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Rampage caged in second half, lose 40-27

April 3, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Grand Rapids Rampage News Release


The Rampage jumped out to a 21-7 lead with 12:30 left in the second quarter, but failed to score another touchdown in the game as the Nashville Kats beat them 40-27. The Rampage were shutout in the second half thanks to four Grand Rapids turnovers by Michael Bishop (two interceptions & two fumbles) and three touchdowns called back because of penalties.

Bishop finished 18-of-33 for 260 yards with two passing scores, two interceptions and two fumbles. On the ground, he went to fifth all-time in single-season AFL history (338 yards) with four carries for 23 yards and a rushing touchdown. Anthony Hines had a strong game at the offensive specialist position with ten receptions for 127 yards and one touchdown.

Kats quarterback Leon Murray completed 17-of-30 for 258 yards and five touchdowns. The Offensive Player of the Game was Travis McGriff who had four receptions, three for touchdowns good for 138 yards as the leading receiver for the Kats. Darryl Hammond, the game's Ironman, added three receptions for 22 yards and one touchdown along with an interception. The Defensive Player of the Game was Rupert Grant who tallied a sack and one quarterback hurry for the Kats.

Grand Rapids began the scoring with a Bishop 3-yard touchdown run, his tenth of the year to put the Rampage up 7-0. The Kats quickly answered back with a 5-yard touchdown pass from Murray to Hammond to tie up the game. After a long pass from Bishop to Hines to put the ball on the 3-yard line, the pair teamed up again for a touchdown pass to retake the lead 14-7.

The Kats were driving to begin the second quarter, but were unable to go back and score as kicker Gary Kral missed a 26-yard field goal giving the ball back to the Rampage. Bishop found an open Timon Marshall on the next drive for a 29-yard touchdown to put the Rampage up 21-7. From there, the Rampage failed to get into the end zone in the game's final 42:30 and Nashville outscored them 33-6 in that time to defeat Grand Rapids. Rampage kicker Peter Martinez booted field goals from 41 and 32 yards to close the scoring in the first half as the Rampage led 27-14 through two quarters.

Recently signed Damon Mason intercepted Murray in the end zone on the Kats first possession of the second half, but five plays later Nashville had the ball again as Hines bobbled a Bishop pass that eventually Hammond intercepted. Lindsay Fleshman scored the only points of the third quarter, but Grand Rapids still led 27-21 entering the fourth quarter.

The Rampage started the final quarter with a third and one at the Nashville 12, however, Bishop was stopped on a QB sneak and Chris Avery hit a wall on fourth down to give the Kats the ball back. They tied it just two plays later when Murray connected with a wide-open McGriff for a 47-yard strike. After another Bishop interception, Murray and McGriff connected again for another wide-open touchdown, this time from 45 yards out.

Timon Marshall returned the ensuing kickoff 57 yards for a score, but a holding penalty brought that back to the Rampage six. Two plays later, Bishop hit Marshall for a touchdown that would have tied it, but again a penalty brought that back. On the next play, Aaron McConnell sacked Bishop, forcing a fumble and giving the Kats the ball at the Nashville 23. A play later, Murray threw a short pass to FB/LB Levelle Brown, who ran in for the game's final points. Dennison Robinson had a late interception for the Rampage at the Kats goal line, then James Baron forced Bishop fumble to fumble again and the Kats ran out the clock.

The Rampage hit the road for Friday contests against Las Vegas (April 8) and Georgia (April 15) before returning to Van Andel Arena for Saturday home games against New Orleans (April 23) and Colorado (April 30).



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 3, 2005


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