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Rampage Drop Fifth Straight, Look to Playoffs

May 18, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Grand Rapids Rampage News Release


GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Even a five game losing streak cannot prevent the Grand Rapids Rampage from hosting a home contest in the first round of the Arena Football League playoffs. In a battle for the Central Division championship, the Rampage fell to the Dallas Desperados, 62-51, in front of 10,594 at Van Andel Arena.

The two teams traded scores for much of three quarters before the Desperados were able to hold the Rampage to just a single field goal for most of the final frame. Led by quarterback Jim Kubiak, Dallas capitalized by scoring three touchdowns to extend a 42-42 tie after three quarters to a 62-45 advantage. Kubiak, named Game MVP, passed for 345 yards in the contest to raise his season total to 4,763 yards, which breaks Aaron Garcia's AFL single-season record for passing yards. Kubiak completed 29-of 39 attempts for eight touchdowns and one interception. Five different receivers caught touchdown passes for Dallas, with Shannon Culver leading the way with eight receptions for 93 yards and three TDs.

Terrill Shaw continued his steady offensive production in the loss for Grand Rapids, reeling in eight catches for 100 yards and two touchdowns. Shaw set a team record with 1,658 receiving yards and 41 touchdown catches this season. Clint Dolezel completed 17-of-30 passes for 237 yards and three touchdowns, while also adding a six-yard TD scamper. After playing to a 14-14 tie through the games' first 17 minutes, Dolezel found a streaking Willis Marshall for a 42-yard scoring strike with nine minutes left in the second quarter. Grand Rapids continued to build momentum as they posted the first stop of the game on an acrobatic interception by Shea Showers in the Dallas end zone. The Rampage quickly drove the length of the field and took a 28-14 lead on a 1-yard TD run by Ricky Ross. Dallas responded with a long touchdown drive capped off by a 6-yard TD pass by Kubiak to Culver with 22 seconds remaining in the half. While the catch appeared to complete the first-half scoring, Tom Briggs sacked Dolezel two plays later, forcing him into a fumble that Briggs recovered in the end zone as time expired. Briggs received Ironman of the Game honors after recording two tackles to go along with a sack and fumble recovery. The teams were tied 28-28 heading into the locker room.

The two teams each posted two touchdowns in the third quarter and entered the final frame deadlocked at 42-42. Dallas' defense then stepped to the forefront, thwarting the Rampage into just 17 yards of total offense in the fourth quarter. Grand Rapids scored only three points in the quarter before Marshall returned a kickoff 57 yards for a touchdown on the game's final play. The loss dropped Grand Rapids to 8-8, while Dallas (10-6) secured the Central Division title by winning four of their final five games. The Rampage will now host the Detroit Fury (8-8) in the first round in the Drive to ArenaBowl XVII on Sunday, May 25. The kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. (ET) and will be broadcast on NBC Sports.

NBC Sports will televise up to 70 games in 2003, including all playoff games and ArenaBowl XVII on June 22. Tickets for Sunday's playoff match up are currently on sale and can be purchased by contacting the Rampage office at (616) 559-1871 or Tickets PLUS at (616) 222-4000 or (800) 585-3737. Tickets are also available at The Zone, located on the west side of Van Andel Arena, all West Michigan Meijer locations, and on-line at www.ticketsplus.net.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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