Desperados Avenge '06 Playoff Loss, 70-49
March 26, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Dallas Desperados News Release
With leading receiver Marcus Nash sidelined, the Dallas Desperados might've been considered underdogs on the road Monday night against the defending National Conference champions.
Instead, WR/DB Will Pettis played perhaps the best game of his career and the Desperados improved to 4-0 for the first time in team history with a 70-49 thrashing of Orlando at Amway Arena, avenging last year's conference championship loss to the Predators (2-2).
Pettis finished with a franchise-record seven touchdowns - five receiving, one rushing and a 58-yard kickoff return that iced the game with one minute remaining - to surpass the previous mark held by Terrill Shaw (6) in last year's 87-62 win at Orlando.
Shaw now plays for the Tampa Bay Storm, and his replacement, Nash, entered the game with a team-high 27 catches for 385 yards. But a knee injury suffered during the week kept him in street clothes for Monday night's nationally-televised game.
Veteran Willis Marshall chipped in five catches and a touchdown with extended playing time, and Orlando's typically stifling defense had no answer for the Pettis and the Desperados' passing game without their starting defensive ends, including sack specialist Greg White (elbow).
Pettis finished with a game-high 12 catches for 108 yards and was quarterback Clint Dolezel's top target inside the red zone.
"Phenomenal," Desperados head coach Will McClay said of the former Midwestern State (Tex.) star after the game on The Ticket (KTCK-AM, 1310). "He's an absolute phenomenal player. Glad to have him on our team. There's none better."
The Desperados' offense scored eight touchdowns on nine possessions, and Dolezel threw for 230 yards and seven touchdowns. The only blemish was a missed field goal by Todd Sievers at the end of the first half, which appeared on replays to have sailed through the uprights.
The Dallas defense forced three stops, including a pivotal 30-yard interception return for a touchdown by rookie WR/DB Bobby Keyes that pushed the lead to 63-42 in the fourth quarter. Desperados lineman Rickie Simpkins delivered a fierce hit to Predators quarterback Shane Stafford as he released the ball.
"We just needed to make a statement," Simpkins said.
The game was tied 35-35 at halftime, but the Desperados outscored Orlando 35-14 in the second half thanks to a balanced performance and no turnovers.
"We got the pressure which allowed us to get some coverage sacks and the ball to be up in the air to make some plays," McClay said.
Dallas remains one of three undefeated teams left in the National Conference after four weeks, along with Eastern Division rival Philadelphia (3-0) and Georgia (4-0), led by former backup quarterback Chris Greisen.
The Desperados will return home for a three-game home stand against National Conference teams - Austin (1-3), Columbus (1-2) and Philadelphia - and an opportunity to extend their first-ever 4-0 start.
"It's just an opportunity for us to keep our stride and our rhythm but it doesn't really do anything for us," McClay said of the undefeated start. "It just puts us four wins up."
And in a much better spot than their rivals from Orlando.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 26, 2007
- Desperados Avenge '06 Playoff Loss, 70-49 - Dallas Desperados
- Preds drop 70-49 decision to Dallas - Orlando Predators
- Dragons Visit Long Island Schools - New York Dragons
- Brigade tweaks roster four weeks into season - Kansas City Brigade
- Undefeated Force come to town as Destroyers QB Matt Nagy faces his former team - Columbus Destroyers
- Destroyers to host Motorsports Night - Columbus Destroyers
- Blaze prepare to take on division rival Las Vegas - Utah Blaze
- Stoney Case named starting QB - Tampa Bay Storm
- The OSC Interview: AFL Commissioner David Baker - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
