Desperados Rout Storm, 64-35
March 12, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Dallas Desperados News Release
Desperados quarterback Clint Dolezel and his team "stormed" their way into history Sunday in Tampa Bay.
Dolezel became the third quarterback in AFL history to throw 700 career touchdown passes, and the Desperados (6-1) jumped out to their best start ever by routing the Storm 64-35 at St. Pete Times Forum.
"It means I'm old and I'm 300 away from 1,000," Dolezel joked on NBC after his 700th score, a 22-yard pass to FB/LB Duke Pettijohn.
Dolezel (125 games) became the fastest player to reach the 700 Club, joining AFL veterans Andy Kelly and Aaron Garcia. He finished with 338 yards and a season-high eight touchdown passes, including three each to WR/DB Will Pettis and OS Terrill Shaw.
The Desperados' 29-point win also ties their largest margin of victory in franchise history.
The Desperados' defense gave Dolezel solid field position on several drives. Dallas forced seven stops for the second straight game and beat up Storm quarterback Shane Stafford, who was sacked three times and played with bruised ribs for much of the day.
Pettijohn was named Ironman of the Game after finishing with seven tackles, two forced fumbles and a sack on defense.
"Guys just stepped up and did exactly what we asked them to do," Desperados head coach Will McClay said. "It's about focusing and finishing because that's how we get better as a team."
The Desperados held Tampa Bay's top-ranked scoring offense to seven points in the first half and built a 20-7 lead. The Storm (4-3) had only 88 yards of total offense at halftime.
The Desperados were flagged for 11 penalties in the first half but continued to play aggressively. The defense forced another stop on the opening drive of the third quarter when Pettijohn broke up Stafford's fourth-down pass. On the next drive, Dolezel tossed another touchdown pass to Pettis to give Dallas a commanding 27-7 lead.
Desperados WR/DB Bobby Perry recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff, but Dolezel gave the ball right back with his third interception of the season. Tampa Bay quickly scored to make it 27-14.
But the Desperados outscored Tampa Bay 37-21 the rest of the game. Perry picked off Stafford midway through the fourth quarter, and Desperados backup Chris Greisen threw his first career touchdown pass to make the score 64-28.
The Desperados guaranteed themselves of maintaining their two-game lead in the Eastern Division. They are now 2-0 on their current three-game road trip, which ends next Sunday in Orlando against the Predators (4-3).
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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 12, 2006
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