Fury Playoff Hopes Suffer Crippling Blow
Neal Ruhl
Tuesday May 4, 2004
Rush backup quarterback Chad Salisbury filled in admirably for injured starter Raymond Philyaw by going an efficient 19 of 32 for 216 yards and four touchdowns. Salisbury also rushed for a score and was named the Offensive Player of the Game.
“He didn’t really do anything to beat us, but he was effective,” said Fury head coach Tom Luginbill. “He just didn’t make any mistakes, and we did.”
The Fury offense got off to a sluggish start as they only managed 13 first half points against the Rush defense. In the last meeting between these two teams, the Fury scored 72 points.
“They played a good defensive game,” said Fury quarterback Andy Kelly. “They made very few mistakes.”
Kelly did throw for his 599th career passing touchdown in the game, putting him only one scoring strike away from becoming only the second player to pass for 600 in a career.
The Fury are unofficially done in the playoff race, but these guys are professionals who have pride. There is also much to play for as the players have jobs to worry about. In a free agent league that features a majority of one-year contracts, the players know that other teams will be watching.
“Jobs either here, or somewhere else are on the line for these guys,” said Luginbill. “They have to have pride and professionalism.”
Unleash the Fury
The Fury travel to Indiana next week to take on the resurgent Firebirds... WR/LB Thabiti Davis went over the 100 yard mark in receiving for the day by hauling a game high 11 catches for 111 yards and a touchdown... DS Ron Carpenter had a 53 yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Neal Ruhl lives in the Metro Detroit Area where he has covered the Detroit Lions as well as the Motor City Bowl.
