Fury Win a Classic
Neal Ruhl
Monday March 29, 2004
Trailing 71-65 with seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, Fury coach Tom Luginbill called for a halfback pass that saw Fury receiver Jeff Russell take a pitch from QB Andy Kelly. Russell sprinted to the sideline, then turned and floated a pass back to a wide-open Kelly, who could have moon walked into the end zone. The Mark Lewis extra point was good, giving the Fury the win. The play was officially called a run due to the fact that Kelly caught it behind the line of scrimmage.
“I actually talked to the officials before hand to tell them to be on the lookout that the play was in fact going to be a lateral,” said Luginbill. “This was a big win for us because these are the type of wins that change seasons. If we lose the game, people say we’re out of the play off race, but because we won, people will say the season is saved.”
“That was actually a two-point conversion play we have been running in practice,” said Fury receiver Jeff Russell. “I don’t think anyone expected that one.”
I hate to say I told you so, but I told you so. The Fury veterans stepped up in a big way. The win upped their record to 3-4, but maybe just as importantly knocked the Rush to 5-2. Detroit still has life in the Central division, and must maintain the momentum against Georgia next week.
Unleash the Fury
Since the play was classified as a run, Andy Kelly’s career receiving touchdown total remains at 0…Rush kicker Keith Gispert hit a light or the scoreboard on five consecutive kicks. He got a standing ovation when he finally had a successful kickoff…The Fury host the Georgia Force Thursday at the Palace of Auburn Hills…
Neal Ruhl lives in the Metro Detroit Area where he has covered the Detroit Lions as well as the Motor City Bowl.
