C.R. Titans win behind Ealey’s four TDs and stingy ‘D’

Cedar Rapids Titans running back Washaun Ealey sparked an early 20-0 lead with two touchdown runs and a touchdown catch, and the Cedar Rapids defense held the Wichita Falls Nighthawks to 112 yards of offense as the Titans won in Texas, 63-40, Saturday night.

Ealey finished with 55 yards rushing, and added a 14-yard score early in the fourth quarter for his fourth touchdown of the game. Ealey is tied for second in the Indoor Football League with 18 total touchdowns (14 rushing, four receiving) and is second in rushing yards (379).

Wichita Falls (3-5) had won three games in a row after an 0-4 start to its season.

The Nighthawks cut the Cedar Rapids lead to 26-19 by halftime, but the Titans responded with two touchdowns in the third quarter. Running back Zack Brown scored from two yards out, and newly-acquired receiver Justin Helwege snared his first touchdown catch as a Titan to push the lead to 40-19.

Wichita Falls got within a touchdown on two occasions, but kicker Rockne Belmonte's 53-yard field goal made it a two-score game at 50-40 with 6:48 left.

Quarterback Sam Durley's 36-yard touchdown pass to receiver Bryan Pray with 2:19 left put the game out of reach, and defensive end Jermiah Price recovered a Wichita Falls fumble in the end zone to complete the scoring.

Durley threw for 213 yards and three scores with one interception, while Pray led the Titans with five catches for 90 yards.

Durley is third in the IFL with 27 touchdown passes, and Pray's 11 scores are second for receivers.

The Cedar Rapids defense was led by Price, who had six tackles (four behind the line of scrimmage), 1.5 sacks and the forced fumble that he recovered for a touchdown.

Former Cedar Rapids receiver J.J. Hayes - traded before the season opener - caught three passes for 24 yards and a touchdown for Wichita Falls.

Cedar Rapids (6-3) returns to the U.S. Cellular Center this Saturday for a rematch with Wichita Falls.

l Comments: douglas.miles@thegazette.com