Crush fail to match one of AFL's best in Dallas
March 18, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Colorado Crush News Release
DALLAS, Tex. - As the Colorado Crush's (1-1) road opener against the Dallas Desperados (3-0) drew on, the effects of an early bye week seemed to take effect. Head Coach Mike Dailey's Crush was unable to keep pace with one of the AFL's elite teams and lost to Dallas (3-0) 51-40 in front of 12,576 at the American Airlines Center.
After exchanging blows early into the second half, momentum stuck in Dallas' favor when Colorado QB John Dutton's pass was deflected at the line of scrimmage and intercepted by Dallas DB Bobby Perry with 1:12 left in the third quarter.
The Desperados were able to convert the turnover into seven quick points and took an 11-point lead going into the fourth 37-26. As the lead proved to be insurmountable, so too does the possibility of the Crush winning on nationally televised games in the regular season on ESPN.
The Crush is now 0-6, dating back to last year in games airing on ESPN.
"I thought we came out and competed in the first half at a high level," Dailey said. "A couple of things did not go our way early in the second and with a team like Dallas you can't make those mistakes."
After starting the game a perfect 11-for-11 in the first half, Dutton's consistency was shaken when he missed a streaking WR Brad Pyatt down the sideline with an extra step on his defender on the first play of the second half. After that incompletion, Dutton rattled off eight more incompletions and three interceptions. Dutton finished the night 21-of-30 for 207 yards and four touchdowns.
"We'll take this in, go back to Colorado and prepare for Chicago," Dutton said. "There were a couple of mistakes there on offense that took us out of the game, but I have confidence in my receivers and we will move on."
The Desperados were able to capitalize once they took notice of the Crush's early season vulnerabilities and were able to put the game out of reach.
Crush DB Rashad Floyd got his first pick of the season off Desperado backup QB Chris Sanders with 7:05 left in the fourth quarter with the Crush down 12. Poised to make a comeback, Dutton second interception was thrown on the very next play to Ironman of the Game DB Will Pettis.
Dallas would miss a field goal on their next drive and with just over two and half minutes left Colorado was still only down 12.
On Colorado's next drive, Perry would add another interception and two plays later the Desperados added their final points of the night going up 51-32. Crush backup QB Brandon Kirsch finished out the game going 3-of-3 with a late touchdown and a two-point conversion to make the final 51-40.
The Crush will have a couple of days to recoup and practice in Denver before heading out to Chicago to play the 2-1 Rush on Saturday night. This week's game will be picked up on FSN Rocky Mountain on taped delay.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF GAME-Chris Sanders of Dallas
ADT DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF GAME-Bobby Perry of Dallas
IRONMAN OF GAME-Will Pettis of Dallas
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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 18, 2008
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- Crush fail to match one of AFL's best in Dallas - Colorado Crush
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