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Turnovers Lead to Fifth Consecutive Loss for 'Birds

March 23, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Albany/Indiana Firebirds News Release


The Indiana Firebirds' offensive attack continued to struggle as they dropped their fifth consecutive game against the Tampa Bay Storm, 41-20, in front of 9,457 fans at Conseco Fieldhouse. The Storm (6-2) scored 31 unanswered points midway through the contest to seal the victory.

Firebirds (3-5) starting quarterback Jim Ballard completed 11-of-21 passes for 128 yards and one touchdown, but was intercepted four times, including two apiece by defensive specialists Corey Sawyer and Omarr Smith. Back-up QB Jose Davis came on for his second relief effort of the season, completing seven of his twelve pass attempts for 60 yards and a touchdown in just over one quarter of action. Rookie Jeremy McDaniel, making his first start at offensive specialist, led the ‘Birds in receiving for the second week in a row, catching a career-high eleven balls for 128 yards and two touchdowns in a losing effort. Nine-year veteran Eddie Brown, who has played his entire career at offensive specialist, was moved to wide receiver/linebacker position. Brown had two catches for 17 yards and was held out of the endzone for the fourth time this season. He also recorded three tackles.

Storm quarterback John Kaleo completed 20-of-34 pass attempts for 218 yards and four touchdowns in leading Tampa Bay to its fifth win in as many weeks before being named MVP of the contest. Wide receiver/linebacker David Saunders led the Storm's aerial attack with six catches for 60 yards and three touchdowns on his way to Ironman of the Game honors. Veteran wide receiver/linebacker Lawrence Samuels Storm added six catches for 63 yards and a score.

Tampa Bay drew first blood on their opening drive when Kaleo found Samuels in the back corner of the endzone on a fourth and three play, giving Tampa Bay the early 7-0 lead. The lead was short-lived, as the Firebirds produced a score of their own on their opening drive when Ballard lofted the ball into the waiting arms of McDaniel. It was the first time the Firebirds scored a touchdown on their opening drive since week four versus the Arizona Rattlers. McDaniel led the drive with two catches for 44 yards including his first score as a Firebird.

Trailing 14-7 midway through the second quarter, kicker Clay Rush was wide left on a 55-yard field goal attempt, however Tampa Bay was flagged for running into the kicker which gave the Firebirds new life and an automatic first down. The ‘Birds were able to penetrate Storm territory looking to even the score heading into halftime. However, after pressure from the Storm defense, Ballard left his pass attempt short and as a result was picked off by Tampa Bay's Smith, preserving the Storm's seven-point cushion. The Storm quickly took advantage of the turnover when Kaleo found Saunders streaking down the middle of the field, extending the Storm lead to 21-7 just before halftime. The Storm tacked on a field goal as time expired in the opening half taking a 17-point lead into the break.

On the Firebirds' first possession of the second half, Ballard picked-off by Sawyer, who promptly returned the ball 37 yards for a touchdown, giving the Storm a 25-point advantage early in the third quarter. The interception was Ballard's third on the afternoon.

After a Tampa Bay touchdown, Indiana's Evan Hlavacek attempted to ignite the Firebirds' offense with his speed, returning the ensuing kickoff 43 yards to the Storm twelve yard-line. The ‘Birds were able to cut into the Tampa lead on a three-yard forward pitch from quarterback Jose Davis, who replaced Ballard on the drive, to McDaniel. Davis faked the handoff, stepped up in the pocket and found McDaniel on a shovel pass for Indiana's first score since their first drive of the game.

The Firebirds added another score late in the second half, however it was all academic as the Storm cruised to their fifth consecutive victory.

The Firebirds return to the road next week when they travel to Dallas to take on the Desperados at Reunion Arena on Saturday night. Kickoff is slated for 8:30 pm EST. This game will be broadcast live on UPN Indiana with Ari Wolfe and Charles Arbuckle calling all of the action. The game can also be heard on the Firebirds' Radio Network, which includes ESPN Radio 950 AM, 95.9 FM "The Point", ESPN 1150 AM, and ESPN 1300 AM with Rob Blackman and Jacob VanRyn.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 23, 2003


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