Turnovers and Penalties too much as Fury Lose Again
Neal Ruhl
Sunday June 30, 2002
Following a 1-yard plunge from Gladiators QB Jay McDonagh to start the scoring, the Fury were able to get on the board on their second play from scrimmage as Scott Semptimphelter laid one right on the hands of Ty Grovesteen for a 44-yard TD connection to tie things up at 7-7. On New Jersey’s next possession, the ugliness started for the Fury, however, as they would be flagged on three consecutive plays, which featured two in row on Fury DB Kevin Scott. New Jersey WR Mike Horacek then caught a 1-yard pass from McDonagh to give the Gladiators a 14-7 lead. The TD reception would be the first of five for the game MVP Horacek, as he would finish the game with 10 catches for 144 yards and a whopping 5 scores. The first half ended with the Gladiators leading, 31-24.
The second half scoring would start the same way for the Fury, when again on the second play from scrimmage, Semtimphelter connected with Grovesteen for a 28-yard score to tie the game at 31-31. On New Jersey’s ensuing possession, Ty Grovesteen intercepted McDonagh and returned it for a score, only to see another Fury penalty nullify the pick. Following another Kevin Scott penalty, Mike Horacek again hauled in a scoring strike from McDonagh, this time for 28 yards to put New Jersey up to stay at 38-31. The Fury would get as close as 48-45 in the fourth quarter, but three Semptimphelter interceptions, and more ill-timed penalties gave the Gladiators the victory 62-45. The win saw New Jersey improve to 7-4, which with Buffalo’s loss Friday, puts them atop the Eastern Division. The loss puts the Fury at a dismal 1-10 -- the bottom of the Central Division.
COACHES CORNER- quotes form Fury coach “Mouse” Davis
On the ill-timed penalties and turnovers- “When you make mistakes like that you have to be good enough to overcome them. Especially when you cause the mistake yourself. We are not good enough to do that right now.”
On the Fury injury situation- “We have to go out and look for another receiver. We are down a couple guys at that spot. The problem with that is that you go and get a guy that’s not playing now, and it takes them a couple weeks to get going and get in game shape.”
On the remaining 3 games- “You have to go out and play as hard as possible. Everybody is a professional.”
INSIDE THE FURY
Fury kicker Brad Sellant has been solid since being signed last week making all of his extra points and only missing a 50-yard attempt that just missed to the right. WR/DB Chuck Levy was the Ironman of the game. R-Kal Truluck continued his impressive play with multiple QB pressures. OL/DL Kelvin Kinney sprained his left knee.
BEHIND ENEMY LINES
Gladiators OS Mike Horacek needed only 29 yards to become New Jersey’s all-time leader for reception yards in a season. His 144 more than got the job done. His five TDs also were more than the two he needed to break the Gladiators record for TD catches in a season. WR/LB David Saunders (now with Tampa Bay) held the former record. QB Jay McDonagh also broke a record for the Gladiators: His first quarter TD rush gives him a record five, the most ever by a New Jersey Gladiator.
Neal Ruhl lives in the Metro Detroit Area where he has covered the Detroit Lions as well as the Motor City Bowl.
