SaberCats Fall to Command 57-41
June 17, 2012 - Arena Football League (AFL)
San Jose SaberCats News Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The San Jose SaberCats (9-5) fell to the Kansas City Command (3-10) on Sunday by the score of 57-41 in front of 4,258 fans at the Sprint Center in Kansas City. Quarterback Mark Grieb finished 27-42 for 322 yards and five touchdowns.
San Jose opened the scoring after an interception by Tanner Varner, as Grieb picked out a wide open Samora Goodson for a five-yard score. The Command responded as quarterback Zack Eskridge scored on a keeper from one yard out which gave Kansas City a 7-6 advantage midway through the first quarter. Grieb then found James Roe for a 14-yard scoring strike to put San Jose back on top again, this time 13-7.
The SaberCats scored on their opening drive of the second quarter, as Grieb connected with Goodson once more, this time for a 20-yard score. After a missed extra point, it was 19-7 SaberCats but on the ensuing kickoff, Command wide receiver Jackie Chambers scored on a 57-yard return to pull Kansas City within five. After a four-and-out by San Jose, the Command took over at the one yard line and scored via another Eskridge one-yard run. San Jose answered right back as wide receiver Fred Williams made his first career touchdown reception when Grieb found him in the back of the end zone for a three-yard score, putting the 'Cats on top 25-21. It was 25-24 San Jose at the half after a James Wilhoit 41-yard field goal for the Command.
Kansas City took advantage of a San Jose mistake, as OJ Simpson scored on the opening kickoff on a net recovery to put them on top once again, 31-25. San Jose took the lead back after a successful drive was punctuated by fullback Reagan Maui'a's first career touchdown, as he scored from three yards out. Kansas City struck back immediately, as Chambers scored his second touchdown of the game, as he caught a 36-yard score.
Two consecutive Kansas City Command touchdowns by wide receiver Bret Smith put them on top by their largest margin, 17 points, 50-33. Grieb then connected with Goodson on a 20-yard score and coupled with a two point conversion, San Jose cut the lead to 50-41. They would get no closer, as Chambers scored once more, scampering 21-yards for his third touchdown of the game and the Command would hold on to win 57-41 for their third victory of the season.
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