Tommy Birch

tbirch@dmreg.com

Even a fan favorite and record-setting quarterback couldn't help the Barnstormers overcome a first-half deficit Saturday.

Quarterback J.J. Raterink returned to the Barnstormers (4-5) but couldn't help his new team climb out of a first-half hole in a 63-46 loss to the Cleveland Gladiators before 7,156 fans at Wells Fargo Arena.

Raterink, who holds multiple team records from his previous two-year stint, was traded by the Barnstormers to the Los Angeles Kiss before the season started.

After losing quarterbacks Carson Coffman and Brian Reader to injuries during last week's loss, the Barnstormers re-acquired Raterink in a trade.

Reader started the game and played well, passing for 188 yards and four touchdowns. He kept his team in the game and Iowa trailed at halftime 34-33.

But Reader never returned after sustaining a shoulder injury and Raterink replaced him for the third quarter. He could not get the Barnstormers back on track, passing for 124 yards and two touchdowns.

It was over when: Cleveland scored 16 unanswered points in the third quarter. The Barnstormers' offense was never the same without Reader as Raterink struggled to get in any sort of rhythm.

Turning point: Raterink entered with his team trailing 41-33. But he failed to complete three passes in the series before being sacked in the end zone for a safety to push Cleveland's lead to 43-33.

Key sequence: Iowa appeared to be in control early in the second quarter with a 26-7 lead. But the wheels came off when Gladiators defensive back Dominic Jones returned a kickoff 58 yards for a touchdown. Iowa fumbled on its next possession after getting a turnover on downs. Reader then was intercepted by Joe Phinisee, who returned it nine yards for a touchdown to bring Cleveland to within five.

What went right for the Barnstormers: Iowa couldn't have asked for a better start as Reader was perfect on the opening drive, completing all three passes and capping it off with a 31-yard scoring toss to Darius Reynolds. Reader finished the quarter with two touchdown passes, Reynolds had two scores and Iowa held a 20-7 lead. Defensive back Ter'Ran Benton also intercepted a pass.

Star of the show: Iowa's offense has revolved around wide receiver Marco Thomas for most of the season. Saturday was no different. Thomas grabbed nine receptions for 84 yards and four touchdowns. He ignited the crowd in the second quarter when he smashed into the wall to grab a 30-yard touchdown pass from Reader.

Key number: One, as in one punch. Cleveland defensive lineman Robert Rose set off a firestorm of emotions when he appeared to punch someone on the Barnstormers bench after a fourth-quarter play. He was ejected.

What's next: The Barnstormers hit the road to take on the New Orleans VooDoo. The VooDoo sit in last place in the American Conference's South Division.