Late TD Run Halts Firebirds Rally, 41-40
February 14, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Albany/Indiana Firebirds News Release
New Orleans FB/LB Dan Curran ran the ball in from two yards out with no time remaining on the clock to lift the VooDoo to a 41-40 victory over the Indiana Firebirds Saturday afternoon, in front of 14,236 fans at the New Orleans Arena. The Firebirds (0-2) outscored New Orleans (2-0) 24-13 in the second half, but fell one play short of earning the their first win of the season.
DS Anthony Derricks, who finished the game with a team-high seven solo tackles and four pass breakups, forced a fumble with 2:40 left to play and the Firebirds leading 40-34, but a Clay Rush 56-yard field goal attempt fell about six inches short, giving the VooDoo one last chance to win.
Indiana QB Tony Zimmerman, staring his first career game in the AFL, started off slowly, but picked it up in the second half, finshing the game 19-of-34 for 178 yards and two touchdowns. Evan Hlavacek brought his all-around game to the table in New Orleans, catching a team-high six passes for 59 yards and a touchdown.
The Firebirds trailed 28-26 at the half, but Hlavacek returned the opening kickoff of the second half 56-yards to paydirt, bringing the visitors within five. A defensive stop, followed by Hlavacek's 14-yard scoring reception got the Firebirds in front for the first time in the game, leading 30-28.
New Orleans QB John Fitzgerald, name the Game MVP, then hit Calvin Spears for the first of two second half touchdowns for the VooDoo. Rush converted his second field goal of the day (41, 27) and another defensive stop got Indiana the ball with 9:00 left in the game.
Zimmerman then found OS Mike Horacek for a 30-yard touchdown, which was followed by DS Delvin Hughley's recovery of the Derricks forced fumble.
The Firebirds travel to Detroit next week for a Monday night AFL match-up with the Detroit Fury. The game can be heard live on ESPN 950AM and 95.5 WIJY.
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