Dawgz suffer first loss

April 26, 2004 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz News Release


HIDALGO, TX: April 26, 2004 –The Dawgz were handed their first loss in history falling to the Dorados in dramatic fashion, 44-41 at Dodge Arena in Hidalgo. The Dorados stopped the Yard Dawgz on the final drive of the game, as Peter Martinez attempted a 27 yard field goal to go into overtime, but Karleton Thomas blocked the kick and preserved the Dorados victory.

The Dawgz dominated the first quarter 21-7, with a pair touchdown passes by QB Craig Strickland to WR/DB Timon Marshall and WR/LB Willie Grissom. After Grissom's touchdown catch, Marshall picked off Dorado QB Will Burch and took it to the house for an Oklahoma City touchdown. After the Rio Grande Valley turnover, Dorados quarterback Will Burch hit Preston Hartfield for a seven yard touchdown pass to cut the Dawgz lead to 21-14. The Dawgz fired back with a Daryl Richardson one-yard run on the ensuing possession, but Peter Martinez missed the PAT placing the Dawgz lead to 27-14.

Following another Dorado score, Rio Grande Valley's Spencer Conley forced Dawgz offensive specialist Kris Peters to fumble the kickoff return and Nicholas Davis recovered for the Dorados on the Oklahoma City nine-yard line. The fumble was the first Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz turnover in the history of the team.

Rio Grande Valley only needed one play to tie the game, as Burch found Mike Duncan in the end zone for a nine-yard touchdown and Duncan's only reception of the game. Eric Houle missed the PAT and the score remained tied at halftime 27-27.

The Dawgz struck first in the second half of play. Strickland hit WR/DB Al Hunt with a 28 yard touchdown pass to put the Dawgz in the lead. Hunt received the game's US Army Ironman honors; catching 8 passes on offense for 116 yards and picked up 2.5 tackles on defense.

The two teams traded touchdowns in the second half, until Dorado kicker Eric Houle nailed a 21 yard field goal after Hartfield picked off a Craig Strickland pass and returned it to the Oklahoma City 15-yard line. The interception was the first time Strickland had been picked all season. The field goal gave the Dorados their first lead of the game (37-34), but it would not last for long. Strickland produced the games longest scoring drive, which was 45-yards, capping it off with a 28-yard touchdown pass to Al Hunt to regain the lead 41-37. The Dorados would come back and connect for their second consecutive touchdown by Manwell Talbert. Talbert, who wrestled the ball away from Dawgz Sean Love in the end zone for a six-yard touchdown reception, put the Dorados ahead 44-41 with 4:11 remaining.

Strickland was determined to manufacture a scoring drive that would give the Dorados no additional time to work with. The Yard Dawgz line had not given up a sack all season until the 34-year old Dorados Danny Perez broke through the line and tracked down Strickland. Facing third down and 11 yards to go, Strickland found Hunt for an eleven-yard gain and the inches he needed to get a first down, placing the ball at the Dorados 12-yard line with under a minute remaining. Strickland found Hunt again, but he fumbled at the one-yard line. Hunt was able to recover his own fumble setting up first and goal at the one-yard line with 27-seconds remaining.

On first down, Marshall rushed the ball to the left side, but was tackled by Nicholas Davis resulting in a three-yard loss. The Dawgz opted to pass the ball on second-and-goal from the four-yard line, but Conley sacked Strickland at the12-yard line. There was jubilation at the Dodge Arena, but Strickland quieted the crowd momentarily by getting a quick snap and spiking the ball to stop the clock with 0.4 seconds remaining. The Yard Dawgz set up for the 27-yard game-tying field goal attempt, but Peter Martinez' kick was blocked by Tim Cook and the Dorados escape consecutive loss to the Dawgz.

Strickland ended up completing 19-37 for 246 yards and 4 touchdowns. Strickland committed his first turnover of the year, throwing 2 interceptions tonight against the Dorados.

DS Clifton Fields led the Dawgz on defense with 5 tackles (3UA, 4AT). Daron Franklin also helped out with an interception and 2.5 tackles. James Landers racked up 1.5 sacks for a loss of 7 yards.

The Yard Dawgz (2-1) look to turn around the Week 4 loss with a win against the ArenaCup Champion Tulsa Talons (2-1), who stroll down the turnpike for a rematch of the Week 1 overtime battle. The Dawgz defeated the Talons 70-63 in Tulsa on April 10.

The Oklahoman and the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz proudly present the world-renowned Grambling State University "Mighty Tiger Marching Band," who will be performing at the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz home game on Saturday, May 1, 2004 at the Ford Center . Here is your chance to see fast-paced, high-scoring arenafootball2 action and "The Best Band in the Land" all in one astounding night that you will never forget.

Tickets begin at $8 and can be purchased at tickets.com, Homeland or the Ford Center box office or call 1-800-511-1552!



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