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Rampage Lose to Kats, 57-54, Following Last-Second Missed Field Goal

June 23, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Grand Rapids Rampage News Release


NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Grand Rapids closed out its disappointing 2007 season with yet another devastating defeat, falling to the Nashville Kats, 57-54, after a last-second missed field goal by kicker Brian Gowins (Birmingham, Ala.). Nashville's win preserved its hopes, at least temporarily, for the American Conference's final playoff spot, while sending Grand Rapids to a 4-12 finish.

Grand Rapids' Chris Ryan (Lake Charles, La.) displayed why he is one of the best fullbacks ever to don a Rampage uniform, setting a team record with five rushing touchdowns in a single game while breaking Grand Rapids' team mark of 17 rushing scores in one season. Meanwhile, the Rampage defense forced four turnovers for the second straight game, including intercepting Kats quarterback Jeff Smoker twice in the first half. They failed to hold onto a 13-point second-half lead, however, and Gowins' failed 35-yard field goal try sealed the Rampage's fate.

Grand Rapids jumped on top of Nashville early courtesy of a pair of Kats turnovers. Gowins' opening kickoff bounded off of the iron past Nashville return man C.J. Johnson, allowing rookie Michael McFadden (Saginaw, Mich.) to recover for Grand Rapids. Ryan's first rushing touchdown of the night gave the Rampage a 7-0 lead. Then, following a Johnnie Harris (Chicago, Ill.) interception, Ryan stormed into the end zone a second time, pushing the Grand Rapids lead to 14 points.

The Kats scored their first points thanks to a 31-yard pass from Smoker to Maurice Brown, slicing the Rampage lead in half. But Ryan found pay dirt once again on Grand Rapids' next drive, moving him into first all-time in team history with his 18th rushing touchdown of the season. He would finish the 2007 season with 20 overall.

Nashville fought its way back in the second quarter. Smoker found a wide open Kenny Higgins behind Rampage coverage for a 16-yard strike. Then, following Gowins first of three missed field goals, Smoker hit fullback Terrell Browden for a 12-yard score, tying the game at 21-21.

The Rampage took a lead into halftime thanks to the athleticism of Adrian McPherson (Bradenton, Fla.), however. Grand Rapids' quarterback called his own number deep in the Nashville zone with less than a minute remaining in the second quarter, scrambling 11 yards for a score. McPherson finished the night with 59 rushing yards, his second straight 30-plus yard rushing outing.

Each team traded scores and defensive stops in the game's third quarter. After Ryan plowed forward for two yards and a touchdown on Grand Rapids' opening drive, the Rampage had an opportunity to extend a 13-point lead after holding Nashville on fourth down. Gowins missed his second field goal of the night, however, and the Kats marched to within six points, 34-28, with fullback Dan Alexander's only rushing touchdown of the night.

The fourth quarter's dramatic conclusion began when McPherson found former Kats receiver Cornelius Bonner (Gaffney, S.C.) for a 16-yard touchdown, his first passing score of the night. Nashville's Johnson, who returned two kickoffs for scores last week against the Kansas City Brigade, took another one back for a quick Kats answer, however, making the score 41-35 in favor of Grand Rapids.

Both teams scored once again, as Grand Rapids' Jermaine Lewis (Waukegan, Ill.) and Nashville's Johnson hauled in touchdown passes from seven yards out each. The Kats swung momentum firmly in their favor with a key onside kick recovery, however. Rookie sensation Higgins broke free over the middle on the very next play, giving Nashville its first lead of the game, 49-48.

After recovering another Nashville onside kick attempt, Grand Rapids' Ryan found the end zone for a fifth time, putting the Rampage ahead by just five points. The Kats responded immediately, as Smoker found a wide open Brown for a quick score. A two-point conversion gave the home team a 57-54 lead with 36 seconds and just one drive remaining in the game.

McPherson and the Rampage began their final drive at their own eight-yard line, moving methodically down the field and using the one-minute timing rules to stop the clock along the boards. With just 10 seconds remaining in the game, McPherson lofted a pass towards Riley in the end zone that fell to the turf when Kats defensive back Ahmad Hawkins made a terrific pass breakup. Gowins stepped on in hopes of tying the game, but sent the kick just wide to the left, ending Grand Rapids' season.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from June 23, 2007


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