Kats Stun San Jose, 57-55
April 30, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Nashville Kats News Release
Nobody gave them much of a chance, but the Nashville Kats, who entered Friday's game against the defending champion San Jose SaberCats as 15-point underdogs, went on the road and got one of the biggest wins in franchise history. The 57-55 victory solidified Nashville's place as one of the most dangerous teams in the league, as the Kats are now unbeaten in their last five games.
Leon Murray, who finished 18-of-36 for 235 yards, tied a career high with eight touchdown passes and did not throw an interception for the third straight game. He threw three of his TD's to former SaberCat Fred Coleman, including a 13-yarder with 4:21 to go that gave Nashville an eight-point lead.
San Jose, which boasts one of the most potent offenses in league history, cut the lead to two with just :14 left on a three-yard run by Steve Warren. However, the subsequent two-point conversion failed, and the Kats hung on for the win.
The Kats rallied from an early 10-point deficit to take the lead twice in the first half. Murray threw four first half TD's, including a 45-yard bomb to T.T. Toliver. But San Jose was able to take a 34-30 lead into the half when Rashied Davis scored his fourth TD of the half on a 14-yard pass from Mark Grieb with just :20 left.
In the second half, the Kats rallied to take the lead again when Darryl Hammond caught his second TD of the game with just :43 left in the third quarter. The score gave the Kats a 44-41 lead, and they would never trail again.
San Jose's attack, while still powerful, was slowed significantly from last week, when they scored 89 points on Colorado. The Kats forced three turnovers, including two interceptions by the game's defensive MVP Kahlil Carter. Mark Grieb, who was 15-for-15 last week and connected on his first eight passes tonight, finished the game 26-of-35 for 331 yards and five touchdowns. He was intercepted twice. Rashied Davis scored four times in the game, including once on a one-yard run.
The Kats' kicking game continued to plague them, as Tony Dodson was just one-of-three on field goals and also missed two extra points.
Nashville, which is in the midst of a league-best five-game unbeaten streak remains in the playoff hunt at 5-7-1. The Kats return home to take on Grand Rapids next Saturday. San Jose drops to 8-5 on the year.
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