Oilers make history by winning first ever Indoor Football League playoff game

The Tulsa Oilers football team rallied from a 13-point halftime deficit and defeated the Jacksonville Sharks 31-28 on a 21-yard field goal by Axel Perez as time expired Saturday to advance to the Indoor Football League Eastern Conference Final. In the playoffs for the second straight year, this marked the first ever postseason win for Tulsa who became a franchise in 2023. Back and Forth First Quarter Jacksonville struck first, scoring on its opening possession when Sammy Edwards broke loose for a 27-yard touchdown run to give the Sharks a 7-0 lead. Tulsa answered on its next drive as quarterback TJ Edwards II connected with Ketron Jackson Jr. on a 4-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 7-7 with 8:28 remaining in the first quarter. The scoring drive also marked a pair of milestones for Edwards II, who surpassed 4,000 career passing yards with the Oilers and threw his 100th touchdown pass with the franchise. The Sharks regained the lead on their next possession when Jimmie Robinson Jr. scored on a 4-yard touchdown run to make it 14-7 with 6:18 left in the opening quarter. Second Quarter Battle The second quarter turned into a defensive battle as both teams missed field-goal attempts. Jacksonville extended its lead in the final seconds of the half when Robinson scored from 3 yards out with eight seconds remaining. John McMullen blocked the extra-point attempt, leaving the score at 20-7. After Tulsa fumbled the ensuing kickoff, McMullen blocked a Jacksonville field-goal attempt before halftime to keep the Oilers within 13 points. Second Half Comeback Tulsa responded quickly after the break. Edwards II scored on a 1-yard quarterback sneak two plays into the second half to cut the deficit to 20-14 with 12:56 remaining in the third quarter. After forcing a defensive stop, the Oilers took their first lead of the game when Caleb Ramseur scored on a 3-yard touchdown run to make it 21-20. Jacksonville answered with another touchdown and added a deuce to move back in front 28-21, despite McMullen recording his third blocked kick of the game and second blocked extra-point attempt. Tulsa’s comeback continued despite a turnover at the goal line. Edwards II capped a late drive with a 3-yard touchdown run with less than a minute remaining to tie the game at 28. On the ensuing kickoff, Perez’s squib kick bounced off a Jacksonville player and was recovered by Trenilyas Tatum, giving Tulsa possession with 52 seconds left. The Oilers quickly moved into field-goal range, and Perez converted a 21-yard field goal as time expired to send Tulsa to the Eastern Conference Final. Up Next Tulsa will face either Green Bay or Orlando in the conference championship game next week. The date and kickoff time will be announced later.