Swarm burned by af2 Fire
Published on March 31, 2003 under arenafootball2 (af2)
Cincinnati Swarm News Release
The Cincinnati Swarm hit the road for the first game in franchise history on Saturday night. The Louisville Fire ruined the trip with a 36-25 win over the Swarm. Louisville's Norman Mason scored four touchdowns including three receiving and one on an interception return.
Louisville got on the board first with Mason catching a 27-yard pass from QB Patrick Rinard. The Swarm were able to answer back late in the first quarter. As the clock expired to end the quarter, QB Danny Smith hit Mike Leaks from six yards out for the first touchdown in franchise history. Brian Bales missed the extra point to end the first with the Swarm trailing 7-6.
The Swarm carried that momentum into the second. Ryan Russell scored on a run from one yard out with 3:59 left in the second. Russell's touchdown capped a 10 play, 45-yard drive. On the drive, Smith completed 3 of 5 passes for 33 yards.
The Fire answered back with two TDs before the first half ended. Norman Mason scored on the Fire's first offensive play after Cincinnati's second touchdown. QB Pookie Jones hit Mason with a short pass that the crafty wide out was able to turn into six points. Mason scooted 45 yards to put the Fire back in front 14-12. Mason struck again before the half ended. He intercepted Smith's pass deep in Swarm territory and ran in from nine yards out. Marc Samuel missed the extra point and the half ended with the Fire leading 20-12.
The Swarm retook the lead in the third. Danny Smith threw for 99 yards in the quarter and hit James Scott with a 28-yard touchdown pass just over two minutes into the third. Scott's TD cut the Fire lead to 20-18. Scott led the game in receiving yards with 101 on seven catches.
After a Marc Samuel field goal extended the Fire's lead to 23-18, Ryan Russell scored his second rushing touchdown to put the Swarm back in front with just 29 seconds left in the third. Russell ended the game with 56 all-purpose yards (7 running, 49 receiving) to go along with his two touchdowns.
The Swarm carried a 25-23 lead into the fourth quarter but were unable to dent the scoreboard in the game's final frame. The Fire struck twice to win the game. Mason scored just over three minutes into the quarter, and Fire quarterback Pookie Jones added an insurance touchdown with just over five minutes left in the game.
The Swarm out gained the Fire 207 yards to 188 yards. But, the Swarm were hurt by four turnovers while the Fire did not turn the ball over. The Swarm return to action on Friday in Birmingham, Alabama. The Swarm will be taking on the Birmingham Steeldogs at 8:30 p.m. on Friday evening.
The Swarm make their home debut on April 19th at the U.S. Bank Arena. Game time is 7:30 p.m. Season tickets are available by calling (513) 421-3222.
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