SAN JOSE--The Bay Area Panthers established a franchise record for fewest points allowed in a 51-12 win over the Tucson Sugar Skulls to increase their lead to two games in the Western Conference of the Indoor Football League.

The Panthers (9-1) recorded seven defensive stops and held Tucson to the fewest points scored by an IFL team this season.  The previous low was 20 scored by Tucson (2-8) the previous week in a 21-20 loss to Duke City.  The Sugar Skulls were able to convert on only one of 10 tries on third down.  

"We have a lot of respect for Tucson.  That's a tough situation they're in," said Bay Area Head Coach Rob Keefe.  "They just picked up a quarterback and a couple receivers two days ago.  We know they were discombobulated but we couldn't let that affect us.  We wanted to play good football and that's what happened tonight." 

Before Saturday, the team record for fewest points allowed was in a 47-13 win over Northern Arizona on April 23, 2023. 

 "It's just the expectation and standard that we set for ourselves," said linebacker Darin Hungerford.  "We're tough on each other in practice and in meetings.  We expect the best out of each and every one of us who steps on the field."

In the wire-to-wire win, the Panthers struck early on a pair of Shane Simpson touchdown runs from three and 21 yards out.  The latter capped a 7-play drive over nearly five minutes for a 14-0 lead to end the first quarter.  

Two new Tucson players connected to get the Sugar Skulls on the board in the second quarter when Zach Reader connected with Tyron Laughinghouse from 22-yards out to cut the lead to 14-6.  Panthers defensive back Antwon Kincade appeared to have made contact with Laughinghouse along the left wall at the 15-yard line but Keefe opted to not challenge the play and conceded  the touchdown.  

"I wanted to throw a challenge flag but because they had the ball first to start the second half, I didn't want to waste a timeout,"  said Keefe.  "It was imperative for us to score last (at the end of the second quarter).  We felt that was more important than throwing a flag in that situation."  

The Panthers proceeded to score 37 straight points to end any suspense.  In a 16-minute stretch, Daquan Neal threw three touchdown passes and ran for another as the lead expanded to 41-6 in the third quarter.  Daquan Neal connected twice with JT Stokes and once to Jazeric Peterson from 21 yards out along with a  10-yard run.

With 7:24 left in the fourth, Felix Harper recovered from a bobbled snap to throw a 37-yard TD pass to Joshua Tomas for the Panthers final touchdown.  For Tomas, it was his first IFL touchdown.  

Bay Area has won four straight  fourth straight since losing to Vegas on May 4 and lead the Knight Hawks by two games in the Western Conference.  The Panthers added to their conference lead with Vegas falling 46-40 at Sioux Falls.   

The Panthers will host San Diego next Sunday at 3:05 in the third meeting between the teams this year.  The Sugar Skulls will be home to face the Frisco Fighters.