Philyaw's Return Ignites Firebirds' Offense
Published on April 13, 2003 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Albany/Indiana Firebirds News Release
INDIANAPOLIS -- The Dallas Desperados experienced a little déjà vu on Sunday afternoon during their first-ever visit to Indianapolis after being upended by the Indiana Firebirds, 61-57 in front of 10,956 fans at Conseco Fieldhouse Sunday afternoon.
For the second time in three weeks the Firebirds found themselves trailing late in the fourth quarter to the Desperados before pulling out a last-second win on a dramatic touchdown catch by wide receiver/linebacker Eddie Brown. With less than ten seconds left in the contest, quarterback Raymond Philyaw hooked up with Brown for a 30-yard game-winning touchdown, just as he did in Dallas in week nine.
Philyaw made his first start since week-four, completing 23-of-40 passes for 294 yards and a season-high eight touchdowns before being named MVP of the contest. Philyaw spent five weeks on injured reserve after dislocating his right index finger. Brown led the 'Birds in receiving with seven catches for 95 yards and a season-high four receiving touchdowns on his way to Ironman of the Game honors. With his third touchdown catch of the game, Brown became the only player to record 300 receiving touchdowns for his career. In addition to Philyaw, wide receiver Terrance Blackwell made his return form injured reserve catching five balls for 70 yards and two touchdowns.
Dallas quarterback Jim Kubiak completed 26-of-38 pass attempts for 285 yards and six touchdowns in a losing effort. The Desperados leading receiver on the afternoon was wide receiver/linebacker Andy McCullough who caught eight passes for 93 yards and two scores.
The Firebirds wasted little time in getting on the board, finding the endzone only two minutes into the contest. On the team's third play from scrimmage, Philyaw floated the ball into the waiting arms of Blackwell who broke free across the middle of the field for the score. The Desperados responded with a score of their own when Kubiak hooked up with wide receiver/defensive back Will Pettis for a six-yard touchdown reception, tying the score early on at seven a piece.
After another Indiana touchdown, Kubiak was intercepted by wide receiver/defensive back Donnie Caldwell, who returned the ball fourteen yards to the Dallas twelve yard-line, giving the 'Birds possession late in the first quarter. The interception was Caldwell's third pick of the season. The Firebirds were able to capitalize on the turnover when Philyaw completed a six-yard touchdown pass to Brown. Philyaw rolled out to his left, threw the ball across his body and found Brown in the corner of the endzone for the score.
After a pair of Dallas touchdowns, Indiana re-gained possession on their own two yard-line looking to add to its seven-point advantage. With less than one minute remaining in the first half, the Firebirds effectively picked apart the Dallas defense, moving the ball into Dallas territory. On a first and ten play from the Dallas two yard-line with five seconds remaining in the quarter, Philyaw was stuffed just short of the goal line setting up a field goal attempt by kicker Clay Rush. Rush came on to connect on a 16-yard field goal, extending the Firebirds' lead to ten at the break.
Clinging to a three-point lead early in the fourth quarter, the Firebirds extended its lead to ten when Philyaw completed a 20-yard pass to Blackwell, giving Indiana a 45-35 advantage with twelve minutes left in the game. Blackwell ran a slant pattern across the middle of the field and made a diving catch in the endzone for his second score of the contest. Following a Desperado score, the 'Birds were able to re-gain a double-digit advantage when Philyaw hooked up with Brown on a 17-yard touchdown reception midway through the fourth quarter. The touchdown reception was Brown's third on the afternoon and 300th of his illustrious career.
Trailing 54-49 with just over one minute remaining, the Desperados had more than enough time to come up with a score. Dallas took its first lead of the game with 24 seconds remaining when Kubiak found Pettis for a 15-yard touchdown reception, giving the Desperados a brief three point lead prior to Brown's dramatic catch. The Desperados had one last opportunity to win the game, however on the last play of the game Kubiak was sacked by offensive/defensive linemen Chris Snyder and John Sikora, sealing the win for Indiana. Sunday's win was Indiana's first home victory since week-three versus the Chicago Rush.
The Firebirds return to the road next Saturday when the team travels to San Jose to face the ArenaBowl Champion Sabercats in the first of a two-game road trip. The game will be broadcast live on UPN Indiana with kickoff set for 9:30 p.m. (Local Time). The game can also be heard on the Firebirds' Radio Network, which includes ESPN Radio 950 AM (Indianapolis), WPZZ 95.9 FM (Franklin), ESPN Radio 1130 AM (Brazil) and ESPN Radio 1300 AM (Terre Haute).
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 13, 2003
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- Philyaw's Return Ignites Firebirds' Offense - Albany/Indiana Firebirds
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