Rattlers Hand Birds First Loss of the Season

Published on February 23, 2003 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Albany/Indiana Firebirds News Release


INDIANAPOLIS -- Backup quarterback Craig Whelihan's last ditch pass attempt sailed off the net and fell to the ground as the Indiana Firebirds were upended by the Arizona Rattlers 62-54 Sunday afternoon in front of 13,123 fans at Conseco Fieldhouse, giving the Firebirds their first loss of the season.

Arizona's quarterback Sherdrick Bonner returned to action for the first time since injuring his shoulder in the first week of the season. In his return, he completed 25-of-29 pass attempts for 313 yards and eight touchdowns on his way to game MVP honors. His favorite target on the afternoon was WR/DB Randy Gatewood who caught eight balls for 77 yards and three scores before being named Ironman of the Game.

Whelihan completed 16-of-27 pass attempts for 184 yards and four touchdowns, replacing the injured Raymond Philyaw. Philyaw left the game midway through the second quarter with a dislocated right index finger. Eddie Brown led the ‘Birds in receiving with eight catches for 91 yards and three touchdowns. On his third touchdown reception, Brown became the second player in League history to eclipse 2,000 points scored his respective career. He joins San Jose SaberCats WR/DB Barry Wagner.

The Rattlers (2-2) broke the scoring column on their first drive of the game, marching 43 yards on four plays to gain an early 7-0 advantage. The drive was capped off by an eight-yard pass from Bonner to Gatewood, giving Arizona the early advantage.

The Firebirds (3-1) were assisted down field on their first possession by a couple of Rattler penalties, moving the ball into Arizona territory. On a third and twelve play, quarterback Philyaw found Brown in the corner of the endzone for a 13-yard touchdown reception, tying the score early 7-7.

After trading touchdowns early in the second quarter, third-year offensive specialist Chris Horn gave the Rattlers great field position after returning the ball 54 yards to the Firebirds one-yard line, putting Arizona in position to regain the lead. However, on a second and goal play from the one yard line, Firebirds' WR/LB Brett Bech laid out horizontally making an incredible one-handed interception, giving the ‘Birds possession at their own two yard-line midway through the second quarter.

On Whelihan's first set of downs, he led the ‘Birds deep into Arizona territory looking to capitalize on Bech's acrobatics. After driving to the Arizona four-yard line, wide receiver Donnie Caldwell attempted a pass on a trick play which was intercepted by Arizona's Randy Gatewood in the endzone stifling the Firebirds' drive. Arizona was able to take advantage of the turnover, taking the ball 45 yards for the go-ahead score with one minute left when Bonner rolled out to his right and found Horn for a three-yard touchdown reception

On the ensuing kickoff, the Rattlers attempted an onsides kick which went out of bounds, giving the ‘Birds the ball on Arizona's nine yard-line. The ‘Birds struck quickly on their first play from scrimmage on ten-yard pass from Whelihan to Brown. The touchdown was Whelihan's first touchdown pass as a Firebird.

After a Rattler touchdown, Return Specialist Evan Hlavacek returned the ensuing kickoff 31 yards to the Indiana 23 yard-line leaving two seconds left on the clock. Firebirds kicker Clay Rush connected on a 43-yard field goal as time expired, pulling the ‘Birds to within four points, 28-24.

The ‘Birds quickly struck on their first play from scrimmage of the second half when Whelihan hooked up with Terrance Blackwell for a 45-yard touchdown pass, giving the Firebirds their first lead of the game at 31-28.

Trailing by four late in the third quarter, the ‘Birds penetrated Arizona territory looking to recapture the lead. Whelihan and the Firebirds' offense orchestrated a four-play 19-yard drive which was capped off by a ten-yard touchdown pass from Whelihan to WR/DB Jay Jones, giving the ‘Birds a 38-35 advantage.

After losing the lead briefly, the see-saw of a second half continued when Hlavacek returned the ensuing kickoff 56 yards for a Firebirds' touchdown, once again giving the Firebirds the lead, 44-42 at the end of the third quarter. The return was Hlavacek third of the season.

After swapping scores throughout the fourth quarter, the Rattlers put together a seven- play 20-yard drive, which chewed nearly six minutes on the clock, giving Arizona a 56-47 lead late in the fourth quarter.

The ‘Birds had one last opportunity to tie the game with less than one minute remaining on the clock. On a fourth and seven play from their own 23 yard-line, the ‘Birds were given a free play as Arizona jumped off sides, however Whelihan's pass fell off the fingertips of Brown in the endzone. The penalty gave the Firebirds a first down with only two seconds left on the clock, setting up Whelihan's final heave.

The Firebirds return to action next Sunday when they welcome the expansion Colorado Crush into Conseco Fieldhouse for the first-ever meeting between the two franchises. The Crush are owned by former NFL great John Elway. Tickets for that contest are available at the Conseco Fieldhouse Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster charge-by-phone at 317-239-5151, or online at Ticketmaster.com.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 23, 2003


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