ALEJANDRO BENNIFIELD TO THOMAS OWENS CONNECTION WILL BE BACK IN 2022 SEASON

For the 2022 season, the Pirates offense will have the reliable quarterback to wide receiver connection of Alejandro Bennifield to Thomas Owens back in action after both were re-signed this offseason. Both players were two of the most productive offensive players on the championship roster last season and helped the Pirates become the 3rd best scoring offense in the IFL. Now that both Bennifield and Owens have a full season of building that connection under their belt, hopefully, it will be even stronger in 2022.

Going into his second season as the Pirates starting quarterback, Bennifield will have the opportunity to show that his success in 2021 wasn’t a fluke. The Pirates quarterback was a big contributor in helping the Pirates hoist up the trophy at the end of the season and earned the United Bowl MVP for his heroic efforts in the final game of the 2021 season. The Bennifield to Owens connection was very strong during the United Bowl as Owens reeled in 3 catches for 41 yards and a touchdown. That 12-yard receiving touchdown helped the Pirates take the lead 14-6 early in the United Bowl and eventually turned out to be a critical score since the game ended up going into overtime.

With the nickname “T.O.” and the jersey number 81, there were high expectations for the Pirates wide receiver Thomas Owens since he had to try to live up to the standards that NFL Hall of Famer Terrell Owens set, who had the same nickname and jersey number when he played. The Pirates wide receiver was able to exceed those expectations after his impressive 2021 season where he was one of two wide receivers in the league to earn 1st Team All-IFL Offense honors. Over 17 games, Owens led the IFL in receptions (77), receiving yards (1,014), and was tied for the longest reception of 45 yards. The statistics also show that Owens was relied on heavily by Bennifield to score points since he ranked 2nd in the IFL with 27 touchdowns and was one of three receivers who caught more than 20 touchdown passes.

With how effective the Bennifield to Owens connection was during the 2021 season, it’s expected that other IFL defenses will attempt to shut down the Pirates wide receiver by double-teaming him or making him the key focus to their pass coverage. This connection is still something the Pirates fan base should be excited about since both players were very successful last season and are aiming to replicate that success this next season.