who had 6 total tackles, 1 sack, and 2 hurries
• #74 George Rogers, who had 3 total tackles, 2 sacks, and 1 pass broken up

• The unit limited a normally dominant Joplin offense to only 14 rushing yards on 21 attempts, while forcing three turnovers and 93 total yards passing.

  STATS 

  OKLAHOMA THUNDER vs JOPLIN CRUSADERS

  Up next for the #1 Thunder is a trip to Tennessee to take on the Memphis Blast.  For more information, visit us on Facebook at “Oklahoma Thunder Football Team” or visit gdfl.org .