Desperados Down Firebirds for First Home Victory
Published on June 8, 2002 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Dallas Desperados News Release
The Dallas Desperados (4-4) picked up their first home win at Harrah's Field at the American Airlines Center with 79-65 victory over the Indiana Firebirds (3-5). Desperados quarterback Andy Kelly threw for 10 touchdowns, which put him at the top of the list for the all-time professional football touchdown leader. He completed 28-of-37 passes for 219 yards while adding a rushing touchdown on a one-yard scamper.
The Desperados defense came up big on the opening possession, forcing a Firebirds fumble at the Indiana five-yard line. It took two plays for Kelly to hook up with Jake Hoffart for a two-yard touchdown pass. Jason Wells missed the ensuing extra point. Indiana then took the lead on their second possession following a Raymond Philyaw-to-Terence Davis 10-yard score. Nelson Garner connected on the extra point to give Indiana their only lead of the night. Kelly then hit Jason Shelley on a 32-yard touchdown pass to regain the Desperado lead. The Dallas defense once again took over and forced Indiana to kick a 20-yard field goal to close the first-quarter scoring.
Dallas started the second quarter with a one-yard touchdown toss from Kelly-to-Adrian Lunsford to extend their lead to 20-10. Indiana stuck back on a six-play, 45-yard drive, capped off by a 10-yard touchdown from Philyaw-to-Jay Jones. Dallas answered right back when Kelly hit Dialleo Burks on a 15-yard pass to extend their lead to 27-17. On the ensuing kickoff, Indiana kick returner Jay Jones fumbled the ball Hassan Shamsid-Deen recovered it at Indiana's two-yard line. It took Dallas just one play for Kelly to hit Burks for the touchdown.
Indiana answered back with a five-play 33-yard drive resulting in a four-yard touchdown run y Leroy Thompson. The extra-point was missed by Garner. Dallas again answered quickly when Kelly hit Andy McCullough on a 9-yard touchdown pass to give the Desperados a 41-23 lead. Indiana tallied the final score of the half when Philyaw hit Van Johnson on a 15-yard flag pass for the touchdown. Wells missed a 53-yard field goal as the half expired.
Dallas came out of halftime and took just under three minutes to add to their lead when Kelly hit Lunsford on a five-yard scoring pass in the middle of the endzone. Indiana managed to answer right back when Philyaw hit Johnson deep for a one-play, 25-yard touchdown pass, closing the Desperados lead to 48-37. Kelly led Dallas on another scoring drive culminated with a scoring pass to Burks on a 12-yard sideline pass. The Firebirds bounced back and cut Dallas' lead when Philyaw hit Davis on a 14-yard flag pass in the back of the end zone. On the ensuing onside kick, Dallas recovered the ball deep in Indiana territory and Kelly quickly hit Jason Shelley for an 11-yard touchdown, extending Dallas' lead to 62-44. Indiana then took the ball 47 yards on five plays, capped off by a 16-yard Philyaw-to-Jones touchdown pass
After recovering the onside kick, Dallas quickly fired back when Kelly hit McCullough on a three-yard touchdown pass to start the fourth quarter scoring blitz and give Dallas a 69-51 lead. Indiana scored on their next possession when Philyaw hit Davis on a 26-yard pass. Dallas again recovered the attempted onside kick, and went 48 yards in seven plays, capped of by a Kelly-to-McCullough slant pass in the back of the endzone. Dallas got the ball right back when Philyaw's pass was intercepted by Tim Denton, but Kelly was sacked and fumbled the ball which was recovered in the end zone by Ricky Hall, closing Dallas' lead to 72-65. Dallas answered right back, taking three-plays to cover 13 yards, capped by Andy Kelly's one-yard scoring dive. On Indiana's ensuing possession, Shamsid-Deen picked off Philyaw's pass which sealed Dallas' 79-65 victory.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from June 8, 2002
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