Stealth Shoot Down Talons
April 26, 2003 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Wichita Stealth News Release
Wichita, Kan. - In a game filled with career highs for Stealth offensive specialist Michael Dritlein, the Stealth defense was the one who came up big with a defensive stop of the Tulsa Talons (3-1) in overtime to secure a 56-49 Wichita (3-1) win in front of 7,138 rowdy fans at the Kansas Coliseum Saturday night. The win was the first ever for the Stealth over the Talons.
Dritlein had career highs in receiving yards with 202, (a new Stealth team record), touchdowns with 5, (tying a Stealth record), and kickoff return yards with 69, on his way to earning Game MVP honors for the second time in two weeks.
Stealth quarterback Anthony Buich also had a season high night going 23-of-42 for 294 yards and five touchdowns, all of which are season highs for Buich.
The turning point of the game for Wichita came late in the fourth quarter. After an eight play drive ending in a 6-yard touchdown run by Stealth wide receiver/defensive back Dan Dawson pulling the Stealth closer to Tulsa, 49-41. The Stealth kicked an on-side kick and recovered it at the Wichita 11-yard line. On the ensuing play, Buich found Dritlein for a 39-yard scoring strike and the duo hooked up on the two-point conversion to tie the game, 49-49.
Tulsa got the ball back after the kick-off with :53 seconds left in the game. Tulsa drove the ball to the Wichita 13-yard line and brought on kicker Tony Dodson to attempt a 29-yard field goal, which was wide sending the game into overtime.
Wichita received the opening kick-off in overtime and threw three consecutive incomplete passes bringing up fourth and ten from the Wichita eight-yard line. On fourth down, Buich was able to draw the Tulsa defense off-sides, giving the Stealth an automatic first down at their own 13-yard line. On the first down play, Buich again found Dritlein for a 37-yard score and after a Jason Corse extra-point, the Stealth led 56-49.
In the final possession, the Talons gained three yards on their first play of the drive, but failed to complete a pass on the next three plays preserving the Stealth victory, 56-49.
In a losing effort, Talons' defensive specialist Larry Hollinquest was named ADT Defensive Player of the Game for his ten and half tackle performance versus the Stealth. Hollinquest also had two pass defenses.
The Stealth will continue their home stand next week against the Hawaiian Islanders. This will be the first game with a West Division opponent this season. Kick-off is set for 7:30 p.m. and tickets are available by calling the Stealth office at 316.755.3307.
STEALTH GAME NOTES
· 7,138 was the largest attendance in Stealth history
· Darren Riley was the winner of the second car giveaway of the year
· The Stealth gets their first ever win in overtime
· This is the first time ever the Stealth have had a 200-yard receiver
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