Fury Win Nail-Biter
Neal Ruhl
Saturday May 3, 2003
The Fury, already missing OS Sulecio Sanford and leading receiver Marcus Nash, used a huge effort from game MVP Ty Grovesteen to get the victory.
“I hate that those guys were hurt, but I like to get in there and contribute,” said Grovesteen.
Grovesteen had six catches good for 64-yards and two scores. The big one came with just :47 seconds remaining on a huge fourth down and eight, as Andy Kelly hit Grovesteen in the end zone to put the Fury up 50-41. The play was not without some controversy however, as many Buffalo players thought that Grovesteen hit the back wall before catching the ball.
“I caught it. I didn’t hit the wall.” Grovesteen said about the play. He also recovered a perfectly placed Nick Gato kickoff that hit off one of the famous Arena League posts for a touchdown. “I just try to fit in,” he said. “Coach gave me a shot this week and I want to do my best. Whenever your number is called, you always want to do your best.”
However, Fury Coach Al Luginbill was not totally pleased with the victory, “We are still turning the ball over and I am not happy with our execution. It seemed as though at the end of the game, all of our fundamentals went out the door.”
The victory set up a pivotal contest next week with Las Vegas Gladiators, where the division lead will be hanging in the balance. “I can’t wait to get them here.” Luginbill said about Las Vegas. “I feel we match up well with them. We have to win next week.”
With the victory tonight, the Fury figure to be in good shape for a playoff spot. However, if they have any aspirations of hosting a playoff game, they have to win next week. As the seeding sits right now, the Fury would have to travel to Grand Rapids to face the Rampage in the opening round of the playoffs. Traveling to Grand Rapids for the playoffs is not a prescription for success. The Fury must move up in the seeding and get a little bit of an easier opponent if the want to advance.
Inside the Fury
While WR Ty Grovesteen was the game MVP, Fury WR Jason Kaiser picked off the game’s Iron Man award, as well as the on-side kick attempt by Buffalo to secure the game…Look for WR and the Fury’s leading pass catcher Marcus Nash to return next week against Las Vegas…Tonight’s game was moved to Thursday because the originally-scheduled time of Sunday at three o’clock coincided with a possible game seven for the Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic.
Neal Ruhl lives in the Metro Detroit Area where he has covered the Detroit Lions as well as the Motor City Bowl.
