McPherson, Firebirds Burn Cobras 65-31
April 11, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Carolina Cobras News Release
INDIANAPOLIS, IN â Quarterback Adrian McPherson accounted for six touchdowns in leading the Indiana Firebirds to a convincing 65-31 victory over the Carolina Cobras on Easter Sunday at the Conseco Fieldhouse. The first-year signal caller did not throw an incomplete pass until late in the third quarter as he passed for five touchdowns, and ran for another, in helping the home team to its fifth straight victory. Carolina lost its third straight contest to drop its record to 3-7 and put the team's playoff hopes in jeopardy.
The Firebirds used a near-perfect first-half performance by McPherson to take a 34-17 lead after two quarters, an advantage they would build on throughout the second half. The Cobras struggled to contain the Indiana passing game all afternoon, while also committing three turnovers and losing the ball twice on downs.
Carolina's loss drops them 2.5 games behind New York and Los Angeles, who are tied at 5-4 currently tied for seventh in the league standings. The top eight teams in the league qualify for the AFL postseason. Indiana improved to 5-5 on the year and is currently tied for ninth in the 19-team league in the battle for playoff position.
McPherson earned Offensive Player of the Game honors, completing 13-of-15 passes for 194 yards, while also adding his 13th rushing touchdown of the year. Evan Hlavacek was named Ironman of the Game honors after he posted a 55-yard kickoff return for a touchdown as well as a 45-yard scoring reception and five tackles on defense. Andy McCullough led the Indiana receivers with five receptions for 42 yards.
Carolina was paced by Matt Nagy, who completed 26-of-43 passes for 289 yards and three touchdowns. The second-year quarterback also committed two turnovers in the contest. Todd Doxzon posted strong numbers once again as he reeled in seven passes for 111 yards and a score.
Indiana took control of the contest in the first half, capitalizing on two Carolina turnovers to grab a 34-17 advantage. McPherson led the onslaught, completing all seven of his pass attempts through two quarters for 139 yards and three touchdowns, while also adding a one-yard scoring run. The Cobras were flustered throughout the first half, posting only 17 points despite controlling the ball for over 18 minutes.
Carolina fell behind after one quarter of play for the third consecutive game as the club surrendered 14 consecutive points after taking an early 7-0 lead. Carolina got on the board on the first possession of the game as Sean Tremblay reeled in his second scoring reception of the year just over four minutes into the game, however, it did not take long for Indiana to respond as McPherson found a streaking Brett Bech just two plays later for a 32-yard scoring connection to knot the game at 7-7. Indiana gained the early momentum minutes later by capitalizing on an interception by Jordan Younger with an 15-yard scoring reception by McCullough.
The Firebirds continued its opportunistic play in the second frame, building their lead up to 20 points late in the quarter. Following a 49-yard missed field goal by Rob Bironas to begin the stanza, Indiana's Leroy Thompson rumbled in from one yard out for his third touchdown run of the year to extend the Firebirds lead to 21-7. Both teams traded long scoring passes in the game's next few minutes as Nagy found Doxzon for a 41-yard touchdown and McPherson hit Hlavacek with a 45-yard scoring strike. Carolina turned over the ball once again on their next possession as Delvin Hughley forced a fumble by Doxzon to set up McPherson's 13th scoring run of the year. Bironas cut the Indiana advantage to 34-17 with a 30-yard field goal as time expired in the first half.
Indiana began the second half much like it finished the first as Hlavacek returned the opening kickoff for a score. It marked the fifth kickoff return for a touchdown surrendered by the Cobras special teams this season. After the Firebirds forced Carolina to turn over the ball on downs on their first possession of the half, Clay Rush connected on a 57-yard field goal â the longest kick allowed in Cobras history â to extend the home team's lead to 27 points, 44-17. Carolina responded with a one-yard scoring reception by Damien Groce on the ensuing possession to leave the game at 44-24 heading into the final quarter.
The lead continued to grow in the final frame as McPherson connected with Bech and Anthony Hines for touchdowns to build the advantage to 58-24 with 10 minutes remaining. Tremblay posted his second score of the afternoon, recovering a fumble by teammate Chris Pope in the end zone, and Indiana's Tony Zimmerman completed an 11-yard scoring pass to Hines to complete the game's scoring.
Carolina returns home next weekend to host the expansion Philadelphia Soul in Eastern Division action. Kickoff is scheduled for Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. at the Charlotte Coliseum.
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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 11, 2004
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