Steeldogs Fall in a Home Thriller
April 10, 2005 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Alabama Steeldogs News Release
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. â Kimo Naehu drilled a 37-yard field goal with zeroes on the fourth quarter clock, giving the San Diego Riptide a 58-57 victory over the Birmingham Steeldogs in front of 7,112 fans at the BJCC Arena.
The win improves the Riptide's record to 1-0 on the season, while the Steeldogs drop to 0-1 after their second consecutive season-opening game loss.
Former Samford quarterback Ray Nelson got the start for Birmingham and turned in a solid performance under center. Nelson finished 9 of 20 for 171 yards and two touchdowns. His only miscue, a first quarter interception, occurred on the Steeldogs' first offensive play.
San Diego jumped out to a quick 10-0 lead in the first quarter behind a Naehu field goal and an Anthony Griffin touchdown run. Birmingham answered with just under two minutes remaining in the opening frame, as Nelson took a naked bootleg untouched into the end zone, pulling the Steeldogs to within three points.
Birmingham pulled to within three again early in the second quarter, a quarter that saw 48 points combined between the two teams. All three of Birmingham's second quarter touchdowns resulted from on-play drives of 45 yards or longer.
The Steeldogs took their first lead of the game with 9:35 remaining in the fourth quarter as Eldrick Hill returned an Anthony Buich interception 25 yards for a score. Alex Walls' extra point put Birmingham ahead 54-52.
Following another Naehu field goal, the Steeldogs took their final lead of the game with just 11 seconds remaining, as Walls drilled a 16-yard field goal, giving the Steeldogs a 57-55 lead. But Naehu's boot as time expired was the difference.
Buich finished 17 of 36 for 232 yards and two touchdowns along with one interception. WR/DB Nian Taylor caught seven passes for 83 yards and one score. Taylor also intercepted a pass on defense.
Steeldogs OS Detronn Harris caught three passes for 67 yards and one touchdown. He also returned a second quarter kickoff 50 yards for a score.
Buich's performance earned the veteran quarterback the Offensive Player of the Game award, while the Riptide's Anthony Griffin earned the U.S. Army Ironman of the Game honor.
Steeldogs DS Eldrick Hill took home the ADT Defensive Player of the Game award.
The Steeldogs next game will be on Thursday, April 14 at Macon. Birmingham returns home the following week, April 23, to face the Memphis Xplorers.
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