DEFENDING CHAMPION, RHINO-RAIDERS CAUGHT WITH “SERIOUS” STATISTICAL FABRICATIONS FROM APRIL 15 GAME

RMFL – The Rocky Mountain Football League announced today that the Salt Lake Nemesis have successfully won a challenge to the week 1 statistics reported by the Ogden Rhino-Raiders. The Rhino-Raiders over reported by 174 extra yards of offense, 115 passing and 59 rushing. According to RMFL Commissioner Neumeier, “the defensive stats, on the other hand, did check out; in fact I counted two more sacks by their defense that what was reported.”

Rhino tailback, Selu Alifipo was docked from 121 rushing yards down to 66 rushing yards, however, it was quarterback, Dave Stireman who had the most significant discrepancies. Stireman’s reported stats were 21 completions, 28 attempts, 305 yards, 4 TD’s and 2 ints. The actual audited results, however, were 14 completions of 31 attempts, 190 yards and 4 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.

The receiving corps were also overstated as there were only 14 caught passes to be spread around.

The stats from that game have now been adjusted accordingly and will be reflected on the next AAA Overall Stat total. At the same time, the Rhino-Raider team stats will be adjusted accordingly.

Furthermore, the Rhino-Raiders will be placed in “Probationary Status”. Any future challenges by a team that also reflect significant discrepancies will result in ALL of the Ogden Rhino-Raiders stats being invalidated for the season AND all of the Rhino-Raider players disqualified from the all-star game or any post-season awards.

“Obviously, we don’t want to EVER have to do that, “Commissioner Neumeier explained, “so if there is another challenge, it will undergo even more review, probably by even more than myself. We don’t ever want to come to that, but we also don’t ever want teams to operate their statistic reporting without proper integrity. It defeats the whole purpose for EVERYONE. It is a real shame, however, that a team that should be setting an example for the others is the first one caught for this in years.”

Neumeier said he has another challenge to review as well and expects word on that review either later tonight (April 28^th) or sometime on Saturday, April 29^th. “If their stats turn out okay, I would hate to put them on suspicion without cause,” Neumeier said, “I’ll only announce if the challenge holds up.”