Commandos lose regular-season finale

Nobody is perfect.

The Cincinnati Commandos came close, but finished their regular season with a
45-21 loss to the Wisconsin Wolfpack Saturday, May 29, in Madison, Wisconsin.

Cincinnati (9-1) took the field at Hartmeyer Arena without many of its usual starters. Nursing an injured ankle, starting quarterback Ben Mauk watched as wide receiver Dominick Goodman lined up under center against the Wolfpack.

Goodman, who played quarterback for Colerain High School’s spread-option offense before moving to wide receiver at the University of Cincinnati, ran for 90 yards and three touchdowns on 22 carries.

“[Goodman] did exceptionally well,” said Commandos head coach Billy Back. “We ran the ball very well on them; we only threw it 11 times.”

Former Bearcat Greg Moore ran for an additional 70 yards on 22 attempts and Cincinnati out-gained the Wolfpack (8-2) by more than 50 yards, but just 18 total passing yards and key fourth-quarter plays gave Wisconsin the win.

“We were down 21-27 with about nine minutes left and just couldn’t score a touchdown,” Back said.

A failed onside kick gave the Wolfpack the ball deep in Cincinnati territory and a bad snap over Goodman’s head led to a defensive score.

“After that, it was just, ‘Oh well, let’s stay healthy,’ ” Back said.

The Commandos have more than two weeks to recover from lingering injuries before the Continental Indoor Football League playoffs begin Friday, June 18.

“It’s good for us because of Ben’s ankle and [Goodman] hurt his shoulder a little bit Saturday,” Back said.

The time off will also give the Commandos time to reflect on their first loss of the season — a loss Back said upset his players.

“Our guys are pissed,” Back said. “They wanted that undefeated record. They know there was nothing they could do about it, but they’re upset. Everybody in the league was talking that we’re a beatable team.”

The Commandos and Wolfpack could meet for a third time this season in the CIFL championship game should both teams win their first-round playoff games.

“Wisconsin thinks we’re not that good now. They ran their mouths after the game, but I’m looking forward to playing them in the championship game,” Back said. “They’ll have a false sense of hope when they come back to the [Cincinnati] Gardens. They’ve forgotten that the playoffs run through the Gardens for a reason.”

Mauk and the Commandos’ up-tempo offense was one of the reasons for Cincinnati’s nine-game win streak and Back expects a full, healthy squad to power past playoff opponents.

“We’re just looking to beat every team’s ass by 70-plus points and just not let off the gas pedal one bit. Our goal is going to be to embarrass people in the playoffs,” Back said. “It’s playoff time, we’re not making any friends, it’s time to break hearts and embarrass people and show people what Cincinnati football is all about.”

The franchise’s first playoff game will kick off at 8 p.m., Friday, June 18, at the Cincinnati Gardens against the Miami Valley Silverbacks.