Moline, IL - Pirates quarterback Alejandro Bennifled ran for three touchdowns and threw for two more, but it was not enough as the Quad City Steamwheelers handed Massachusetts its first loss of the season 54-43 at the Vibrant Arena At The Mark. The Pirates are now 4-1 while the Steamwheelers stop a two-game losing streak, upping their record to 2-2. 

The Steamwheelers took the opening kickoff and used an extended drive with Mike Irwin at quarterback to open the scoring. Edward Vander found the end zone from a yard out to cap a ten play 33-yard drive for a 7-0 lead as Kyle Kaplan added the point after. The Steamwheelers' Raheem Harvey then intercepted Pirates quarterback Alejandro Bennifield at the goal line to end Massachusetts' first drive of the night. Four plays later it was quarterback Judd Erickson coming off the bench to engineer a four play 44-yard drive to end the first quarter. Erickson made it 14-0 scoring on a 19-yard run.

The Pirates got on the scoreboard on their first possession of the second quarter, moving the ball 36 yards in five plays as Bennifield hit Thomas Owens with a nine-yard strike for six. For Owens it was his 75th career touchdown and 70th touchdown reception, but the celebration was short-lived as Jaylin Swan blocked the extra point attempt by Josh Gable. Harvey scooped up the loose ball and returned it for a two-point score for a 16-6 lead.

The Pirates defense then rose to the occasion as Eugene Ford intercepted Erickson. For Ford it was his fourth interception of the season. Seven plays later it was Bennifield scoring on a fourth and goal from the one and with 5:10 left in the half Massachusetts trailed 16-13.

Erickson then completed three passes on a five-play 32-yard march with the last 15 going to Jordan Vesey for a touchdown and a 23-13 lead with one minute left in the half.
Gable would add a 21-yard field goal for the Pirates as they trailed 23-16 at the break.

The Pirates took the second half kickoff and quickly tied the game as Bennifleld scored his second rushing touchdown of the night from nine yards out. That's when the 'Wheelers special teams came to the forefront. Ka'ron Ashley returned the kickoff 34 yards to set up Quad City. It took just two plays for them to re-establish the lead as Vander scored his second touchdown on an 11-yard run. Kaplan's point after made the score 30-22.

It appeared the Pirates would keep pace as they drove into the red zone but on third and five at the 19 Bennifield's completed a pass to Owens was stripped by Malik Duncan. Three plays later it was Erickson hitting Jarrod Harrington with a 21-yard strike to put Quad City up 37-23.

The third quarter ended with Bennifield notching his third rushing touchdown of the game as he scored on a one-yard run and the Pirates were down 37-30 heading into the final quarter. 

The home team extended its lead as Vander posted his third touchdown of the night with a nine-yard run and with 13:11 remaining the Steamwheelers led 44-30.

The Pirates would not back down as Tavion Thomas dove in from the one to finish a seven-play, 27-yard drive and with 6:23 on the clock Massachusetts trailed by seven, but the night belonged to Quad City. Erickson would lead the 'Wheelers on a five-play 29-yard drive that took 5:16 off the clock. He finished the drive with an 11-yard touchdown pass to Ashley to make the score 51-37.

It took just two plays for the Pirates to score as Bennifield connected with Teo Redding pulling in an 18-yard TD catch, but the ensuing two-point conversion try was intercepted by Bikembe Kearney leaving the score at 51-43.

The Steamwheelers recovered the onside kick which led to a Kaplan 28-yard field goal with 27 seconds to play for the final points in the 54-43 victory.

Bennifield finished the game 14 of 23 passing for 147 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. He also ran six times for 39 yards and three scores. Jimmie Robinson, who ended the game with 156 all-purpose yards, ran seven times for 38 yards and added one six-yard reception. He also had 112 yards on kick returns.

Thomas Owens was the Pirates leading receiver with six catches for 76 yards and a touchdown. Teo Redding added four catches for 35 yards and a score. 

On defense Calvin Bundage led Massachusetts with seven tackles, with one for a loss and assisted on two others.
For Quad City Erickson was eight of 12 passing for 87 yards and three touchdowns with an interception. Irwin was just one of two passing before leaving with an injury.

Harrington was the Steamwheelers leading receiver with four catches for 40 yards and a score. Vander was the game's leading rusher with 92 yards on ten carries and three touchdowns. Kearney led the Quad City defense with six tackles and six assists.

The Pirates will continue their three-game road trip next Saturday night in Fargo, North Dakota when they face the Sioux Falls Storm at 8:05 eastern.

About the Massachusetts Pirates:
The 2021 United Bowl Champions; Massachusetts Pirates are members of the Indoor Football League (IFL) and play their home games at the Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell. For more information on the Massachusetts Pirates please call (508)452-MASS (6277), email contact@masspiratesfootball.com or visit http://www.masspiratesfootball.com. Follow the Pirates on Facebook via Facebook.com/MAPirates, Instagram @mass.pirates, and Twitter @mass_pirates.