Wranglers win inaugural performance with 49-48 overtime victory over Orlando
Published on February 14, 2004 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Austin Wranglers News Release
The Austin Wranglers upset their division-rival Orlando Predators in their inaugural AFL appearance. The game was kept close throughout with an MVP performance by QB John Kaleo going 28-39 for 307 yards and an interception. Kaleo connected with WR/DB Charlie Davidson 13 times for 151 yards, WR/LB Darryl Hammond seven times for 53 yards and OS Shannon Culver five times for 51 yards. Defensively, the Wranglers were lead by DS Cedric Walker who accumulated eight total tackles on the evening and linemen Tom Briggs and Eric Thomas who each collected one sack with a total loss of six yards. The Wranglers answered the Predators on each score and ended up on top after a dramatic overtime victory.
Austin's kicker Tony Dodson initiated play with a kickoff fielded by Orlando WR/LB James Bowden, who was quickly taken down by Walker at their own 8 yard-line. The Predators shot two quick passing plays before QB Joe Hamilton, who ended the game completing 23-33 for 296 yards, hit WR/LB Cory Fleming for the first score of the game.
The Wranglers first offensive possession of the game ended with a fumble recovered by Orlando. However, Wranglers FB/LB Patrise Alexander recovered an Orlando fumble on the ensuing drive. The Orlando defense stepped in again with an interception of a Kaleo pass intended for Culver, which the Predators offense converted to a touchdown. The Wranglers answered with their first scoring drive of the game. Kaleo hit Davidson three times for 46 yards and a touchdown on the drive. Dodson's point-after attempt was good and left the Wranglers only one touchdown behind at the end of the first quarter with a score of 14-7.
The second quarter began with a quick touchdown by Orlando which the Wranglers answered with a 40-yard scoring drive of their own highlighted by a 19-yard reception by Briggs that put the Wranglers in the red-zone. Kaleo ran the ball in one yard for the score. Dodson's PAT kept the Wranglers just one touchdown away from the Predators, 21-17.
Orlando again answered with a touchdown after they were put on the spot with a third-down brought about by a Briggs sack for a loss of five yards leaving the score 28-17. However, the Wranglers marched down the field and answered on a seven-play scoring drive culminated by a four-yard Kaleo pass to Culver on third-and-goal. After a missed field goal by Orlando, the Predators maintained a 28-21 lead at halftime.
The Wranglers received the ball at the beginning of the third quarter and opened the half with a fiery performance from Kaleo, who found Davidson and Hammond twice each on consecutive attempts. Alexander capped off the drive by pounding into the endzone on a one-yard rushing touchdown. After Dodson's extra point, the score stood tied at 28.
Orlando answered with Hamilton completing another deep passing play to Fleming for a touchdown. However, the quick score put the Wranglers offense back to work with a 27-yard drive that tied the game again. Kaleo shot Davidson and Culver the ball for 17 total yards and OL/DL Jeremy Beutler rushed the ball for seven yards before Kaleo completed a three-yard scoring pass to Davidson, which again, tied the game at 35 after Dodson's extra point.
Upon completing a nine-play scoring drive taking the game into the fourth quarter, Orlando scored on a rushing touchdown by FB/LB Rupert Grant giving the Predators the lead only temporarily. The Wranglers answered again with a drive to tie the score at 42. Highlighted by at 22-yard pass to Davidson, Kaleo found Hammond in the endzone on third-and-goal who came down with the ball after a spectacular leap over the Predator defender to make the scoring catch. Dodson's kick completed the drive, putting the Wranglers defense in motion. The unit held the Predators to fourth-and-goal leading to a missed field goal attempt by Predator kicker Jay Taylor. The Wranglers took over at their own five-yard line and, after converting on a critical fourth down with a 22-yard Kaleo pass to Culver, ended regulation with a 36-yard missed field goal.
The overtime period started with a five-play scoring drive for the Wranglers who took their first lead in the game. Kaleo completed two passes to Davidson for eight and 17 yards respectively before finding Hammond for a 10-yard touchdown reception. Dodson's point-after left the Wranglers ahead by seven. Orlando answered with a scoring drive and attempted a two-point conversion that was ruled unsuccessful after Hamilton stepped out of bounds before making into the endzone.
The Wranglers will take on their second-straight National Southern Division opponent, the Tampa Bay Storm, next week at their home-opener, Sunday, February 22, at the Frank Erwin Center. The game will be televised as a part of NBC's national AFL coverage.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 14, 2004
- L.A. Avengers beat Las Vegas Gladiators, 62-55 - Los Angeles Avengers
- Wranglers win inaugural performance with 49-48 overtime victory over Orlando - Austin Wranglers
- Final pass knocked down as Gladiators fall to Avengers - Las Vegas Gladiators
- Late TD Run Halts Firebirds Rally, 41-40 - Albany/Indiana Firebirds
- Rush block out past, defeat the Dragons - Chicago Rush
- Rampage fall in home opener 55-37 to Crush - Grand Rapids Rampage
- Cobras Stun Destroyers 54-53 On Final Play - Carolina Cobras
- Destroyers drop heartbreaker to Cobras in inaugural home opener - Columbus Destroyers
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