Latest Loss Could lead to Big Crush Changes
Chuck Fasse
Tuesday March 18, 2003
“We have to eliminate the mistakes, and I have to just play my game and try not to force throws and work with what is given to me.”
Dutton proved his point, only in reverse.
With the crush leading in the third quarter and driving, the ArenaBowl MVP quarterback did exactly what he said he should not. Taking the snap and dropping back with no one visibly open and the rush closing in around him, he let a pass go into the heart of the Rattlers defense; where it was intercepted by Hunkie Cooper and returned for a touchdown.
The Colorado Crush entered America West Arena Sunday to take on the Rattlers looking to turn their season around with a victory. They left more frustrated, confused and unsure of what’s next as they fell to Arizona 75-42 after holding a 33-30 third quarter lead. The Crush is now 1-6 overall and 0-2 in their division. Head Coach Bob Beers made one thing very clear, there will be changes made. When asked what is next, Beers answered with one word.
“Changes.”
With Arizona making a second half surge, the Crush came apart and then things got bad as frustrations boiled over in front of a national TV audience. After throwing the interception to Rattlers Defensive back Hunkie Cooper, which he returned for a touchdown, quarterback John Dutton and lineman Dwayne Missouri had words. Things exploded when the 6’5” 272 pound Missouri shoved Dutton; knocking the quarterback backwards a good 15 to 20 feet. When asked what happened, both Dutton and Missouri had little to say.
“It’s a team matter….Something me and John will have to discuss later.” Missouri said.
Dutton added, “It’s not right what happened, I don’t want to talk about it. He (Missouri) was fired up at the time.”
“We weren’t professionals,” Dutton said. “I have no idea what’s going on. When you’ve been in games and don’t pull it out, it’s frustration!”
Beers went a little further when asked if Missouri would still be a part of the team after the incident “Maybe, Maybe.”
This was the fifth time in seven games Colorado went into halftime leading, only to lose in the end. “I’m not sure. We’re trying,” Beers said. “You can’t keep making the same mistakes week in and week out. We’re going to have to see if we have them (players) internally or look for guys who really want to be here.”
Stay Tuned…!
Chuck Fasse was a writer for ArenaFan Online during the 2003 season.
