af2 Green Bay Blizzard

Riptide defeat Blizzard 50-34

Published on July 17, 2004 under arenafootball2 (af2)
Green Bay Blizzard News Release


GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) – The Green Bay Blizzard's playoff hopes were dashed by a 50-34 loss to the visiting San Diego Riptide. A key fourth quarter fumble by Green Bay quarterback Richard Pyle was recovered for a touchdown by San Diego, which was too much for the Blizzard to overcome.

The rematch with the Riptide began as a defensive battle that had a combined three missed field goals. San Diego drew first blood with a minute left in the first quarter on a 47-yard touchdown pass from Kevin Feterik to Jesus Reyes. Kane Claunch's conversion attempt was intercepted.

The second quarter was filled with scoring, penalties, and fan intervention. After a Riptide touchdown, Blizzard kick returner Chris Martin went back to receive the kick, as it sailed between the goal posts into the slack nets, a fan touched the ball not allowing the dangerous Martin the chance to return the ball, as it was ruled a touchback.

Green Bay's next drive ended tragically, as Blizzard quarterback Matt Bunyan fumbled the ball out-of-bounds in the end zone giving San Diego a safety. On Green Bay's previous kickoff return, Martin returned the kick 55 yards for a Blizzard touchdown.

The start of the third quarter saw Blizzard defensive back Roosevelt Williams intercept a Feterik pass in the San Diego end zone. On the following offensive series, the Blizzard brought in backup quarterback Richard Pyle, who completed his first arenafootball2 pass and touchdown of the season, bringing the Blizzard within three at 23-20.

Fans intervened more in the third quarter, this time working for the Blizzard. A fan knocked a pass down intended for Riptide receiver Nakoa McElrath. On the very next play San Diego missed a 62 yard field goal attempt. DeRonn Finley bobbled the return and San Diego's Rico Curtis recovered the fumble and rumbled into the end zone to put the game out of reach.

The beginning of the forth quarter saw the Riptide score two touchdowns with in the first five minutes. Thesecond of which was scored off of Pyle's fumble. Fans started to chant, "We want Greisen!" referring to the recent absence of the former Blizzard quarterback that was on pace to break a couple of af2 records.

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