OILERS FALL IN OT ON THE ROAD IN ORLANDO

Tulsa, Okla. — Tulsa Oilers Football, a proud member of the IFL and powered by Community Care, dropped the game late in overtime to fall to 1-1 on the season with a loss to the Orlando Pirates, 61-55. 

After trailing 7-0, Spencer Tears snagged a pass in the back corner of the endzone near the right sidewall to tie the game at 7-7 in the first quarter with 9:16 left in the frame. 

 After trailing again 17-7, Jerminic Smith Sr. hauled in a 19-yard touchdown catch to bring the Oilers' deficit to 17-14 with 7:15 left in the second quarter. Orlando would push out to a 24-14 lead, but Tears responded with a 12-yard catch for a score on a lobbed pass from TJ Edwards II to make it 24-21 Pirates with 3:59 to go in the half. After another Pirates touchdown, Tears was found wide open on the left sidewall for a 9-yard TD catch to bring the game to 30-28 with 0:55 to go in the second. Tulsa would gain possession again, and with 0:01 left in the half, Smith Sr. stumbled underneath a lob pass for a touchdown for a 5-yard score to make it 35-30 Tulsa. Orlando hit a field goal in the final second to make it 35-33 Oilers, at the end of two. 

 Tulsa put up points to open the second half via a busted play, allowing Smith Sr. behind the defense for a 40-yard catch and score with 13:44 to go in the third, giving Tulsa a 42-33 lead. 

 Orlando brought it to within two points before Smith Sr. snagged a 4-yard catch along the goal line for his franchise-high tying fourth receiving touchdown in one game with 11:33 to go in the fourth to make it 49-40 Oilers. The Pirates fought back to make it 49-48 until Bailey Hale hit a 25-yard field goal with 3:16 left in the game to make it 52-48 Tulsa. Orlando took the lead, but with no time remaining, Hale nailed a 49-yard field goal to force overtime at 55-55. Tulsa would start the extra frame with the ball but come up short of points and Orlando finished the game with a touchdown to defeat Tulsa 61-55. 

 Edwards II ties a franchise high in touchdown passes in one game (7). Andre Sale did the same at home against the Sioux Falls Storm on June 15^th, 2024. Smith Sr. tied a franchise-high of four receiving touchdowns in one game. Alexis Rosario did the same on the road against the Sioux Falls Storm on April 14^th, 2024. 

 Tulsa will host the Fishers Freight on April 18^th at the BOK Center for their 2026 home opener. Kickoff is set for 7:00 pm CT.

 Season tickets and group outings are available for the 2026 season.

 Call the Tulsa Oilers front office at 918-632-7825 or visit tulsaoilersfootball.com for more information

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