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Rampage lose 58-38 in season opener

January 29, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Grand Rapids Rampage News Release


Five bad Rampage center-QB exhanges led to two touchdowns on turnovers as the Grand Rapids Rampage lost their season opener 58-38 to the Arizona Rattlers in front of a near compacity crowd of 10,284 at Van Andel Arena Friday night.

Rattlers quarterback Sherdrick Bonner, the Offensive Player of the Game, completed 15-of-26 passes for 202 yards with six touchdowns, including four to Siaha Burley.

Rampage WR/LB Derin Graham tied a team record with two kickoff returns for touchdowns and was named the Ironman of the Game.

Rampage QB Nick Browder completed 20-of-36 for 212 yards with 2 TDs, but five bad center-QB exchanges and a crucial fumble on the opening possession led to 14 Rattlers early points. The Rampage lost fumbles on their first two drives that resulted in Rattlers points that put the Rampage down 21-6 early in the contest. Another Bonner-to-Burley touchdown gave the Rattlers a 28-6 led before Michigan State alum Travis Reece plunged in from a yard out with eight seconds left in the half to cut it to 28-13.

Down 35-13 midway through the third, Graham returned his second kickoff for a score. Josh Bush and Damon Hodge caught touchdowns late for the Rampage. Rampage FB/LB Chris Avery became the team's all-time leading rusher in the first quarter on his lone carry of the night - a 22-yard scamper. He now has 423 career Rampage rushing yards. Chris Jackson led all receivers with nine receptions and Josh Bush led all players with 91 receiving yards. Graham finished the night with four kickoffs for 138 yards and the two scores.

The final stats ended close as the Rattlers outgained the Rampage by 20 yards (252 to 232) and by two first downs (20 to 18). The only difference was the two lost fumbles (a potential 28-point/4 TD swing).

Grand Rapids travels to Denver this week for their game against the Colorado Crush on Saturday. The game has been moved up an hour to 2pm Eastern and now can be seen on Comcast Channel 20 in the Grand Rapids area.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from January 29, 2005


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