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Rampage engulfed by Storm, 70-50

March 6, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Grand Rapids Rampage News Release


The Rampage's first trip to Tampa started out as a defensive struggle, but did not end that way as Grand Rapids lost 70-50 to the Tampa Bay Storm. At halftime, the teams were knotted up at 20 apiece and total yards were within two (108-106). Grand Rapids led twice in the third quarter and trailed 34-30 entering the fourth before the Storm exploded for 36 points.

Rampage QB Michael Bishop completed 16-of-37 passes for 259 yards with five touchdown passes and 18 rushing yards with a ground score. His favorite target for the fourth consecutive game was Chris Jackson who hauled in 96 yards and two TDs on five receptions.

The Storm scored the game's first points on a five-yard touchdown pass from Tampa Bay QB Stafford to Ironman of the Game T.T. Toliver. Grand Rapids responded quickly with four-play, 34-yard drive that concluded when Bishop plunged in for a two-yard ground score – his fifth of the season. Peter Martinez missed the extra point and the Rampage trailed 7-6.

Grand Rapids got the ball back after the defense stop the Storm on downs when Stafford misfired on four straight passes. Bishop was blindsided three plays later by Nyle Wiren and fumbled. Tampa Bay scored six plays later in the beginning of the second quarter.

The Rampage closed to 14-13 after a ten-play, 35-yard drive that chewed up 7:17 when Chris Avery scored from a yard out. Tampa Bay went up 20-13 on the next drive when Stafford rushed for a one-yard score. Grand Rapids tied it at 20 when Jackson scored the first of two receiving scores on a drive that he grabbed three balls – 19 yards, 13 and the 16-yard touchdown.

On the ensuing kickoff, Travis Reece scooped up a net recovery at the Storm 11, however, the Rampage could not capitalize and had a 32-yard field goal blocked. Tampa Bay missed a 35-yard field goal as time expired in the first half and the game was tied at 20.

Grand Rapids took its first of two leads when Bishop tossed a shot pass to Josh Bush, who raced down the sidelines 25-yards for the short-lived 27-20 Rampage led. On the first Storm play on the ensuing drive, Stafford connected on a 31-yard strike to Freddie Solomon to tie it at 27. The Rampage re-took the lead at 30-27 on Peter Martinez's 43-yard field goal. Tampa Bay closed out the scoring in the third quarter on Stafford's 20-yard connection with Solomon.

Tampa Bay added 36 points in the final stanza and the Rampage answered with 20. Chris Avery's four rushes put him in sole position as the team's all-time leader in rushing attempts. He already is the Rampage's all-time leader in rushing yards. Bishop's 18 rushing yards put him at 217 on the season – the fifth-most in AFL single-season history by a QB. He also passed Adrian McPherson for eighth all-time by a quarterback in an AFL career. Peter Martinez became the 3rd all-time leader in points by a kicker in the game.

Grand Rapids returns home to Van Andel Arena next Sunday, March 13 to play the Chicago Rush at noon. The game will be played on NBC. Tickets for that game and the remaining Rampage home games may be purchased through StarTicketsPLUS (1.800.585.3737), all Michigan Meijer locations, starticketsplus.net and at The Zone, located on the west side of Van Andel Arena. Single-game ticket prices are $17 for any upper bowl seat, $25 for lower bowl end zones, $35 for lower bowl sidelines, $55 for VIP II seats (2nd & 3rd rows), and $85 for front row seats. Full season, mini-plan and group ticket packages, all of which are discounted off the single-game price, are currently available through the Rampage front office by calling 616.559.1871 or toll-free at 1.888.595.4878.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 6, 2005


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