Injuries Plague Fusion in Loss

Alex Painter
Monday April 30, 2007

After a tough loss on the road last week to the Manchester Wolves, the Fort Wayne Fusion returned home to square off against the Albany Conquest in an attempt to capture a share of the first place lead in the Midwest Division.  However, a sluggish offense had trouble putting points on the board, and nagging injuries took a toll on the team as the Fusion fell 35-21 in front of 4,434 fans at the Memorial Coliseum.    

The Fusion took the field with four key players on the Injured Reserve, including kick returner/wide receiver R.J. Harvey, another wide receiver Cesare Manning, and two regulars on the defensive line, Patrick Pa’u and Rodney Wormley.

The game began rather slowly with both teams’ turning the ball over on downs each of their first possessions.  The Fusion finally broke the scoring drought with 4:47 left in the first quarter on a 13-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Cody Hodges to receiver Jermaine Jackson.  Kyle Hooper connected on the extra point to make it a 7-0 Fusion lead.  

The Fusion’s defense was dealt a crushing blow the following series as defensive back Nathan Williams flew headfirst into the dasher boards attempting to break up a pass.  Albany receiver Antwuan Williams was able to walk into the end zone, but Williams did not get up after the play.  After 15 minutes with team trainers attending to him, he was carried off the field on a stretcher.  

Williams entered the game second in the af2 in tackles, with 29.5, and his presence was key to the defense, as they scrambled to find a replacement.

“It was a big blow to the defense,” Jermaine Jackson said, “we had guys rotating in that hadn’t played as much.”

“We have a “next man in” philosophy. We can’t let one injury affect us a team,” defensive back Marlin Maxwell said. 

With the score tied up at seven apiece, the Fusion offense continued to struggle, as quarterback Cody Hodges failed to find a groove, and was continually being pressured, getting knocked down on several occasions, often slow to get up.  

A Fusion 35-yard field goal attempt was blocked with no time left in the first half and sent the Fusion into the locker room down 21-14.  

The third quarter produced only one score, an 11-yard touchdown pass from Albany quarterback Ryan Hart to tight end Ryan Bird on a screen pass, and the Conquest led 28-14 going into the fourth quarter.  

An injured Hodges was pulled from the game with six minutes left in the fourth quarter, after slowly getting up after a fierce hit from an Albany defensive lineman.  Hodges finished the night 19 of 30 passing with 131 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.  

Hodges replacement was Joe Micco, a newcomer from San Jose State after backup quarterback Aaron Marshall was cut earlier this week.  

Micco did manage to revive the offense a temporarily, pulling the team within seven points, 28-21, after a 32-yard touchdown pass to Tyrone Walker with 1:12 left in the game.  A failed onside kick attempt and a late Albany touchdown sealed the Fusion’s fate, as the last seconds ticked off the clock with a 35-21 Albany advantage. 

Mr. Versatile

Melvin Parris has played three different positions this season; fullback, linebacker, and now defensive end, thanks to the plethora of injuries the Fusion have suffered this year.  Thus far, he has tallied three rushing yards, as well as 15 tackles, including one sack.  

“I would rather play a position I can really help in,” Parris said, “Lord willing, our injury bug will go away.” 

New Backup Quarterback

Joe Micco, a San Jose State product, arrived in Fort Wayne on Wednesday, probably did not expect to play so soon, seeing how he attended exactly one practice and walk through, but an injury to starter Cody Hodges thrust Micco into the game.

“It happened really quick, so Coach Brown was getting the rest of the team ready, and I was warming up as quickly as possible.” 

Micco filled in admirably, throwing for 39 yards and a touchdown. 

Next Week

The Fusion (2-3) will hit the road to Cincinnati next week to battle the Jungle Kats (0-4), in a division match up.  Despite the loss, and the abundance of injuries, linebacker Tyus Jackson says the team will be ready.

“We will come back and have a hard week of practice like we always do, and go forward from there.”