Years of Existence: 1999-2000, 2001-2004 (AF2), 2005- as the Peoria Roughriders (UIF)
Venue: Carver Arena (Peoria, IL)
Accomplishments:
1999 – Championship game appearance
2000 – IFL Champions
Lifetime Record: 29-2
Home: 16-1
Away: 13-1
Playoffs: 4-1
Average Attendance: 8,960
The Peoria Pirates were the best team, by far, in the IFL’s two years. In 1999, the team allowed an average of 29 points per game, a league best. Helping this average was a 36-0 shutout of Madison in their first game. Peoria lost at Lincoln in week ten, 34-36. This turned out to be their only regular season loss in the IFL. The wins did not come easily, though, as most were by seven points or less. In their first home playoff game, the Pirates defeated Dayton, 41-40. The Pirates then hosted the Gold Cup game and came up on the short end of a 63-60 score to Green Bay. In 2000, the Pirates became the first (or second, depending on how you look at it) team to complete a season undefeated. The Quad City Steamwheelers of the AF2 completed this feat in the same year. Peoria had the best offense and the best defense in the regular season, allowing a mere 27 points per game and scoring 57. After cruising into the playoffs, the Pirates were determined ot get back to the Gold Cup game. First, the team won 25-13 against Madison. After a 55-10 blowout of Steel Valley, the Pirates crushed Bismarck, 62-49 for their Gold Cup win. The Pirates allowed just 22 points per game. When the IFL was sold, the Pirates moved to the AF2. After a long stay there, the franchise moved to the UIF.