Game Recap: Green Bay Blizzard at Tulsa Oilers | May 16, 2026

Week 10 of the IFL regular season is here! This week marks the conclusion of the first half of the IFL regular season. The Green Bay Blizzard (7-1) are riding a 4-game winning streak as they hit the road to face off with the Tulsa Oilers (2-4). The last time these teams collided was during the 2025 Eastern Conference Semifinals in Green Bay. Green Bay won that game, 58-26  and ended Tulsa's season. Let's unpack the action!

Green Bay began with possession and in one play QB Liam Thompson found second-year WR Trevon Alexander for a touchdown. Tulsa quickly responded on a 19-yard scramble by QB TJ Edwards II. The Blizzard returned the kickoff to about midfield. After a couple five yard runs, Thompson connected with Alexander for another score. The Oilers developed a strong connection on their following drive. Edwards looked for WR Jerminic Smith on all three of his passes, connecting twice for a total of 36 yards and the score. The following Blizzard sequence, Thompson was intercepted by Oilers DB Fredrick Mallay; who would then be called for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty to backup the Oilers offense. At the end of the first quarter, the game is knotted at 14.

The Oilers were unable to sustain their drive following the turnover and had opted to attempt a long distance field goal that was not even close. Blizzard DB Franky West Jr. tiptoed along the boards, staying in-bounds and set up the offense on the Tulsa 9-yard line. Staring at the endzone, Thompson would go for a lateral pitch to his left to Alexander that went off his fingertips and onto the ground. Oilers DB Alphonso Taylor scooped up the ball on his own 3-yard line. The Oilers would march down the field on an 11-play drive which resulted in another touchdown from Edwards to Smith, giving the Oilers their first lead of the game. Tulsa attempted a sneaky onside kick, but it did not fool Alexander as he recovered the attempt handily, setting up Green Bay in plus territory again. However, on a 4th and short situation just shy of the goalline, Thompson would be ruled short and turn the ball over. The Oilers would then cough up the ball after what would have likely been a 48-yard touchdown connection to Smith again, but West Jr. would punch the ball out and recover, giving Green Bay a do-over. On a crossing pass over the middle, a Blizzard receiver tipped the ball, and Oilers DB Taylor would be in a fortuitous spot for the interception. The Oilers failed to capitalize and the first half ended with Tulsa in front, 21-14. 

Tulsa began with possession and on just one play RB Caleb Ramseur sprinted through the gap, cut across the middle of the field and jogged into the endzone. The Blizzard would follow up with a methodical approach, balancing between rushes from Thompson and RB Kairee Robinson until Robinson would blast his way into the endzone. Tulsa, still leading by seven, would get into a 4th and 3 situation. On the play, the snap was low, but was recovered by Edwards, who escaped the pressure and threw an incomplete pass. The Blizzard evened the score at 28 by way of a Thompson scramble touchdown. Tulsa would respond with the third connection from Edwards to Smith. Tulsa regains a seven point lead at the end of the third quarter, 35-28.

The Blizzard had a response of their own to open the final quarter on a pass connection from Thompson to WR Draysean Hudson. The Oilers following drive went 3-and-out and they shanked their field goal attempt. The Blizzard quickly scored on a 45-yard catch and run from Thompson to Alexander, their third touchdown connection of the night. K Andrew Mevis had been a perfect 5-5 on point after attempts, but would miss following this score. To keep pace, Tulsa needed a score, but the Blizzard would benefit from an unsportsmanlike penalty call, and then follow it up with a sack. The Oilers would fail on a long 4th down opportunity, and turned it over on downs. Looking to finish out the clock, the Blizzard rushed the ball a few times, and when they looked to go air bound, Thompson was intercepted in the endzone by DB Tariq Bracy, giving the Oilers a chance. On the first play, Edwards took a shot downfield and a pass interference was called against Green Bay. The final drive to mount a comeback was an emotional rollercoaster with multiple penalties on both sides, a fumbled snap, sacks, and more penalties, and it all came down to a final play with three seconds to go. It was only fitting that on the final play, Blizzard DL Ja'Quon Griffin would sack Edwards and the Oilers offense would also commit an offensive hold that would be declined and conclude the game. The Blizzard hang on, 41-35

Tulsa falls to 2-5 on the season. They travel to San Antonio with a matchup against the Gunslingers on Saturday, May 23rd with kickoff slated for 4:00 PM CDT. The Blizzard continue to stay atop the Eastern Conference and IFL Standings with a league-best 8-1 record. Green Bay has a much deserved bye week next week and will return to action on Friday, May 29th when the Gunslingers travel to Green Bay for Dairy Night. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM CDT. Get your tickets by visiting the Blizzard or Resch Center websites.

Written By: Tyler Klackner