Rampage Lose Seven Turnovers in 69-40 Loss to Tampa Bay

Published on June 16, 2007 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Grand Rapids Rampage News Release


GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - In a game with more than its fair share of twists and turns, the Tampa Bay Storm emerged with a 69-40 victory over the Grand Rapids Rampage tonight at Van Andel Arena. Both teams combined for 11 turnovers, while Grand Rapids turned the ball over a team record seven times.

Rampage quarterback Adrian McPherson (Bradenton, Fla.) completed 24 of 37 passes for 297 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 55 yards and one score. Unfortunately, he also threw two interceptions and fumbled twice, helping the Storm to their eighth win of the season.

Tampa Bay scored on the game's opening kickoff when Grand Rapids' Clarence Coleman (Miami, Fla.) fumbled at his own five-yard line. Storm defensive back and Ironman of the Game Jeroid Johnson recovered the loose ball and jogged into the end zone. Then, on Tampa Bay's ensuing kickoff, the Storm made another fumble recovery when the ball bounced high off the right upright and into Johnson's arms. A Seth Marler 41-yard field goal gave the visitors an early 10-0 lead.

On their first offensive possession, the Rampage and McPherson marched 46 yards down the field to cut the Storm lead to three. Cornelius Bonner (Gaffney, S.C.), who led Grand Rapids receivers with 116 receiving yards and two touchdowns, finished the drive with a seven-yard touchdown catch. A Tampa Bay touchdown closed out the first quarter with the visitors ahead, 17-7.

McPherson showcased his mobility on the second quarter's first play. After scrambling out of the pocket, the quarterback made a linebacker miss before tiptoeing into the end zone on a 10-yard rush. The Grand Rapids quarterback became the first member of the Rampage to run for over 30 yards since 2005.

Rampage receiver/linebacker Jerome Riley (Los Angeles, Calif.) pulled in his fourth interception of the season courtesy of a tipped pass by defensive back Johnnie Harris (Chicago, Ill.). Just when it appeared Grand Rapids had found momentum, however, Tampa Bay sacked McPherson in his own end zone, causing him to fumble. Storm lineman Tim McGill dove on the loose ball, restoring Tampa Bay's 10-point edge. Following another McPherson fumble, Storm fullback Torrance Marshall plowed ahead on a one-yard touchdown carry, extending the visitors' advantage to 31-14.

Rampage fullback Chris Ryan (Lake Charles, La.) scored his 15th rushing touchdown of the season, cutting Tampa Bay's lead to 11 points. Riley then scooped up a Storm fumbled snap and raced 37 yards for his third defensive score of the season, pulling Grand Rapids back to within one score.

Tampa Bay scored another touchdown with 27 seconds remaining in the half, taking a 38-27 lead. But McPherson connected with Bonner on the Rampage's first deep pass of the game, hitting his receiver in stride for a 43-yard touchdown to close out the second quarter.

Grand Rapids began the second half on a positive note when Harris fell on a Terrill Shaw fumble to give the Rampage a first down at their own 10-yard line. But Riley fumbled on the very next play, returning the ball to Tampa Bay. Marler's second field goal of the game sent the Storm to a 41-34 lead.

The Rampage converted on a pair of fourth downs on their next drive, including hitting a 28-yard touchdown pass to a wide open Coleman. Due to a bad snap, however, Grand Rapids kicker Brian Gowins (Birmingham, Ala.) missed his second extra point of the night, making the score 41-40 in favor of Tampa Bay at the end of three quarters.

The final quarter once again bit Grand Rapids, who had surrendered the most fourth-quarter points in the league (264) entering tonight's contest. Torrance Marshall's second rushing touchdown of the night put Tampa Bay ahead by eight points just 40 seconds into the frame. Then, following a Johnson interception, Karl Williams' 18-yard scoring catch pushed the Storm lead to 15 points. Tampa Bay continued to pour on the points, scoring twice more to put the game well out of reach. Grand Rapids fell to 4-11 on the season and finished the season 3-5 at home.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from June 16, 2007


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