Dallas Wraps Up Carolina, 77-52
March 13, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Carolina Cobras News Release
CHARLOTTE â The Carolina Cobras dropped their fourth straight contest after beginning the season 2-0 as the Dallas Desperados won in convincing fashion, 77-52, in a battle between Eastern Conference foes at the Charlotte Coliseum. The Cobras' AFL-record home losing streak was extended to 16 games in the defeat and the club remains winless at home since relocating to Charlotte prior to the 2003 season.
The Cobras began the game slowly and never fully recovered as the Desperados gained revenge for a 26-point trouncing in the season opener in Dallas. After Matt Nagy found Jack Walker Jr. for a 33-yard scoring strike to cut the Desperados lead to 35-27 with three minutes remaining in the first half, Dallas posted 22 consecutive points to take a commanding 30-point lead. The Desperados defensive line wrecked havoc on the Cobras offense throughout the night, recording five sacks and a safety.
Dallas' offense was led by former Carolina quarterback Glen Gauntt, who was named Offensive Player of the Game after completing 16-of-24 passes for 307 yards six touchdowns on the night. Jason Shelley posted six receptions for 105 yards and two touchdowns to lead the receiving corps, while Ironman of the Game Will Pettis added five catches for 100 yards and a pair of scores. Dallas' big-play offensive attack was spearheaded by seven scoring plays of 25 yards or more.
Carolina was led by the arm of Nagy, who finished the game 19-of-27 passing for 224 yards and six touchdowns. His favorite target continues to be Todd Doxzon, who reeled in six passes for 79 yards and a game-high three touchdowns. Jack Walker Jr. has his most productive game this season, recording five catches for 74 yards and two scores.
Former Cobras defensive specialist Derek Stingley intercepted a pass by Nagy on the first play of the game, and Dallas quickly capitalized on the miscue, as Gauntt completed a 26-yard scoring pass to Pettis to give the visitors an early 7-0 advantage. Carolina responded on the ensuing drive as Travis Reece scored his second touchdown of the season on a 16-yard rush. The Cobras could not keep pace for the remainder of the first quarter as Gauntt directed Dallas on two more scoring drives to take a 21-7 advantage after one frame.
Both offenses heated up in the second quarter, combining for 42 points. The two teams traded touchdowns throughout the stanza, including 21 points in one four-minute span. Nagy completed a three-yard scoring pass to Sir Mawn Wilson with 6:30 remaining in the half to cut the Dallas lead to 28-21. However, Andrew Layton returned the kickoff 44 yards for a touchdown on the following play. Two plays into the Cobras next drive, Nagy found a streaking Jack Walker Jr. for a 33-yard touchdown pass. Following a blocked extra point attempt, the Desperados lead stood at eight points, 35-27, with three minutes left in the quar ter. At the half, Dallas led 42-27 as Gauntt connected on 11-of-14 passes for 184 yards and four scores.
Dallas carried momentum into the second half as they posted 15 points in the first five minutes of the third quarter to extend their lead to 30 points, 57-27. On the first play from scrimmage in the frame, Gauntt found Pettis in the clear for a 45-yard scoring strike. The Dallas line continued to pressure the Cobras offense, as Kevin Aldridge sacked Nagy for a loss of 12 yards and a safety on the first Carolina play. Once again, Dallas capitalized quickly with Aldridge scoring on a 22-yard touchdown run only moments later. The Cobras finally broke the streak with just under six minutes remaining when Nagy tossed a 3-yard scoring strike to Damien Groce to cut the Desperados advantage to 57-33 after three quarters.
The Cobras were unable to cut into the Dallas advantage throughout the final frame, as the two teams traded scores for much of the final 15 minutes. Carolina's Rickey Foggie saw his first action of the season, completing a 29-yard touchdown to Walker on the game's final play.
Carolina will look to rebound this Sunday, March 21 against the defending ArenaBowl champion, the Tampa Bay Storm. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. at the Charlotte Coliseum.
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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 13, 2004
- Destroyers fall short at home, 43-41 - Columbus Destroyers
- Road Warriors; Soul Down Destroyers, 43 - 41 - Philadelphia Soul
- Dallas Wraps Up Carolina, 77-52 - Carolina Cobras
- Thomas out with torn ACL - San Jose SaberCats
- New Orleans VooDoo defeats Detroit Fury 45-31 - New Orleans VooDoo
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