Pittsburgh Power Drop Final Home Game of Season to San Jose
Published on July 13, 2013 under Arena Football League (AFL)
Pittsburgh Power News Release
PITTSBURGH, PA - The Pittsburgh Power (3-13) closed out their home schedule this evening with a 78-20 loss to the San Jose SaberCats (12-4). The crowd of 7,132 at CONSOL Energy Center was the second largest of the 2013 season.
The SaberCats got on the board first, taking a 7-0 1st Quarter lead when quarterback Russ Michna, (Russell Athletic Offensive Player Of The Game), found receiver Huey Whittaker (J. Lewis Small Playmaker Of The Game), with a 5-yard touchdown pass. On the ensuing kickoff, San Jose's Nich Pertuit recovered his own onside kick. Four plays later, SaberCats receiver Fred Williams scored on a 9-yard pass from Michna. The point after was no good, making the score 13-0. San Jose extended its lead to 20-0 after recovering Power quarterback Shane Austin's fumble, which led to a 10-yard Whittaker touchdown.
Pittsburgh got on the board early in the 2nd Quarter as Austin connected with receiver Mike Washington for a 10-yard touchdown pass, cutting the SaberCats' lead to 20-7. On the next drive, San Jose had the ball at the Power 1-yard line. Pittsburgh safety Chris LeFlore forced a fumble, but the ball was recovered in the end zone by SaberCats receiver Jamarko Simmons, making the score 27-7. The Power would turn over the ball on their next three possessions, all resulting in San Jose touchdowns. The score was 48-7 at halftime.
San Jose opened the 3rd Quarter with a Williams 15-yard touchdown rush, which made the score 55-7. Pittsburgh's Washington scored his second touchdown of the game, the Cutters Catch of the Game, a 6-yard acrobatic grab that made the score 55-13. Pertuit added a 34-yard field to send the game into the 4th Quarter with the SaberCats leading, 58-13.
San Jose's Whittaker opened the 4th Quarter scoring with an 11-yard touchdown catch to extend the SaberCats lead to 65-13. Cornerback Clevan Thomas the Riddell Defensive Player Of The Game, intercepted Austin and returned the ball 49 yards for a touchdown - the AFL highlight of the Game - making the score 71-13. Derek Cassidy replaced Austin at quarterback, and the Power scored on his first series as he connected with Washington for a 28-yard touchdown, making the score 71-20. Jabari Fletcher's closed out the scoring with a 4-yard touchdown run.
San Jose quarterback Russ Michna finished the game 15-of-17 passing for 156 yards and 5 touchdowns. Receiver Huey Whittaker pulled in seven catches for 4 touchdowns. Defensive back Clevan Thomas finished with 2 interceptions.
Power quarterback Shane Austin was 21-of-42 passing for 188 yards and 2 touchdowns. Receiver Tyrone Collins had a game-best 12 catches for 112 yards. Receiver Mike Washington had 5 catches for 57 yards and 3 touchdowns.
The Power hit the road next Saturday, July 20 against the Tampa Bay Storm. Kickoff at the Tampa Bay Times Forum is at 7:30 p.m. EDT. The game will be broadcast on TribLIVE Radio SportsTalk.
Arena Football League Stories from July 13, 2013
- Talons Roll over Storm 68-42 - San Antonio Talons
- Storm's Skid Extends to Five Games - Tampa Bay Storm
- Gladiators Eliminated from Playoff Contention with Loss to Chicago - Cleveland Gladiators
- Early Turnovers Costly as Sharks Fall to Shock, 62-40 - Jacksonville Sharks
- Pittsburgh Power Drop Final Home Game of Season to San Jose - Pittsburgh Power
- Predators Rally in Second Half to Defeat Barnstormers, 55-41 - Orlando Predators
- Shock Sweep Sharks with 62-40 Win - Spokane Shock
- Barnstormers Denied Victory by Orlando - Iowa Barnstormers
- SaberCats Shut Down Power, 78-20 and Improve to 12-4 - San Jose SaberCats
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