Box Score Lowell, MA – In an electrifying Saturday night spectacle at the Tsongas Center, the Massachusetts Pirates were outgunned by the IFL's highest-scoring team, the San Antonio Gunslingers, in a high-scoring shootout that concluded with a 52 -51 loss.

Nyqwan Murray's performance with five catches totaling 96 yards and three touchdowns, and Sam Castronova's 248 passing yards and five touchdowns proved too overwhelming for Massachusetts to match. Despite this, Jimmie Robinson still kept the Pirates in the game, amassing 70 rushing yards and four touchdowns.

On the game's opening kickoff, Jimmie Robinson sprinted 56 yards to score a kickoff return touchdown, giving the Pirates (6-6) a quick 7-0 lead with 14:10 left in the first quarter and setting a high-scoring tone for the remainder of the game.

In a rare occurrence, San Antonio (6-5) began their drive with two passes dropped and one significantly overthrown pass, leading to an early third-and-ten scenario. With their backs against the end zone, the Gunslingers opted to go for it on fourth down, and Sam Castronova connected with Kali Rashaad for an 11-yard gain. Four plays later, Castronova located Nyqwan Murray, the IFL's second-leading receiver and leader in touchdown catches, for a stumbling 25-yard touchdown into the end zone, leveling the score at 7-7.

Massachusetts answered with a methodical drive that took them deep into the red zone. However, following two incomplete passes and Robinson's unsuccessful run, the Pirates decided to settle for a field goal. Calum Sutherland kicked a 22-yard field goal, putting the Pirates ahead again, 10-7.

On the ensuing kickoff, the ball ricocheted off Murray's legs. Despite his attempt to recover, Massachusetts Devin Hafford was first to the ball, placing the Pirates on the Gunslingers 15-yard line as the first quarter concluded. In just three plays, Robinson rushed for 15 yards and found the back of the endzone, furthering the Massachusetts lead 17-7. 

Following a pass interference penalty against Massachusetts and a 13-yard completion from Castronova to Austin Upshaw, the Gunslingers swiftly advanced to the Massachusetts six-yard line. Despite a series of incomplete passes and a fierce blitz that nearly resulted in a sack by Calvin Bundage, the Gunslingers momentum began to stall, facing a crucial fourth-and-three situation. On fourth down, Castronova moved up in the pocket but was hit as he released the ball, leading to an incompletion and a turnover on downs with 8:18 left in the second quarter.

The fourth-down stop failed to ignite the Pirates offense, as Massachusetts quickly went three-and-out. Quarterback Alejandro Bennifield attempted deep passes on two plays but couldn't complete either. Calum Sutherland then tried a 54-yard field goal, which fell short, and Murray returned the ball to the 21-yard line.

In just four plays, the Gunslingers covered 29 yards swiftly, featuring a 16-yard catch-and-run connection from Castronova to Rashaad for a touchdown. This narrowed the Pirates lead to three points, 17-14.

The Pirates started their drive with Bennifield connecting with Hassan Beydoun for an impressive one-handed 11-yard gain. This marked Beydoun's first catch of the season after being on injured reserve all season until tonight. On the next play, Robinson dashed 19 yards into the endzone, extending the Pirates lead to 24-14 with 1:00 left in the half.

However, there was still too much time left on the clock as San Antonio marched downfield, culminating in a one-yard rushing touchdown by Rashaad. This narrowed Massachusetts lead to three points, 24-21, as time expired in the second half. 

San Antonio began the second half with possession, but a long catch-and-run by Murray was disrupted by Cyrus Fagan, who forced a fumble and recovered it for the Pirates at their own six-yard line. On the ensuing Massachusetts possession, Bennifield found Robinson for a significant gain on the second play. Immediately afterward, Thomas Owens rushed for a touchdown, giving the Pirates a 31-21 lead early in the third quarter.

During the next Gunslingers possession, Castronova connected with Upshaw for a 13-yard gain. Immediately after, Israel Antwine tackled Harper for a loss of two yards. Castronova attempted a run for a first down but was stopped behind the line by Paris Ford. Moments later, Castronova threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to DJ Meyers, narrowing the Pirate lead to 31-28.

Massachusetts answered with a sustained drive lasting over four minutes. It ended with Robinson scoring his fourth touchdown of the game from one yard out, extending the Pirates lead to 38-28.

San Antonio started their possession with a ten-yard gain by Meyers, followed by a 19-yard catch-and-run from Murray, setting up first and goal for the Gunslingers. Following an incomplete pass attempt, Calvin Bundage tackled Keyshawn Harper for a loss, and Matt Elam brought down Harper in the backfield again, leading to fourth down and six for San Antonio. 

On fourth down, Castronova evaded a sack and threw on the run toward the endzone. C.J. Holmes tipped the ball, but Meyers managed to catch the deflection for a touchdown, reducing the Pirates lead to three, 38-35. Gunslingers kicker TC Stevens successfully converted the extra point, bringing San Antonio within one point, 38-37.

The Pirates countered with a four-play series, highlighted by Teo Redding's 28-yard touchdown catch. However, Sutherland's missed extra point kept the Pirates lead at seven points, 44-37. San Antonio swiftly replied with a three-play drive covering the entire field, ending in a 26-yard touchdown pass to Murray, knotting the score at 44 a piece with 4:35 left in the fourth quarter.

The Pirates started their drive at midfield and reached the endzone swiftly in just two plays, with Bennifield connecting on a deep 23-yard touchdown pass to Owens. Sutherland successfully converted the point-after, restoring the Pirates lead to one score, 51-44.

San Antonio started their drive with an eight-yard catch from Gregory Vincent, followed by an 18-yard reception by Meyers. However, a holding penalty set the Gunslingers back 26 yards to their own 17-yard line. 

As time wound down, the Gunslingers meticulously marched down the field. Castronova completed a 13-yard pass to Meyers and two six-yard throws to Rashaad. With just fifteen seconds remaining, Castronova spotted Murray wide open as he streaked across the field for his third touchdown reception of the evening, cutting San Antonio's deficit to 50-51. 

Opting for a two-point conversion, Castronova connected with Harper to secure a slim one-point lead, 52-51, for the Gunslingers. Sutherland had a chance to seal the game with a 34-yard field goal attempt, but he missed it wide right as time expired. And with that missed field goal, the Pirates hopes of victory slipped away, unable to withstand the Gunslingers late-game heroics.

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.