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2014 Cedar Rapids Titans season

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2014 Cedar Rapids Titans season
OwnerChris Kokalis
Bob Sullivan
David Bradley
Kenneth Moninski
General managerChris Kokalis
Head coachMark Stoute
Home fieldU.S. Cellular Center
370 1st Avenue NE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Results
Record11-3
Conference place2nd United
Playoff finishLost United Conference Championship 36-73 (Storm)

The 2014 Cedar Rapids Titans season was the third season of the Cedar Rapids Titans as a professional indoor football franchise in the Indoor Football League (IFL). One of nine teams competing in the IFL for the 2014 season, the Cedar Rapids Titans were members of the league's United Conference.[1]

The Titans played their home games at the U.S. Cellular Center in downtown Cedar Rapids, Iowa.[2][3][4] The team is led by head coach Mark Stoute, the 2013 Indoor Football League Coach of the Year.[5] The Titans Dolls dance squad is led by dance team director Lindsay Wray.[6]

Off-field moves

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After playing its first two seasons in the 4,000 seat Cedar Rapids Ice Arena, the team made a twice-delayed move to the newly renovated 6,900-seat U.S. Cellular Center in downtown Cedar Rapids for its home games.[4][7] The team also changed practice facilities for the 2014 season, moving from SportZone in Hiawatha to the Game Winning Entertainment Sports Center in northeast Cedar Rapids.[8]

Roster moves

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The coaching staff for 2014 includes head coach Mark Stoute (the 2013 Indoor Football League Coach of the Year) and initially included assistant coaches Sean Ponder, Michael Custer, Derrick Reaves, and Ed Flanagan.[5][9] By April 2014, coaches Ponder, Reaves, and Flanagan had left the team while Terry Bates signed on as defensive backs coach and Ameer Ismail joined as defensive coordinator.[10]

Awards and honors

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On February 26, 2014, the IFL announced its Week 1 Players of the Week. Honorable Mentions were made for wide receiver Carl Sims for offense and kicker Rockne Belmonte for special teams play.[11] On March 12, 2014, the IFL announced its Week 3 Players of the Week. Cedar Rapids Titans running back LaRon Council was named as the Offensive Player of the Week. Defensive lineman Xzavie Jackson received an Honorable Mention for defense. Kicker Rockne Belmonte and kick returner Robert Brown each received an Honorable Mention for special teams play.[12]

On March 19, 2014, the IFL announced its Week 4 Players of the Week. Cedar Rapids Titans running back LaRon Council received an Honorable Mention for offense. Kicker Rockne Belmonte received a third Honorable Mention for special teams play.[13] On March 26, 2014, the IFL announced its Week 5 Players of the Week. Cedar Rapids Titans linebacker Pasquale Vacchio was named as the Defensive Player of the Week. Kicker Rockne Belmonte was named as the Special Teams Player of the Week. Wide receiver Bryan Pray received an Honorable Mention for offense.[14] On April 2, 2014, the IFL announced its Week 6 Players of the Week. Cedar Rapids Titans kicker Rockne Belmonte received his fourth Honorable Mention this season for special teams play.[15]

On April 9, 2014, the IFL announced its Week 7 Players of the Week. Cedar Rapids Titans defensive lineman Kyle Jenkins was named as the Defensive Player of the Week. Quarterback Spencer Ohm received an Honorable Mention for offense. Defensive back Ricky Johnson received an Honorable Mention for defense. Kicker Rockne Belmonte received his fifth Honorable Mention for special teams play.[16] On April 23, 2014, the IFL announced its Week 9 Players of the Week. Cedar Rapids Titans kicker Rockne Belmonte was named as the Special Teams Player of the Week for the second time this season. Kick returner Robert Brown received an Honorable Mention for special teams play.[17]

Schedule

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Key:   Win   Tie   Loss   Bye

Pre-season

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Week Day Date Kickoff Opponent Results Location
Score Record
1 Friday February 7 7:05pm at Bemidji Axemen W 42–30[18] 1–0 Sanford Center[19]
2 Saturday February 15 7:05pm Bemidji Axemen W 22–11[4] 2–0 U.S. Cellular Center[20][21]

Regular season

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Week Day Date Kickoff Opponent[1] Results Location[22]
Score Record
1 Friday February 21 7:05pm at Texas Revolution L 38–47[23][24] 0–1 Allen Event Center[25]
2 BYE
3 Saturday March 8 7:05pm Green Bay Blizzard W 35–13[26][27][28] 1–1 U.S. Cellular Center[29]
4 Sunday March 16 3:00pm at Green Bay Blizzard W 58–39[30][31][32] 2–1 Resch Center
5 Saturday March 22 7:05pm Tri-Cities Fever W 58–45[33][34] 3–1 U.S. Cellular Center
6 Saturday March 29 7:05pm Bemidji Axemen W 48–37[35][36][37] 4–1 U.S. Cellular Center[38][39]
7 Saturday April 5 9:05pm at Tri-Cities Fever W 63–43[40][41] 5–1 Toyota Center[10]
8 BYE
9 Saturday April 19 7:05pm Bemidji Axemen W 60–57[42][43][44] 6–1 U.S. Cellular Center[45][46]
10 Friday April 25 7:00pm at Texas Revolution W 59–57 7–1 Allen Event Center
11 Saturday May 3 7:05pm Texas Revolution W 49–35 8–1 U.S. Cellular Center
12 Saturday May 10 7:05pm at Sioux Falls Storm L 36–48 8–2 Sioux Falls Arena
13 BYE
14 Friday May 23 7:05pm Green Bay Blizzard W 47–37 9–2 U.S. Cellular Center
15 Saturday May 31 7:00pm at Green Bay Blizzard L 40–59 9–3 Resch Center
16 Saturday June 7 7:05pm at Bemidji Axemen W 49–43 10–3 Sanford Center
17 Saturday June 14 7:05pm Sioux Falls Storm W 49–37 11–3 U.S. Cellular Center

Postseason

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Week Day Date Kickoff Opponent Results Location
Score Record
United Conference Championship Saturday June 21 7:05pm at Sioux Falls Storm L 36-73 0-1 Sioux Falls Arena

Roster

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2014 Cedar Rapids Titans roster
Quarterbacks
  •  3 Spencer Ohm
  •  5 Dante Perez

Running backs

  •  6 LaRon Council
  • 28 Martin Ward

Wide receivers

  • 10 Willie Carter
  •  8 J. J. Hayes
  •  9 Bryan Pray
  •  4 Carl Sims
Offensive linemen
  • 75 Albert Erni Jr.
  • 56 Taylor Pass
  • -- Maurice Robinson
  • 98 Fredrick Ruff

Defensive linemen

Linebackers
  • 44 Nick Haag
  • 17 Pasquale Vacchio

Defensive backs

  • 16 Robert Brown
  •  2 Jereme Green
  •  1 Ricky Johnson
  •  7 Travonti Johnson
  • -- Timothy Shelley

Kickers

  • 12 Rockne Belmonte

Injured Reserve

  • 19 Courtney Daniels LB
  • 11 Aaron Moore DB

Refused to Report

  • 78 Jordan Mosely OL
  • 91 Ben Pister DL

Exempt List

  • currently vacant

Roster updated June 5, 2014
24 Active, 4 Inactive

→ More rosters

Standings

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2014 United Conference
W L T PCT PF PA GB STK
y - Sioux Falls Storm 13 1 0 .929 754 500 0.0 L1
x - Cedar Rapids Titans 11 3 0 .786 689 597 2.0 W2
Bemidji Axemen 5 9 0 .357 592 624 8.0 L5
Texas Revolution 3 11 0 .214 532 641 10.0 L2
Green Bay Blizzard 2 12 0 .143 615 769 11.0 W1

References

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  1. ^ a b "2014 Regular Season Schedule Released". Indoor Football League. October 18, 2013. Archived from the original on October 23, 2013. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
  2. ^ "Titans To Make A Move To Downtown Arena". Cedar Rapids Titans. August 15, 2013. Archived from the original on January 9, 2014. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
  3. ^ Davis, Jeremiah (August 15, 2013). "Cedar Rapids Titans moving to U.S. Cellular Center". The Gazette. Cedar Rapids, IA. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
  4. ^ a b c Davis, Jeremiah (February 15, 2014). "Wait no more: Titans play in U.S. Cellular Center". The Gazette. Cedar Rapids, IA. Retrieved February 24, 2014.
  5. ^ a b Louwagie, Sam (June 24, 2013). "Titans' coach Stoute wants continuity, United Bowl". The Gazette. Cedar Rapids, IA. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
  6. ^ "Titans Announce 2014 Titans Dolls Dance Team". Cedar Rapids Titans. October 29, 2013. Archived from the original on January 8, 2014. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
  7. ^ Hubbs, Heather (February 14, 2014). "Cedar Rapids Titans Set For Season Opener At New Downtown Home". Cedar Rapids, IA: KCRG-TV. Archived from the original on March 23, 2014. Retrieved March 23, 2014.
  8. ^ Davis, Jeremiah (January 31, 2014). "Cedar Rapids Titans have new home for practice". The Gazette. Cedar Rapids, IA. Retrieved February 24, 2014.
  9. ^ "Titans Announce 2014 Coaching Staff". Cedar Rapids Titans. November 4, 2013. Archived from the original on January 9, 2014. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
  10. ^ a b Morrow, Jeff (April 4, 2014). "Lillard makes return to Fever tonight". Tri-City Herald. Kennewick, WA: McClatchy. Archived from the original on April 7, 2014. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
  11. ^ "Kickoff Weekend Players of the Week Announced". Indoor Football League. February 26, 2014. Archived from the original on March 1, 2014. Retrieved March 1, 2014.
  12. ^ "Week 3 IFL Players of the Week Announced". Indoor Football League. March 12, 2014. Archived from the original on March 16, 2014. Retrieved March 16, 2014.
  13. ^ "Week 4 IFL Players of the Week Announced". Indoor Football League. March 19, 2014. Archived from the original on March 20, 2014. Retrieved March 20, 2014.
  14. ^ "Week 5 IFL Players of the Week Announced". Indoor Football League. March 26, 2014. Archived from the original on March 28, 2014. Retrieved March 28, 2014.
  15. ^ "Week 6 IFL Players of the Week Announced". Indoor Football League. April 2, 2014. Archived from the original on April 7, 2014. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  16. ^ "Week 7 IFL Players of the Week Announced". Indoor Football League. April 9, 2014. Archived from the original on April 13, 2014. Retrieved April 12, 2014.
  17. ^ "Week 9 IFL Players of the Week Announced". Indoor Football League. April 23, 2014. Archived from the original on April 23, 2014. Retrieved April 23, 2014.
  18. ^ Miller, Pat (February 7, 2014). "IFL: Axemen fall to Cedar Rapids 40-32 but win over fans in debut". The Bemidji Pioneer. Bemidji, MN: Forum Communications. Retrieved February 24, 2014.
  19. ^ Hittinger, Jack (February 5, 2014). "With an Axe to grind! Axemen to debut Friday". The Bemidji Pioneer. Bemidji, MN: Forum Communications. Retrieved February 24, 2014.
  20. ^ Miller, Pat (February 12, 2014). "IFL: Axemen elated with debut; team has preseason rematch with Cedar Rapids Saturday". The Bemidji Pioneer. Bemidji, MN: Forum Communications. Retrieved February 24, 2014.
  21. ^ Davis, Jeremiah (February 14, 2014). "C.R. Titans set to make debut in U.S. Cellular Center". The Gazette. Cedar Rapids, IA. Retrieved February 24, 2014.
  22. ^ "2014 Schedule". Cedar Rapids Titans. Archived from the original on January 9, 2014. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
  23. ^ "Cedar Rapids Titans vs. Texas Revolution at Allen Texas - 2/21/2014 at 7:05PM". Indoor Football League. February 21, 2014. Retrieved February 23, 2014.
  24. ^ Trieb, Erin (February 25, 2014). "Texas Woman Tackles Boundaries on Pro Football Team". NBC News. Retrieved February 25, 2014.
  25. ^ Lunsford, Mat (February 24, 2014). "Revs Resiliant in IFL Opener" (Press release). Allen, TX: Texas Revolution. Archived from the original on March 2, 2014. Retrieved February 26, 2014.
  26. ^ "Green Bay Blizzard vs. Cedar Rapids Titans at Cedar Rapids, IA - 3/8/2014 at 7:05 PM". Indoor Football League. March 8, 2014. Retrieved March 8, 2014.
  27. ^ Davis, Jeremiah (March 8, 2014). "C.R. Titans ride run game to first regular season win". The Gazette. Cedar Rapids, IA. Retrieved March 10, 2014.
  28. ^ "Indoor football: Titans run past Blizzard". Green Bay Press-Gazette. Green Bay, WI: Gannett Company. March 8, 2014. Retrieved March 10, 2014.
  29. ^ Davis, Jeremiah (March 7, 2014). "C.R. Titans working on timing as season gets rolling". The Gazette. Cedar Rapids, IA. Retrieved March 8, 2014.
  30. ^ "Cedar Rapids Titans vs. Green Bay Blizzard at Green Bay, WI - 3/15/14 at 3:00 PM". Indoor Football League. March 16, 2014. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
  31. ^ Fischer, Stephen (March 16, 2014). "IFL: Blizzard unable to overcome early deficit in season opener". Green Bay Press-Gazette. Green Bay, WI: Gannett Company. Retrieved March 17, 2014.
  32. ^ Bates, Greg (March 16, 2014). "Ohm carries Titans to win at Green Bay". The Gazette. Cedar Rapids, IA. Retrieved March 17, 2014.
  33. ^ "Tri-Cities Fever vs. Cedar Rapids Titans at Cedar Rapids, IA - 3/22/14 at 7:09 PM". Indoor Football League. March 22, 2014. Retrieved March 22, 2014.
  34. ^ "Fever washed out in Cedar Rapids 58-45". Tri-City Herald. Kennewick, WA: McClatchy. March 22, 2014. Archived from the original on March 23, 2014. Retrieved March 23, 2014.
  35. ^ "Bemidji Axemen vs. Cedar Rapids Titans at Cedar Rapids, IA - 3/29/2014 at 7:08 PM". Indoor Football League. March 29, 2014. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  36. ^ Davis, Jeremiah (March 29, 2014). "C.R. Titans overcome mistakes, get fourth straight win". The Gazette. Cedar Rapids, IA. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
  37. ^ Berg, Alex (March 29, 2014). "Axemen fall at Cedar Rapids". The Bemidji Pioneer. Bemidji, MN: Forum Communications. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
  38. ^ Davis, Jeremiah (March 28, 2014). "C.R. Titans' receivers short on depth, long on talent and potential". The Gazette. Cedar Rapids, IA. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  39. ^ Berg, Alex (March 28, 2014). "Axemen begin long road swing tonight at Cedar Rapids". The Bemidji Pioneer. Bemidji, MN: Forum Communications. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  40. ^ "Cedar Rapids Titans vs. Tri-Cities Fever at Kennewick, WA - 4/05/2014 at 7:05 PM". Indoor Football League. April 5, 2014. Retrieved April 6, 2014.
  41. ^ Morrow, Jeff (April 5, 2014). "Fever fall to Cedar Rapids 63-43". Tri-City Herald. Kennewick, WA: McClatchy. Archived from the original on April 7, 2014. Retrieved April 6, 2014.
  42. ^ "Bemidji Axemen vs. Cedar Rapids Titans at Cedar Rapids, IA - 4/19/14 at 7:13 PM". Indoor Football League. April 19, 2014. Retrieved April 20, 2014.
  43. ^ Miles, Douglas (April 19, 2014). "Safety, late FG gives Titans improbable win". The Gazette. Cedar Rapids, IA. Retrieved April 23, 2014.
  44. ^ Berg, Alex (April 19, 2014). "Axemen let one slip away in bizarre fashion". The Bemidji Pioneer. Bemidji, MN: Forum Communications. Retrieved April 23, 2014.
  45. ^ Davis, Jeremiah (April 18, 2014). "C.R. Titans trying to sharpen up coming off bye". The Gazette. Cedar Rapids, IA. Retrieved April 23, 2014.
  46. ^ Berg, Alex (April 21, 2014). "Fuller takes responsibility for loss in Cedar Rapids". The Bemidji Pioneer. Bemidji, MN: Forum Communications. Retrieved April 23, 2014.
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