The Knoxville Nighthawks were an inaugural PIFL team in 2012--the only team that did not join the league from the SIFL. Indoor veteran Willie Copeland spent some time at the helm, throwing for 1,128 yards, 17 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Russell Hill threw for 1,291 yards, 27 touchdowns and ten picks. Ryan Schuck snagged 16 touchdowns, while Ryan McDaniel caught another 14. Ginikach Ibe picked off ten passes for the Nighthawks, returning one for a touchdown. The team only converetd 34% of the time on third down and 34% on fourth down. The lone win on the year came in overtime against Alabama. The team was outscored by an average of 20 points, but was more competitive towards the end of the season, losing their last five games by 13 points or less. The team did not improve in the 2013 season, going 2-10. Two indoor veterans in Ryan Porter and Randy Hippeard spent significant time at quarterback, combining for 1,923 yards, 25 scores and nine interceptions. Kelvin Bolden reeled in 55 passes for 809 yards and eight scores, while DeAndre Brown hauled in twelve touchdowns. By comparison, opponents threw for 54 scores. The two lone wins came against Albany and Alabama. In the win against Alabama, Knoxville used a 19-0 fourth quarter to secure a 53-51 final score. In the Albany win, the Nighthawks only scored four points in the second half, allowing one touchdown from the Panthers.