Late Score Surges Power To Victory
May 15, 2011 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Pittsburgh Power News Release
PITTSBURGH--For 45 minutes, the Pittsburgh Power trailed the San Jose SaberCats on Saturday night at the CONSOL Energy Center in front of 7,333. It took just 27 seconds for Bernard Morris to find Jason Willis standing wide open from 31 yards away in the end zone to catch what would be the game-winning touchdown, and the Spalding Highlight of the Game.
¬ÅIn my head all I was thinking was that I have to catch this, ¬Â Willis said.
The drive started with 41 seconds left to play, and Bernard Morris had one objective from Head Coach Chris Siegfried ¬"score. Six plays later, they did just that.
¬ÅWe knew that we needed a big play. We hadn ¬â¢t been running [Jason] Willis high motion so he was pretty fresh, ¬Â Siegfried said. ¬ÅHe was so open, I though [Willis] was going to fair catch the ball. ¬Â
The chances were aplenty for the Power to take the lead, though. Pittsburgh scored with 3:16 left in the game, as NiFTy Playmaker of the Game Mike Washington caught his fourth touchdown of the game, flipping over the boards. Trailing by two, Pittsburgh couldn ¬â¢t complete the two-point conversion and were forced to onside kick.
The kick bounced off a SaberCat, and despite the ball being in the hands of Lonell Dewalt, San Jose recovered. The Power defense would hold San Jose out of the end zone to get the ball, and eventually the score. San Jose receiver Burt Toler fell yards short of the goal line as the clock expired on the next drive, sealing the Pittsburgh win.
¬ÅWe ¬â¢ll take a win any way we can get it. The defense played unbelievable, ¬Â Siegfried said.
Up until that fourth quarter, just three touchdowns were scored in the second half. The Power defense showed up, allowing San Jose just 352 yards on offense.
Riddell Defensive Player of the Game Eddie Moten grabbed three interceptions for San Jose, including a critical fourth quarter interception. Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game and San Jose quarterback Mark Grieb responded with an interception of his own. He finished with 294 yards passing and four touchdowns.
Heading into halftime, Morris had thrown five touchdowns, three of which to Washington. He would double San Jose ¬â¢s total with eight--his season high. Washington also grabbed a season high four touchdown catches on 120 yards receiving. Willis pulled in three.
¬ÅI think Bernard ¬â¢s starting to get a connection with all of us. As long as we get the reps, we ¬â¢ll keep getting better, ¬Â Washington said.
Pittsburgh jumped to a 14-0 lead before San Jose scored 21 unanswered points to end the first quarter with touchdowns from JLS Ironman Chad Cook and James Roe. Cook netted three rushing touchdowns total. Before the comeback, San Jose had scored on six-of-seven drives.
The win, combined with a Cleveland loss, brings the Power to within a half-game for the lead of the division, with sights set on two games from now where the teams will likely face off for the division lead.
Pittsburgh (5-4) takes a week off before traveling to Dallas on May 28th. San Jose (5-4) will travel to Utah to face the Blaze on May 21st.
Post-Game Awards
Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game ¬" Mark Grieb, San Jose
Riddell Defensive Player of the Game ¬" Eddie Moten, San Jose
JLS Ironman - Chad Cook, San Jose
NiFTy Playmaker of the Game ¬" Mike Washington, Pittsburgh
Cutler Catch of the Game ¬" Mike Washington ¬â¢s tipped TD catch, Pittsburgh
Spalding Highlight of the Game ¬" Jason Willis ¬â¢s game-winning touchdown catch, Pittsburgh
Savoy Player of the Game ¬" Mike Washington, Pittsburgh
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