Nashville Defeats SaberCats, 57-55
April 30, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
San Jose SaberCats News Release
SAN JOSE, Calif. (April 29, 2005) - Nashville QB Leon Murray threw eight touchdowns to four different receivers as the visiting Kats handed San Jose their first home loss of the season, 57-55, in front of a crowd of 13,345 fans at HP Pavilion at San Jose on Friday night.
The Kats (5-7-1) entered Friday night's contest unbeaten in their last four games (3-0-1) and put up their highest point total of the season. Murray, the Offensive Player of the Game, completed 18-of-36 passes for 235 yards with eight touchdowns and no interceptions.
Former SaberCat Fred Coleman led the Kats in receiving, catching six passes for 75 yards and three TD's. T.T. Toliver and Darryl Hammond also figured in the scoring, each hauling in a pair of TDs.
San Jose QB Mark Grieb started the game by completing his first eight passes, extending his streak to 28 consecutive completions dating back to Apr. 15 vs. Dallas. However, his streak came to an end as his ninth pass attempt was intercepted by Defensive Player of the Game Kahlil Carter, who had two picks on the night.
Grieb finished the night completing 26-of-35 passes for 331 yards with five touchdowns and two interceptions. Rodney Wright earned his third consecutive Ironman of the Game award after catching a game-high 10 passes for 134 yards and a TD.
San Jose (8-5) scored with 14 seconds remaining in the game on a 3-yard run by Steve Warren, moving the SaberCats to within two points, 57-55. But Grieb's pass on the two-point conversion attempt slipped through the fingers of Rashied Davis in the end zone.
San Jose's last-ditch attempt failed as the ensuing onside kick attempt was recovered by Nashville, who ran out the clock.
San Jose lost for the first time after leading at the half and saw its record fall to 8-5 on the season. They face division rivals the Los Angeles Avenger next Saturday at home in a crucial match up. Meanwhile, Nashville, riding a five game unbeaten streak (4-0-1) hosts Grand Rapids on May 7.
Notes: San Jose had seven consecutive wins at home before Friday night's loss...Albrey Battle's blocked FG attempt in the second quarter was San Jose's first since May 5, 2001...Grieb threw for 300+ yards for the fifth time this season, he is 1-4 in those games...Nashville improved their record to 5-2 against San Jose...Inactives for the game were Yardon Brantley, Wendell Davis and Devin Wyman...Rashied Davis has scored 17 touchdowns in his last four games.
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