SaberCats eliminate Crush, 64-51
July 5, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
San Jose SaberCats News Release
SAN JOSE, Calif. (July 5, 2008) - Mark Grieb completed 25 of his 34 pass attempts for 283 yards and seven touchdowns as the San Jose SaberCats defeated the Colorado Crush, 64-51, in an Arena Football League Divisional Round playoff game Saturday afternoon.
Rodney Wright was the primary target for Grieb, hauling in a team-high nine passes for 116 yards and a pair of scores. Wideout James Roe registered seven receptions and three touchdowns before leaving in the third quarter with a leg injury.
Early in the second stanza, 'Jack' linebacker Delvin Hughley slipped out of the box and intercepted a Grieb offering to give Colorado a chance to take the lead after trailing 13-10. Three plays later, SaberCats defensive back Clevan Thomas tipped a John Dutton pass off the net and pulled down his first interception of the game to give momentum back to San Jose.
Grieb found Wright on the next play from scrimmage for a 45-yard scoring strike, giving the defending champs a nine-point lead. Thomas has collected five interceptions over the last three games, and seven during the last six contests.
The two teams would exchange a couple of scores, and the SaberCats would take a 33-24 lead into intermission.
On Colorado's first possession of the second half, Ron Jones blocked a 23-yard Deric Yaussi field goal attempt, the first for the SaberCats in postseason history. San Jose would only convert on a 37-yard field goal by A.J. Haglund while the Crush were held scoreless in the third.
Marquis Floyd's 47-yard interception returned for a touchdown at the seven minute mark of the fourth quarter provided the 'Cats with a 20-point cushion that propelled them to the American Conference championship next Saturday.
Dutton finished the night throwing for a game-high 369 yards on 36-of-58 passing with seven touchdowns and a pair of interceptions. Former SaberCat Ben Nelson paced the Crush receiving core, nabbing 14 balls for 136 yards and four scores.
The defending champs next opponent will be the winner of the Chicago Rush and Grand Rapids Rampage Divisional Round bout Sunday at 12:00 p.m. (PT) on ESPN. If the Rush wins, the SaberCats will travel to Allstate Arena in Illinois to play, but if the Rampage pull off the upset, San Jose will host Grand Rapids.
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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from July 5, 2008
- Brackins' TD lifts Soul over Dragons, 49-48 - Philadelphia Soul
- SaberCats eliminate Crush, 64-51 - San Jose SaberCats
- Rampage Tackle Rush in Divisional Round Showdown Sunday - Grand Rapids Rampage
- Colorado at San Jose playoff preview - OSC Original by John Hahn
- Cleveland at Georgia playoff preview - OSC Original by John Hahn
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