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SportsMonday, April 30, 2007 10:04 PM CDT
Extreme roasts Beef 56-44
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OMAHA, Neb. — Three years ago, Dusty Burk was throwing passes for the Omaha Beef. On Saturday night, he returned to the Civic Auditorium — quite triumphantly.

Burk, in just his second game back from a knee injury, scorched the Beef for six touchdowns in a 56-44 win for Bloomington.

The win, which lifted the Extreme to 2-3 in United Indoor Football, put a smile on Burk’s face.

“Bloomington is where I went to school, and it’s my hometown,” Burk said. “But Omaha is just a nice place. They have great fans. It’s a great atmosphere.”

Burk entertained the estimated 3,000 Beef fans from the outset by finding Reggie Gray on an 8-yard pass just 4 minutes into the game.

Omaha countered with a 3-yard pass from James McNear to Marques Johnson, but Beef kicker Ted Retzlaff missed on the extra point try.

Burk then fired an 8-yard scoring pass to Glenn Johnson on the Extreme’s next possession, and it was 14-6 with 4:10 left in the first period.

“I felt comfortable today,” Burk said. “I have a lot of gifted receivers, and that helps.”

Omaha, now saddled with a three-game losing streak, took advantage of Burk’s lone miscue by returning a tipped pass 24 yards for a touchdown that put the Beef up 20-14. Omaha pulled within one on its earlier possession when Lawrence Pullen hauled in a 13-yard pass from McNear.

Burk’s 1-yard run tied the game at 20 with 11:27 left in the first half, but the Beef went back up 27-20 on a 7-yard pass from McNear to Covell Crosby.

Then Burk went back to work with TD passes of 16 and 5 yards to Johnson and Rocky Harvey.

On a long night of indoor football, the most bizarre play came at the end of the half when Omaha attempted a field goal with no time left. It was blocked and Evan Triggs plopped on the ball for another Extreme score, and it was 40-27 at the break.

The Extreme defense limited Omaha to just 17 points the rest of the way.

Burk’s final touchdown passes came in the second half — 26 yards to Johnson and 29 yards to Gray.

Burk said the Extreme continue to improve each week. Asked how far they could go, he hesitated before answering, “We’ll just have to wait and see.”

Get area high school sports scores and statistics at Varsity Sports.

Take a look
Bloomington Extreme quarterback Dusty Burk prepares to throw the ball against the Lexington Horsemen on April 21, 2007, at U.S. Cellular Coliseum in Bloomington (Pantagraph/B Mosher)
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Reader comments on this story - 6 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Keepitup wrote on Apr 30, 2007 3:46 PM:

" I am headed to St. Louis as well this weekend to watch the Extreme seek some revenge! Burk is going to tear this defense apart! "

Ima Fan wrote on Apr 30, 2007 5:16 AM:

" Good job guys. It seems like this team is coming together. The defense has gotten tough and Burk makes a big difference at QB. And I agree that you would see 20 posts here bashing the Coliseum if they had lost. "

X Fan wrote on Apr 29, 2007 8:25 PM:

" Good job guys. I plan to be in St. Louis (St. Charles) at the game next week. Let's get some road fans! "

Naysayers back underground.. wrote on Apr 29, 2007 9:23 AM:

" When the Extreme keep winning, their tickets are going to be a hard find. Everyone is going to want to be there and the place will be packed. Same next year for the Prairie Thunder. Spew your drivel now naysayers, your time is running out. "

To: TC wrote on Apr 29, 2007 9:15 AM:

" I totally agree. Great job Extreme, let get it rolling. But I agree that if they had lost last night, this place would be full of people talking trash about the arena. "

TC wrote on Apr 29, 2007 8:37 AM:

" WTG Extreme, I couldnt go, but did listen to the game, great game. Isn't it funny how when they win, comments are scarce, let them lose, and the bashers come out. Great game guys. "

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