Mustangs unable to come back, fall 69-48

Saturday May 12, 2012

 CRITICAL MISCUES PLAGUE MILWAUKEE IN DIVISIONAL LOSS

MILWAUKEE, WI (May 11, 2012) – The Milwaukee Mustangs (3-5) fell 69-48 to the Cleveland Gladiators (5-4) Saturday evening in front of a home crowd of 5,743 at the Bradley Center.

Despite Andrae Thurman’s 12 catches for 154 yards and three touchdowns, Milwaukee was slowed by offensive and special teams mistakes throughout the contest.

A fumble recovery for a touchdown on a muffed hold on a field goal attempt and a blocked field goal recovery for a touchdown would doom the Mustangs, as well as a pair of fourth quarter interceptions.

Cleveland began the scoring when John Dutton connected with Dominick Goodman on an 18-yard touchdown pass. Milwaukee answered back with a 15-yard scoring completion from Gino Guidugli to Andrae Thurman to knot the score up at 7-7 before Jeramie Richardson ran the ball into the end zone from two yards out to give the Gladiators the lead.

But field goal miscues would give the Gladiators a commanding 28-7 lead. First, the muffed hold on an attempt resulted in a 39-yard touchdown return by Joe Phinisee. Then, a 64-yard field goal attempt by Joshua Smith was blocked and recovered in the end zone by Richardson to quiet the Mustangs faithful with 7:28 remaining in the half.

Jared Jenkins hauled in a 34-yard pass to close the gap 28-14, but the Gladiators battled back with another Richardson rushing score to extend the lead. Milwaukee would not quit, however, and cut the lead to 35-21 heading into the half with a 10-yard strike from Guidugli to Thurman.

Milwaukee began to creep back into the game to start the second half with a 23-yard touchdown catch by Thurman. After Cleveland scored on a 31-yard reception by Thyron Lewis, the Mustangs reduced the lead to 42-34 on a quarterback sneak by Guidugli.

The Mustangs started the final quarter in a big way when Marcus Everett intercepted a Dutton pass to set up another rushing touchdown by Guidugli. The two-point conversion attempt was successful and Milwaukee had pulled off the comeback to tie the game at 42-42, but Richardson quickly added his third short rushing touchdown of the game to regain the lead for Cleveland.

A Levy Brown interception set up a Derik Steiner touchdown reception to give Cleveland a 55-42 lead with 5:26 remaining, but Kelvin Rodgers had something to say about it, returning the ensuing kickoff 58 yards to cut the lead to 55-48. Cleveland would take a 62-48 lead on its next possession, however, as Dutton hooked up with Robert Redd on a 7-yard touchdown pass. The Gladiators closed the game with a Dustin

Bell interception that led to another Redd touchdown reception and the game ended with Cleveland on top, 69-48.

AWARD WINNERS

Riddell Defensive Player of the Game: Cleveland DB Levy Brown
Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game: Milwaukee WR Andrae Thurman
JLS Ironman of the Game: Cleveland FB/LB Jeramie Richardson
AFL Playmaker of the Game: Cleveland FB/LB Jeramie Richardson
Cutters Catch of the Game: Andrae Thurman’s fingertip catch in the end zone
Spalding Highlight of the Game: Kelvin Rodgers’s 58-yard kickoff return for a touchdown
National Guard MVP of the Game: Cleveland FB/LB Jeramie Richardson


ABOUT THE MILWAUKEE MUSTANGS:
The 2012 Milwaukee Mustangs are thrilled to honor and represent the Arena Football League as they celebrate their silver 25th anniversary this season. The rich heritage of the Milwaukee Mustangs continues the tradition of hard-hitting arena football action in Milwaukee. The Mustangs are looking forward to the 2012 AFL season and you should be too. Tickets and Sponsorships are on sale now! For more information visit mkemustangs.com or call 414-224-4000 today! Please make sure to follow the Milwaukee Mustangs and Fillies Dance Team on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter.