Talons defeat Rush
June 15, 2013 - Arena Football League (AFL)
San Antonio Talons News Release
The San Antonio Talons (6-6) defeated the Central Division leading Chicago Rush (7-6) in dramatic style, 61-54, and climbed within one game of the division lead. The win helped the Talons avenge a bad loss to Arizona last week, and gave them a huge boost towards their playoff hopes. Rohan Davey finished the night 24-42 for 344 yards and six touchdowns, in his first start since week 3 of the AFL season. Rush quarterback Carson Coffman countered with 283 yards and four touchdowns, in the losing effort.
Right out of the gate, Brent Holmes and Rohan Davey seemed to be finding a rhythm with one another. On the first drive of the game, Holmes and Davey connected on three separate occasions, with one of the receptions resulting in a 17-yard touchdown, as the Talons took an early 7-0 lead.
The Rush did not waste any time in responding though. In less than three minutes, they answered with a score of their own as receiver Reggie Gray, hauled in a nine-yard touchdown from quarterback Carson Coffman to make it a 7-7 tie.
San Antonio was not phased at all by the quick response, as Davey calmly led the Talons on another long drive capped by a two-yard touchdown run of his own, to help regain the lead 14-7. The Talons would then finish the first quarter in style, as Brent Holmes took a quick pitch to the right side and turned it into a long touchdown run as time expired. The score gave the Talons a 21-7 advantage at the end of the first quarter, as the offense seemed to be clicking on all cylinders.
On this night though, Chicago had no intention of going away quietly. Rush receiver Jared Jenkins pulled in a long touchdown pass, and the lead was cut to 21-13 after a missed extra point. After a Rohan Davey interception, Rush running back J.J. Payne found the end zone and put Chicago right back in the game at 21-20.
The scoring was not done yet. Rush running back J.J. Payne would then punch it in from six yards out and the lead was down to one again at the half, 28-27. Holmes continued his solid play for the Talons in the first half, accounting for 7 receptions, 68 yards and a touchdown. J.J. Payne helped keep the Rush close in the half, rushing for two touchdowns and 11 yards all in the second quarter.
This "roller-coaster" type of game would continue on well into the second half. The Rush got their first lead of the game on Payne's third running touchdown of the game, and the score stood at 33-28, after another missed extra point by kicker Jose Martinez.
The Talons seemed destined to respond on their ensuing possession, after driving the ball inside of the Rush five-yard line. The drive would fall just short though as Davey's 4th down pass missed the hands of Jomo Wilson. The failure to convert in the red zone would come back to haunt San Antonio, as Rush quarterback Carson Coffman threw his third touchdown of the game, and Chicago had their biggest lead late in the third quarter 40-28.
The Talons needed a score on their next possession, and Brent Holmes came to the rescue, hauling in a 26-yard touchdown pass from Davey to bring the Talons within 40-35. But the Talons simply had no answer for Rush quarterback Carson Coffman. Coffman threw his second touchdown of the fourth quarter three plays later, and the Rush again extended their lead to double digits, 47-35.
Just when the game seemed like it was getting out of hand, Jomo Wilson hauled in his second touchdown making the score 47-42, with less than eight minutes to play in the final quarter. The see-saw battle would continue though. After a special teams touchdown by the Rush, Jomo Wilson caught another touchdown pass, bringing the Talons within five at 54-49.
The Talons would get a huge defensive stand on Chicago's next possession, and had a chance to pull out the victory. Jomo Wilson had more magic saved up on this night though. A 44-yard touchdown reception from Rohan Davey with less than a minute to play, gave the Talons a 55-54 lead with less than a minute to play. A Carlton Brown interception put an end to any hopes of a comeback on this night, as the Talons held on to win 61-54.
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