The number six ranked Quad City Steamwheelers (2-0-0) earned its first victory in Louisville (2-1-0) since 2003 with a 39-28 victory on Friday, April 11. Russell Monk, a rookie from Saint Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa, helped seal the Steamwheelers victory with a rushing touchdown 1:45 remaining in the game to give Quad City a 39-28 lead.

The Louisville Fire, who were ranked number three entering the game, started strong scoring a field goal and forcing a turnover on downs by the Steamwheelers. However, a fumble recovery by the Steamwheelers jump started the ‘Wheelers office as quarterback J.J. Raterink wasted little time throwing a touchdown pass to Deontrae Johnson to make it a 7-3 game to end the first quarter.

Just three minutes into the second quarter the Steamwheelers extended the lead to a 14-3 lead as Jesse Schmidt caught his first touchdown of the game on an 18-yard pass from Raterink. The Fire battled back after Danny Kight hit his second field goal of the night for Louisville with four minutes remaining in the half before the Fire tie it up at 14-14 Demetrius Forney rushing touchdown with approximately one minute remaining. Raterink helped give the ‘Wheelers a 20-14 halftime lead after Schmidt caught his second touchdown pass of the night on a 38-yard toss.

Johnson caught his second touchdown pass on the night for the Steamwheelers when Raterink hit him in the corner of the end zone to make it a 27-14 game about five minutes and 30 seconds into the third quarter. The Fire pull to within six after a quarterback sneak by Matt Bassuener with 4:13 remaining in the third quarter.

Johnson caught his third touchdown of the night to give Quad City a 33-21 lead on a nine-yard touchdown pass from Raterink early in the fourth quarter after an Adam Vogel interception gave the Steamwheelers the ball back. Bassuener found Lonnell Dewalt in the middle of the end zone to make it a 33-28 game with just over seven minutes remaining in the game. After a Munk rushing touchdown, Tyus Jackson sealed the victory for Quad City with a fumble recovery with less than one minute remaining in the game.

For the ‘Wheelers, Raterink finished the game with 201 yards on 16 completions, while Johnson had eight catches for 74 yards and three touchdowns and Schmidt had four catches for 82 yards and two touchdowns. On defense, Malik Jackson led the team with nine total tackles.

The Steamwheelers return to the i wireless Center on Saturday, April 19 to face the Iowa Barnstormers at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are currently on sale now.