Indiana`s McPherson Learns Quite a Lesson
Marc Viquez
Monday March 1, 2004
Rookie quarterback Adrian McPherson, who saw action during the second half of last week’s game in Detroit, showed that he could be the team’s starting QB as he threw for 4 touchdowns, ran for two more and threw for 236-yards on the day. However, a couple of his mistakes late in the game thwarted the Firebirds’ chance of sealing the victory.
The first mistake occurred when McPherson scored on a 1-yard keeper with 1:13 left in the game to give Indiana a 46-41 lead. Unfortunately, after the touchdown he celebrated by throwing the ball into the crowd. At a time when the Firebirds were trying for a 2-point conversion from the 3-yard line they found themselves penalized 10-yards for unsportsmanlike conduct. The conversion failed and instead of a 7-point lead, the Firebirds had a 5-point lead.
“You learn from your mistakes,” said McPherson who was not aware of the 10-yard penalty for celebrating after the touchdown. “I played a great game, but I just made some huge mistakes in the end, but it is definitely something I learned from.”
Chicago was able to recover the ensuing on-side kick by the Firebirds and added the 2-point conversion to jump back on top 49-46 with just under a minute left in the game. McPherson led Indiana back down the field into scoring territory, but was unable to stop the clock by spiking the ball as time ticked away. McPherson was looking to get a quick play in before spiking the ball, but there was not enough time left on the clock to make another play.
“You live and learn,” said DeBerg. “He is a very talented kid and probably had more pressure than he ever felt in his life. I thought he did a good job handling pressure all day until the very last moment. He did a good job for a long time in that football game.”
McPherson showed he could handle the QB reigns on the second play of the game when he connected with WR/DB Evan Hlavacek on a 40-yard strike and would connect with him again in the third quarter on a 36-yard TD pass. McPherson would spread the ball around connecting with five receivers for an average of 47-yards apiece.
“He is going to be one hell of a player,” added Chicago’s QB Raymond Philyaw, who spent his first four seasons with the Firebirds. “He made some plays. From here on out they’re going to win some games because they came together as a team today.”
McPherson was also able to move the ball on the ground, having 24-yards rushing and scoring twice. He probably would have had three rushing touchdowns, but two offsetting penalties erased the trifecta. The penalties ended Indiana’s momentum and seemed to kick start Chicago’s.
“I think he learned a lot today and I think we learned a lot about him and [he] earned tremendous respect within the team,” said DeBerg, who continues to look for his first win, this time in Orlando.
With McPherson’s strong showing, the team was able to establish a team-record 20 rushing attempts, limit their penalty yardage, and prevent any interceptions. The offensive line and receivers collected some praise, too.
“I give a lot of credit to my team today. I have great receivers who make big plays and my offensive line is a doing a great job in protecting me,” said McPherson.
In the end it was the simple mistakes that stained McPherson’s first start in the AFL, and he must learn from them and move on. He is definitely not the first to start out this way.
“My first year in the league I made mistakes,” said Philyaw, “and I learned from them. I’m in my fifth year now. He is going to watch film this week, and he is going to learn.”
“You Live and Learn” seemed to be the mantra at the end of the game. Maybe it could be a hidden treasure that McPherson found that out in week four of the AFL season, since we will probably be seeing more of him in future games.
A fan of the sport since 1990 Marc has covered both the New Jersey Gladiators and Cincinnati Swarm (Af2) for Arenafan Online. Marc now resides in Indianapolis after graduating with a Masters in Sports Management from Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Ind. When not at a Firebirds game Marc can be found traveling the Midwest covering sports for various Internet and print publications.
