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Rampage Squeaks by New York, 66-63

February 16, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Grand Rapids Rampage News Release


GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - In what can be best described as a bad case of déjà vu, the Grand Rapids Rampage for the second consecutive week squeaked by an opponent with a Brian Gowins' field goal, defeating the New York Dragons, 66-63, in front of a sold out Van Andel Arena crowd (10,594).

Trailing for the entire game, Grand Rapids mounted its largest second half comeback in team history to pull even with Dragons, 63-63, with 27 seconds remaining in the game. It looked as if the game was destine for overtime, but a New York penalty during a missed field goal return gave Grand Rapids one last shot with no time on the clock. Gowins, who struggled all night with point after attempts (2-of-6), confidently struck the ball threw the uprights to keep Grand Rapids undefeated. The victory gave Grand Rapids its first 3-0 start since the team's championship season in 2001.

Clint Dolezel led the way for the Rampage, completing 16-of-26 passes for 250 yards, six touchdowns and an interception. Terrill Shaw and Steve Smith led all Rampage receivers with six catches apiece. Shaw finished with 117 receiving yards and three TDs, while Smith finished with 97 yards and three TDs. Ricky Ross was named the game's Ironman, returning two kickoffs for TDs, and adding five tackles and a forced fumble on defense. In the loss, Dragons' quarterback Aaron Garcia was named game MVP, finishing with 380 yards and seven TDs on 30-of-41 passing. Mike Furrey led all receivers with 10 receptions and 149 yards and three TDs. Steve Papin added nine catches for 109 yards and two TDs, and a 53-yard kickoff return for a score.

New York received the ball first, and four plays later opened scoring with a 14-yard TD strike from Garcia to Furrey. The Rampage offense started off slow as Dolezel threw three incomplete passes, forcing the team to settle for a 49-yard Gowins' field goal. The Dragons fired right back with a Garcia to Papin strike to take an early 14-3 lead. Grand Rapids then closed out the quarter with Dolezel's first TD pass to Smith, cutting the Dragons' lead to 14-9.

The Dragons opened the second quarter with back-to-back-to-back scores to take a 34-9 lead, their largest of the game. Ross stopped the bleeding with his first of two kickoff returns for touchdowns. Three plays later, New York struck again as Garcia found Furrey from 36 yards out, giving the Dragons a 40-16 lead. Ross answered right back with his second kickoff return of the night for a score. The two sides traded scores before Stucker nailed a 28-yard field goal with no time remaining in the first half to give New York a 49-30 lead. Grand Rapids finally got things together in the third quarter, holding the potent Dragons' offense scoreless in the quarter.

The Rampage also managed to get back into the game as Dolezel threw two TD passes to Shaw, cutting the Dragons' lead to 49-43 at the end of three. The fourth quarter started off with more Rampage scoring as Chris Avery capped off a five-play drive with a one-yard TD run, tying the score at 49-49. Both teams then traded two TDs apiece, but back-to-back Gowins' extra point misses forced Grand Rapids to go for two after a Dolezel to Shaw TD with 27 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. The two-point try was successful as Dolezel once again found Shaw in the back of the end zone, pulling the score even at 63-63.

New York was able to get three unsuccessful plays off before bringing Stucker on for a 50-yard field goal try. The attempt was partially blocked and landed in the hands of Grand Rapids' WR/DB Willis Marshall, who returned it seven yards to the Rampage eight-yard line. During the return, New York's Kerry Taylor grabbed Marshall's facemask to set up the game-winning field goal.

The undefeated Rampage remain at home to face the Tampa Bay Storm next Sunday. The game, which kicks off a 3 p.m., will be televised live on NBC Sports.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 16, 2003


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