Blizzard win 49-47
July 10, 2004 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Green Bay Blizzard News Release
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) â The Green Bay Blizzard looked to retaliate to the beating they received in the first half of a home-and-home series with the Albany Conquest. Despite trailing 24-0 after the first quarter, the Blizzard stormed back to win 49-47 in a heated battle.
Two first quarter Blizzard (5-8) turnovers and numerous penalties assisted in the Conquest (5-8) lead. Green Bay did not complete a pass until the beginning of the second quarter, when Matt Bunyan came in to take the helm.
"The old saying you guys hear across the street all the time [from the Green Bay Packers] is, âWe play with the guys that we got,'" said Blizzard Head Coach Brian Noble regarding the situation with quarterback Chris Greisen.
Special teams was also a huge factor in Green Bay's victory, highlighted by DeRonn Finley's return of a missed field goal for a touchdown in the second quarter.
Later in the second quarter, Ralph Barone mishandled a snap for a field goal attempt. The ball went sailing through the end zone, and a safety was awarded to Green Bay. After the safety, Green Bay received the ball and scored on a 32-yard touchdown pass from Bunyan to Finley.
An early Green Bay touchdown in the second half, Finley's third of the night, moved the Blizzard's unanswered scoring streak to 28 points. Albany finally broke Green Bay's run with a D. Bryant touchdown pass. The game turned quickly into a seesaw battle from there.
With the Blizzard offense finally taking control of the game, the defensive also increased their pressure that allowed Blizzard to pull away. This effort was led by Blizzard defensive lineman Ronnie Washburn, who kept constant pressure on Bryant. In addition to the pressure he put on Bryant, he sacked the Albany quarterback once, en route to earning ADT Defensive Player of the Game honors.
Noble said, "I told the guys in the locker room, it's nice to be having fun again, and the only way to have fun is to kick somebody's [tail]."
Finley had two touchdowns on seven receptions and added two missed field goal returns for touchdowns. He received the U.S. Army Ironman and Baby Ruth Real Deal Offensive Player of the Game awards for his combined efforts.
Green Bay kick returner Chris Martin continued to put the Blizzard in good field position all game with 178 yards on 8 returns. This isn't including a 47-yard return that was negated by a holding penalty.
Play was sloppy throughout the game, with a combined 25 accepted penalties for the teams.
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