Jungle Kats Earn First Win in Franchise History, Beat Fusion 35-32
May 6, 2007 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Cincinnati Jungle Kats News Release
CINCINNATI, Ohio - Home field advantage paid off for the Cincinnati Jungle Kats (1-4) as they earned its first win in franchise history, outlasting the Fort Wayne Fusion (2-4) by a 35-32 score at U.S. Bank Arena on Saturday Night. Jungle Kats quarterback Brent Rawls completed 20 of 37 passes for 194 yards and 3 TD's while his counterpart Joe Micco went 13-for-29, 105 yards and 2 scores.
The Kats drew first blood in the first quarter when James Lewis caught a TD pass from Brent Rawls, putting the Kats up 7-0 with 1:40 gone. With a 7-0 lead, the Kats played solid defense the rest of the opening quarter, holding the one-score advantage through the first quarter. It was the first time this season that the Kats held a lead after the first frame.
The Fusion answered in the second, however, as Jonathan Graham and Alvin Jackson scored TD's off turnovers to claim the lead with less than two minutes to play before the break. After a failed offensive drive with under a minute to play, the Kats were forced to kick the ball away; however, after a fumbled return by the Fusion, Cincinnati regained the lead at the Fort Wayne 1-yard line. On the ensuing play, Kelvin Robinson came into the game and ran the ball into the endzone to regain an advantage, 14-12, as the first half expired.
Early in the third quarter, Fusion defender Derek Brown picked up a Brent Rawls fumble and returned it 42 yards for the touchdown, giving Fort Wayne a 19-14 advantage. Once again, though, the Kats were not phased; After an 19 yard catch by Derin Graham, Cincinnati brought in their jumbo package on first and goal. Kelvin Robinson once again took the ball and trucked his way into the endzone, putting the Kats up again, 21-19.
After one of many great defensive stands, the Kats offense went back to work. After a pass interference penalty against Fort Wayne, Rawls tossed a 24 yard strike to Derin Graham to extend the Kats lead - 28-19 with two minutes to play in the third quarter. For the first time this season, the Kats held a lead entering the final quarter of play.
In the fourth quarter, the Fusion outscored the Kats 13-7 but it would not matter as the Kats defense held tough to earn their first victory of the 2007, by the 35-31 count.
The Kats will play back-to-back home games for the first time in 2007 as they take on the Tennessee Valley Vipers next Saturday night from U.S. Bank Arena at 7:30pm. Great seats for the game are still available by calling 513.381.TURF or online at www.JungleKatsFootball.com. Fans can hear the action of next Saturday's tilt on 1530 HOMER - The Sports Animal beginning at 7:15pm.
Score by Quarters 1 2 3 4 Score
Fort Wayne Fusion 0 12 7 13 31 Record: (2-4)
Cincinnati Jungle Kats 7 7 14 7 35 Record: (1-4)
LEADERS:
PASSING: RAWLS, Brent (CIN) 37-20-2, 194 Yards, 3 TD MICCO, Joe (FW) 29-13-0, 105 Yards, 2 TD
RECEIVING: GRAHAM, Derin (CIN) 10-114, 2 TD GRAHAM, Jonathan (FW) 9-88, 3 TD
Schutt Offensive Player of the Game: Derin Graham
U.S. Army Ironman of the Game: Jamar Neely
ADT Defensive Player of the Game: Jamar Neely
Cutters Catch of the Game: Derin Graham
arenafootball2 Stories from May 6, 2007
- Jungle Kats Earn First Win in Franchise History, Beat Fusion 35-32 - Cincinnati Jungle Kats
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