Spokane Empire devastated by Iowa Barnstormers in 30-point loss

DES MOINES, Iowa – Travis Partridge threw five touchdown passes and the Iowa Barnstormers never trailed, convincingly beating the Spokane Empire 58-28 on Friday in Indoor Football League action.

Partridge was 9 of 19 for 186 yards, with two interceptions, for Iowa (13-2). He also rushed for 88 yards on 13 carries and two touchdowns.

Iowa’s Brady Roland hauled in four catches – three for touchdowns – and 104 yards. Ryan Balentine caught two passes – both for scores.

Andrew Pierce led Spokane with two touchdown runs. He carried seven times for 35 yards.

The Empire (8-7), which started the season 7-2, managed just 164 yards of offense and 13 first downs. Iowa racked up 282 yards and 18 first downs.

Roland grabbed a 29-yard touchdown from Partridge 1 minute, 21 seconds into the game and Iowa never looked back.

Roland added a 45-yard touchdown reception at the start of the second quarter for a 14-0 lead.

Spokane got on the board with a 6-yard pass from Aaron Wilmer to Bryan Pena to halve the lead, but the Empire were never as close for the rest of the game.

Partridge carried it in from 6 yards, then connected with Balentine from 16 yards to push the lead to 28-7 with 16 seconds remaining before intermission.

Partridge found Roland for his third touchdown catch of the game with 6:40 left in the third to make it 35-13.

Spokane travels to Salt Lake to face the Screaming Eagles on Friday in its last regular-season game.