Titans get a first look at QBs

CEDAR RAPIDS - The Cedar Rapids Titans kicked off the 2015 Indoor Football League season with an exhibition game last night at the U.S. Cellular Center, searching for offensive replacements for productive stars from last season.

Former Iowa Hawkeye Jordan Cotton provided a much-needed spark with a 54-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, and quarterback Sam Hurley fired a 30-yard score to Bryan Pray as the Titans rallied from a 10-point fourth quarter deficit to defeat Nebraska, 30-26, in front of 4,189 fans.

'It felt good,” Cotton said. 'I knew I could return kicks and stuff and I knew the team needed a spark. I saw the hole and I just hit it.”

Before Cotton's heroics, the Titans offense sputtered for much of the night as Hurley and Sean Reilly split time under center. Hurley – who threw 43 touchdowns last season for the now-defunct Wyoming Calvary – played the first and fourth quarters, throwing for 55 yards. Reilly, who played two years of college ball at UNLV from 2011-12, threw for 23 yards. Both were intercepted once.

'Both are looking very good,” Cedar Rapids Coach Mark Stoute said. 'They're in a little bit of a different offensive situation than they were before. It's a learning curve for them, but they are progressing very well.”

Both quarterbacks are vying to replace Spencer Ohm, who threw for 1,748 yards and 36 touchdowns for Cedar Rapids last season. Ohm walked away from the game to begin his career off the field. Another missing piece from last season is all-IFL tailback LaRon Council, who is still recovering from a broken foot. Former Georgia tailback Washaun Ealey, who joined the team late last season, ran for a team-high 17 yards and is vying for a starting spot along with Zach Brown, who played collegiately at both Wisconsin and Pittsburgh.

Given the fact that training camp began just more than a week ago, it was no surprise that there was sloppy play. Most glaring were three poor shotgun snaps from center, which resulted in three Cedar Rapids turnovers, including a defensive touchdown.

Nevertheless, it's clear Stoute has a team he feels has the potential to be his best.

'In the three years that I've been here, this is the best year from a point of view of the chemistry, the level of commitment and just overall feel of the room when you're in it,” Stoute said. 'These are guys that have the eye on the prize.”

Cedar Rapids opens the regular season Feb. 28 at home against IFL newcomer Iowa Barnstormers.

l Comments: douglas.miles@thegazette.com