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Grand Rapids loses to Nashville

May 8, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Grand Rapids Rampage News Release


NASHVILLE, Tenn. – After being unbeaten in their last five contests, the Nashville Kats entered Saturday night's game trying to keep their playoff hopes from becoming history while preventing opposing quarterback Michael Bishop from making history.

Mission accomplished for Nashville, on both fronts.

The Kats scored 17 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to preserve a 54-33 victory over the Grand Rapids Rampage in front of 10,033 fans at the Gaylord Entertainment Center.

"We've said all along that we have to take care of our own business on the field," Kats head coach Pat Spurduto said. "We came out and played a complete football game in all three phases tonight and picked up a big one."

Bishop entered the contest needing just 16 yards to break Adrian McPherson's single-season AFL rushing record. Spurduto's defense held the former Kansas State Wildcat to negative one yard on three carries and sacked him four times on the evening. Going into Saturday's game, Bishop was averaging 34.5 yards per game on the ground.

"He's an outstanding athlete who can beat you several ways," Spurduto said. "Our defense stepped up to the challenge and kept him in the pocket. We weren't going to let him beat us with his legs."

Nashville quarterback Leon Murray continued his recent tear. The Kats' signal caller completed 19-of-24 passes for 201 yards and five touchdowns to garner Offensive Player of the Game honors. Murray threw for eight scores in Nashville's 57-55 win over San Jose a week ago.

"Leon is our leader and he played like it tonight," Spurduto said. "He made good decisions and distributed the football well. I'm extremely proud of the way that he continues to play."

Grand Rapids jumped out of the gates quickly as Bishop connected with fullback Chris Avery for a 45-yard score on the game's first offensive play. The lead was short lived, however, and it would be the Rampage's only lead of the night.

On Nashville's opening possession, Murray marched his troops the length of the field before hitting T.T. Toliver for a 19-yard game-tying score.

On the Rampage's ensuing drive, Jarrick Hillery intercepted a Bishop pass to set up his first and Nashville's second score of the evening. Murray connected with Hillery for a 16-yard touchdown to give the Kats a lead that they would not relinquish. Hillery scored twice on the ground, twice in the air, and intercepted two passes Saturday night and was named Ironman of the Game for his two-way performance.

Grand Rapids got as close as four points in the second half, but defensive linemen Aaron McConnell and Ryan Roth each sacked Bishop on a critical third quarter drive to give the Nashville offense the football. McConnell logged to sacks on the evening and was named Defensive Player of the Game.

Fred Coleman added two touchdown catches to help propel Nashville to victory, and Avery scored twice in the losing effort for Grand Rapids.

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