Desperados up record to 2-0 with 46-38 Victory Over Rush
February 9, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Dallas Desperados News Release
The Dallas Desperados upped their record to 2-0 for the first time in franchise history with a 46-38 victory over the Chicago Rush in front of 13,552 fans at Reunion Arena. The Desperados were led by game MVP Andy McCullough, who caught seven passes for 118 yards and 2 touchdowns. OL/DL Tom Briggs was named Ironman of the Game after posting three tackles and two sacks on defense while catching a 19-yard pass on offense.
The Rush opened the scoring when Jamie McGourty rumbled in from one yard out, giving Chicago a 6-0 lead following the missed PAT. Dallas then put together a five play drive, culminated with a 28-yard Jason Wells field goal. Chicago then drove to the Dallas 15-yard line before Keith Gispert missed a 30-yard field goal.
Early in the second quarter, Dallas took over the lead with a six-yard Jim Kubiak-to-Will Pettis touchdown pass. Chicago quickly responded when Billy Kicken connected with Dameon Porter with an eight-yard scoring pass for a 13-10 lead. Kubiak then hooked up with McCullough on a 31-yard touchdown pass to restake Dalals with the lead (17-13). The Rush quickly drove to the Dallas 10-yard line before Gispert converted a 24-yard field goal. After Jason Wells had a 34-yard field goal blocked as the half expired, Dallas took a 17-16 lead into halftime.
Three plays into the second half, Kubiak found McCullough for a 33-yard gain before finding Dialleo Burks with a seven-yard scoring pass. On the first play of Chicago's next possession, Dicken found Anthony Ladd deep down the middle for a 24-yard touchdown. The Desperados put together a six play drive that was capped by a one-yard Patrise Alexander scoring jaunt. On fourth-and-10 from their own seven-yard line, Chicago's Gispert missed a 62-yard field goal attempt that Carl Greenwood returned to the Chicago 11-yard line. On Dallas' next play, Kubiak connected with McCullough on an 11-yard touchdown pass and a 36-23 lead. Four plays later, Kareem Larrimore intercepted Dicken at the Dallas seven-yard line to thwart a Rush scoring chance as the third quarter ended.
Five plays into the fourth period, Kubiak found Burks in the end zone with a six-yard scoring pass and a 42-23 Dallas lead. After changing quarterbacks, Chicag's Chad Salisbury was picked off by Will Pettis deep down the left sideline, which Pattis returned 16 yards to the Dallas 23-yard line. The Desperados were unable to capitalize as Wells missed a 34-yard field goal. Salisbury then led the Rush to a 19-yard Salisbury-to-Antonio Chatman scoring pass. After Dallas recovered the ensuing on-side kick, Wells converted a 30-yard field goal for a 46-30 Desperados lead. Chicago then scored on an 11-yard Salisbury-to-Porter touchdown pass and Salisbury-to-Chatman two-point conversion to cut their deficit to eight points with 0:41 remaining in the game. Dallas recovered the ensuing on-side kick and ran out the clock to secure the victory.
The 38 points surrendered by Dallas today is the second fewest points allowed in franchise history. Lineman Briggs recorded two sacks for the second consecutive week, giving him a league-high four sacks on the season. The Desperados travel to Orlando next Sunday to take on the Predators at the TD Waterhouse Centre.
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