(Casper)- Wyoming’s opportunistic defense converted three turnovers into scores, recorded two safeties and held Arizona scoreless for most of the first half as the Cavalry raced to a 69-30 American Indoor Football Association win Friday night at the Casper Events Center.

The undefeated Cavalry (2-0) built a 48-0 lead before the Adrenaline (1-1) broke into the scoring column with just 20 seconds remaining in the first half. The teams traded scores in the second half as Wyoming coasted to the win.
 

Wyoming veteran quarterback Matt Strand tossed five first-half touchdown passes to four different receivers and threw for a game high 213 yards. For his efforts, Strand was pegged as the player of the game in the Cav’s home opener.

Defensive back Corey Roberson picked off a lob pass in the red zone from Arizona QB Jason Swanson and scrambled 41 yards for a score and was named the defensive player of the game.

Wyoming’s defense shut out Arizona on the visitor’s first eight possessions, recording one interception, three fumble recoveries and two safeties while stopping the Adrenaline on downs once. Arizona also missed their only field goal attempt of the game in the first half.

Running back James “Spiderman” Jones had 34 yards on seven carries and found the end zone twice, despite playing with bruised ribs suffered in the season opener. Jones also electrified the large and enthusiastic home crowd with a dazzling 51-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the third quarter, which boosted Wyoming’s advantage at the time to 60-16.
 

“We really played well tonight and made significant gains since our road opener one week ago at Utah,” said Wyoming coach Dan Maciejczak. “Arizona is a good team, but all those early fumbles plus our kickoff and interception returns really hurt them.”

Strand, who ended the game connecting on 14 of 25 passes, also threw two interceptions, including one on the Cav’s very first offensive play of the game. “I’m really glad we got that first interception out of the way,” Maciejczak said, “Matt was pretty poised tonight and threw the ball well, but more importantly, he is our team leader in the huddle and that’s a great asset.”
 

A Chadron State graduate, Strand is now in his seventh indoor football season—all with Wyoming. “Our receivers did a great job tonight and I had more completions than last week at Utah,” Strand said. “We have the same O-line back this year, and they really protected me well. It seemed like everything we called tonight was working.”

The Cavs have gone to multiple receivers this year, using the committee approach and not just keying on one or two pass catchers. “Arizona was pretty aggressive defensively, and they were getting out of position all night long, allowing me to get the ball to open receivers in the middle. I’m sure they’ll make an adjustment the next time we play them,” he said.

Dante Dudley led the receiving corps with six catches for 94 yards and two scores. BJ Charlton was close behind with three grabs for 75 yards and a score while James Everage and Arthur Ireland each recorded two receptions and one touchdown apiece. Jones also had one catch out of his running back slot.

Defensively, linebacker Brian Anderson recorded six unassisted tackles while Tanner Tetrault had five unassisted and one assisted tackles. Jon Smit recorded two fumble recoveries and Corey Roberson had two pass interceptions, including one for a score.

Wyoming returns to action at home this coming Saturday night at 7:30 entertaining the Utah Saints, a team the Cavs defeated 81-29 in their season opener at the Olympic Oval in Salt Lake City one week ago.