Twisters Win in Dramatic Fashion, Snap Losing Streak

July 3, 2004 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Arkansas Diamonds News Release


The Arkansas Twisters needed a prayer at the end of regulation, then took matters in their own hands in overtime to snap the franchise worst losing streak by beating Bossier-Shreveport 67-61.

The game began much the same way as others during the streak, trailing by three touchdowns at halftime, and the defense continuing to give up big plays. But Arkansas become a different team in the second half, and got a huge play from Prince Williams in the fourth quarter. With the Battle Wings up 10, Arkansas tried an on-side kick, but Bossier-Shreveport recovered on the Arkansas 15 yard line. But Williams picked off Sherard Poteete's next pass, and Arkansas later scored to cut the lead down to three.

After Bossier-Shreveport kicked a field goal to go up 53-47, Twisters QB Travis Motley hit Kevin Williams for a 30 yard touchdown strike. Marc Gill's extra point gave Arkansas it's first lead of the game at 54-53.

Poteete led his team down field, and looked to seal the deal as he scrambled 20 yards into the endzone for the go ahead touchdown. The Battle Wings converted their two point conversion to put Bossier-Shreveport up 61-54 with :26 seconds left in the game.

Arkansas caught a break when the Battle Wings were flagged for excessive celebration after the score, and the penalty was accessed after P. Williams returned the kickoff back to mid-field.

The Twisters started the drive in Bossier-Shreveport territory. Travis Motley drove the Twisters down to the seven yard line with just over a second left to play. On the last play in the fourth quarter, Motley threw up a prayer across his body, looking for Bruce Bailey. Bailey got a hand up on the ball, but couldn't come down with it, instead juggling the ball like a circus act. Right before the ball touched the turf, the prayer was answered by Kevin Williams, as he came out of no where, and scooped up the ball for the touchdown. Gill came on and drilled the extra point, sending the game into overtime.

In overtime, Arkansas' defense held Bossier-Shreveport to three and out, and the Battle Wings decided to kick a pooch to try and recover the football. Instead, K-dubb alertly sprinted nearly 20 yards to recover the ball, and give the Twisters possession. Motley drove the Twisters down field by completing a series of short passes that kept the first down chains moving, until something special happened. With 12:27 left in overtime, Motley went for broke, looking for K-dubb in the endzone. Williams reached up and made a one handed catch in the endzone for the touchdown and the win. Twisters play-by-play announcer Jake Hatley said, ‘Twisters Win! Twisters Win! Twisters Win! The streak is over!"

The Twisters celebrated as a team in the endzone for several minutes and rightly so. The win was the first for Arkansas since April 3, when the Twisters beat San Diego in the season opener.

Motley finished 25 of 41 for 288 yards passing and seven total touchdowns. Kevin Williams finished with over 290 yards of total offense and five total touchdowns.

Twisters receiver Ted Alford left the game in the second quarter after being knocked out by taking a knee to the head. He was treated at a local medical facility in Bossier City and released in time for the team's return trip to Little Rock.

The Twisters hit the road again this week when Arkansas plays Laredo for the first time ever this Friday.



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