Nashville Kats defeat Rampage
February 25, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Nashville Kats News Release
After a decisive victory over the defending Arena Bowl champions last week, the Nashville Kats did just enough to prevent a letdown on Saturday night. Despite a game full of penalties, dropped passes, fights and ejections, a crowd of 11,113 watched the Kats hold off the streaking Grand Rapids Rampage, 47-31.
Nashville (4-1) stopped a two-game Grand Rapids (2-3) winning streak while starting one of their own. Despite failing to score 50 points for the first time this season, the Kats held their opponent below 40 points for the fourth time.
The game was riddled with penalties and scuffles. The Kats and Rampage combined for 18 penalties, along with the ejection of Grand Rapids' Winfield Garnett for fighting in the fourth quarter.
"You have to win some ugly, and that was about as ugly as it gets," Kats' head coach Pat Sperduto said. "It was just a sloppy game for us. I have to give credit to Grand Rapids, too. They got after us defensively and did a good job."
Quarterback Clint Stoerner had possibly his most difficult game with the Kats. He completed 12 of 22 passes for 156 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions. Leading receiver T.T. Tolliver dropped several passes throughout the game, and didn't even record a reception until a 44-yard touchdown grab late in the fourth quarter. Grand Rapids quarterback Chad Salisbury had problems fumbling and holding onto the ball, but still managed to throw for 255 yards and two touchdowns. The top-ranked Kats defense, however, had their say as well, causing four turnovers and registering a sack. One of the Kats' interceptions was by Defensive MVP Khalil Carter, who also added nine tackles.
"I think it was a terrible game all around offensively, from my play all the way down," Stoerner said. "We did not do a whole lot of good at all, but we still came out with a victory."
Cornelius Bonner, the Offensive MVP, had three catches for 54 yards and two touchdowns, including a touchdown screen pass in the second quarter, which he scored on after several huge juke moves.
Jarrick Hillery played great on both sides of the ball in his first game back from a dislocated elbow. He rushed four times for 25 yards and a touchdown, and caught one pass for six yards. Hillery made his presence felt in the return game, tallying 122 yards on five kickoffs. All of this, along with two tackles on defense, earned Hillery ADT Ironman of the Game.
"It felt good to get out there in the groove of things," Hillery said. "I'm a little bit rusty. I think I'll get it back in another game."
Kats' OL/DL Anthony Herron had a huge game as well. He caught a touchdown pass from Stoerner for seven yards, his first career stat in both categories. Herron added the game's only sack.
Defensive specialist Rober' Freeman had his first career interception in the third quarter.
The Kats' next game is at Arizona against the Rattlers next Saturday, March 4. Then, they travel to take on the Blaze on Friday, March 10. They return to Nashville on Friday, March 17 to play the Chicago Rush.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 25, 2006
- Rampage fall 47-31 to Kats - Grand Rapids Rampage
- Nashville Kats defeat Rampage - Nashville Kats
- Stafford, Samuels Set Records in Win - Tampa Bay Storm
- Wranglers fall to Storm, 58-48 - Austin Wranglers
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