Colorado Crush game notes

Published on April 21, 2004 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Colorado Crush News Release


QUICK FACTS:

Colorado Crush (7-4) vs. Grand Rapids Rampage (1-9)
Date: April 23, 2004
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. MDT
Site: Pepsi Center (cap. 18,063)
Officials: Tom McCabe (Referee), Matt Jordan (Umpire),
Neil Brunner (Head Linesman), Bob McElwee (Line Judge), Joe Duncan (Back Judge)
Television: Comcast Channel 5
(Mitch Hyder – play-by-play, Damon Bowers – analysis,
David Briggs – sideline)
Radio: AM 760 The Zone
(Mark Stout – play-by-play, David Diaz-Infante – analysis)
Series Record: series tied 1-1
Last Meeting: Feb. 14, 2004 – Crush 55, GRAND RAPIDS 37
Coaches: Mike Dailey (70-50 in 8th season, 7-4 w/ Colorado)
Bob Cortese (12-25 in 3rd season, 1-9 w/ Gr. Rapids)

ALL-TIME SERIES: This will be the third meeting between the teams. The Rampage took the only meeting last season, overcoming a 10-point deficit to post a 57-55 win in Denver during Week 2 (2/7/03). The teams met during Week 2 again this season, with the Crush earning a road victory, 55-37, on Valentine's Day. Both games have been played during Week 2, the Crush scored 55 points in both, and John Dutton completed 20-of-24 passes (260 and 264 yds) each time en route to being named the game's MVP (Offensive Player of Game this year).

Colorado Crush
Date Opponent Time/Score Record
Fri, 2/6 LAS VEGAS W 43-42 1-0
Sat, 2/14 @ Grand Rapids W 55-37 2-0
Sun, 2/22 @ Chicago L 35-65 2-1
Fri, 2/27 AUSTIN W 37-35 3-1
Thu, 3/4 DETROIT W 62-61 4-1
Sun, 3/14 @ San Jose L 55-35 4-2
Sun, 3/21 @ Philadelphia W 40-33 5-2
Sat, 3/27 ARIZONA W 54-46 6-2
Sat, 4/3 INDIANA L 42-45 (OT) 6-3
Sat, 4/10 @ Los Angeles W 57-55 7-3
Sun, 4/18 @ New York L 49-52 7-4
Fri, 4/23 GRAND RAPIDS 7 p.m. Comcast 5
Sun, 5/2 PHILADELPHIA 1 p.m.
Sun, 5/16 @ Indiana 1 p.m.
Sun, 5/23 @ Detroit 1 p.m.
Sun, 5/30 CHICAGO 2 p.m.
(All times Mountain)

Central Division Standings
Team W L T PCT. PF PA H A Conf. Div. Strk
Chicago 7 3 0 .700 547 447 4-1 3-2 4-2 3-1 L1
Colorado 7 4 0 .636 509 526 4-1 3-3 6-2 2-2 L1
Indiana 6 5 0 .545 556 469 3-2 3-3 3-2 3-2 W6
Detroit 4 6 0 .400 489 513 2-3 2-3 3-4 2-2 L2
Gr. Rapids 1 9 0 .100 376 540 0-5 1-4 1-8 1-4 L1



Practice Schedule

RADIO/TV COVERAGE: This week's game will be televised in the Denver metro area on Comcast Channel 5 with Mitch Hyder calling the game, former Crush player and Bachelorette contestant Damon Bowers providing analysis, and David Briggs working the sidelines. The game will broadcast on 760 The Zone (KKZN) and online at www.760thezone.com/listen, with Marc Stout handling play-by-play duties and former NFL lineman David Diaz-Infante serving as color commentator.

THE STAKES: A Crush win would ...
· Improve the team's record to 8-4
· Guarantee the team of finishing at .500 or better
· Keep the Crush within one-half game of Chicago
· Assure a winning home record (5-1)
· Give the Crush a 2-1 series lead over Grand Rapids
· Mark the first-ever home-and-home sweep by the Crush
· Avoid the first two-game losing streak of the season
Tuesday, April 20
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Practice @ Crush Facility

Wednesday, April 21
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Practice @ Crush Facility

Thursday, April 22
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Practice @ Crush Facility

Friday, April 23
7:00 p.m. Crush vs. Grand Rapids Rampage
@ Pepsi Center


Mike Dailey (70-50 in 8 seasons, 7-4 in 1st w/ Colo.):
Dailey became the Crush's second head coach on June 26, 2003. Dailey joined the Crush after seven seasons as head coach of the Indiana Firebirds, and his teams have compiled an overall record of 70-50, a winning percentage of .583. He ranks seventh on the AFL's all-time list for coaching wins. In 1999 Dailey led the Firebirds to their only ArenaBowl championship and a combined regular season/playoff record of 14-3, best in Firebirds history. He was named AFL Coach of the Year following that standout campaign. He joined the Firebirds prior to the 1992 season, spending five seasons as an assistant coach before being named head coach in 1997. Dailey began his Arena Football coaching career with the Washington Commandos where he served as offensive/defensive line coach. Prior to the AFL, Dailey worked as an assistant coach at Towson State University and was the Offensive Coordinator at Montgomery College-Rockville (MD).


All-Time Winningest AFL Coaches
Including Postseason
Coach Team Wins This Week
Tim Marcum Tampa Bay 159 at Columbus
Danny White Arizona 134 at Indiana
Perry Moss 86
Mike Hohensee Chicago 80 vs. Los Angeles
Michael Trigg Philadelphia 77 vs. New York
John Gregory 72
Mike Dailey Crush 70 vs. Gr. Rapids
Darren Arbet San Jose 67 at Georgia


Bob Cortese (12-25 in 3 seasons, 1-9 in 1st w/ GR):
Bob Cortese (kor-TEEZ) is in his first season as head coach of the Rampage and third overall in the AFL. He posted a 12-16 mark in two seasons (2000-01) as the Oklahoma Wranglers head coach. An assistant with the Portland Forest Dragons, Cortese moved with the team when it relocated to Oklahoma City in 2000. Cortese joined the af2's Wichita Stealth in 2002 as director of football operations and offensive coordinator. He became head coach prior to the 2003 season and went 4-3 before resigning for personal reasons. Cortese began his career coaching high school in Colorado (1968-79), winning a state title in 1976 and finishing as the runner-up twice. He then coached at Mesa State from 1980-89.
As a player, Cortese was a first-team All-American at Northeastern Junior College (1962-63) in Sterling, Colo., before playing linebacker for the University of Colorado (1964-65). In 1977, he returned to his alma mater for a two-year stint as an assistant coach. Cortese earned a Master's degree from Northern Colorado in 1973.

LEADERS OF THE PACK: Crush players who rank in the Top 10 in the AFL entering Week 12 (Top 5 in Bold):
Colorado Crush
Player Rank Category Stat
Anthony Brenner T-4thT-9th Scoring (Kickers)Touchbacks 8917
John Dutton 1st2nd4th4th5th5th7thT-7th Fumble Recoveries3rd Down Pass RatingYards Passing Pass AttemptsPass Completions% INT / Pass AttemptTDs PassingInterceptions 8115.82,7513682271.6486
Rashad Floyd 1st1st2ndT-2nd6thT-8th TacklesSolo TacklesInterceptionsTackles for LossFumble RecoveriesPasses Defended 85.076.053.0311
Damian Harrell 1st1st2nd2nd6th8th Receiving YardsYds fr ScrimmageScoring (non-Kick)First DownsReceptions3rd Down Receptions 1,1391,139174657513
Ahmad Hawkins 3rdT-3rd Solo TacklesTackles 5559.5
Willis Marshall T-1st 3rd-and-1 rush % 100.0
Kevin McKenzie T-4th Interceptions 3

TALE OF THE TAPE: Here's how the Crush and the Rampage stack up (through Week 11):
Statistical COLORADO GRAND RAPIDS
Category Rank Stat Rank Stat
Points per Game 15th 46.3 19th 37.6
Points Allowed 7th 47.8 16th 54.0
Total Offense 7th 265.6 19th 224.7
Pass Offense 8th 248.1 18th 204.2
Rushing Offense 12th 17.5 10th 20.5
Total Defense 10th 262.6 11th 265.2
Pass Defense 12th 248.5 T-15th 249.5
Rushing Defense 3rd 14.1 4th 15.7
Kickoff Return Avg. 17th 14.9 1st 22.6
KO Return Allowed 2nd 15.9 16th 19.3
Field Goal % 13th 36.0% 18th 20.0%
Turnover Margin 4th +6 19th -13
Avg. Yds per Play 9th 6.3 19th 5.3
Opp. Avg Yds/Play 6th 6.0 18th 7.0
1st Downs/ Game 12th 18.2 19th 16.1
Opp. 1st Dwns/Game 17th 20.2 5th 17.9
3rd Down Efficiency 18th 39.7 13th 46.6
Opp. 3rd Down Eff. 15th 52.1 11th 49.1
4th Down Efficiency 11th 50.0 15th 33.3
Opp. 4th Down Eff. 9th 52.4 17th 66.7
TD% Inside the 10 16th 64.6 12th 73.0
Opp. TD% Inside the 10 17th 80.3 1st 68.9
(Top 5 in bold)

COLORADO CRUSH NEXT WEEK
The Crush host Jon Bon Jovi's Philadelphia Soul squad on Sunday, May 2 at 1 p.m. at Pepsi Center. The game will be televised regionally by NBC (KUSA Ch. 9), and broadcast on AM 760 The Zone and online at www.760thezone.com/listen . The Crush defeated the Soul at Philadelphia in Week 7 (3/21), 40-33.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:
OS Damian Harrell: Now in his sixth AFL season, Harrell has amassed 6,353 receiving yards on 448 catches, an average of 14.18 yards/catch, along with 134 career touchdowns (1 on return) ... Has second-most receiving yards in the AFL since 2000 ... Leads the league in receiving yards, ranks 2nd in scoring (non-kickers) with 174 points on 29 touchdowns this season, 2nd in first downs (65), 6th in receptions, and 8th in third-down receptions (13) ... Leads the Crush with 75 catches for 1,139 yards this season ... Has a TD catch in 28 straight games, including all 25 as a member of the Crush ... Has been named Offensive Player of the Game five times ... Reached 1,000 receiving yards for the fourth straight season.

QB John Dutton: The former ArenaBowl MVP (XVI w/ SJ) has completed 227-of-368 passes (61.7%) for 2,751 yards, 48 touchdowns and just 6 interceptions... Twice he has been named Offensive Player of the Game ... Threw for a season-high 28 completions and 333 yards vs. Indiana ... Ranks 4th in the AFL in passing yards and pass attempts, 5th in completions and 7th in TD passes ... The second-highest rated QB in the league on third down (115.8 rating).

WR/DB Kevin McKenzie: Twice named AFL Ironman of the Week (2, 10) ... Crush's second leading receiver with 61 catches for 750 yards and 8 TDs... Tied for fourth in the AFL in interceptions (3) ... Scored a TD rushing, receiving and on an interception return in a win at Grand Rapids (Ironman of the Week)... He has been named Ironman of the Game in six of the Crush's first 11 games, including three of last four ... Caught six passes for 133 yards vs. his former team at San Jose on 3/14 ... One of only two players in the AFL with two interceptions returned for touchdowns (44, 9) ... Ranks 14th in AFL in receptions and 17th in receiving yards.

DS Rashad Floyd: Voted AFL Defensive Player of the Mid-Year by the AFLWA ... Named AFL Defensive Player of the Month for March ... Also Defensive Player of the Week for Week 8 after 11.5 tackles, a forced and recovered fumble, an INT and a 4-yd. net recovery for a TD vs. Arizona ... Leads the league in tackles 85.0 and ranks 2nd in interceptions with five ... Also ranks 2nd in tackles for a loss (3.0), 6th in fumble recoveries (3) and tied for 8th in pass break-ups ... Has been named Defensive Player of the Game in five of 11 games ... Made two interceptions in win at Philadelphia ... returned a fumble 35 yards for a TD at New York on 4/18.


INJURY REPORT
Colorado Crush
Player Pos. Injury Status
Maurice Anderson OL/DL Right Knee on IR (1/27)
Patrick Downey OL/DL Groin Strain on IR (3/12)
Chad Dukes FB/LB Sprained left ankle on IR (4/8)
Rashad Floyd DS Sprained rt. ankle &Sprained lt. big toe probable
Windrell Hayes WR/DB Right Knee on IR (1/30)
Nate Jacquet WR/DB Rt. Achilles' Rupture on IR (2/2)
Derrick Pickens OL/DL Right Shoulder on IR (1/30)
Tony Scott DS Strained rt. quadriceps on IR (4/16)
Rich Young FB/LB Sprained rt. Shoulder questionable
Sunun. Rusununguko OL/DL Sprained Lt. Shoulder on IR (4/8)


RECENT CRUSH TRANSACTIONS
Date Transaction
4/16/04 Placed DS Tony Scott (strained rt. uadriceps) on injured reserve. Signed WR/DB Thal Woods and OL/DL Tyshaun Whitson from the practice squad to the active roster.
4/8/04 Placed FB/LB Sunungura Rusununguko (sprained lt. shoulder) and FB/LB Chad Dukes (sprained lt. ankle) on injured reserve. Activated FB/LB John Peaua (Lt. knee MCL sprain) and OL/DL Bryant Shaw (Lt. knee MCL sprain) from the injured reserve list.
4/6/04 Activated WR/DB Kamau Peterson from the injured reserve list (hamstring) and placed him on waivers.
3/26/04 Placed WR/DB Kamau Peterson on injured reserve (hamstring). Activated WR/DB Robert Redd from injured reserve (influenza).
3/16/04 Activated WR/DB Wade Davis from injured reserve and waived him.
3/12/04 Signed OL/DL Aaron Johnson. Placed OL/DL Patrick Downey (groin strain) and WR/DB Robert Redd (flu) on injured reserve. Activated WR/DB Kamau Peterson (left ribs) and WR/DB Tony Scott (foot sprain) from injured reserve.
3/10/04 Waived OL/DL Winfield Garnett.
3/9/04 Placed OL/DL Bryant Shaw on injured reserve (left knee MCL sprain). Activated OL/DL Winfield Garnett from the refused to report list.
2/26/04 Activated WR/DB Dwayne Stukes from the injured list (left uadriceps strain).
2/24/04 Placed WR/DB Ron Rogers on waivers.
2/10/04 Signed OL/DL Tyshaun Whitson to the practice squad.
2/4/04 Signed OL/DL Don Klein. Placed WR/DB Tony Scott on injured reserve (sprained foot).
2/2/04 Signed OL/DL Jerry Montgomery and WR/DB Thal Woods to the practice squad. Placed WR/DB Nate Jacquet on injured reserve (ruptured right Achilles' tendon).
2/1/04 Placed FB/LB John Peaua on injured reserve (left knee MCL sprain). Waived OL/DL Don Klein.
1/31/04 Placed WR/DB Wade Davis (strained left hamstring), WR/DB Kamau Peterson (left ribs) and WR/DB Dwayne Stukes (left quadriceps strain) on injured reserve. Waived WR/DB Thal Woods and WR/DB Sam Young. Released OL/DL Aaron Hamilton.
1/31/04 Traded WR/LB Joe Douglass to the LOS ANGELES AVENGERS for future considerations.

MILESTONES
FB/LB Chad Dukes ranks fourth on the AFL's all-time rushing list with 1,111 yards. Dukes was the fourth player in AFL history to rush for 1,000 yards in his career. Currently on IR, Dukes trails Arizona's Bo Kelly by 82 yards for third place.
AFL Career Rushing Yards
Player Team 2004 Career
Les Barley — — 1,382
Andre Bowden TAM 2 1,196
Bo Kelly ARI 130 1,193
Chad Dukes COL 85 1,111
Bob McMillen CHI 152 1,016
Major Harris — — 832
Travis Pearson — — 829
Cedric McKinnon — — 793

OL/DL Kyle Moore-Brown: A true AFL Ironman, he is in his 10th season in the league and has never missed a game. The game vs. Grand Rapids will mark his 151st consecutive start. The first 139 all came with the Firebirds organization before he signed with the Crush this past offseason.

OS Damian Harrell: Has the second-most receiving yards in the AFL since 2000 ... Needs two catches for 450 for his career.

AFL Receiving Leaders (2000-04)
Catches – Receiving Yards
Player (team) 2000-03 2004 Total
Chris Jackson (LA) 355 – 4,992 76 – 1,084 431 – 6,076
Damian Harrell (COL) 348 – 4,851 75 – 1,139 423 – 5,990
Greg Hopkins (LA) 400 – 4,888 46 – 512 446 – 5,400
Mike Horacek (IND) 363 – 4,735 36 – 513 399 – 5,248

FAMILIAR FACES
Rampage head coach Bob Cortese has enough Colorado ties to go around. As a player, Cortese was a first-team All-American at Northeastern Junior College (1962-63) in Sterling, Colo., before playing linebacker for the University of Colorado (1964-65). Cortese earned a Master's degree from Northern Colorado in 1973. He began his career coaching high school football in Colorado (1968-79), winning a state title in 1976 and finishing second in the state twice. In 1977, he returned to CU for a two-year stint as an assistant coach. He then coached at Mesa State from 1980-89.

THE NUMBERS GAME
Although the Crush are 7-4, they have been outscored 509-526 this season. Of the 11 teams in the league at .500 or better, only one other has allowed more points than it has scored. Dallas is currently 6-4 despite being outscored 523-527.

HOME COOKIN'
When you come to a Crush game don't plan on leaving early. While the team is off to a 4-1 start at Pepsi Center, the five games have been decided by a grand total of 15 points. In fact, the Crush scored two TDs in the final 12 seconds to escape with a 43-42 win in the season opener over Las Vegas. They also staved off a late Detroit comeback when they stopped the Fury's potential game-winning two-point conversion attempt to eke out a 62-61 win. Their only loss was a 45-42 loss to Indiana in overtime. The Crush finished 0-8 at home a year ago.

NEW BLOOD
In addition to a new coaching staff, the Crush features a revamped roster. Only five players from last year's inaugural season made the 2004 opening day roster.

Returning 2003 Players
John Dutton Saul Patu Ahmad Hawkins
Damian Harrell Bryant Shaw

REUNITED AND IT FEELS SO GOOD
A few of the current Crush players were also teammates in college. Here are some of those faces that are familiar to one another.
Virginia – Ahmad Hawkins, Dwayne Stukes, Maurice Anderson
Ball State – Sunungura Rusununguko & Aaron Johnson

FLOCK OF FIREBIRDS
With Coach Dailey's move to the Crush came a flock of former Albany and Indiana Firebirds migrated west to Denver. In all seven Crush players and three Crush coaches stopped in either Albany, Indiana or both before reaching the Rockies.

Former Firebirds (years with Firebirds)
Players Coaches
Jose Davis (2003) Mike Dailey (1992-2003)
Chad Dukes (1996-98) Ernesto Purnsley (1997-98, 2000-03)
Hugh Hunter (2002-03) Brian Partlow (2000-03)
Aaron Johnson (2001-03)
Kyle Moore-Brown (1995-03)
Sunungura Rusununguko (2002-03)
Rich Young (2002-03)

BAILEY BRENNER FUND
Club Crush, the official fan club of the Crush, has established a fund to raise money for the medical expenses for kicker Anthony Brenner's special needs daughter. To contribute to the fund, make checks payable to Bailey Brenner and send to: Guaranty National Bank and Trust, Attn: Miracle Ford, 1331 17th St., Denver, CO 80202. For more information about Club Crush, log on to www.clubcrush.com.

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS
The Crush were named recipient of the Arena Football League's 2003 Commissioner's Award. The Award is presented annually to the AFL franchise that has the best business operations in the League.
"This is a tremendous and unique honor for our organization. The collective commitment to excellence displayed by dozens of individuals in our organization allowed us to experience a memorable inaugural season in the AFL," stated Ronald O. Sally, president of the Colorado Crush.


CALL TO THE HALL
Legendary Denver Broncos QB and Crush co-owner and CEO John Elway was among four players named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame's class of 2004. Elway is the winningest quarterback in NFL history (148-82-1) and led the Broncos to five Super Bowls, including championships in his final two seasons. He was named MVP of Super Bowl XXXIII. He will be inducted to the Hall in Canton, Ohio on August 8, 2004.

CRUSH NOTABLES
Team
· Colorado's five remaining opponents have an overall record of only 22-29 (.431).
· At 7-4, the Crush have already more than tripled their win total from their entire inaugural season (2-14).
· The Crush finished 0-8 at home last season. They have started the 2004 season 4-1 at Pepsi Center.
· The Crush's five home games have been decided by a combined 15 points.
· The Crush are 5-0 in games with a positive turnover margin. They are 0-3 with a negative margin.
· Strange but true – The Crush are 4-1 when they commit more penalties than their opponent and are also 4-1 when they have less total yards that their opponent.
· The Crush have not allowed a sack since Week 6 @ San Jose (3/14).
· The Crush have only scored first in one of their six road games (@ LA, 4/10).
· The Crush scored a season-high 28 points in the fourth quarter at New York – the most in any quarter this season (23 @ LA, 2nd, 4/10).
· The Crush have scored just 7 points in the third quarter in three straight games (4 of their last 5).
· They have been shutout in a quarter only twice all year.
· The Crush attempted a season-high 41 passes @ NY (40-Dutton, 1-Redd).
· The team had two rushing TDs @ NY, the most since opening night vs. Las Vegas (also 2).
· New York was held to an opponent low 188 total yards.

Individual
· Coach Dailey needs two Crush wins to tie former Iowa/New York head coach John Gregory (72) for sixth on the AFL all-time win list
· Damian Harrell needs 2 receptions to reach 450 for his career.
· Harrell has caught a TD pass in 28 straight games, including all 25 career games with the Crush.
· The game vs. GR will mark the 151st straight start for Kyle Moore-Brown – every game in his 10-year career.

AWARDS

BABY RUTH REAL DEAL OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME (selected by media)
Week Opp. Player
1 vs. Las Vegas Damian Harrell (COL))
2 @ Gr. Rapids John Dutton (COL)
3 @ Chicago Raymond Philyaw (CHI)
4 vs. Austin John Dutton (COL)
5 vs. Detroit Damian Harrell (COL)
6 @ San Jose Mark Grieb (SJ)
7 @ Philadelphia Damian Harrell (COL)
8 vs. Arizona Damian Harrell (COL)
9 vs. Indiana Anthony Hines (IND)
10 @ Los Angeles Damian Harrell (COL)
11 @ New York Aaron Garcia (NY)

ADT DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME
(selected by media)
Week Opp. Player
1 vs. Las Vegas Ahmad Hawkins (COL)
2 @ Gr. Rapids Rashad Floyd (COL)
3 @ Chicago John Moyer (CHI)
4 vs. Austin Rashad Floyd (COL)
5 vs. Detroit Willis Marshall (COL)
6 @ San Jose Joe Jacobs (SJ)
7 @ Philadelphia Rashad Floyd (COL)
8 vs. Arizona Rashad Floyd (COL)
9 vs. Indiana Rashad Floyd (COL)
10 @ Los Angeles Rich Young (COL)
11 @ New York Donvetis Franklin (NY)

U.S. ARMY IRONMAN OF THE GAME
(selected by media)
Week Opp. Player
1 vs. Las Vegas Kevin McKenzie (COL)
2 @ Gr. Rapids Kevin McKenzie (COL)
3 @ Chicago Jamie McGourty (CHI)
4 vs. Austin Kevin McKenzie (COL)
5 vs. Detroit Willis Marshall (COL)
6 @ San Jose Rashied Davis (SJ)
7 @ Philadelphia Chris Ryan (PHI)
8 vs. Arizona Kevin McKenzie (COL)
9 vs. Indiana Kevin McKenzie (COL)
10 @ Los Angeles Kevin McKenzie (COL)
11 @ New York Lincoln DuPree (NY)

AFL WEEKLY AWARD WINNERS:
IRONMAN OF WEEK: Kevin McKenzie (Week 2)
Kevin McKenzie (Week 10)
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF WEEK: Rashad Floyd (Week 8)

AFL MONTHY AWARD WINNERS:
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF MONTH: Rashad Floyd (March)




GAME 11 · NEW YORK 52, COLORADO 49
April 18, 2004 · NASSAU COLISEUM · UNIONDALE, NEW YORK · Attendance: 10,264
AWARDS: OFF-AARON GARCIA (NY) · DEF-DONVETIS FRANKLIN (NY) · IRONMAN-LINCOLN DuPREE (NY)

UNIONDALE, NY -- A furious fourth-quarter rally fell short Sunday afternoon, as the Crush dropped a 52-49 decision to the New York Dragons in front of 10,264 at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The defeat dropped the Crush to 7-4, and represented an opportunity lost in the playoff race. A win could have put the Crush in sole possession of first place in the Central Division.

Colorado fell behind 42-21 after three quarters before staging a thunderous comeback, outscoring the Dragons 21-3 to pull within three points with 2:13 remaining. The Dragons managed to keep Colorado at arm's length from there, responding with a touchdown with 48 seconds remaining in regulation. Colorado scored once more on a 9-yard pass from John Dutton to Damian Harrell, but an onside kick failed with 18 seconds left, permitting the Dragons to run out the clock for the win.

Crush quarterback John Dutton completed 23-of-40 passes for 281 yards and three touchdowns. He also threw one interception -- which William Holder returned 23 yards for a third-quarter touchdown -- and lost a fumble at the NY 5-yard-line with one second remaining in the first half.

Harrell led the Crush with eight receptions for 87 yds. The day snapped a streak of four consecutive 100-yd games for the offensive specialist, but he did score on a 9-yd TD catch with 24 seconds left, extending his streak of games with a TD to 28 (25 with Crush). Wide receiver/defensive back Kevin McKenzie led the Crush in receiving yardage with 88 on six catches. (Andrew Mason, ColoradoCrush.com)

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 21, 2004


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central