Storm Lasso Wranglers 66-45

Published on May 7, 2007 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Tampa Bay Storm News Release


Austin - The Tampa Bay Storm defeated the Austin Wranglers 66-45 in front of 13,110 fans at the Frank Erwin Center as Ironman of the Game Lawrence Samuels surpassed 10,000 passing yards and moved into third place all-time in the AFL with 847 career receptions surpassing Cory Fleming. Samuels caught nine passed for 91 yards and three scores from Offensive Player of the Game Brett Dietz.

Starting the first game of his career Dietz led the Storm to victory as he completed 26 of 32 passes for 286 yards and five touchdowns. He was helped out on the defensive side of the ball by ADT Defensive Player of the Game Jeroid Johnson and nose guard Tim McGill. Johnson came up with two interceptions, returning one for a touchdown, and McGill who had two sacks, as the defense put pressure on Wranglers quarterback Adrian McPherson all game.

McPherson, who finished the game 19 of 45 for 288 yards and four touchdowns, struggled in the pocket to find receivers due to the pressure from Tampa Bay's defensive front. All four of McPherson's touchdown passes went to Derrick Lewis as he had a big game with 10 receptions for 214 yards.

Tampa Bay jumped out to a quick 10-0 lead. The Storm scored first on a 25-yard Seth Marler field goal. After coming up with the first of six defensive stops Dietz found Samuels open for a seven-yard touchdown. The Wranglers responded immediately as McPherson hit Lewis in stride on a deep post for a 44-yard touchdown.

Dietz found Samuels open again for a 17-yard touchdown strike to open the second quarter to put the Storm up 17-7. Each team then traded defensive stops highlighted by the Wranglers attempting a drop kick and recovering it only to have the play called back for an Illegal Kick as Austin kicker Mark Lewis struck the ball before it hit the ground.

After yet another Lewis touchdown on a deep post Storm fullback Torrance Marshall scored the first of three touchdowns from two yards out on a toss play. This is the fourth consecutive game Marshall scored two or more rushing touchdowns and third times this season he scored three in a game since taking over for an injured Rodney Filer. Austin closed out the half with an 18-yard field goal by Lewis to make the score 21-17 Tampa Bay.

The Storm opened up the second half with an Interception by Johnson. After a 28-yard return by Johnson, Tampa bay received the ball on the two-yard line and Marshall pounded the ball into the endzone. The Storm defense stepped up and forced four and out that included the first sack of the game for McGill. However, Austin recovered a fumble on the next play to regain possession of the ball. For the third time McPherson found Lewis with a precision strike for a 31-yard touchdown.

The turnover did not dampen Tampa Bay's spirits as they scored on the next series. Dietz hit Samuels on a short stack route and Samuels juked the Wrangler defensive back in open space for a 21-yard touchdown. Austin returned the ensuing kickoff 57 yards for a touchdown to decrease Tampa Bay's lead to seven to end the third quarter 38-31 Storm.

Tampa Bay outscored Austin 28-14 in the fourth quarter including a 28-yard interception return by Johnson for a touchdown. Austin scored on an eight-yard touchdown run by Sedrick Robinson and another deep post by Lewis. Marshall scored his third touchdown of the game on a one-yard run up the gut of the Wranglers defense. Receiver T.T. Toliver caught his lone touchdown as he ran into the wall on a corner route and receiver Terrill Shaw caught a nine-yard touchdown on the first play after the Wranglers kickoff return for a touchdown.

The Austin Wranglers (3-6) visit the Arizona Rattlers (2-6) Friday, May 4, 7:00 EST at the U.S. Airways Center in Phoenix. The Tampa Bay Storm (3-6) visit the Los Angeles Avengers (5-4) Saturday, May 12, 10:30 (EST) at the Staples Center. FSN/Sun Sports will televise the game and 620 WDAE will broadcast the game live. For Storm tickets call 813.301.6780 or visit www.tampabaystorm.com.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 7, 2007


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central