Riptide Rolls, Puts Out Fire 68-27

May 5, 2002 - arenafootball2 (af2)
San Diego Riptide News Release


SAN DIEGO – With 36 seconds left in the first half, the score was tied 20 all, but then the San Diego Riptide (2-3) opened the flood gates, going on a 48-7 run to extinguish the Louisville Fire (0-5) 68-27. Game MVP Marty Graham, returning to the lineup after missing last week's loss to Arkansas, took the ensuing kickoff after the Fire tied it at 20 an af2-record 58 yards to ignite the Riptide scoring romp. Graham also scored from the ground, on a 2-yard rush, and from the air, on a 30-yard strike from QB Kane Claunch.

Claunch, ironically, was on fire himself, completing 13-of-17 passes for 222 yards and threw six touchdowns, all to different receivers, for a smoldering passer rating of 157.48.

The Riptide defense allowed a season-low 27 points, while forcing four turnovers, returning two of them for scores, blocking an field goal that went for a safety and sacking Fire QB Dan English three times. They shut Louisville down on their first two possessions with Ryan Smith picking off the first of two passes on the first drive and stopping the Fire on fourth and inches at the Riptide 5. San Diego converted both into an early 14-0 lead.

The Fire blazed back with two touchdown drives of their own to tie the ball game at 14 with one minute left in the first half. From there, Claunch launched for his favorite target, Graham, and connected on a 30-yard pass on the first play from scrimmage. Louisville countered an identical 30-yarder from English to Anthony Payton. Graham then returned the ensuing kickoff the distance right before the half with the Riptide leading 27-20.

Game Ironman Rico Curtis and teammate Brad Greetis each scored on offense and defense in the third quarter as the Riptide shutout the Fire 21-0. Greetis hauled in a 34-yard lob from Claunch and then on the following defensive stand blocked a 60-yard field goal attempt that sputtered back into the end zone for a safety.

Curtis then got into the scoring action after the Fire free kick. He grabbed a mid-ranged pass from Claunch and raced 35 yards for his second receiving score of the season. On the subsequent Louisville possession, the Fire faced a fourth and three when Nathan Gallow sacked English, forcing a fumble that Curtis scooped up and scampered 17 yards for another San Diego score. The Riptide had the ball for just three plays in the third quarter and scored TDs on two of them.

The Fire engulfed over seven minutes of clock time on their next drive and finally found the end zone on Shelman's second 1-yard rush of the game. In fact, the Fire held the ball for a whopping 40 minutes and 14 seconds.

Louisville seemed to catch a break, when the Riptide offense went three and out and missed a 52-yard field goal. The Fire drove down to the Riptide 4 and on second and goal, Ryan Smith slipped in front of a Louisville receiver and picked off his second pass of the night. He then scooted 52 yards for another Riptide touchdown.

Two plays later, Michael Duncan intercepted English and returned in 23 yards to the Fire 10. On the very next play, Claunch hit a leaping Brian Berg to push the Riptide pass the 60-point mark for the second time this season and ensuring that all 6,575 in attendance would receiver $3 fun cards from Dave & Busters.

The Fire's next drive stalled after four downs. From the Louisville 8, Claunch found his sixth different receiver on the night, Jerry Garrett, for the game's final points.

The Riptide now head out to Hawaii this upcoming Saturday (5/11) and Fresno (5/18), before returning home to the Sports Arena on Saturday, May 25 when they battle the Bakersfield Blitz. Kickoff is at 7:00 PM and tickets start at just $5.

Post-game quotes

Ryan Smith, Game ADT Defensive Player of the Game
"We got a couple guys back we got A.Z.(Aazaar Abdul-Rahim) back tonight, Marty (Graham) comes back. We lost a lot of guys and when we you get key guys back like that it takes a lot of pressure off everybody else."

His interception return for a score
"I read three steps and I turned around and it was right there, it was kind of like an embarrassing throw."

About the defense effort
"Rico had a really good game. When our defense scores we are not going to lose many games."

OL/DL Coach Tim White
"What got to get better everyday and that's what we are doing. We got 5 conference games in a row so this thing could really turn around big for us."

About looking at game film to prepare for opponent
"We have keys and tendencies and we look at that hard during the week and fit in the game plan."

Head Coach Cree Morris
How do you think the team played today?

"We had a couple of break downs and the guys stepped up and played a great game, we played good on both sides of the ball."

On forcing four turnovers.

"We made some plays defensively guys were in great position all along and made plays when they had to and made it happen and that's what's important and made it happen and it's fantastic."

Getting first home win
"Best feeling in the world right now, we needed this one bad and hopefully this will bring the fans back."

Marty Graham, Game MVP
On putting together a game like this

"It fells good, we know they had some new players on their team. We would have to come out here and show the crowd what we could do if we were hitting on all cylinders, and tonight we were hitting on all cylinders.

On getting first home win of the year
Great, I'm still shaking because I'm so excited about it.

On his return for TD
"We have been itching to get me a return since I started this game, I work hard, the kickoff return team works hard in practice. They just blocked their butt off and everything just opened up and were taught never to stop blocking and that's exactly what they did and they got me in the end zone for a celebration."



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