Rampage cages SaberCats 66-52

Published on February 19, 2006 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Grand Rapids Rampage News Release


The Grand Rapids Rampage (2-2) posted its first franchise win over the SaberCats (1-3) Sunday afternoon on Centennial Wireless Field at Van Andel Arena. With the 66-52 win, the Rampage has won four of its last five home contests and five of its last eight.

Timon Marshall earned Offensive Player of the Game honors after posting career-highs in kickoff return yards (181) and all-purpose yards (262) with three touchdowns. He also registered the longest scoring play in franchise history when he returned a kickoff 58 yards with 12 seconds left in the first half to give the Rampage a 29-26 lead at halftime.

The game featured seven lead changes with the Rampage taking control after Marshall's 40-yard score from Salisbury with 2:37 left in the third quarter. Defensive Player of the Game Johnnie Harris intercepted San Jose QB Mark Grieb on the next SaberCats drive and finished with 4.0 tackles and a pass breakup.

Salisbury improved to 2-0 as the Rampage's starting quarterback and finished the game 17-of-29 for 224 yards with five touchdowns passing, a touchdown rushing and an interception.

In a matter of 23 seconds, the Rampage went from a four-point lead to a commanding 18-point lead. First, Marshall nabbed a 29-yard touchdown from Salisbury and on the ensuing kickoff former SaberCat Kenny Solomon scooped up the loose ball off the nets at the SaberCats' four-yard line and ran in for the score. The touchdown off the nets marked the third straight game the Rampage has recorded a net recovery for a score.

With 51 seconds left, the SaberCats closed within twelve when Grieb hit Calvin Shexnayder on an eight-yard strike. On the two-point conversion, Rampage defensive specialist forced Grieb to fumble and Rampage lineman Bryant Shaw scooped up the loose ball and rumbled 43 yards for a Rampage two-point conversion for the final points.

The Rampage (2-2) heads off for three-straight road contests starting this Saturday, February 25 at Nashville when it takes on the Central Division-leading Kats (3-1). Kickoff is at 8:00 p.m. and can be heard live on WBFX 101.3 FM.

All Rampage home games are played at Centennial Wireless Field at Van Andel Arena. Tickets are available through StarTicketsPLUS (1.800.585.3737), all Michigan Meijer locations, at The Zone (located on the west side of Van Andel Arena) or by clicking here.

Rampage games can be heard live on WBFX 101.3 FM - The Fox in the Grand Rapids area and online worldwide at 1013thefoxrocks.com. Tune in on WOOD-TV channel 8 (NBC) in the Grand Rapids area all season long for the Rampage's drive to ArenaBowl XX.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 19, 2006


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