Morays regain first place with 58-53 win over Daytona Beach
May 1, 2005 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Miami Morays News Release
MIAMI, FL â After a game that saw both teams match touchdowns all game, Derrick Vickers' 8-yd touchdown run with eight seconds left was all that was needed to seal the Morays (5-1) 58-53 victory over the visiting Daytona Beach Hawgs (5-2).
Despite the Hawgs having the top-rated defense in the NIFL, the Morays were able to put together 265 total yards of offense, including 208 through the air and 57 on the ground. The Morays defense was able to hold the Hawgs powerful running game, led by Brad Lee, to only 23 rushing yards total for the entire game.
Overall, Vickers ran for three touchdowns and was 24-35 for 242 yards, throwing three touchdown strikes of four, eight, and 20 yards to Patrick Rouzard and six yards to Ethenic Sands. Vickers was intercepted once in the game late in the 2nd quarter.
Vickers' second rushing touchdown tied the game up at 46-46 with 1:15 left in the fourth quarter, and defensive back Kevin Jackson ran back an interception for a touchdown on Daytona's next possession to seemingly clinch the victory, but with the missed extra-point, the Morays lead was only six points with :57 left on the clock.
Daytona quarterback Oscar Davenport connected on his fifth touchdown pass of the game, throwing a 20-yd strike to Robert Bailey that put the Hawgs up by one point with :40 left in the game. Davenport went 15-26 and 151 yards in the game, while Bailey led all Hawg receivers with seven catches for 79 yards.
But it was the final possession that mattered in this game, and the Morays took over on their 13-yd line. Vickers found Leroy McFadden with a short pass that turned into a 20-yd rumble to the Daytona 17-yd line, followed up by a 9-yd pass to Rouzard that got the Morays to the Daytona eight-yard line. After a quick timeout, Vickers ran the ball in on a keeper play to seal the victory.
"It was a big game and we came out slow but the big thing is that we came out in the second half and did what we had to do," Vickers said. "They are a big team and fought till the end."
The Morays travel to Daytona next Saturday for the rematch to see who retains sole possession of 1st place in the Atlantic South Division.
"They are going to be even more hungry next week at their home court," Little said. "We scored 58 points against the best defense so if our offense can click like this every week, we'll be in good shape."
The Miami Morays compete in the National Indoor Football League, entering its fifth season with 22 teams located across the United States. The NIFL provides players with an opportunity to develop their skills and continue their careers in professional football.
The Miami Morays next home game is on May 15th at 3:05 PM at the Miami Arena against the New Jersey Xtreme. Tickets are available at the Miami Arena Box Office or through Ticketmaster. For additional information about the Miami Morays, please call us at 305-374-8950 or visit us at www.miamimoraysfootball.com.
National Indoor Football League Stories from May 1, 2005
- Morays regain first place with 58-53 win over Daytona Beach - Miami Morays
- Late TD pushes Morays past Hawgs - Daytona Beach Hawgs
- Roughnecks still best in NIFL - West Texas Roughnecks
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