Storm fall to Dallas for first time at home, 64-35

March 12, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Tampa Bay Storm News Release


TAMPA BAY - The Tampa Bay Storm (4-3) lost their first contest against the Dallas Desperados (6-1) at the St. Pete Times Forum Sunday afternoon by the score of 64-35 in front of 13,114 fans. The teams have previously met three times, all in Dallas, Their record with Dallas is now knotted at two games a piece.

In a game that billed two of the league's offensive juggernauts, the game was littered with penalty flags and turnovers. Tampa Bay lost three fumbles and had one interception while Dallas had 12 penalties for 83 yards and one interception of their own.

Tampa Bay came into the contest with the third-rated scoring offense putting up 56 points per game and the top-rated offense in the league with 346 yards per game. The Storm were able to conjure up 245 yards on offense.

Dallas boasted the fifth mark for scoring in the league with 54 points a game and the third-ranked offensive output with 303 yards a game. The Desperados racked up 362 yards on offense on the hot hand of QB Clint Dolezel who completed 23 of 33 passes for 338 yards, eight touchdowns and one interception.

The Desperados were able to sack Storm QB Shane Stafford three times in the game and were able to pressure and hurry him all afternoon. Stafford completed 20 of 37 passes for 245 yards and five touchdowns.

A bright spot for the Storm was offensive specialist Demetris Bendross who had another monster of a game catching eight passes for 164 yards and two touchdowns. He and Stafford hooked up for a 49-yard touchdown strike which has been done only 20 times in AFL history and three times in Storm history (Last time, Scott Milanovich to David Saunders at Dallas, 2002).

After the Storm defense corralled their first stop of the afternoon, Stafford went to work and found former Desperado WR/LB Bobby Sippio for a seven-yard touchdown pass. The Storm have now scored on all seven opening drives to start the season with a touchdown (5 passing, 2 rushing). Clint Dolezel found Will Pettis for a 13-yard touchdown strike to open the scoring for the Desperados.

On a key fourth and goal opportunity for the Storm, Stafford mishandled an exchange from center Rod Williams that the Desperados recovered. Dolezel responded by finding Terrill Shaw for a 13-yard score, Dallas took their first lead of the game, 13-7.

The Desperados first drive of the second quarter saw Dolezel complete his 700th career touchdown pass to Duke Pettijohn as he rumbled into the end zone from 23-yards, at the end of the half Dallas led, 20-7.

After stopping the Storm on fourth down at their own 20-yard line, Dolezel connected with Pettis to open the scoring for the Desperados in the third quarter. On the ensuing kickoff Demetris Bendross returned the ball to midfield and fumbled the ball which was recovered by Dallas.

All-Ironman Lawrence Samuels proved why he earned that title on the next set of plays. He intercepted Dolezel and returned the ball to the Dallas 12-yard line. On the first play of the Storm drive Stafford found him in the corner of the end zone for the score to cut the Storm deficit to 13.

Dolezel connected with Dialleo Burks on a 45-yard strike to answer the Storm comeback. On the following Storm drive Stafford and Bendross tied a Storm and league record with a 49-yard touchdown reception. That feat has been accomplished now three times in Storm history and 20 times in the AFL's 19-plus year history.

Following a 20-yard scoring play from Dolezel to Shaw, the Storm surrendered its third sack of the afternoon resulting in a safety.

With the score 50-21 in favor of Dallas, Stafford connected with Bendross from seven yards for their second touchdown of the afternoon.

Colston Weatherington caught a touchdown pass from Dallas backup quarterback Chris Greisen to extend their lead, 64-28. Stafford hooked up with Tramain Jones for his first touchdown reception since 2003 and Dallas ran the clock out with the final score, 64-35.

The Storm continue this home stand at the St. Pete Times Forum when they host the New York Dragons Friday March 18 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the McDonalds Box Office at the St. Pete Times Forum, at www.tampabaystorm.com or by calling 813.301.6600.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 12, 2006


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