Crush Sack Rampage in 63-28 Win over Grand Rapids
May 2, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Colorado Crush News Release
DENVER - The Colorado Crush scored 28 consecutive points in the second and third quarters en route to a 63-28 victory over the Grand Rapids Rampage. Rampage quarterback James MacPherson (Tucson, Ariz.) was sacked five times in the loss, fumbling twice and surrendering a pair of Crush defensive touchdowns.
Both offenses appeared in sync at the start of the game, with each scoring on their first two drives. Colorado took a 14-7 first-quarter lead thanks to a touchdown catch by Brad Pyatt and a one-yard Chris Watton scoring rush. Rampage receiver Kenny Higgins (Long Beach, Calif.) accounted for his team's lone touchdown of the opening frame with a 24-yard catch-and-run.
Chris Johnson (Americus, Ga.) tied the game with a 13-yard touchdown catch to begin the second quarter. But Colorado used a pair of Aaron Hosack nine-yard scores and a fourth-down hold inside its own five-yard line to take a 28-14 lead.
Following a Terrell Browden (Baton Rouge, La.) six-yard touchdown rush for the Rampage, the Crush extended their lead late in the second quarter. With just 13 seconds remaining in the first half, receiver Chad Owens scrambled into the end zone to give Colorado a 14 point advantage. Then, an Aaron McConnell sack caused MacPherson to fumble, leading to a Lauvale Sape touchdown recovery and a 42-21 halftime lead for Colorado.
Colorado continued to punish the Rampage after the break, forcing another turnover on downs to begin the half and extending its lead to 28 on Hosack's third touchdown catch of the night. Under pressure all night, MacPherson was sacked again on the ensuing drive, resulting in another Crush fumble recovery for a touchdown by Nick Rogers. Higgins' 14-yard touchdown catch finally halted the 28-point Crush streak, making the score 56-28 at the end of the third.
The Crush defense continued to flex its muscle in the game's final quarter, holding the Rampage scoreless. Hosack's fourth touchdown grab closed out the scoring, sending Grand Rapids to a 3-6 record while moving Colorado into sole possession of second place in the Central Division with a 4-5 record.
The Rampage will travel to Dallas next week to take on the 7-1 Desperados, while Colorado hits the road to face the currently winless Utah Blaze.
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