Destroyers drop heartbreaker to Cobras in inaugural home opener

Published on February 14, 2004 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Columbus Destroyers News Release


COLUMBUS, OH – The Arena Football League's Columbus Destroyers rolled out the turf for the first time Friday night in Nationwide Arena as the indoor game made its return to the city of Columbus. The team put on a great show in front of a sellout crowd, however fell short in the final seconds of play to drop a 54-53 decision to the Carolina Cobras in the team's inaugural home game.

The 11,171 fans in attendance were the most at a Destroyers game in the team's five-year history, dating back to when the team played out of Buffalo, NY.

Rookie quarterback Ryan Vena led the Destroyers' offensive attack, completing 22-of-31 pass attempts for 256 yards and five touchdowns, while throwing one interception. Wide receiver/linebacker Cornelius White, who was named Game MVP, led the team in receiving, catching 10 balls for 106 yards and two touchdowns. Wide receiver/linebacker Sedrick Robinson followed White with five catches for 69 yards. Robinson continued the Destroyers' strong special teams play, returning four kickoffs for 117 yards and adding his second kick return for a touchdown in as many weeks.

Quarterback Matt Nagy led the Cobras to their second consecutive win to open up the season after completing 26-of-39 passes for 296 yards and five touchdowns. Offensive specialist Todd Doxzon led his team in receiving for the second week in a row after recording 10 catches for 128 yards and two touchdowns. Wide receiver/defensive back Damien Groce added seven catches for 91 yards and a game-high three touchdowns, including the game-winning reception on the final play of the game.

After finding themselves in an early 14-0 hole, the Destroyers scored three touchdowns during the ensuing nine minutes of play to take their first lead of the contest, 21-20, midway through the second quarter. Wide receiver/linebacker Sedrick Robinson returned his second kickoff for a touchdown this season, scampering 57 yards for the go-ahead score.

The two teams would trade touchdowns in the final minutes of the second quarter as the Destroyers took a 35-34 advantage into halftime. Columbus moved the ball 40 yards in the final 21 seconds of play, ending on a nine-yard connection between Vena and White, giving the Destroyers the one-point lead.

After the Destroyers scored 15 unanswered points to open up the third quarter, the Cobras fought right back, scoring the game's next 14 points to make the score 53-48 with Columbus clinging to their lead late in the second half. The Cobras had 56 seconds to work with in the game's closing moments to orchestrate a game-winning score. On six plays beginning on their own five yard-line, the Cobras methodically marched the ball down to the Columbus six yard-line with two seconds remaining on the clock. On the drive's seventh play, Nagy found room in the pocket and hooked up with a streaking Groce to give the Cobras a one point victory.

The Destroyers return to the field next Saturday, February 21 when the team travels to Philadelphia to face the expansion Soul in an Eastern division matchup for the second week in a row. Following next week's game, the Destroyers return to Nationwide Arena on February 29 to host the Dallas Desperados for the team's first nationally televised game, which is set to air live on NBC Sports. Destroyers season tickets are available starting as low as $72 for eight games and single-game seats, starting as low as $9, are also on sale now. Single-game tickets may be purchased at Nationwide Arena, at the Chillers in Dublin and Easton and through Ticketmaster. For season ticket information, visit www.columbusdestroyers.com or call (614) 246-HITS.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 14, 2004


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