Columbus Holds On For 60-52 Victory Over Carolina
May 1, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Carolina Cobras News Release
CHARLOTTE â The Carolina Cobras fell victim to the Columbus Destroyers and the all-around talents of Sedrick Robinson, dropping a 60-52 decision Saturday night at the Charlotte Coliseum. The Cobras were unable to overcome a 24-7 deficit early in the second quarter as Robinson tallied 272 all-purpose yards and accounted for four touchdowns in leading the Destroyers to a tough Eastern Division victory.
Carolina trimmed the Columbus advantage to 53-47 early in the fourth quarter, but quarterback Ryan Vena subsequently led the Destroyers on a seven-minute, nine-play drive that was capped off by a five-yard scoring pass to lineman Tyronn Johnson. Columbus' Del Lee intercepted a Rickey Foggie pass attempt in the end zone on the ensuing drive to seal the victory for the visitors.
Carolina (4-8) squandered a strong performance by Foggie, who completed 22-of-30 passes for 232 yards and six touchdowns on the night, while also adding a two-yard scoring run. The seven-year veteran added his first two interceptions of the season. Damien Groce led all Cobras receivers with five catches for 67 yards and two scores, while Bernard Holmes chipped in two touchdown receptions.
Columbus (4-8) received a stellar performance from Robinson, who paced the squad with six receptions for 152 yards and two touchdowns. Robinson earned Offensive Player of the Game recognition after adding a six-yard touchdown run and a 34-yard touchdown pass. Vena finished the night 17-of-31 passing for 236 yards and four touchdowns.
The Cobras were unable to take advantage of a strong first half performance by Foggie as Columbus took control early and held onto a 36-20 halftime lead. Foggie completed 13-of-15 passes for 113 yards and three touchdowns through two quarters, but Robinson and the Destroyers controlled the play, scoring in a variety of fashions.
The Destroyers relied on a bit of trickery to take a 17-7 advantage after one quarter of play. The visitors received the opening kickoff and promptly drove the length of the field in a possession that was capped off by a two-yard touchdown plunge by FB/LB Richard McCleskey. Following a successful onsides kick attempt, Columbus caught the Cobras defense napping once again when Robinson faked a run attempt and completed a 34-yard scoring pass to lineman LaKendrick Jones to give Columbus a quick 14-0 lead.
Carolina was able to get on the board late in the frame when Foggie completed a 20-yard pass in traffic to Holmes. Steve Videtich completed the first quarter scoring for the visitors with a late 56-yard field goal. Thanks in large part to the early on-sides kick, the Destroyers controlled the ball for over 11 of the first 15 minutes of play.
Columbus extended its lead in the second frame as Robinson notched a pair of touchdowns to give the visitors a 36-20 halftime advantage. The Destroyers' JoJo Polk intercepted Foggie's pass in the end zone on the first drive of the frame, and the Robinson turned the error into points quickly, scampering in from five yards out to extend the club's lead to 24-7.
Carolina found its way back into the game in the heart of the second quarter as Foggie found D.J. Humphries for his second scoring reception of the season. On the ensuing drive, Bryan Ray sacked Vena, forcing a fumble that Troy Pelshak was able to recover in Columbus territory. Foggie took advantage quickly, hitting Groce on an 18-yard touchdown strike on the very next play to cut the Columbus lead to 24-20.
The Destroyers recovered quickly, notching 12 consecutive points to finish the half. The scoring began with a 32-yard scoring pass from Vena to Robinson, his third touchdown of the game. The Columbus defensive line then forced Carolina into a safety as Foggie was flagged for intentional grounding in his own end zone on the ensuing possession. Videtich completed the half with a successful 42-yard field goal.
The Cobras cut into the club's deficit in the third frame, outscoring Columbus 20-10 behind two scoring passes and a touchdown from their veteran quarterback. Foggie registered his first rushing touchdown of the season on the Cobras first drive, which began at the Destroyers' five-yard line after Carolina recovered a Columbus on-sides attempt on the opening kickoff.
Following Videtich's third field goal of the night, Foggie found Holmes for the second time in the contest, a 23-yard strike that cut the deficit to 39-33. Vena quickly responded with a 45-yard touchdown lob to Robinson, before Foggie responded with a 6-yard touchdown pass to Lenzie Jackson, his first career AFL touchdown.
The fourth quarter began with a 12-yard scoring pass from Vena to Gunnard Twyner to give the road team a 53-40 lead. Carolina responded with a 35-yard scoring strike from Foggie to Groce, their second connection of the day, to cut the advantage to 53-47 with just over 10 minutes remaining in the contest.
The Cobras will take to the road for the next two weeks, beginning with a May 8 showdown with the New York Dragons. Kickoff for the contest is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at the Nassau Coliseum.
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