Grand Rapids Miscues Fuel Philadelphia Win
Randy Snow
Saturday March 17, 2007
For the second straight week, the Grand Rapids Rampage lost at home to a team that was playing its second consecutive game on the road. The Philadelphia Soul (2-0) took advantage of two interceptions and two fumbles by the Rampage in a 69-40 win Thursday night. It was the first time that the Soul had ever traveled to the state of Michigan for a game.
Grand Rapids (1-2) led 16-14 at the end of the first quarter, but the Soul outscored the Rampage 27-3 in the second quarter and had a 41-19 lead at halftime. The first half ended on a truly bizarre play, however. Trailing 34-19, Rampage kicker Brian Gowins attempted a field goal with no time left on the clock after a Soul penalty on the last play of the half. The kick bounced off the net and was recovered by the Soul who, as ESPN’s Chris Berman would say, went “rumblin’, bumblin’, stumblin’,” the length of the field (lateraling the ball twice) and scored a touchdown on the un-timed down.
It looked like Grand Rapids might get back in the game on the opening kickoff of the second half. The Rampage kicked off to Philadelphia, but Grand Rapids DB Reggie Doster recovered the ball after it ricocheted off the net. Unfortunately, he fumbled the ball into the end zone where it was recovered by Philadelphia for a touchback.
“Special teams, which has been a strength for us so far this season, failed us tonight,” said Rampage head coach Sparky McEwen. “Defensively, in the secondary, we’ve been having some issues the last couple of weeks and we’ve got to get a little better continuity there. We just never really got in sync and then it was an uphill climb because (Philadelphia) is a pretty good football team.”
Graziani completed 16 of 23 passes for 217 yards, five touchdowns and was named Offensive Player of the Game. Soul WR Charles Pauley had six catches for 128 yards and two touchdowns. In the loss, Grand Rapids QB Matt Sauk completed 22 of 40 passes for 225 yards and three touchdowns.
Soul DB Eddie Moten was named Defensive Player of the Game and Philadelphia DB Mike Brown was named Ironman of the Game.
Michael Bishop Returns To Grand Rapids
Earlier in the week, the Rampage made a trade with the Kansas City Brigade for QB Michael Bishop. In return, Kansas City got Rampage FB/LB Jerry Turner. Bishop, who was with the Rampage in 2004 and 2005, was brought in as a backup for QB Matt Sauk. Starting Rampage QB Chad Salisbury is still recovering from a concussion he suffered in a win over the Colorado Crush in week one.
Bishop was informed of the trade at about 8:30 Tuesday night and by midnight he was on the road driving to Grand Rapids. “I understand the nature of the game,” said Bishop. “I enjoyed the time I was there (in Kansas City) but it’s just another chapter in my football career that is closed. I just have to move on and enjoy the experience here and be ready to play when I’m able to.”
With the team trailing 69-33 in the final minutes of the game, Bishop came off the bench and threw a five-yard touchdown pass to WR Scotty Anderson. Bishop had not even taken a snap in practice since joining the team the day before the game.
Next Game
The Rampage travel west to take on the Utah Blaze on Friday night, March 23. Kickoff is set for 9 PM EST.
