Phantoms Destroyed 55-27
June 13, 2002 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Toronto Phantoms News Release
By Chad Thompson, www.torontophantoms.com Toronto, Ont. â "One offensive touchdown in the second half is ridiculous in an Arena football game. Right now we are looking for answers and just not finding them", said Phantoms quarterback Pat O'Hara shortly after Toronto suffered its 2nd straight loss. The Phantoms were routed by their Eastern Division rivals the Buffalo Destroyers 55-27 in front of 6728 at the Air Canada Centre.
For the first time since June 30, 2001, the Toronto Phantoms (4-5) have fallen below the .500 mark. Toronto has also lost the "Border War of 2002" dropping both of its decisions to Buffalo this season.
Toronto's offence sputtered in the first half as Phantom quarterback Chad Salisbury turned the ball over 3 times. Meanwhile, Buffalo's quarterback Fred "Air" McNair sliced his way through the Phantom defence with pinpoint accuracy. After the Destroyer's opened the scoring on a 21-yard McNair to Carlos James touchdown, Salisbury threw the first of his two costly interceptions of the half. But the Phantom defence helped the offence out by recovering a McNair fumble in the endzone for Toronto's only touchdown of the half. Jason Walters recovered the loose ball for his second touchdown of the season, both coming on fumble recoveries.
Buffalo quickly answered their offensive gaffe with another McNair to James touchdown -- this time from 38 yards out. Later after the teams exchanged field goals, McNair went up top again to Lamont Cooper for the 25 yard Touchdown and a 24-10 Buffalo lead.
"When you give Fred time â he is as good as it gets in the league. He does all things you are supposed to do," Buffalo head coach Ray Bentley said.
McNair finished the game with 11 completions in 22 attempts. He threw 5 touchdown passes without an interception, but was sacked 4 times by the Phantoms defence.
Buffalo padded its lead off another Toronto turnover as Salisbury had a pass picked off in the endzone setting up the third touchdown of the half from the combination of McNair and James.
James earned Ironman honours with his 3-touchdown performance. He scored on each of his 3 receptions covering 67 yards and made 4 tackles on defence. James has been selected as the top two-way player in 4 of Buffalo's last 5 games. Buffalo went into the locker room with a 31-10 lead and Salisbury, who was 7 of 18 for 98 yards passing with 2 picks and a fumble, went to the Phantom bench for the second straight week --replaced by O'Hara.
"They came out and set the tone," Toronto Offensive specialist Damian Harrell said, "They gave it to us tonight."
O'Hara sparked the offence in the third quarter as he opened it with a 30 yard touchdown to Kerry Brown. Then Brown stepped up on defence and recovered a fumble in the endzone to bring the Phantoms back into the game down by 7. Toronto trailed 34-27 after the teams exchanged field goals before the end of the 3rd quarter.
But the Destroyers were not to be denied as McNair found Thomas Bailey with a 27 yard dart, which was followed by a 39 yard interception return by defensive lineman Jerry Crafts.
Buffalo added a late touchdown and went on to win the game 55-27.
After the game, Bentley said he was "positively gleeful. We put it together. (This game) was our best outing of the season. The biggest thing is to keep it going."
Dwaine Carpenter was selected as the Game MVP posting a career high 10 ½ tackles. He returned an interception 37 yards and also registered 4 pass breakups.
As for the Phantoms, it is time to regroup according to Harrell. "We need improvement everywhere. We need it all across the board. We have run into a slump on offence."
Toronto has scored just 49 points in its last two games combined â both losses. Toronto is now 2-10 in franchise history when it is held to less than 50 points in a game.
"We have to take accountability for our actions," Lineman John Summerday said, "We need to grow up and come together as a team."
As for Salisbury, who has now been pulled twice in as many weeks, Harrell said he believes there is no need to worry. "[Chad] is a competitive guy and he will bounce back and be the regular Salisbury."
Toronto's record falls to 4-5 overall, 2-2 at home and 1-3 in Eastern Division play. Toronto posted a 7-1 record within its division in winning the Eastern crown.
Toronto will now prepare to head south to Orlando to take on the Predators. The Phantoms return home to Air Canada Centre to play Los Angeles on June 27th. Tickets can be purchased by calling (416) 341-1234 or by logging on to www.torontophantoms.com. Get "Insane for the Game" and be a part of "Thursday Night Gridiron Madness!"
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from June 13, 2002
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