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AFL I Arena Football League (1987-2008)

Friday Night Recaps

June 1, 2002 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release


ORLANDO 33, Carolina 30 (11,599)

ORLANDO, Fla. (Ticker) – NATHAN TROUT kicked the game-winning field goal as time expired to help the Orlando Predators slip past the Carolina Cobras, 33-30.

Trout, who had been 1-for-2 on extra-point attempts on the night, smacked a 23-yard field goal to give Orlando (3-4) its second straight victory. JAY GRUDEN finished 18-for-32 for 174 yards with three TDs and was intercepted twice. Gruden connected with ANDRE COOPER for two TDs.

Cooper, who earned game MVP honors, hauled in a 15-yard pass as time expired in the first half to pull the Predators within one. He then caught an 11 yard score to open the fourth quarter and supply Orlando with a 30-23 lead.

JOHN FITZGERALD, in his second start of the season, completed 25-of-38 passes for 223 yards and two TDs for Carolina (4-3). He escaped without throwing an interception against the league's top rated passing defense.

AARON BAILEY hauled in a game-high 11 catches for 133 yards and two scores for the Cobras, who failed to gain a three-game lead in the Southern Division with the loss.

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Tampa Bay 53, INDIANA 52 (10,023)

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (Ticker) – MIKE BLACK kicked the game-winning field goal as time expired to lift the Tampa Bay Storm over the Indiana Firebirds, 53-52.

Former Cincinnati Bengal COREY SAWYER intercepted RAYMOND PHILYAW late in the fourth quarter, which set up the game-winning drive for Tampa Bay (2-5). With three seconds remaining, Black connected on a 21-yard field goal to hand Indiana the loss.

SCOTT MILANOVICH completed 24-of-38 passes for 321 yards and five TDs. CALVIN SCHEXNAYDER hauled in eight catches for 100 yards and two TDs for the Storm, who snapped a two-game losing streak.

TERENCE DAVIS caught 10 passes for 189 yards and four TDs, earning game MVP honors for his performance for the Firebirds (3-4). Philyaw finished 15-for-25 with six TDs, but threw the late interception, which was the difference.

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Grand Rapids 71, ARIZONA 53 (13,716)

Phoenix, Ariz. (Team Reports) – CLINT DOLEZEL threw eight TD passes to lead the defending ArenaBowl champion Grand Rapids Rampage to a 71-53 victory over the Arizona Rattlers.

Dolezel completed 22-of-31 passes for 305 yards and no interceptions to earn game MVP honors for the first time this season. STEVE SMITH led all Rampage receivers with nine catches for 117 yards and four TDs. Game Ironman WILLIS MARSHALL had five receptions for 118 yards and a score, while veteran GARY COMPTON added six catches for 51 yards and three TDs on offense and an interception for Grand Rapids (5-2).

SHERDRICK BONNER completed 23-of-41 passes for 210 yards and six TDs (one interception) in Rattlers' loss, which snapped a five-game winning streak. CHRIS HORN pulled in 13 receptions for 126 yards and four TDs; he also returned ten kicks for 250 yards for Arizona (5-2).

** CAREER MARKS: On a first-half pass from Bonner, Arizona's HUNKIE COOPER scored his 1,000th career point. Bonner, in his ninth AFL season, claimed the top spot on the AFL's career passing TD list with 419, surpassing previous leader AARON GARCIA (415). [Close behind is Dallas Desperados QB ANDY KELLY (413), who takes the field tonight against Los Angeles.]

Dolezel edged TODD HAMMEL (353), who is also on Grand Rapids roster, for the fourth spot among the career TD passers with 355.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from June 1, 2002


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