Missed Opportunities Lead to Rampage Win over Kats in Division Action
May 5, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Nashville Kats News Release
Grand Rapids, MICH- The Nashville Kats (4-6, 1-3) were defeated 77-55 by the Grand Rapids Rampage (3-6, 1-3) Saturday night at Van Andel Arena. Kats QB Jeff Smoker made his return to Michigan and led the Kats with a season-high 409 yards on 29-of-41 passing and six touchdowns. Grand Rapids took home all game honors as WR/ KR Timon Marshall (three touchdowns) received Offensive Player of the Game, DB Johnnie Harris Defensive Player of the Game (two interceptions) and Trey Bell Ironman of the Game. The win made the Kats 5-4 all-time against the Rampage and was their third American Central Division loss of 2007. The Rampage's 34 points in the first quarter and the 77 total points, were the most scored on the Kats in 2007.
A must win game for both clubs, the intensity and scoring were both high in the critical division showdown. After scoring on their opening drive of the game on a quick pass from Rampage QB Chad Salisbury to WR Jerome Riley for 15 yards, WR/LB Trey Bell stripped Kats WR Cornelius Bonner on a controversial call: Nashville believed Bonner was out-of-bounds. Two plays later, Salisbury found Riley on a juggling catch over AFL interception-leader Ahmad Hawkins for a seven-yard touchdown making the score 13-0 five minutes into the game after a missed Brian Gowins PAT. Making up for his fumble a series earlier, Bonner caught a QB Jeff Smoker pass and raced 47-yards for a touchdown with downfield blocks by the Kats to make the score 14-7. Inspired by the Rampage crowd, Grand Rapids' Mr. Everything WR/KR Timon Marshall took the ensuing kickoff coast-to-coast for a 57-yard touchdown. The track meet continued when Bonner caught his second touchdown of the game, this one on a 27-yard over-the-shoulder catch. Marshall continued his scoring when he scored his third touchdown, the third different way, when he recovered a Maurice Brown kickoff return fumble that he ran into the end zone. The first quarter ended with the score 34-14 Grand Rapids. The 48-point quarter was the most points by the Kats and their opponent, in the first quarter, in franchise history.
The second quarter started good for the Kats when newly signed Rampage WR and former Kat, Jermaine Lewis, caught a quick pass that he fumbled trying to gain extra yards. After the fumble recovery by Kats LB Liam Ezekiel, Nashville responded with a spectacular Smoker to Kenny Higgins pass and catch for a 23-yard touchdown cutting the Rampage's lead to 13 points. The Kats continued to fight and forced their second consecutive takeaway when Kats DB Ahmad Hawkins intercepted Salisbury in the end zone as the quarterback attempted a fade route over Hawkins. The interception was Hawkins' tenth of the season as he inches closer to the franchise-record of 11 and the AFL-record of 13 interceptions in a season. An attempt to hold the Rampage scoreless in the second quarter was failed when Salisbury threw another touchdown, this time to a FB Chris Ryan who rumbled seven yards to get into the end zone, pushing the Rampage's lead again to 20. Backs to the wall, Nashville again responded by cutting Grand Rapids' lead to 14 when Higgins caught his second touchdown of the night to make the score 41-28 Rampage at halftime.
The Kats had the chance to get closer to the Rampage when they opened the second half with the football but unfortunately for the Kats, their drive was cut short first when a FB Dan Alexander 18-yard touchdown catch was called back on a holding penalty. Plays later, vying to get into the end zone, Kats OL/TE Fitu Tuua was said to have fumbled as he caught his first pass of the day. The fumble was recovered by Grand Rapids which they turned into seven points when Salisbury found WR Kenney Solomon for an eight-yard touchdown. Nashville's only touchdown came when FB Dan Alexander plunged into the end zone on a one-yard score. At the end of the third quarter, Grand Rapids led 54-35.
The fourth quarter started just the way the Kats wanted it to, with points when Smoker found rookie sensation Higgins for a seven-yard touchdown. Desperately trying to stay in the game, Nashville's defense stepped up and held the Rampage to a field goal, keeping the lead at 15 points with just over 11 minutes remaining in the game. Ultimately, the Kats were unable to capitalize on key opportunities and Grand Rapids' scoring continued, eventually pulling away 77-51.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 5, 2007
- SaberCats Maintain Division Lead With 56-49 Victory Over Arizona - San Jose SaberCats
- Rampage Topple Nashville Kats, 71-55 - Grand Rapids Rampage
- Missed Opportunities Lead to Rampage Win over Kats in Division Action - Nashville Kats
- Soul drop fifth straight; Lose to Brigade 53-41 - Philadelphia Soul
- Blaze Lose Heartbreaker In Final Seconds, 66-59 - Utah Blaze
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