Bay Area Panthers had enough offense to get by the Tulsa Oilers at SAP Center in San Jose on Sat Jun 7, 2025 in Indoor Football League action (photo by Antonio Garcia Sports Radio Service)

By Michael Roberson

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The Bay Area Panthers (7-2) persevered in a back and forth battle with the Tulsa Oilers (6-4), 44-41, on a Saturday Evening in the South Bay.

The Panthers were backed deep in their own Red Zone within the 1-minute warning, up by three. Their defense and the home crowd were crucial factors in the exciting victory’.

Tulsa won the coin flip, but decided to defer their possession until the second half. San Jose capitalized on that gift with a rushing touchdown by Josh Tomas, but missed the extra point attempt.

The Panthers’ “Clawfense” blocked an Oilers’ FG attempt, preserving their shutout midway through the first quarter. San Jose later scored on a Justin Jones pass to BK Smith Jr., to put them up 12-0, due to another missed extra point.

Tulsa was held scoreless after one quarter. However, they wasted no time in the second quarter putting points on the scoreboard, on a 10-yard QB keeper by TJ Edwards. The Oilers actually made their extra point, bringing the score within five, 12-7 San Jose.

Later in the second, Edwards hit Cole Blackman for a touchdown, while putting the Oklahoma visitors in the lead by two, 14-12. The lead did not last too long for the guests.

Tomas put the home team back in front, on a 27-yard TD run. This time they made a 2-point conversion, putting them up by six, 20-14. Their lead did not last too long either.

Blackman made an acrobatic catch in the end zone on a 27-yard bomb by Edwards. The Oilers slipped into a one point lead, 21-20.

The tennis match on the football field continued, as the lead was volleyed throughout the contest.

Tomas scurried into paydirt again. This time for 10 yards. and another lead, 26-21. Another failed extra point gave them that particular score. It turned out to be enough to lead at the midway point of the IFL battle. Despite Tulsa’s Ross Moore converting a 27-yard FG, San Jose led 26-24 at the half.

In the second half, Tulsa had the ball first, due to their initial deference. Moore managed to convert a 22-yard field goal, and his squad took the lead, 27-26.

San Jose came right back and recovered the advantage by two, 29-27 on 21-yard FG. After the Panthers kicked off, the Oilers misplayed the ball and Franky West grabbed the loose ball, carrying it into the end zone for a huge touchdown. After the two-point dropkick, the Panthers were up by 10, 37-27.

Before the third quarter ended, Edwards used his legs again and scored on another QB keeper. Tulsa was within three, going into the final stanza, 37-34.

Early in the fourth quarter, the Panthers had the ball on the enemy’s two-yard line, but turned the ball over on a miffed handoff. However, they were able to get the ball relatively soon, as Edwards threw an interception. No one scored off of the back to back turnovers.

Edwards scrambled again for a huge two-yard TD, placing his Oilers back in front 41-37. Shortly thereafter, Justin Jones does his own QB keeper for a two-yard score. The Panthers were up 44-41 in the closing minutes.

During the 1-minute warning, Tulsa had the ball inside the Red Zone, down by three. The recently reliable Edwards went from a game-winning scenario, or at least tying the game. to a game-losing interception in the endzone..

Panther eked out a close victory, 44-41.