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Turnovers prove costly as Destroyers fall to Desperados, 35-31

February 13, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Columbus Destroyers News Release


DALLAS – The Columbus Destroyers exploded out of the gates Sunday afternoon, scoring 24 first-quarter points in the club's first nationally televised game of the season. However, the Destroyers only managed to tack on seven points in the final three quarters to drop a 35-31 decision to the Dallas Desperados in front of a crowd of 12,126 at the American Airlines Center. With the loss, the Destroyers fell to 0-2 on the season and 0-1 in the Eastern Division while the Desperados improved their mark to 2-1 through three weeks of play.

The game, televised regionally on NBC, saw seven combined turnovers between the two squads with Columbus finishing minus one in the turnover ratio. Both teams lost three fumbles. But the game's pivotal turnover came on a Will Pettis interception midway through the fourth quarter, which eventually resulted in Dallas taking the lead for good on a Bobby Sippio touchdown.

After scoring on their first four possessions of the game, Columbus scored just once in their final six possessions, including four turnovers.

Offensive specialist Damien Groce once again led Columbus' aerial attack with a team-high seven catches for 77 yards and one touchdown. Groce also returned two kicks for 76 yards; including one returned 56 yards for a touchdown before being named Offensive Player of the Game. Receiver/linebacker Cornelius White followed with four catches for 44 yards. Quarterback Chad Salisbury completed 16-of-31 pass attempts for 144 yards and one touchdown with one interception. He also rushed for 43 yards and a score.

Rookie Clint Stoerner picked up his second win at quarterback for Dallas, completing 15-of-24 passes for 186 yards and three touchdowns. Sippio paced Dallas' receiving corps with four catches for 70 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner with six minutes remaining in the contest. Jason Shelley added five catches for 49 yards and Pettis contributed 51 yards receiving and a score.

Dallas fumbled the ball on their first three possessions of the game, losing two, as the Destroyers jumped out to an early 17-0 lead. Groce opened the scoring with a 35-yard touchdown reception two minutes into the contest. Dallas coughed up the ball once again on their ensuing possession, leading to another Destroyers score on a 3-yard rushing touchdown courtesy of fullback Chris Pope. Kicker Steve Videtich added a 22 yard field goal late in the first quarter to give Columbus their biggest lead of the contest.

The Destroyers claimed a 24-6 advantage at the end of the first quarter. However the Desperados would score 15 unanswered points to close the gap to three at the 2:45 mark of the second quarter. The Destroyers had the ball at the Dallas four yard line inside one minute looking to re-gain some breathing room, however Salisbury was hit in the backfield, losing the ball, as time expired in the first half. Columbus led 24-21 at the break.

Trailing 31-28 early in the fourth quarter, Dallas forced the ball lose following a Salisbury completion to White. Dallas linebacker Duke Pettijohn picked up the fumble and headed toward the endzone for a go-ahead score. However, Columbus lineman Curtis Eason caught Pettijohn from behind forcing him to fumble, which Columbus recovered. Eason's effort was spoiled six plays later when Salisbury was picked off by Pettis at the Dallas six yard-line before Sippio's game-clenching score.

The Destroyers return home next Saturday, February 19 to face the Chicago Rush at Nationwide Arena. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. (ET).



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 13, 2005


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