SaberCats Drop Crush 80-40
Published on February 23, 2003 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
San Jose SaberCats News Release
SAN JOSE, Calif. - Fullbacks Matt Kinsinger and Keala Keanaaina rushed for two touchdowns each and San Jose had six scores on the ground as the 2002 ArenaBowl Champion SaberCats took advantage of six Colorado turnovers and defeated the expansion Crush, 80-40, in an Arena Football League game before 15,604 at the HP Pavillion.
The SaberCats (2-2) scored 42 points off the six Colorado (0-4) miscues, four of those in the fourth quarter.
In the matchup of quarterbacks, San Jose's Mark Grieb was 19 of 27 for 242 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions. Dutton, who guided the SaberCats to the ArenaBowl championship after Grieb was hurt in the 15th game last season, was 13 of 28 for 194 yards and three TDs. He was hurt by four interceptions.
Offensive specialist James Hundon was the game's Most Valuable Player with three scoring receptions of 17, 9 and 15 yards and James Roe was the game's Ironman Award winner with seven catches for 97 yards and a touchdown. His 12-yard toichdown interception return closed the scoring for San Jose with one minute left in the game.
Colorado's Damian Harrell led all receivers with six catches, 127 yards and two TDs.
San Jose's six rushing touchdowns tied the team mark set in 1999 at Portland.. Fullback Kevin Buck and receiver Rashied Davis, getting his first start, had the other, including three catches for 39 yards.
Leading 52-40 going into fourth quarter, San Jose caused two consecutive turnovers that resulted in scores. Barry Wagner recovered the first after a Joe Douglass reception was knocked out by Anthony Cobbs. That set up an 8-yard run by Matt Kinsinger.
On the ensuing kickoff, Joe Douglass fumbled on the San Jose 21 and Wendell Davis recovered. Grieb then connected with Hundon for 15 yards and the 'Cats had an almost insurmountable, 66-40, lead with 9:33 left in the game.
In the first half, the Grieb-Dutton duel was even. Grieb was nine of 14 for 142 yards and three touchdowns. Dutton connected on eight of 16 for 139 and three scores.
The only blemish for Dutton was an interception. Clevan Thomas picked his former teammate and ran it back 14 yards with 4:46 left in the first quarter. That setup a drive that was capped by an 8-yard run by Keala Keanaaina with 1:25 left to give San Jose a 21-6 margin.
Thomas, who was last season's rookie and defensive player of the year, had two interceptions on the night, giving him six for the season. He has 11 career picks.
Keanaaina scored again in the second quarter on a 1-yard run to give the SaberCats a 42-37 lead with 32 seconds left. It was third running touchdown of the half.
Dutton came right back with 14 seconds remaining in the half to connect with Charlie Davidson on a touchdown. Chris Heppner's kicked extra point closed out the first half with San Jose leading, 42-34.
Harrell had five catches for 95 yards and two touchdowns in the first half and Hundon had three catches for 44 yards and two scores.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 23, 2003
- L.A.'s first loss give Chicago a Rush - OSC Original by Tim Peterson, Mid Valley News
- Week Four AFL Summaries - AFL I
- Storm Edge Rampage, 58-56 - Grand Rapids Rampage
- Rattlers Hand Birds First Loss of the Season - Albany/Indiana Firebirds
- Rush defeats Avengers in 54-53 nailbiter - Chicago Rush
- SaberCats Drop Crush 80-40 - San Jose SaberCats
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
