Wranglers Steal Late Victory, 56-55
March 7, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Carolina Cobras News Release
CHARLOTTE, NC â A risky two-point conversion with no time remaining gave the Austin Wranglers a stunning victory over the Carolina Cobras, 56-55, in front of 10,655 at the Frank Erwin Center. After John Kaleo found Tacoma Fontaine on the game's final play to cut the Cobras lead to one-point, Austin head coach Skip Foster elected to go for two points and the victory. Kaleo was able to find Shannon Culver on the play, and his run-and-catch secured victory for the Wranglers.
Kaleo was named Offensive Player of the Game after completing 28-of-36 passes for 286 yards and six touchdowns, while Charlie Davidson earned Ironman of the Game honors after reeling in 13 receptions for 135 yards and three scores.
The Cobras were led by Matt Nagy, who completed 22-of-28 passes for 254 yards and six touchdowns, while also adding his third scoring run of the season. Todd Doxzon led Carolina receivers with nine catches for 95 yards and a score, while Bernard Holmes added two touchdown receptions in his first action of the 2004 season.
Nagy and Kaleo dueled throughout the final quarter in the see-saw battler, as neither defense was able to contain the passing attacks. The duo combined for six consecutive touchdown drives, including the game-winner. Austin was aided by two Cobras' penalties on the game-winning drive as Carolina was flagged for 15 penalties for 101 yards in the game.
The contest was deadlocked at 7-7 after one quarter of play as both teams methodically drove down field in a pair of drives that lasted the entire frame. The Wranglers received the opening kickoff and were led on a 10-play scoring drive topped off by a 2-yard scoring plunge from Jeremy Beutler. On the ensuing possession, the Cobras displayed the same ball-possession offense, as Matt Nagy found Chris Pope on a 6-yard touchdown pass to complete an eight-play scoring drive.
Austin got on the board quickly in the second frame as Kaleo completed three consecutive passes to Davidson, including a 6-yard slant to give the Wranglers a seven-point lead only minutes into the quarter. The Cobras received excellent field possession after recovering an unsuccessful onsides kick attempt by the Wranglers, and, four plays later, Nagy scampered in from one-yard out for his third touchdown run of the season to tie the game at 14-14. Kaleo and Nagy each completed their second touchdown passes of the game on the next two drives before the Cobras defense made a stand, forcing Austin's Tony Dodson into a failed 56-yard field goal attempts. Jarrick Hilery returned the miss 46 yards for the Cob ras, setting the stage for Holmes' first touchdown reception of the season. Holmes missed the first four games of the season due to a knee injury.
Nagy completed 11-of-13 passes for 101 yards and three touchdowns in the first half for Carolina, while Kaleo hit on 15-of-20 attempts for 136 yards and two scores for the home team.
After Carolina took a brief, 13-point advantage early in the third frame, the Wranglers responded with 13 unanswered points to tie the game at 34-34 after three quarters. The Cobras looked to keep momentum on its side to begin the second half, as Nagy led them on a swift, five-play drive culminated with a seven-yard TD run by Damien Groce. Austin blocked the extra point attempt, however, and Carolina held a 34-21 lead. The Wranglers responded on the ensuing drive as Dan Krager scored on a one-yard TD plunge to cut the Cobras' lead to seven points. Two plays later, Davidson stepped in front of a pass by Matt Nagy to record Austin's first defensive stop of the afternoon. Kaleo quickly capitalized, finding Davidson for the third time to knot the game up heading into the final stanza.
Carolina will take the field this Saturday, March 13 at 7:30 p.m. at the Charlotte Coliseum as the Eastern Division-leading Dallas Desperados return to the Queen City. The date and starting time have been moved from the originally scheduled March 14 contest.
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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 7, 2004
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- Wranglers Steal Late Victory, 56-55 - Carolina Cobras
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