Kats win over San Jose
March 25, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Nashville Kats News Release
The Nashville Kats continued their winning ways at home, and despite a late scoring frenzy from the San Jose SaberCats, held for a close victory, 51-48.
The Kats (6-3) advanced to 5-0 at home for the first time in team history, in front of a crowd totaling 8,905.
"It's great that we have such a home field advantage," said Kats head coach Pat Sperduto. "The Nashville fans have been great for us, and I'm positive they're going to keep coming out and showing their support.
The day belonged to Kats' wide receiver/linebacker Cory Fleming. Midway through the second quarter, his seven-yard reception put him over the 10,000-yard mark for his career. The nine-year veteran is the fourth player in AFL history to gain that many yards receiving all-time. He finished with seven receptions for 85 yards and two touchdowns. Fleming also recovered three San Jose onside kicks, returning the last one for Nashville's final touchdown by dragging several defenders on his back. He was awarded both the Offensive Player of the Game and the ADT Ironman of the Game.
"I'm not one to be big into records," Sperduto said. "But him stepping up tonight is very beneficial for our team. We couldn't have won this ballgame without him."
Also valuable to the victory was quarterback Leon Murray, who started his second consecutive game for the injured Clint Stoerner. Murray completed 16 of 29 passes for 199 yards, along with three touchdowns and two interceptions.
"I was happy for Leon to have a big game," said Fleming. "We needed him tonight."
Offensive specialist T.T. Tolliver had a productive game as well, hauling in three passes for 51 yards and two touchdowns. He also threw a touchdown pass to Fleming off of an end-around in the third quarter.
"It's really important to get guys like T.T. and Cory back in stride," Sperduto said. "I thought both of them played great."
The typically stingy Kats defense contained the SaberCats' offense for most of the game. However, quarterback Mark Grieb threw San Jose back into the game, paving the way for 22 fourth quarter points. Grieb ended up with almost 300 yards and four touchdowns, three of which went to wide receiver Ben Nelson.
SaberCats running back/linebacker Brian Johnson bulldozed his way around the goal line, contributing three touchdowns of his own off of seven carries for 17 yards.
"The San Jose offense is very underrated," Fleming said.
For all the fourth quarter fireworks, the Kats' defense still played well. They forced three turnovers, all of which translated into Nashville touchdowns. Defensive lineman Joe Minucci constantly pressured Grieb, and at the start of the third quarter, combined with fellow lineman Frank Carter to sack him in the end zone for a safety. Defensive specialist Monty Montgomery, playing with a cast on his hand, added five tackles and an interception to garner Defensive Player of the Game honors.
The Kats scored 50 points for the fifth time, a mark they hit only three times all of last season.
Nashville's next game is at the defending Arena Bowl champion Colorado Crush on April 1. Their next home game is April 14 against the Philadelphia Soul.
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