Steeldogs defeat South Georgia 23-20
July 17, 2005 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Alabama Steeldogs News Release
ALBANY, Ga. - The Birmingham Steeldogs picked up their second victory of the 2005 season with a thrilling 23-20 win over the South Georgia Wildcats at the Albany Civic Center.
Leading 23-20 with just under one minute left, the Steeldogs recovered an unsuccessful onsides kick attempt, taking possession at the South Georgia 12-yard line. However, the Wildcats forced a fumble on first down, recovering the ball at their own 10-yard line with 48 seconds remaining. On the ensuing play, QB Brian Zbydniewski's deep pass attempt was picked off by George Williams, returning possession to the Steeldogs and ensuring the team's first win since May 28.
"This is definitely a win credited to the defense," Steeldogs Head Coach Bobby Humphrey said. "Our guys just came out fired up and executed the game plan. Alex Walls did a tremendous job kicking the ball tonight; he was solid all around."
Walls was indeed solid, accounting for 11 of Birmingham's 23 points. He connected on both of his extra point attempts and three of four field goal attempts, including makes of 40 and 32 yards.
QB Thomas Ricks showed poise in his first start, completing 10 of 22 passes for 173 yards and two scores. OS Detronn Harris caught four passes for 72 yards and a touchdown to lead the receiving corps.
But it was the defense that stepped up big for the Steeldogs, forcing five South Georgia turnovers. In addition to Williams' pick, Eldrick Hill and Keon Mainor each snagged interceptions of their own. Others on the defensive unit stepped up as well. Terrance Harris, who pulled in a 42-yard touchdown pass from Ricks in the second quarter, laid a punishing hit on the Wildcats' Montre Pittman at the Birmingham one-yard line, forcing a fumble that Birmingham recovered in the end zone. Lineman David Daniel blocked and recovered a short Wes Virgillo field goal attempt in the second quarter. It seemed that whenever the Steeldogs needed a boost in momentum, the defense came through.
"You just can't say enough about how hard our defense fought tonight," Humphrey said. "Even when things didn't look good, nobody lost their composure. They just came out and got the job done."
The win is the Steeldogs' first division victory and road victory since July 31, 2004, when Birmingham defeated the Macon Knights 50-31 at the Macon Coliseum.
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