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Talons Storm Past Twisters, 59-46

May 31, 2003 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Tulsa Talons News Release


Mitch Allner caught three of his four touchdown passes in a 2:28 span late in the second quarter, leading the Tulsa Talons to a 59-46 victory before 5,883 fans on Saturday night at the Tulsa Convention Center.

Allner caught touchdown passes of 27, 12 and three yards from Craig Strickland and returned an interception to the three-yard line, easily winning the Ironman of the Game award for the third time this season. Allner, who was the 2002 af2 Offensive Player of the Year, finished with a game-high seven receptions for 102 yards and four touchdowns.

The victory was Tulsa's 23rd consecutive regular season triumph, an af2 record. The Talons (8-1) have also won five straight overall, six of eight meetings with the Twisters (4-4) and all five meetings with the Twisters at the Tulsa Convention Center.

Arkansas gave Tulsa all it could handle through most of the first half, holding a 21-16 lead at the end of the first quarter. Ricky Hebert threw touchdown passes to Kevin Williams and Bruce Bailey and Lennie Johnson scored by recovering an errant bounce of the nets following Bailey's TD.

Vernon Robiskie's first rushing touchdown of the season, a one- yard plunge up the middle, and Mark Norris' conversion gave the Twisters their biggest lead, 28-16, with 4:55 left in the second quarter.

That also marked the turning point of the game. Talons defensive end Greg Taylor, who is the af2 career leader in quarterback sacks and played for the Twisters the past three seasons, suffered a dislocated right patella trying to block the PAT.

After Taylor was carried from the field, the Talons played with an incredible passion. Allner's heroics turned that 28-16 deficit into a 38-28 halftime lead and the Talons were never threatened after that.

Craig Strickland was the game's Most Valuable Player, going 19-of- 33 passing for 242 yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions. Strickland also ran five times for 16 yards, including a touchdown on a season-long 11-yard run in the fourth quarter.

Larry Hollinquest was the ADT Defensive Player of the Game, making two of Tulsa's season-high three interceptions along with 4.5 tackles; three of those tackles being unassisted.

Twisters receiver Kevin Williams posted a game-high 212 all- purpose yards. Three of his four receptions went for touchdowns and he returned seven kickoffs for 129 yards.

Hebert threw five touchdown passes and had 245 passing yards but was hampered by a long stretch spanning the second and third quarters in which he completed just four of 14 passes and suffered two interceptions.

The Talons hosting the 2002 ArenaCup champion Peoria Pirates next Saturday night at 7:30. Tulsa opened the season with a 42-39 win at Peoria.

Arkansas hosts the Hawaii Islanders, leaders of the National Conference's Western Division, next Saturday night at AllTel Arena.



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