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Firebirds WIn Sixth Straight by Defeating Rampage, 69-45

April 17, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Albany/Indiana Firebirds News Release


The Indiana Firebirds won their sixth straight game, marking the longest streak in the AFL this season, by defeating the Grand Rapids Rampage, 60-35, in front of 9,832 fans at the Van Andel Arena Saturday night. QB Adrian McPherson, who was named the Nestle's Baby Ruth Real Deal Player of the Game, accounted for five touchdowns (4 pass, 1 rush) and Indiana took advantage of three Rampage fumbles to increase the longest winning streak in franchise history.

Grand Rapids got on top 7-0 when QB Michael Bishop followed two straight completions with a 1-yard touchdown run, moving 45 yards, on the team's first possession. The Firebirds answered with a 9-yard scoring strike from QB Adrian McPherson to OS Anthony Hines, evening the score midway through the first quarter. Hines, Indiana's leading receiver, caught both passes on the drive for 37 total yards.

After Rampage kicker Stephen Scaldaferri missed a field goal from midfield, McPherson brought his offense back on to the field looking for their first lead of the game. The reigning AFL Rookie of the Month proceeded to find WR/LB Andy McCullough, who ripped the ball away from a Rampage defender for a 26-yard touchdown, to go up 14-0. On the drive, Grand Rapids lost the services of veteran linemen Rickie Simpkins for the rest of the night with an undefined leg injury.

Both teams began the second quarter with unsuccessful field goal attempts, the Rampage missing two consecutive. The second portion of the quarter however would have Indiana score three times and the Rampage get a 57-yard kick return for a touchdown by Steve Smith, sending it to the locker room with the Firebirds ahead 30-14. On their final drive of the half, OL/DL Chris Snyder caught his first pass of the season, an 18-yard reception, to give Indiana a crucial first down en route to a Clay Rush 32-yard field goal.

Bishop showed his amazing elusiveness throughout the half, escaping several Indiana linemen on their way to apparent sacks. The 1998 Heisman Trophy runner-up finished the half completing just 5-of-14 pass attempts for 63 yards without a touchdown. McPherson ended the first two quarters 7-of-14 for 123 yards and three touchdowns, plus a one-yard scoring run late in the half.

Indiana opened the second half with the ball and missed a 42-yard field goal on the first drive, giving it over to Bishop and the Rampage with 12:07 left in the third quarter. Bishop ran the offense down the field, picking up 35 rushing yards on the drive, and finishing with a 7-yard touchdown toss to Josh Bush, making the score 30-21.

McPherson answered the Grand Rapids score by hitting Brett Bech for a 30-yard completion, followed by a 13-yard romp by fullback Jarrod Penright to get the ball inside the Rampage 5-yard line. On the next play, Penright carried the ball in for his first rushing touchdown of the season. Following the ensuing kickoff, BIshop dropped back into his own endzone and Indiana's Hans Olsen recorded a sack and forced a fumble that DS Anthony Derricks jumped on for the defensive score, putting the Firebirds up 44-21. For Derricks, who came into the game as the league's leader in pass deflections (16), it was his first score in an Indiana uniform. For his efforts the fourth-year AFL pro was named the ADT Defensive Player of the Game.

Grand Rapids replaced Bishop with Anthony Buich and Buich led the Rampage to a score in his first possession, hitting fullback Chris Avery with an 18-yard touchdown pass to get within sixteen points entering the final quarter.

With fifteen minutes remaining to prevent Grand Rapids from earning their second straight win, McPherson trotted on the field looking to put the game out of reach. Receptions by Hines and Evan Hlavacek moved the ball to the Rampage 16-yard line and two plays later Bech caught a hitch pass and burned his way to paydirt, making the score 51-28 with under eleven minutes to play.

Grand Rapids fumbled away the ensuing kickoff, recovered by Firebirds' 4-year veteran Ricky Hall, ending all chances at a comeback. Penright would reach the endzone for the second time following the fumble as the rookie finished with a career-high 38 rushing yards, 1.5 tackles and a forced fumble, en route to being named the US Army Ironman of the Game. A late Clay Rush field goal from 21-yards away, followed by Smith's second 57-yard kick return touchdown of the game, made the score, 60-42. For Smith, it was his fifth return touchdown of the season, leading the AFL in that category. The record for kick return touchdowns in a single season is seven.

Indiana's McCullough took a late onside kick attempt 12-yards for a touchdown, ending the scoring for the Firebirds. Avery got a 1-yard scoring run as the clock expired, making the final, 67-49. The point total was the second-highest of the season for the Firebirds and marked the third time in the past six games they have surpassed the 60-point mark.

Indiana head coach Mike Wilpolt has not lost since being named to the position before week six.

The Firebirds return home next Saturday, April 25th to host the Arizona Rattlers (5-5) in AFL on NBC match-up. Kickoff is set for 2:00 PM (Indiana time) and could be a crucial game for both teams as they head towards the AFL playoffs. The top eight overall records advance to the post-season and entering this week the Firebirds were tied for the number nine position.

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