Dawgz defeat Talons
Published on July 19, 2008 under arenafootball2 (af2)
Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz News Release
OKLAHOMA CITY - The Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz defeated the Tulsa Talons in front of their biggest crowd of the season (8,602) at Ford Center. The Talons starting quarterback and former Yard Dawgz Head Coach, John Fitzgerald, was defeated on his once-home turf, 58-57.Tulsa got on the board early when Fitzgerald pushed his way into the end zone on a 1 yard run. The Dawgz didn't take long to respond when QB Evan Gray connected with WR Steve Smith for a 5 yard TD catch. The Talons had a turnover on downs and shortly after Gray found WR Al Hunt for 15 yards and the Dawgz second score of the quarter. The Dawgz defense forced another turnover on downs in the middle of the second quarter and Tulsa returned the favor. Tulsa got on board with 2:21 left in the quarter on a 28 yard field goal by Luke Phillips. 11 seconds later, Tulsa WR B'Jay Jones added another 6 for the Talons. An impressive kickoff return by FB/LB Fred Shaw put the Dawgz deep in the Talons territory and the Dawgz were able to score 3 plays later on a 5 yard run by FB Freddie Rollins. Tulsa fought their way back into the end zone once more and scored on a 2 yard pass from Fitzgerald to WR Jeff Hughley. Oklahoma City kicker Ben Scott added three more points on a 42 yard field goal and the Dawgz led at halftime, 24-23. Each team scored quickly to start the third quarter. A missed extra point attempt by Scott tied the teams at 30 in the middle of the quarter. The Dawgz scored next when WR Agim Shabaj caught a 15 yard pass from the Dawgz play caller, Gray. Tulsa tied the game to end the third quarter, 37-37.Former Yard Dawg, OS Jarrail Jackson was the first Talon to score in the 4th and a 23 yard interception return by Jamar Ransom gave Tulsa a 14 point lead. The Talons scored once more and went up by 20, their biggest lead of the night. In the last 2:40 of the game, Oklahoma City shocked the Talons and scored three times. First on a 39 yard interception return by Michael Tolbert and next on a Hunt lateral to Smith. The Dawgz went for two and pulled within 5 with 4 seconds remaining. Oklahoma City came up with the onside kick and with :2 seconds left on the clock. As time expired, Gray launched a hail mary pass which bounced off the net and into the hands of Fred Shaw. Shaw's catch clinched the win for the Dawgz and secured him the Cutters Catch of the Game. The win is the Dawgz first over the Talons since May 6, 2006, and Tulsa's third loss in a row. The Dawgz are back home next Saturday, July 26th for their final game of the 2008 season versus the Amarillo Dusters. Kick-off is set for 7:05 p.m. The game can be heard by tuning into JOX 930 AM or www.jox930.com. Each 2008 Yard Dawgz game can also be viewed online at www.nifty-tv.com. All Yard Dawgz home games are broadcast live on KSBI-TV/DT. For more information, call 405.228.3294 or visit www.okcyarddawgz.com.
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