McPherson, Firebirds continue surge
April 11, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Albany/Indiana Firebirds News Release
Adrian McPherson didn't throw an incompletion until there was one minute left in the third quarter, completing his first 11 passes for 161 yards and three touchdowns en route to a perfect 158.3 quarterback rating, leading the Firebirds in a 65-31 romp over the Carolina Cobras.
While the offense led the way to victory, it was the defense that stood tall early on. After the teams traded touchdowns in the first quarter, Jordan Younger (ADT Co-Defensive Player of the Game) picked off a Matt Nagy pass intended for Todd Doxzon and returned it to the Carolina 24. Three plays later, McPherson (Baby Ruth Real Deal Offensive Player of the Game) found Andy McCullough who made a spectacular diving catch in the front of the end zone to give the Birds their first lead at 14-7.
Indiana's defense stood tall on the ensuing drive, forcing Carolina to attempt a 49-yard field goal which kicker Rob Bironas missed wide right. Evan Hlavacek (U.S. Army Ironman of the Game) returned the kick 23 yards to the Firebird 20. From there, Leroy Thompson took over. Thompson, who is not normally known for his pass catching abilities, took a shovel pass from McPherson and rumbled 18 yards through the defense to the Carolina 18. Following a 16-yard completion from McPherson to Brett Bech (3 catches, 54 yards, 2 TDs), Thompson thundered in from one yard out to give Indiana a commanding 21-7 lead.
Carolina's offense finally broke through on the following drive, as two plays later Nagy found Todd Doxzon (7 catches, 111 yards, 1 TD) streaking down the center of the field for a 41-yard touchdown completion. However, Carolina's momentum was short lived. Bironas sent the ensuing kickoff out of bounds for a touchback, and one play later McPherson hooked up with Hlavacek, who found himself wide open on the right side of the field for a 45-yard touchdown to swing the momentum back in Indiana's direction.
Three plays later, Nagy found Doxzon in the open field, however Ryan Bowers stripped the ball loose and Hans Olsen pounced on it. Three plays later, McPherson snuck into the end zone behind a solid block from center Chris Janek to give the Birds a commanding 34-14 lead.
Carolina got the ball one last time at the end of the second quarter, however they failed to advance the ball past the Firebird 14, settling for a 30-yard field goal from Bironas to get within 17.
That was as close as they would get however. Hlavacek took the second half opening kickoff 57 yards, dodging both Carolina defenders and the sideboards for his second kickoff return touchdown of the season. It was all downhill from there for Indiana, as they proceeded to outscore Carolina 24-14 the rest of the way.
Clay Rush had yet another solid game, converting 8-of-9 extra point attempts and drilling a 57-yard field goal midway through the third quarter to help keep the momentum on Indiana's side. Rush has converted both of his field goal attempts from 55+ yards, having converted a 59-yarder earlier in the season at Austin.
Cobras QB Matt Nagy was solid in the loss, completing 26-of-43 passes for 289 yards and three touchdowns while completing at least one pass to eight different receivers. He spent most of the game on the run however, as the Indiana defensive line broke through for three sacks, two of which were made by Mike Sutton (ADT Co-Defensive Player of the Game).
The win marks Mike Wilpolt's fifth consecutive victory, setting the record for best start by a head coach in Firebirds history. It also marks the sixth time the Cobras have lost in their last seven games and their third consecutive loss.
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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 11, 2004
- Wranglers snub the Force, 42-26 - Austin Wranglers
- Rush knocks off defending champs, 51-36 - Chicago Rush
- McPherson, Firebirds continue surge - Albany/Indiana Firebirds
- McPherson, Firebirds Burn Cobras 65-31 - Carolina Cobras
- Arizona outguns Las Vegas, 80-63 - Las Vegas Gladiators
- Rattlers quiet Gladiators, 80-63 - Arizona Rattlers
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