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Destroyers downed by Dallas

May 3, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Columbus Destroyers News Release


COLUMBUS, OHIO- The Columbus Destroyers, presented by Germain, fell to the Dallas Desperados 48-45 on Huntington Field at Nationwide Arena in front of 14,310 fans Saturday night. The Destroyers could not come up with an answer to Dallas' late fourth quarter touchdown. Columbus falls to 2-7 overall and the Desperados improve to 8-1.

Columbus quarterback Matt Nagy had another strong outing, completing 21-28 passes for 267 yards and four touchdowns. Nagy also matched a career-high with two rushing touchdowns. Derek Lee led the Destroyer receiving corps with 12 catches for 160 yards and two touchdowns.

Dallas quarterback Clint Dolezel took home Offensive Player of the Game honors with 291 yards and seven touchdowns on 24-37 passing. Desperados wide receiver Marcus Nash was Dolezel's favorite target as he made 10 catches for 130 yards and four touchdowns.

Desperados defensive back Pete Hunter, was named Defensive Player of the Game with 11.0 total tackles (10UT-2AT). Wide receiver/defensive back Will Pettis took home the Ironman Award. He caught eight passes for 97 yards and three touchdowns, had 167 return yards on nine attempts and added 2.0 tackles (2UT-0AT).

With 5:55 remaining in the first quarter, Dolezel moved up in the Arena Football League record books as he completed a five-yard pass to Anthony Armstrong. He became the AFL's all-time passing yards leader, the 13-year veteran now has 45,793 for his career. The drive led to an eventual touchdown giving the Desperados a 14-13 lead with 3:14 remaining in the first quarter.

Dolezel threw two back-to-back interceptions (one to Tremaine Neal and one to Nate Coggins) and the Destroyers' offense capitalized on both turnovers with touchdowns giving Columbus a 27-14 advantage with 6:23 before halftime. After a Dallas touchdown, the Destroyers marched down the field and scored on a goal-line pass from Nagy to Peter Lazare-Saunders leaving the score 33-20 at the end of two quarters.

With the score 41-39 in favor of the Desperados, Harold Wells rushed for a two-yard touchdown that put the Destroyers back in the lead with less than a minute remaining in the contest. Dolezel led a three-play, 38-yard drive down the field to reclaim the lead as he found Pettis for a nine-yard touchdown and a 48-45 advantage. On their final possession, the Destroyers took the ball deep into Dallas territory on two receptions by Lee. With :04 seconds remaining in the game, Lewis missed a 25-yard attempt that would have sent the game to overtime.

The Destroyers return to action on Saturday, May 10, as they travel to Kansas City to take on the Brigade. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. (ET). The game can be heard on the Destroyers Radio Network and flagship station "The Wink" 107.1 FM with Todd Walker (play-by-play) and Rob Blackman (color commentator) on the call.

WE BELIEVE Saturdays are made for football. Single game tickets starting at just $15 are on sale now at the Nationwide Arena Ticket Office, ticketmaster Ticket Centers, ticketmaster.com and all FSN Ohio Blue Line team stores located at The Mall at Tuttle Crossing, Chiller Easton, Chiller Dublin and Chiller North.

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