2016 Championship

The 2016 United Bowl marked the eighth championship game in Indoor Football League history and continued the league’s most dominant dynasty. Played on July 23, 2016, at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center, the Sioux Falls Storm, champions of the United Conference, defeated the Intense Conference champion Spokane Empire, 55–34, in front of approximately 9,000 fans.

Entering the matchup as five-time defending champions with a 15–1 regular-season record, Sioux Falls faced an expansion Spokane squad making its first United Bowl appearance—setting up a clash between an established dynasty and a rising contender.

Game Recap

Spokane struck first in the opening quarter when quarterback Charles Dowdell connected with Jefferson Hayes on a 9-yard touchdown pass to give the Empire a 7–0 lead. Sioux Falls responded defensively after a missed field goal, forcing a fumble to limit further damage and keep the deficit manageable.

The Storm found their rhythm in the second quarter. Quarterback Lorenzo Brown tied the game with a 1-yard quarterback sneak before Dowdell answered with a 24-yard touchdown pass to Samuel Charles. Sioux Falls countered again, as Brown hit Mike Tatum for a 23-yard score to even the contest. Capitalizing on a missed Spokane field goal late in the half, Brown found Korey Williams for a 9-yard touchdown just before halftime, sending the Storm into the break with a 20–13 lead.

Momentum swung decisively after halftime. On the opening play of the third quarter, Brown launched a 49-yard touchdown strike to Tatum, extending the lead to 27–13. Sioux Falls continued to pull away, outscoring Spokane 17–7 in the quarter while the Storm defense delivered key stops, including a goal-line stand that halted an Empire drive inside the 5-yard line. The Storm entered the fourth quarter ahead 34–20.

Sioux Falls closed the game with authority in the final period. Brown added a rushing touchdown, while running backs Brandon Johnson-Farrell and Justice Brown powered the ground game, combining for 118 rushing yards on 30 carries. A late fumble recovery on a kickoff sealed the outcome as the Storm pulled away for a 55–34 victory.

Brown delivered a championship-caliber performance, completing 10 of 16 passes for 161 yards and four passing touchdowns, while also adding three rushing scores. His efficiency and command of the offense earned him United Bowl MVP honors.

The victory secured Sioux Falls’ sixth consecutive United Bowl title, further cementing the Storm’s status as the most dominant franchise in IFL history under head coach Kurtiss Riggs.