Desperados Outlast Columbus, 35-31
Published on February 13, 2005 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Dallas Desperados News Release
DALLAS - It wasn't pretty, but the Desperados overcame an early 17-point deficit to outlast the Columbus Destroyers 35-31 Sunday afternoon at American Airlines Center.
After allowing a club-record 24 points in the first quarter, the Desperados climbed to within three points at halftime and took their first lead of the game with 5:53 left on a 12-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Clint Stoerner to wide receiver Bobby Sippio.
The Dallas defense stopped Columbus on its final two possessions in the fourth quarter to seal the victory.
The Desperados fell behind 17-0 in the first quarter after Stoerner fumbled snaps on the club's first two possessions. Stoerner also fumbled on Dallas's third drive, leading to a 59-yard field goal attempt by Carlos Martinez, which was blocked.
Columbus' own snap problems helped the Desperados climb back into the game in the second quarter. After Desperados FB/LB Duke Pettijohn closed the gap to 24-13 with a touchdown run, WR/DB Andrew Layton recovered a fumble by Destroyers quarterback Chad Salisbury, giving Dallas the ball at its own 17-yard line.
On fourth-and-four, Stoerner found WR/LB Bobby Sippio across the middle for a 27-yard touchdown. A successful two-point conversion attempt cut the Destroyers' lead to 24-21.
But penalties once again doomed the Desperados in the final minute of the half. Instead of getting the ball back inside the Columbus' 10-yard line, a pass interference call on Desperados DS Jermaine Jones gave the Destroyers an automatic first down. But after driving to the Dallas 9, Salisbury fumbled with eight seconds left to keep the score 24-21 at halftime.
Early in the third quarter, Sippio almost gave Dallas its first lead on an interception return for a touchdown, but he was flagged for roaming outside the box. Salisbury eventually scored on a four-yard quarterback draw to give Columbus a 31-21 lead.
The Desperados' first lead came with 5:53 left in the game after another Columbus miscue. After Pettis picked off Salisbury at the Desperados' 6-yard line, Stoerner directed a 44-yard drive and found Sippio in the end zone to take a 35-31 lead. Dallas stopped Columbus on its next drive and subsequently ran out the clock to seal its second victory of the season.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 13, 2005
- Soul's new additions pave way to win - Philadelphia Soul
- Kats Comeback Falls Short in Philly - Nashville Kats
- VooDoo win home opener over SaberCats, 62-61 - New Orleans VooDoo
- Desperados Outlast Columbus, 35-31 - Dallas Desperados
- Crush Falls to Rush, 49-48 - Colorado Crush
- Turnovers prove costly as Destroyers fall to Desperados, 35-31 - Columbus Destroyers
- New Orleans Edges SaberCats In Home Opener - San Jose SaberCats
- Rush, Gispert boot Crush, 51-48 - Chicago Rush
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