Buffalo Can't Stop The Rush
March 1, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Buffalo Destroyers News Release
(BUFFALO, NY)- The top two scoring defenses in the Arena Football League squared off Saturday night as the number two scoring defense of the Chicago Rush got the better of the top ranked Buffalo Destroyers 40-13 in front of 9,543 fans at the HSBC Arena.
Buffalos defense got the first stop of the game. DS JoJo Polk intercepted QB Billy Dicken on the first series of the game, but the Destroyers could not convert on their first offensive possession. Dicken redeemed himself on Chicagos second series connecting with OS Antonio Chatman on an 18 yard score. Chicago led after one, 7-0.
The Destroyers opened the second quarter with a QB Tim Carey six yard touchdown to WR/LB Cornelius White. Chicago shot right back as Dicken hit WR/LB Lindsey Fleshman for a 10 yard touchdown to go up 13-7. Late in the second, both teams exchanged interceptions. Polk picked off his second pass of the game and on the ensuing play for Buffalo, Carey was intercepted by WR/DB Halakilangi Muagututia. After a Destroyers penalty, Chicago had the ball on the one yard line with nine seconds left but could not punch it in. Buffalo DS Dwaine Carpenter denied Chatman at the goal line as the half expired.
After missing two field goals in the first half, K Mike Moser hit a 33 yard field goal early in the second half to close the gap to 13-10. Dicken hooked up with Chatman again, this time for 36 yards to extend their lead to 19-10. Moser connected on a 26 yard field goal as Buffalo was down 19-13. Two plays later, Dicken found Chatman in the end zone for the third time as Chicago led 26-13 after three quarters.
Chicago put the game out of reach early in the fourth when Dicken passed his fourth touchdown of the game to Chatman to go up, 33-13.
Carey finished 19 of 37 for 195 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. White led the Destroyers with eight catches for 90 yards and a touchdown. Polk led the defense with four tackles and two interceptions.
Buffalo (3-2) heads to the Sunshine State next Saturday, March 8 to weather the Tampa Bay Storm at 8:00 p.m. at the St. Petersburg Times Forum.
The Destroyers return home Sunday, March 23 as they make their network television debut on NBC hosting the Las Vegas Gladiators at noon. Mini packs and group tickets are on sale now, call the Destroyers ticket office at 716-881-4444! Single game tickets can be purchased online at tickets.com and at all tickets.com locations including Tops Friendly Markets or by phone at 1-888-223-6000.
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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 1, 2003
- Buffalo Can't Stop The Rush - Buffalo Destroyers
- Chatman, Defense Beat Buffalo - Chicago Rush
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