Steel Score a Win in Season Finale against the LA Kiss, 48-46
August 2, 2016 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Portland Steel News Release
PORTLAND - The Portland Steel defeated the Los Angeles Kiss, 48-46, in front of 5,236 fans in attendance at the Moda Center on Monday night on Fan Appreciation Night presented by Aaron's. The game came down to the final Steel possession as quarterback Shane Austin was able to find wide receiver Jared Perry with 6.2 seconds remaining.
Austin completed 25-of-42 passes for 207 yards and four touchdowns for Portland (3-13). In a game that was tied five times, Kiss (7-9) quarterback Pete Thomas completed 23-of-33 passes for 258 yards and five touchdowns.
The first quarter began with a Steel defensive stop, but on Portland's first drive, LA's defense recovered a fumble for a touchdown giving the Kiss the early 7-0 lead. With under two minutes remaining in the first quarter, Austin found Perry for a 4-yard touchdown pass to tie the game up. The first quarter concluded with a score of 7-7.
The Kiss started off the second quarter with a 1-yard touchdown run by Pete Thomas, but missed the extra point. The Steel responded on their next drive with an 18-yard touchdown pass from Austin to Perry. However, Ernesto's kick was blocked, and the game was locked at 13. LA took a late lead after a touchdown pass from Thomas to Morgan, but the Steel recovered an onside kick and obtained solid field position with under a minute left in the second quarter. With 12 seconds left on the clock, Kelly plowed through the Kiss defense for a 2-yard Steel touchdown. At the half, the score was tied 20-20.
After a slow start to the third quarter, Thomas found Wilson for an 11-yard touchdown pass, giving LA the lead. Portland responded with a 1-yard touchdown run by Myers. At the end of the third quarter, the score was tied 27-27.
On the very first play of the fourth quarter, KISS' Thomas found Williams for the 25-yard touchdown pass. On the ensuing drive, Austin connected with Carter for an 18-yard pass to tie up the game at 34 points apiece. This game of tug of war continued into LA's next drive with Thomas finding Morgan for the touchdown pass. On the Steel's next drive, Kelly powered his way through the KISS defense for his second rushing touchdown of the night, giving Portland the 41-40 lead.
Los Angeles responded with a quick touchdown pass from Thomas to Williams, but missed their 2-point conversion and only led by five, 46-41. With 6.2 seconds left in the game, Austin found Perry for a 13-yard touchdown pass, giving Portland the 48-46 lead. Portland held on during LA's final drive to ensure the Steel victory in this nail-biter of a game.
The Portland Steel will take on the Arizona Rattlers in the first round of the Arena Football League Playoffs on Saturday, August 6 with kickoff set for 7 p.m. from Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. The game can be seen on CBS Sports Network and heard on your home for Portland Steel football, 750AM and 102.9FM The Game with Ron Callan and Brian Perkins.
Under Offensive Player of the Game: Bryson Kelly, PDX
Riddell Defensive Player of the Game: Sergio Gilliam, PDX
J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Game: Donovan Morgan, LAK
Cutters Catch of the Game: Jared Perry, PDX GWTD catch with 6.2 seconds remaining
AFL Highlight of the Game: Sergio Gilliam, PDX One-handed INT in the 2nd Quarter
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Arena Football League Stories from August 2, 2016
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- AFL Awards Week 18 Players of the Week - AFL
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- Round 1 AFL Postseason: Tampa Bay Storm at Philadelphia - Tampa Bay Storm
- LA KISS Drop Regular Season Finale to the Steel, 48-46 - Los Angeles KISS
- Steel Score a Win in Season Finale against the LA Kiss, 48-46 - Portland Steel
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