'Tide Withstand Blizzard, 50-34
July 18, 2004 - arenafootball2 (af2)
San Diego Riptide News Release
GREEN BAY, Wisc. - Nakoa McElrath took home Ironman and Offensive Player of the Game Honors after hauling in three touchdowns and leading the ‘Tide to a victory against the Green Bay Blizzard, 50-34. San Diego maintained the lead from beginning to end thanks to huge passing plays, critical takeaways, and outstanding defense.
The Riptide dominated on defense, recovering three of four fumbles and one interception. Ryan Smith recorded his career high seventh interception of the year and led to an Ehmke 32 yard field goal that started the second quarter. The three fumbles all resulted in scores by San Diego. On offense, Feterik
The First Quarter was a struggle to get on the board. Both defenses held strong, forcing each team to attempt field goals on fourth downs. Neither team was successful in their attempts; Blizzard Kicker Greg Krauss missed one from 31 yards out and another from 52 yards out, while Riptide Kicker Rich Ehmke missed a 35 yard attempt. With two minutes left in the first quarter and starting from the San Diego one-yard line, the RiptideÂ’s Kevin Feterik connected with Jesus Reyes on a 49 yard touchdown pass, putting up the only points of the first quarter. On the next drive of the quarter, Ryan Smith intercepted a Bunyan pass to give the Riptide the ball to start the second quarter.
Ehmke opened up the second quarter with a 32 yard field goal after Feterik was unable to complete a pass and penalties started to plague San Diego. On the Blizzard’s first drive of the quarter, Bunyan found Torrey Day in the end zone and Krauss made the PAT to bring Green Bay to within three. On San Diego’s next drive, Feterik found McElrath in the end zone after receiving a fresh set of downs due to a Green Bay holding penalty. The Blizzard scored quickly when Chris Martin returned the kickoff 55 yards for a touchdown. Feterik connected with McElrath again, this time for 29 yards, giving the ‘Tide an eight-point cushion over Green Bay. San Diego’s defense scored on a safety after sacking Matt Bunyan in the end zone to end the quarter, 23-13, in favor of San Diego.
Roose WilliamsÂ’ intercepted a Feterik pass to open the second half. Richard Pyle stepped in at the quarterback position for the Blizzard and threw a touchdown pass to Day. The Riptide would not be able to find the end zone on their next drive, but got the ball right back after DeRonn Finley of the Blizzard fumbled the missed field goal and Rico Curtis recovered the ball in the end zone and ending the third quarter, 30-20.
Feterik connected with McElrath in the end zone for the third time of the game to open scoring in the fourth quarter. San Diego sacked Pyle, forcing a fumble. Trevor Misipeka recovered the fumble for a touchdown and the team successfully converted for two points, giving the ‘Tide a comfortable 24-point lead. Pyle went on to connect with Day and Finley to score on their next two drives. But it was too little too late as Ryan Cuthbert ran the ball in for the last touchdown of the game, giving the ‘Tide the win 50-34
To view the box scores CLICK HERE
Baby Ruth Real Deal Offensive Player of the Game: Nakoa McElrath (SDG) U.S. Army Ironman of the Game: Nakoa McElrath (SDG) ADT Defensive Player of the Game: Dustin Sagedahl (GBB)
SHARK BITES: Kevin Feterik threw for 279 yards, the most heÂ’s thrown for this seasonÂ… Feterik also matched his season high four touchdown passesÂ… Dwight CarterÂ’s eight receptions for 84 yards and no touchdowns was the first time he received for more than 50 yards and did not record a touchdown since Week 8Â… Rico Curtis recovered a fumble for the eighth time this season and leads the league in fumble recoveriesÂ… Nakoa McElrath became the first Riptide player this season to take home both Ironman and Offensive Player of the Game HonorsÂ… McElrathÂ’s three touchdowns were his most since Week 9Â… Jesus Reyes had five solo tackles, breaking his single game record of 4.5 tacklesÂ… Reyes now has over 50 receptions on the yearÂ… Trevor Misipeka scored his first touchdown of the season off of the fumble recoveryÂ… Ryan Smith recorded his third interception in four games, bringing his season total to seven, his most in a seasonÂ… Smith also had a single game high seven solo tackles and five pass deflectionsÂ… Ryan Cuthbert has ten touchdowns on the yearÂ… The RiptideÂ’s four takeaways and two giveaways maintains San DiegoÂ’s positive takeaway ratioÂ… This was the first time in four weeks that the Riptide allowed a sackÂ…
NEXT WEEK: The Riptide return home for their final two games of the season. The Riptide take on the Bakersfield Blitz Saturday, July 24th at the San Diego Sports Arena. Participate in the "Riptide Tackle Hunger" food drive by donating food and fans will receive a $3 voucher off of terrace level seats. The first 3,000 fans will also receive a free "Riptide Tackle Hunger" t-shirt. Also join us for KPRZ's Battle of the Bands prior to the game. During halftime, watch the U.S. Postal Service take on U.P.S. in a tug-of-war battle in honor of Labor Union and Local Services Night.
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arenafootball2 Stories from July 18, 2004
- 'Tide Withstand Blizzard, 50-34 - San Diego Riptide
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