Riptide Stun Quad City, 62-52

Published on May 23, 2004 under arenafootball2 (af2)
San Diego Riptide News Release


SAN DIEGO – If the Riptide were intimidated by the league's best team, it sure didn't seem like it Saturday night. San Diego put on an offensive show as quarterback Kane Claunch threw eight touchdown passes, including five to wide receiver Nakoa McElrath, and ran for a ninth score, leading the ‘Tide to their second win of the season, 62-52 over the Quad City Steamwheelers.

Claunch's eight touchdown passes are a new team record and earned him Offensive Player of the Game honors. In all, he was 18-of-29 for 302 yards – his second 300-yard passing game of the season. McElrath's five catches for scores are also a new team record and were part of a six-catch, 144-yard night. Jesus Reyes added three touchdowns as well en route to the Riptide's (2-5) second win of the year.

Quad City (6-2) got seven touchdown passes of their own from quarterback Ronnie Gordon, five via the pass and two on the ground, but the ‘Wheelers committed three costly turnovers and their vaunted defense was helpless against the ‘Tide scoring attack.

Quad City came into the game with the best defense in the league statistically, but on the Steamwheelers' first drive it was the ‘Tide defense that took over. Rico Curtis picked off Gordon and returned the ball eight yards to set up a quick five-yard Jesus Reyes score, giving San Diego the early 7-0 lead. The defense continued to dominate on the next ‘Wheelers drive as well, forcing Quad City to turn the ball over on downs, and Claunch and company once again took advantage on the other side of the ball – this time on a 28-yard catch by Nakoa McElrath.

After being held scoreless in the first quarter, Quad City finally dented the scoreboard to start the second on a one-yard run by Gordon. San Diego countered with another Claunch-to-Reyes pitch-and-catch before Gordon pulled the ‘Wheelers back to within seven on a four-yard toss from Gordon to Carmelo Ocasio.

Quad City recovered a San Diego fumble on the ensuing Riptide drive to set up a score and, after another McElrath touchdown for San Diego, found the end zone again as time expired on the first half of play. Former ‘Tide kicker Ryan Geisler missed the point after try, however, leaving Quad City with a one-point deficit going into the locker room, 28-27.

Claunch and McElrath continued to shine in the second half, however, lighting up the scoreboard three more times and Reyes joined in the fun by adding another touchdown of his own, giving the Riptide a 56-40 lead with 12 minutes left to go in the game. Gordon hooked up with Tim Dodge at the six minute mark to pull Quad City to within 10, but it was too little too late for the Steamwheelers. Claunch tallied his ninth touchdown of the game on the next Riptide drive, this time with his legs, to put San Diego up 62-46, sealing the win.

Baby Ruth Real Deal Offensive Player of the Game: Kane Claunch

U.S. Army Ironman of the Game: Nakoa McElrath

ADT Defensive Player of the Game: Quincy LeJay

SHARK BITES: Dwight Carter had six catches, giving him 50 on the season, a new single season team record... His 84 yards receiving gave him 681 for the season, also a new team record... The 62 points was the Riptide's high mark this season... Quincy LeJay finished the game with 10 tackles (8 solo, 4 assisted), a season high for a Riptide defenseman... Rich Ehmke, the league's oldest active player, connected on 8-of-9 extra points in the game... Tony Corbin remains on the injured reserve...

NEXT GAME: The Riptide hit the road for the next three straight, beginning Friday in Hawaii. They return home on June 26 to take on the Bakersfield Blitz for the first time this season at the Sports Arena. The first 3,000 fans will receive complementary Riptide t-shirts. Fans can catch all the action for every Riptide game with Mark Rogondino calling the play-by-play, by visiting www.WorldTalkRadio.com.

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