WEST VALLEY CITY— It wasn't the size of the Rapid City Red Dogs in Saturday's indoor football fight at the E Center — it was the size of the fight in the Utah Warriors.
After falling behind in the second quarter and trailing most of the second half, the Warriors made a dramatic comeback to take a 49-43 lead in the final moments and then stopped the Red Dogs' last attempt to score at the goal line to win.
Leading up to that point, the Utah defense allowed Rapid City running back Verna Owens five touchdown runs before stuffing him at the goal line as time elapsed. With the win, the Warriors move to 7-1 on the year. The victory also clinched Utah a playoff berth and extended its home unbeaten streak.
The Warriors' only loss of the season came in April to the Red Dogs. That was motivation enough for Utah coming into the game. But it was clear the Warriors would not play at their peak as quarterback Danny Ragsdale was slowed with a torn abdomen and a hip pointer. As the game wore on, Ragsdale's injuries significantly affected the passing game, but running back Omar Bacon filled the void with 50 yards rushing and six touchdowns. As long as Ragsdale could move the team down to the goal line, Bacon could find the paydirt.
"We couldn't pass tonight, but we had the running game at the end zone," Ragsdale said. "You can't depend on the running game in the middle of the field, but Omar took it upon himself to get us there."
Utah coach Lee Leslie said Bacon was a difference-maker.
"He stepped up and had a night he deserved," Leslie said. "I've never seen him run so hard."
The first half was semi-productive for the Warriors on both sides of the ball. Offensively, Utah still managed 21 points but misfired on numerous opportunities that might have put some distance between them and the Red Dogs. The Warriors held a 21-10 lead with 10 minutes to go in the half when the defense began to give ground. Rapid City put together two touchdown drives in the closing moments to take a 24-21 lead into the locker room.
The Red Dogs showed no signs of letting up as they opened the third quarter with another score to go up 31-21 on the Warriors. But led by the defense and finally healthy linebacker Kautai Oleveo, Utah also refused to concede defeat. The Warriors narrowed the Rapid City lead to 37-34 by the middle of the fourth quarter, and finally overtook the Red Dogs on a Bacon touchdown scamper with 7:53 to go in the game. Both teams would both score one more touchdown before meeting at the Utah goalline as time expired.
Leslie was impressed with the Red Dogs' effort, but more with his team's ability to rally and win.
"I was amazed at how tough they played us," Leslie said. "But everyone (on our team) made plays down the stretch."
Although Utah has played three of its last four games on the road, the Warriors get no break as they travel again next Saturday to Casper, Wyo., against the Wyoming Cavalry.
E-mail: ttoone@desnews.com