The Green Bay Blizzard (0-1) host the Iowa Barnstormers (0-0) in a Week Two matchup this Saturday, March 23rd at the Resch Center at 6:05 PM CST. Tickets available here.

Green Bay is coming off a tough loss in their home opener to the Massachusetts Pirates. The Blizzard took a 14-point first quarter lead and never trailed until the final 15 seconds of the game when the Pirates' Isaac Zico caught a touchdown pass to give Massachusetts their first lead of the game. The Pirates would hold on to the lead, winning 44-40. After their impressive performance in the loss, Green Bay climbed the IFL Coaches Poll six spots to #7. 

Iowa is coming into Green Bay for their first game of the season after finishing 2023 with a 3-12 record. Though they had little success, two of their three wins were by 30 points or more, which came against the Massachusetts Pirates and the Quad City Steamwheelers.

Green Bay and Iowa faced off three times in 2023, with the Blizzard being triumphant in all three. In their matchups last season, Green Bay never trailed by more than three points and held leads as large as 26. These two teams have faced each other 27 times, with Iowa boasting a 15-12 series record. Although Iowa holds the all-time record, Green Bay is 6-2 in the past three seasons.
 
In Week 1, Green Bay's Max Meylor threw for 143 yards and two touchdowns, including a 37-yard touchdown pass to Lowell Patron, Jr. Meylor also rushed the ball 12 times, adding 35 yards and three rushing touchdowns. On the defensive side, Cyntell Williams had eight tackles along with two pass breakups and Shawn Steele had three tackles and an interception. 
 
Iowa is returning Quarterback Darius-James Peterson, who finished last season on the Season-Ending IR list, after playing in two games. In those games, he threw for 162 yards and two touchdowns, along with 93 yards rushing on 14 carries. Also returning for Iowa is Kicker Gabriel Rui. Rui was named IFL Special Teams Player of the Week twice last season, and in 2022, he earned an All-IFL Second Team selection. On defense, Iowa is returning Defensive Back Tyrell Pearson. In 2023, Pearson had 51 tackles and two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. 

This Saturday is Youth Jersey Night! The first 1,000 kids 12 and under through the gates will receive a 2024 Blizzard Youth Jersey! Also, kids caught wearing their local youth team's jersey or any prior Blizzard youth jersey will receive a voucher (while supplies last) for a free small popcorn!

Fox Cities Youth Rugby and Green Bay Youth Rugby will be taking the field for a halftime matchup! Then, the fun continues with the Youth Sports Showdown Dash-4-Cash. Teams will rally together to grab some cash for their youth sports organizations!

Written By: Seth Kluck