Hawk, Wright Help Steeldogs Douse Fire, 63-60
May 5, 2006 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Alabama Steeldogs News Release
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Steeldogs QB Ryan Hawk completed 23 of 39 pass attempts for 311 yards and five touchdowns as the Birmingham Steeldogs defeated the Louisville Fire, 63-60, in front of 6,156 fans at the BJCC Arena.
Hawk's favorite target was OS Kerry Wright, who pulled down nine balls for 159 yards and two scores and came away with the Schutt Offensive Player of the Game award.
Birmingham (3-2) trailed 14-0 at the end of the first quarter, marking the second time in as many weeks that the team failed to score in the opening frame. Early in the second quarter, the Steeldogs finally broke through, as FB/LB Terrell Browden plunged into the end-zone from one yard out to close the margin to 14-6. The Steeldogs forced a fumble on the next Fire possession, and Hawk connected with Wright from 34 yards out to narrow the Louisville lead to two.
The Fire (2-3) closed the first half on a high note, scoring 14 points in the final six minutes and taking a 27-18 lead into the break.
The Steeldogs exploded in the third quarter, outscoring the Fire 28-7. Anthony Morris caught the first of his two touchdown passes in the quarter at the 13:34 mark, a 7-yard heave from Hawk. Wright reeled in a 13-yard bullet on the Steeldogs next drive, and Michael Gholar returned a Brett Dietz interception 27 yards for a score. Morris caught another touchdown pass with 5:13 left in the third to put the Steeldogs up 46-34.
Louisville made the game interesting late in the fourth quarter, as Lance Taylor returned a kickoff 50 yards for a score with 41 seconds remaining in the game. But the Steeldogs managed to hold on for the remaining seconds to preserve victory.
The U.S. Army Ironman of the Game was Louisville's Lance Taylor. The ADT Defensive Player of the Game was Birmingham's Michael Gholar. The Cutter's Catch of the Game belonged to Anthony Morris, a 16-yard touchdown reception with 5:13 remaining in the third quarter.
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