Kats lose Heartbreaker to Divison Rival Crush 55-48
April 1, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Nashville Kats News Release
COLORADO-The Nashville Kats (2-3) were defeated by the Colorado Crush (3-2) 55-48 in front of 13,623 Sunday afternoon at the Pepsi Center, the largest crowd the Kats have played in front of this season. The loss makes the series record against the Crush 1-4 all time in favor of Colorado. Kats QB Jeff Smoker was named Offensive Player of the Game after going 18-for-32 for 298 yards and three touchdowns while Crush DB was named Defensive Player of the Game after recording two interceptions. Kats DL James Baron was the Ironman of the Game for his presence on both sides of the ball.
After winning their last two consecutive contests, the Kats got an added bonus when veterans DB Monty Montgomery and FB/LB Rupert Grant were activated from injury reserve. Montgomery was special in his return, limiting back-to-back AFL Offensive Player of the Year Damian Harrell to five catches for 57 yards but Harrell was able to continue his streak of consecutive games with a receiving touchdown (70) when he scored on a four-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter. Grant was a force on both sides of the ball, providing a leadership presence in his return to the Kats. The Kats also activated rookie offensive lineman Isaiah Ross from injured reserve and made his first career start. Second-year WR Alonzo Nix made his way back to the Kats' starting lineup after being out the previous two weeks with a sore hamstring. Nix recorded two catches for 20 yards in his return.
An intense division rivalry already, the Kats were welcomed with boos by hostile Crush fans. The hostility transferred to the field immediately as the first quarter was filled with big hits by the Kats and Crush alike. Kats DB Ahmad Hawkins, fresh off his Week 4 ADT Defensive Player of the Week award, was the deliverer on one of the blows, jarring the ball loose from Harrell. Hawkins made his return to Colorado after being released by Colorado earlier in the season. The Crush struck first as QB John Dutton found WR Brad Pyatt in the endzone for a four-yard touchdown. Nashville responded when Rookie QB Jeff Smoker rushed for his first rushing touchdown of the season on a quarterback sneak up the middle. Down 17-7 with just over seven minutes remaining in the half, Nashville exploded for 21 points ( Dan Alexander TD runs of 15 and 9 and a eight-yard TD pass from Smoker to Cornelius Bonner) to give the Kats the lead 28-24 at the end of the first half.
The third quarter started slow with both teams only scoring a combined 16 points after a 38 combined point second quarter. Smoker found DL/TE James Baron in the endzone for Baron's first touchdown since 2004 when he was a member of the Chicago Rush. The Crush had the home field advantage and showed their offensive prowess by scoring 28 points in the fourth quarter to defeat the Kats. Many believed the Kats would go on to defeat the Crush when they were up 48-34 midway through the fourth quarter until a Jason Witczak 30-yard field goal was blocked that the Crush would score on the next possession to make the score 48-41. With the score tied at 48 with :32 seconds remaining, Smoker was intercepted by former Kat Chris Angel and returned the pick 26 yards. FB Robert Thomas went on to propel the Crush to victory with a one-yard score.
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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 1, 2007
- Blaze maintain division lead with 57-47 victory in Vegas - Utah Blaze
- Soul escape New York with win, 65-60 - Philadelphia Soul
- Crush win 55-48 in dramatic last minute comeback over Nashville - Colorado Crush
- Gladiators fall to Utah at home - Las Vegas Gladiators
- Kats lose Heartbreaker to Divison Rival Crush 55-48 - Nashville Kats
- Turnovers Costly in Soul's Defeat of the Dragons - New York Dragons
- D'Orazio, Sippio lead Rush to 66-31 rout of L.A. - Chicago Rush
- Wranglers lose to Desperados in final minute, 68-64 - Austin Wranglers
- SaberCats Down Storm 69-49 - San Jose SaberCats
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