BILLINGS, Mont. - The Bloomington Extreme - perhaps groggy from its 20-hour bus trip - dropped a 60-26 decision to the Billings Outlaws in United Indoor Football action at MetraPark late Saturday night. | Extreme page

An ominous tone was set in pregame warm-ups when Extreme kicker Peter Christofilakos suffered an injury and could not play. Linebacker Blue Aldridge handled kickoffs.

Even with the loss, the Extreme (5-5) remained in first place in the East Division standings. Billings improved to 6-3.

At intermission, Billings had 14 first downs compared to five for Bloomington, which trailed in total yardage, 131-88. Extreme quarterback Dusty Burk completed just 4 of 14 pass attempts for 36 yards.

Burk also had three carries for 18 yards. James Walton had two catches for 35 yards.

Burk was intercepted twice the first half. The first interception set up a Chris Dixon to Willie Austin touchdown pass for Billings. Another interception less than a minute later set up an Eddie Linscomb rushing touchdown.

Billings scored on four of five opportunities in the "red zone" the first half.

Bloomington's only touchdown the first half was by SoSo Brooks, who had three carries for nine yards. The Extreme's attempt for a two-point conversion failed.

After one quarter, Billings led 20-6.

The Extreme's Mike Crumpler was the top tackler with three solos and six assists. Crumpler intercepted a conversion pass and ran it back for two points. James Temple added five solos.

Billings dominated time of possession, 18:01 to 11:59, as the Extreme failed to convert any of its three third-down possessions the first half.

Billings' final score with 26 seconds left in the first half came on a touchdown pass from Dixon to Anthony Candler. Dixon was 10 of 16 for 93 yards and three scores at that point.

Billings took a 40-8 lead with 11:44 left in the third quarter on a Dixon to Candler pass play. The Extreme answered on its next possession with an eight-play, 30-yard drive capped by a Burk to Walton touchdown pass with 6:30 left in the period. The conversion pass failed.

Bloomington cut the gap to 40-20 when Burk rushed for a touchdown with 53 seconds left in the third quarter. The conversion run failed.

The Outlaws earned a 46-20 advantage with 7:00 left in the final period when running back Charles Anthony caught a Dixon TD pass.

Travonti Johnson later made it 60-20 with a 22-yard interception return for a touchdown. The Extreme ended the scoring with a touchdown pass to Graham with :17 left.

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Billings 60, Bloomington 26

Bloomington 6 2 12 6 - 26

Billings 20 13 7 20 - 60

First quarter

Bil - Willie Austin 15 pass from Chris Dixon (Aaron Galvan kick)

Bil - Eddie Linscomb 5 run (kick blocked)

Blo - Keith Brooks 5 run (run failed)

Bil - Linscomb 1 run (Galvan kick)

Second quarter

Bil - Robert Reed 1 pass from Dixon (pass intercepted, returned for 2 points by Mike Crumpler)

Bil - Anthony Candler 6 pass from Dixon (Galvan kick)

Third quarter

Bil - Candler 6 pass from Dixon (Galvan kick)

Blo - James Walton 5 pass from Dusty Burk pass failed)

Blo - Burk 3 run (run failed)

Fourth quarter

Bil - Charles Anthony 18 pass from Dixon (kick failed)

Bil - Ryan Grosulak 4 run (Galvan kick)

Bil - Travonti Johnson 28 interception return (Galvan kick)

Blo - Derin Graham 3 pass from Burk (pass failed)

Rushing - Bloomington: Keith Brooks 9-29, Dusty Burk 4-21. Billings: Eddie Linscomb 8-31, Chris Dixon 6-27, Ryan Grosulak 5-16, Anthony Bonner 1-3, Anthony Candler 1-(minus-2).

Passing - Bloomington: Dusty Burk 16-37-3, 170 yards; Glenn Johnson 1-1-0, 25 yards. Billings: Chris Dixon 16-26-0, 146 yards.

Receiving - Bloomington: Derin Graham 8-107, James Walton 4-46, Keith Brooks 3-13. Billings: Anthony Candler 5-51, Willie Austin 3-30, Eddie Linscomb 3-28, Robert Reed 3-17, Charles Anthony 2-20.

Leading tacklers - Bloomington: Mike Crumpler 9, James Temple 6. Billings: Kadafi Tunsil 8, John Winchester 6½, Travis Salter 5½.

Interceptions - Bloomington: None. Billings: Travonti Johnson, Travis Salter, Kadafi Tunsil.

Missed field goals - Bloomington: Blue Aldridge, 1. Billings: Aaron Galvan, 2.

Attendance - 4,422.