2013 Championship

The 2013 United Bowl marked the fifth championship game in Indoor Football League history and delivered a dramatic, back-and-forth finish. Played on June 29, 2013, at the Sioux Falls Arena, the top seed from the United Conference, the Sioux Falls Storm, edged the Intense Conference champion Nebraska Danger, 43–40, in front of a crowd of 5,202.

The matchup featured two conference champions trading momentum throughout the night, with Sioux Falls executing key plays in the second half to secure its third consecutive IFL championship.

Game Recap

The opening half unfolded as a tightly contested shootout, with both teams exchanging scores and neither able to gain sustained separation. An early interception by the Storm set up the game’s first touchdown, helping Sioux Falls build momentum, though Nebraska answered repeatedly to keep the contest close. The Storm entered halftime with a narrow 24–23 lead after six combined first-half touchdowns.

Momentum shifted early in the third quarter. On the second play of Sioux Falls’ opening drive, quarterback Terrance Bryant connected with James Terry on a deep touchdown pass to extend the lead to 31–23. On the ensuing possession, the Storm defense forced a safety, pushing the advantage to 33–23 and placing Nebraska in an immediate deficit.

The Danger responded before the end of the third quarter, capitalizing on a kickoff mishap for a one-point rouge and adding a field goal to close the gap to 33–27 entering the final period. The fourth quarter saw both teams trade touchdowns, keeping the margin within one score as the clock wound down.

Nebraska had a chance to force overtime late, but a 45-yard field goal attempt sailed wide right, preserving the Storm’s 43–40 victory. Overall, Sioux Falls scored six touchdowns to Nebraska’s five, while the Danger held a narrow edge in field goals, two to one. Neither team missed an extra point in the contest.

Defensively, Sioux Falls applied consistent pressure on Nebraska quarterback Jameel Sewell, recording multiple sacks and forcing three turnovers that proved critical in a game decided in the final moments.

Bryant was named United Bowl MVP, completing 16 of 24 passes for 182 yards and four touchdowns. His efficiency and poise under pressure anchored a Storm performance that combined timely offense, opportunistic defense, and composure in the closing minutes.

The victory capped another championship season for Sioux Falls and further reinforced the Storm’s dominance during the IFL’s early championship era.