Albany Beats Daytona Beach To Keep Playoff Hopes Alive
June 20, 2008 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Albany Firebirds News Release
ALBANY, NY - The Albany Conquest snapped a seven-game losing streak and improved to 4-8 on the 2008 season as they beat the Daytona Beach ThunderBirds 59-49 Friday night at the Times Union Center.
The Conquest got off to a fast start as the defense forced a turnover on downs on the opening possession of the game. Albany QB Dan Cole turned it into seven points with a 7-yard rush for an early 7-0 lead. The ThunderBirds got on the board after a Cole interception led to WR Toris Rutledge's five yard TD reception from QB Matt Bohnet to tie the game at the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter began with a Daytona Beach touchdown right off the kickoff as the ThunderBirds kick hit the upright and bounced around in the end zone before being recovered by Christopher Coach, giving the visitors their first lead of the game.
Albany FB Kyle Acker tied the game at 14-14 with a five yard run shortly thereafter and then LB/DE Michael Lewis sacked Bohnet, forcing a fumble that was recovered by LB Vernard Abrams. That turnover set up a 28-yard field goal from Albany's Carlos Ojeda, giving the Conquest a 17-14 lead.
Lewis and Abrams teamed up once again, forcing a sack and recovering a fumble again with only 5 seconds remaining in the first half. Ojeda again drilled his field goal attempt, this time a 40-yard boot, as the first half ended with the Conquest trailing 28-27.
Cole directed Albany to a strong second half, leading the way with his second touchdown rush of the night, giving Albany its first lead since the opening quarter. Albany would never look back as Cole hooked with three different receivers; Jared Jones, Antwun Williams and RJ Harvey all caught touchdown passes in the fourth quarter as the Conquest finished off the ThunderBirds 59-49.
Albany QB Dan Cole finished the game 19-of-31 passing for 216 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception, while also registering four carries for 16 yards and two rushing touchdowns. WR Antwun Williams had a team-high eight receptions for 103 yards and two touchdowns. Daytona QB Matt Bohnet completed 22-of-38 passes for 306 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions, while WR Patrick Rouzard had a game-high ten catches for 143 yards and two touchdowns. Albany DB Brandon Taylor posted a season-high 9.0 tackles (6 solo, 6 assisted), while DB Roland Minor and WR/LB Vernard Abrams each had interceptions in the game.
Schutt Offensive Player of the Game: QB Dan Cole (ALB) ADT Defensive Player of the Game: DB Brandon Taylor (ALB) U.S. ARMY IRONMAN OF THE GAME: WR Vernard Abrams (ALB) CUTTERS CATCH OF THE GAME: WR Antwun Williams (ALB)
Score By Quarters: 1 2 3 4 F DAYTONA BEACH (2-10) 7 21 7 14 49 ALBANY (4-8) 7 20 13 19 59 The Conquest are on the road in Week 14 for a crucial East Division match up against the Manchester Wolves. Kick off is scheduled for 7:30 pm on Friday, June 27th at Verizon Wireless Arena in New Hampshire, where Albany beat Manchester 66-62 on April 18th in Week 4. Albany's next home game is not until Week 17 as they host Manchester for a 7:00 pm kick off on Friday, July 18th at the Times Union Center.
Partial season ticket packages and individual game tickets are now on sale for the remainder of the 2008 Albany Conquest regular season. For more information please contact the Conquest at (518) 487-2244 or online at www.albanyconquest.com.
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