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Sioux City Bandits @ Omaha Beef June 15th – 6:35pm CT Liberty First Credit Union Arena |
The 8-0 Omaha Beef are hosting their third championship game and hoping to claim their third championship and extend their winning streak to 21 games as they host the Sioux City Bandits (5-3) June 15th in the National Arena League’s 7th Championship game at Liberty First Credit Union Arena. The championship game will be the 53rd meeting between the two squad, but the first time they will be meeting up for a title. The Beef have won five in a row over the Bandits and are a perfect 4-0 in the playoff’s vs them. Omaha leads the all-time series 28-24 and is making their fourth straight appearance in a championship game. Omaha is 1-1 (Losing to Tennessee in 2001, beating Salina 2023) in home championship games and 1-1 (Salina 2021, Salina 2022) on the road for championship games. The Beef, named NAL 2024 Franchise of the Year, are looking to complete their second consecutive season undefeated with a championship. Sioux City is making its seventh appearance in a champions game and has won three of them.
In the two games this year vs the Bandits, Omaha was out rushed by Sioux City 181 yards to 174 yards, but the Beef controlled the air 310 yards to 78 yards. The Beef have had two more plays offensive plays, but 225 more yards and have outscored the Bandits by 29 points. Omaha won in Ralston 33-6 and 34-32 in Sioux City. Bandits Head Coach Erv Strohbeen is 17-12 vs the Beef and 8-5 at Liberty First Arena.
The Beef offense is led by four-time Offensive Player of the Week and NAL MVP, quarterback Tommy Armstrong. Armstrong has rushed 66 times for 361 yards (45.1 ypg, 5th in NAL) and 20 touchdowns and added 1010 yards (126.2 ypg, 3rd in NAL) on 71 of 118 pass attempts (116.9 efficiency, 1st in NAL) with 19 touchdowns. Armstrong leads the NAL in scoring with 124 points and is third in total offense with 1371 (171.4 ypg). Jeff Mack is second on the team in rushing yards with 333 yards on 70 carries (47.6 ypg, 3rd in NAL) and has caught 12 passes for 97 yards. Troy Evans Jr is fifth in the NAL in receiving yards per game (17 rec, 288 yds, 8 TD), Korrell Koehlmoos is 10th in ypg (18 rec, 264 yds, 5 TD, and with Jordan Barton (16 rec, 176 yds, 3 TD) makeup the top three receivers for the Beef.
The Beef defense is led by Rodell Rahmaan (25 tackles) six sacks which puts him in a second-place tie in the NAL, Rudy Ngougni (29 tackles) five sacks, Dylan Pettway (33 tackles) 2.5 sacks, Zion Farmer (16 tackles) 1.5 sacks, and Cameron Hunt (22 tackles) 1 sack. Omaha has intercepted 13 passes led by leading tackler Ponce Deleon’s (70 tackles, 8.8 tpg 1st in NAL) 4 interceptions, Terrance Jackson Jr (31 tackles) and Trey Dudley-Giles (19 tackles) and Cameron Hunt have two interception.
The Sioux City Bandits offense is a run first offense lead by running back Andrew Prohaska. Prohaska has rushed 91 times for 380 (47.5 ypg, 5th in NAL) and nine touchdowns while catching 13 passes for 125 and one touchdown. As a team the Bandits have run the ball 187 times compared to only throwing the ball 120 times. Verlon Reed Jr has started at quarterback for the Bandits last three games providing a boost in the passing game. Reed Jr is completing 58.3 of his passes going 28 of 48 (93.2 efficiency, 2nd in NAL) with seven touchdowns and two interceptions while running the ball 15 times for 99 yards (33.0 ypg 7th in NAL) and four touchdowns. Veteran wideout Fred Bruno is the top target for Sioux City as he hauled in 20 passes for 170 yards and five touchdowns and has run the ball 30 times for 185 and six touchdowns. Bruno has returned two kickoffs for touchdowns among his 25 returns (503 yards) and is fourth in points scored and fourth in all-purpose yards. Damond Powell (9 rec 78 yds 2 TD) and Brandon Sheperd (8 rec 80 yds 3 TD) are the other two starting receivers.
The Bandit’s defense is led by defensive back Carlton Watkins with his 36 tackles and two interceptions. Linebackers Juan Moore (33 tackles, 6.6 tpg 6th in NAL, 2 sacks) and Braden Meints (28 tackles, 2 sacks) will be tasked in containing the Beef offense. The defense line consists of Asi Tupa (24 tackles, 1.5 sacks), Devin Groenhagen (26 tackles, 7.5 TFL), and Ben Pister (5 tackles, 1 sack). Watkins is joined in the defensive backfield by Xavier Spann (25 tackles), ex-Beef Chris Perry (8 tackles), Antwan Smith (6 tackles), Justin Gilbert (13 tackles) and Sherman Gilbert (25 tackles).
OTHER NOTES:
Tickets are on sale starting at just $23.00, you can buy them by visiting the arena box office or online at Omaha Beef Football | Liberty First Credit Union Arena
Any questions call the Beef office at 402.346.2333.
NAL Awards were announced and the Beef claim five of them: Armstrong (MVP), Franchise of the Year, Sir Loin Mascot of the Year, Best Fan Base, and Ricky Bertz Executive of the Year.
2024 Omaha Beef Schedule (8-0)
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Sioux City |
Omaha |
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March 24, 2pm CT |
@ Carolina Cobras |
Avg Pts Scored/G |
40.1 (4th) |
47.4 (1st) |
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March 30, 6:30pm CT |
Vs Colorado Spartans |
Avg Pts Allow/G |
37.5 (2nd) |
28.5 (1st) |
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April 20, 7pm CT |
Vs Idaho Horsemen |
Total Offense/G |
161.8 (6th) |
237.9 (1st) |
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May 4, 6:30pm CT |
Vs Oklahoma Flying Aces |
Total Defense/G |
231.5 (6th) |
179.1 (1st) |
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May 11, 6:30pm CT |
Vs Sioux City Bandits |
Turnover Margin |
-1(3rd) |
+11 (1st) |
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May 18, 7:10pm CT |
@ Sioux City Bandits |
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June 1, 8pm CT |
@Colorado Spartans |
Home Record |
4-1 |
5-0 |
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June 8, 6:35 pm CT |
Vs Carolina Cobras |
Road Record |
1-2 |
3-0 |
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June 15, 6:35 CT |
Vs Sioux City |
28-24 Omaha |
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Last Meeting |
5/18 @ Sioux City, Omaha won 34-32 |
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NAL games only for team rank |
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Projected Starters
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Omaha Beef |
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Sioux City Bandits |
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QB |
#10 Tommy Armstrong |
71/118 passing 1010 yds, 19 TD, 3 Int 66-361 yds rushing, 20 TD |
#9 Verlon Reed Jr |
28/48 passing 270 yds, 7 TD, 2 Int 15/99 yds rushing, 4 TD |
|
RB |
#5 Jeff Mack |
70-333 rushing 5 TD; 12-97 rec |
#20 Andrew Prohaska |
91/380 rush yds 9 TD, 13 rec 125 1 TD |
|
WR |
#13 Korrell Koehlmoos |
18 rec 264 yds 5 TD |
#2 Fred Bruno |
20 rec 170 yds 5 TD, 30-185 rush 6 TD, 25 kr– 503 yds (20.1 avg) |
|
WR |
#18 Jordon Barton |
16 rec 176 yds 3 TD, 7-24 yds rush 2 TD |
#14 Brandon Shepard |
8 rec 80 yds 3 TD, 1-7 rush |
|
WR |
#8 Troy Evans Jr |
17 rec 288 yds 8 TD, 6-37 yds rush |
#3 Damond Powell |
9 rec 78 yds 2 TD |
|
OL |
#50 Olu’kayode Akinmoladun |
#55 Omar Roberts |
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OL |
#52 Edarius Anderson |
OL has given up 7 sack on season |
#73 Jacob Ungruhe |
OL has given up 8 sack on season |
|
OL |
#92 Nathan Roehr |
#70 Sterling Clark |
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DL |
#1 Rudy Ngougni |
29 tackles, 5 sack, 6 TFL, safety |
#15 Asi Tupua |
35 tackles, 5 sack, 12 TFL, 1 INT, 1PB, 4 QBH, 2 FF, 1 FR, 1 BK |
|
DL |
#44 Zion Farmer |
16 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 3 TFL, 3 QBH |
#7 Ben Pister |
5 tackles, 1 sack, 2 TFL, 1 PB, 1 QBH |
|
DL |
#15 Rodell Rahmaan |
25 tackles, 6 sacks, 7 TFL, 3 FF, safety |
#26 Devin Groenhagen |
26 tackles, 7.5 TFL, .5 sack, 3 QBH, 1 FR, 1 BK |
|
LB |
#7 Cameron Hunt |
21 tackles, 1 sack, 4.5 TFL, 3 FF, 2 FR, 2 INT, 1 PB, 5 QBH, 1 BK |
#16 Juan Moore |
33 tackles, 5.5 TFL, 2 sack, 3 QBH, 2 FF |
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DB |
#21 Trey Dudley-Giles |
15 tackles, 2 INT, 1 TFL, 1 PB, 1 FF, 1 FR |
#1 Xavier Spann |
25 tackles, 1 INT, 1 PB |
|
DB |
#11 Adorian Beach |
12 tackles 1 INT |
#24 Chris Perry |
8 tackles, 2 PB |
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DB |
#0 Ponce Deleon |
70 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 1 FF,4 INT, 2 PB |
#5 Carlton Watkins |
36 tackles, 1.5 TFL 2 PB, 1 FR, 1 FF, 2 INT |
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DB |
#2 Terrance Jackson Jr |
31 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 2 INT, 2 PB, 1 FR |
#23 Sherman Gilbert |
25 tackles, 1 INT, 1 PB, 1 FR, 1 FF |
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K |
#35 Paul Ortiz |
8/13 PAT, 0-2 FG, 2 Deuce |
#10 Braden Meints |
7/16 PAT, 1/3 FG (28 yd Long), 1 deuce |
NAL Player of the Week Awards-
Tommy Armstrong- (Offensive) Week 2, Week 6, Week 9, Week 13
Dylan Pettway – (Defensive) Week 2
Camron Hunt II (Defensive) Week 6
Rudy Ngougni – (Defensive) Week 8
Ponce Deleon – (Defensive) Week 9, Week 10
Paul Ortiz – (Special Teams) week 12
Web information
Livestream – youtube.com/@NationalArenaLeague/streams
Website – beeffootball.com
Facebook- facebook.com/TheOmahaBeef
Beef All-Time records vs. (As of 6/8/24)
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|
Overall record |
Regular Season |
Post-Season |
Home |
Away |
|
Sioux City Bandits |
28-24 |
24-24 |
4-0 |
15-11 |
13-13 |
|
Oklahoma Fly Aces |
4-0 |
4-0 |
0-0 |
3-0 |
1-0 |
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Carolina Cobras |
2-0 |
2-0 |
0-0 |
1-0 |
1-0 |
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Colorado Spartans |
2-0 |
2-0 |
0-0 |
1-0 |
1-0 |
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Idaho Horsemen |
1-0 |
1-0 |
0-0 |
1-0 |
0-0 |
Beef Championships-
CIF Champions Bowl VI (2021) and VIII (2023)
Omaha Championship results (2/4)
IFPL Championship (2001)- Tennessee Thundercats @ Omaha – Tennessee 47-38
CIF Champions Bowl 6 (2021) – Omaha @ Salina – Omaha 40-39
CIF Champions Bowl 7 (2022) – Omaha @ Salina – Salina 38-34
CIF Champions Bowl 8 (2023) – Salina @ Omaha – Omaha 50-30
Sioux City Bandits Championship- (3/6)
UIF United Bowl 1 (2005) – Sioux Falls @ Sioux City – Sioux Falls 40-38
APFL Championship (2011) – Iowa @ Sioux City – Sioux City 69-28
APFL Championship (2012) – Council Bluffs @ Sioux City – Sioux City 56-34
CPIFL – Champions Bowl (2014) – Sioux City @ Wichita – Wichita 46-41
CIF Champions Bowl I (2015) – Texas @ Sioux City – Sioux City 76-61
CIF Champions Bowl IV (2018) – Sioux City @ Duke City – Duke City 31-27
National Arena League Championship –
2017- Columbus Lions @ Jacksonville Sharks – Sharks 27-21
2018- Columbus Lions @ Carolina Cobras – Cobras 66-8
2019- Carolina Cobras @ Jacksonville Sharks – Sharks 52-48
2020 – Covid 19
2021 – Columbus Lions @ Albany Empire – Empire 79-62
2022 – Carolina Cobras @ Albany Empire- Empire 47-20
2023 – Carolina Cobras @ Jacksonville Sharks – Sharks 54-45
2024 – Sioux City @ Omaha Beef –
|
Name |
Beef Record for |
current rank |
Prior Stat |
2024 |
Current total |
up next |
|
Jeff Mack |
rushing yds |
4 |
793 |
333 |
1126 |
3rd Clinton Childs (2000-03) 1797 |
|
Jeff Mack |
rushing attempts |
4 |
244 |
70 |
314 |
3rd James McNear (2007-13) 379 |
|
Jeff Mack |
rushing TD |
8 |
17 |
5 |
22 |
7th Anthony Iannotti 28 |
|
Jeff Mack |
pass receptions |
14 |
56 |
12 |
68 |
12th Norman Darden 72 |
|
Jeff Mack |
All-purpose |
5 |
1671 |
564 |
2235 |
4th Clinton Childs 2416 |
|
Jeff Mack |
TD Scored |
13 |
20 |
5 |
25 |
12th Jonathan Ray 26, 10th Iannotti/Moore 28 |
|
Jeff Mack |
kick returns |
11th |
25 |
7 |
32 |
10th Lawrence Pullen 38 |
|
Jeff Mack |
kick return yards |
12 |
393 |
134 |
527 |
11th 562 Allen Burrell 562, 10th Lawrence Pullen 689 |
|
Tommy Armstrong |
rushing yards |
7 |
384 |
361 |
745 |
6th Anthony Iannotti 861, 5th James Johnson 868 |
|
Tommy Armstrong |
rushing attempts |
9 |
80 |
66 |
146 |
8th Deshawn Jones 208 |
|
Tommy Armstrong |
rushing TD |
4 |
19 |
20 |
39 |
3rd James McNear (2007-13) 47 |
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Tommy Armstrong |
passing attempts |
8 |
164 |
118 |
282 |
7th Chris Cofin (2014) 317 |
|
Tommy Armstrong |
Passing completions |
8 |
102 |
71 |
173 |
7th Chris Cofin 200 |
|
Tommy Armstrong |
passing yards |
6 |
1279 |
1010 |
2289 |
5th Chuck Wright 2652, 4th Anthony Iannotti 2838 |
|
Tommy Armstrong |
passing TD |
6 |
32 |
19 |
51 |
4th – 52 Chris Coffin and Chuck Wright, 3rd 55 Troy Travis, 2nd Andrew Jackson 72 |
|
Tommy Armstrong |
Total offense |
5 |
1663 |
1371 |
3034 |
4th Troy Travis 3327 |
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Tommy Armstrong |
TD Responsible |
3 |
51 |
39 |
90 |
2nd RJ Rollins 97 |
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Trey Dudley-Giles |
kick return yards |
15th |
442 |
1 |
443 |
13th David Horne (2008-09) 464 |
|
Trey Dudley-Giles |
kick returns |
11th |
29 |
0 |
29 |
10th Lawrence Pullen (2007) 38 |
|
Trey Dudley-Giles |
interceptions |
3rd |
14 |
2 |
16 |
2nd Chris Perry |
|
Trey Dudley-Giles |
interception yards |
2 |
232 |
74 |
306 |
2nd to Chris Perry |
|
Trey Dudley-Giles |
Tackles |
3 |
221 |
19 |
240 |
3rd Chris Perry 235, 2nd Chris Eads 256 |
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Trey Dudley-Giles |
pass defended |
6th |
32 |
2 |
34 |
5th Taylor Hawkins (2019-21,22) 36, 4th Diezeas Calbert (2008-15) 37 |
Sioux City Banits 2024 Schedule
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Overall |
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Mar 15, 2024 |
OKLAHOMA FLYING ACES |
W |
1-0-0 |
2:22 |
2000 |
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Apr 06, 2024 |
OKLAHOMA FLYING ACES |
W |
2-0-0 |
2:34 |
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Apr 12, 2024 |
COLORADO SPARTANS |
W |
3-0-0 |
2:59 |
1100 |
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Apr 28, 2024 |
at |
Carolina Cobras |
L |
3-1-0 |
2:34 |
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May 11, 2024 |
at |
Omaha Beef |
L |
3-2-0 |
2:47 |
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May 18, 2024 |
OMAHA BEEF |
L |
3-3-0 |
2:58 |
2500 |
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May 25, 2024 |
at |
Idaho Horsemen |
W |
4-3-0 |
– |
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Jun 01, 2024 |
CAROLINA COBRAS |
W |
5-3-0 |
2:42 |
2200 |
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Date |
Opponent |
|
Score |
|
Attend |
|
Site |
Notes |
|
* |
5/31/2002 |
SIOUX CITY BANDITS |
W |
54-49 |
4579 |
Omaha, Nebraska |
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|
* |
6/22/2002 |
at Sioux City Bandits |
L |
30-33 |
2675 |
Sioux City, IA |
|||
|
* |
6/14/2003 |
at Sioux City Bandits |
L |
34-37 |
2623 |
Sioux City, IA |
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|
* |
6/28/2003 |
SIOUX CITY BANDITS |
W |
58-38 |
5573 |
Omaha, Nebraska |
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* |
4/3/2004 |
SIOUX CITY BANDITS |
W |
38-26 |
3393 |
Omaha, Nebraska |
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* |
5/22/2004 |
at Sioux City Bandits |
L |
30-43 |
3510 |
Sioux City, IA |
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#p |
7/10/2004 |
#5 SIOUX CITY BANDITS |
W |
46-40 |
3105 |
Omaha, Nebraska |
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* |
4/9/2005 |
SIOUX CITY BANDITS |
L |
51-54 |
4565 |
Omaha |
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* |
5/14/2005 |
at Sioux City Bandits |
W |
52-42 |
4175 |
Sioux City, IA |
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|
* |
7/9/2005 |
SIOUX CITY BANDITS |
L |
41-47 |
6251 |
Omaha |
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|
* |
4/1/2006 |
at Sioux City Bandits |
W |
38-35 |
5219 |
Sioux City, IA |
|||
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* |
4/22/2006 |
SIOUX CITY BANDITS |
L |
27-31 |
4192 |
Omaha, Nebraska |
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|
* |
7/2/2006 |
at Sioux City Bandits |
W |
32-30 |
3814 |
Sioux City, IA |
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|
* |
3/24/2007 |
at Sioux City Bandits |
W |
47-26 |
4826 |
Sioux City, IA |
|||
|
* |
5/5/2007 |
at Sioux City Bandits |
L |
29-36 |
5176 |
Sioux City, IA |
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|
* |
6/16/2007 |
SIOUX CITY BANDITS |
W |
30-27 |
1610 |
Omaha, NE |
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5/10/2008 |
at Sioux City Bandits |
W |
53-47 |
4939 |
Sioux City, IA |
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6/14/2008 |
SIOUX CITY BANDITS |
W |
34-9 |
6180 |
Omaha |
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|
* |
6/5/2009 |
SIOUX CITY BANDITS |
W |
31-25 |
3549 |
Omaha, Nebraska |
|||
|
* |
6/27/2009 |
at Sioux City Bandits |
W |
58-43 |
3870 |
Sioux City, IA |
|||
|
* |
3/13/2010 |
SIOUX CITY BANDITS |
W |
53-26 |
3790 |
Omaha, NE |
|||
|
* |
5/22/2010 |
SIOUX CITY BANDITS |
W |
67-48 |
1800 |
Omaha, NE |
|||
|
* |
6/5/2010 |
at Sioux City Bandits |
W |
64-29 |
4311 |
Sioux City, IA |
|||
|
* |
4/7/2013 |
SIOUX CITY BANDITS |
W |
32-26 |
ot |
2245 |
Ralston, NE |
||
|
* |
4/27/2013 |
at Sioux City Bandits |
W |
38-24 |
4887 |
Sioux City, IA |
|||
|
* |
4/11/2014 |
SIOUX CITY BANDITS |
L |
55-61 |
– |
Omaha, NE |
|||
|
* |
5/10/2014 |
at Sioux City Bandits |
L |
47-61 |
3956 |
Sioux City, IA |
|||
|
2/28/2015 |
at Sioux City Bandits |
L |
13-62 |
3848 |
Sioux City, IA |
||||
|
4/10/2015 |
SIOUX CITY BANDITS |
W |
43-41 |
3179 |
Ralston, NE |
||||
|
4/24/2015 |
SIOUX CITY BANDITS |
L |
37-61 |
3148 |
Ralston, NE |
||||
|
5/16/2015 |
at Sioux City Bandits |
L |
38-64 |
3021 |
Sioux City, IA |
||||
|
* |
2/27/2016 |
at Sioux City Bandits |
L |
38-43 |
3562 |
Sioux City, IA |
|||
|
* |
3/25/2016 |
SIOUX CITY BANDITS |
L |
33-45 |
3902 |
Ralston, NE |
|||
|
2/25/2017 |
at Sioux City Bandits |
L |
44-63 |
3381 |
Sioux City, IA |
||||
|
3/31/2017 |
SIOUX CITY BANDITS |
L |
56-63 |
3810 |
Ralston, NE |
||||
|
5/27/2017 |
SIOUX CITY BANDITS |
L |
55-61 |
3277 |
Ralston Arena |
||||
|
p |
6/17/2017 |
at Sioux City Bandits |
W |
55-45 |
2407 |
Sioux City, IA |
Northern Division Championship |
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|
* |
3/24/2018 |
SIOUX CITY BANDITS |
L |
30-33 |
3803 |
Ralston, NE |
|||
|
* |
5/5/2018 |
at Sioux City Bandits |
L |
40-52 |
2644 |
Sioux City, IA |
|||
|
* |
5/26/2018 |
SIOUX CITY BANDITS |
L |
31-77 |
2764 |
Ralston, NE |
|||
|
4/6/2019 |
at Sioux City Bandits |
L |
32-43 |
3176 |
Sioux City, IA |
||||
|
6/22/2019 |
SIOUX CITY BANDITS |
W |
60-50 |
– |
Ralston, NE |
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|
* |
4/17/2021 |
SIOUX CITY BANDITS |
L |
22-33 |
– |
Omaha, NE |
|||
|
* |
5/2/2021 |
at Sioux City Bandits |
W |
41-37 |
– |
Sioux City, IA |
|||
|
* |
6/26/2021 |
at Sioux City Bandits |
L |
28-35 |
– |
Sioux City, IA |
|||
|
p |
7/9/2021 |
SIOUX CITY BANDITS |
W |
40-39 |
– |
Omaha, NE |
|||
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4/30/2022 |
at Sioux City Bandits |
L |
49-60 |
– |
Sioux City, IA |
||||
|
p |
6/18/2022 |
at Sioux City Bandits |
W |
49-45 |
– |
Sioux City, IA |
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|
* |
5/6/2023 |
at Sioux City Bandits |
W |
48-45 |
2200 |
Sioux City, IA |
|||
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5/27/2023 |
SIOUX CITY BANDITS |
W |
44-15 |
– |
Ralston, NE |
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|
* |
5/11/2024 |
SIOUX CITY BANDITS |
W |
33-6 |
– |
Ralston, NE |
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|
* |
5/18/2024 |
at Sioux City Bandits |
W |
34-32 |
2500 |
Sioux City, IA |
Overall: 28-24
Conference: 19-16
Home: 15-11
Away: 13-13
Neutral: 0-0
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