Not There Yet, But Progress Seen
Kevin A. De Ceuninck
Monday April 30, 2001
Fury coach Mouse Davis has preached that as the goal for the season. And two weeks into it, the Fury has already made a step forward. The 50-42 win over the Oklahoma Wranglers, as a debut in front of the home crowd, has Davis excited about his team’s prospects.
“We have served notice that we can play,” said Davis. “We weren’t up to that standard early, or even last week.”
The Fury defense stifled the Wranglers, forcing six turnovers, two fumbles returned for touchdowns and four interceptions. Quarterback Scott Semptimphelter recovered from his three-interception game last week to throw six touchdowns and no interceptions this week.
“I would have liked to make a few more throws tonight,” said Semptimphelter. “We have to make more plays.”
Semptimphelter credited the defense with the boost to start the game. “That is by far the best scenario, when you get on the field, already up 7-0. You go down and score; you can take control of the game that way.”
The Fury did hold control of the game, leading wire to wire, but the Wranglers had the opportunity to tie the game in the last minute. Leading 50-42, the lone Fury turnover gave the Wranglers one final shot.
“That may have been my fault,” said Davis. “I thought we could just run the clock out, and we end up putting it on the ground. We should have just tried to score again.”
Fortunately, the final Oklahoma turnover ended their drive at the Fury four-yard line, with a Tommy Boyd interception with nine seconds remaining.
“I really just wanted to make a play,” said Boyd. “We knew what they like to run when they get down close. I chose the right time to sit down on the underneath man. I don’t think he [Lopez] saw me sitting on the route.”
Boyd’s interception sent the 12,148 fans in attendance home happy. The atmosphere was electric.
“It was great. And it will get better and better,” said Davis. “The fans will just get more involved.”
Kevin A. De Ceuninck was a writer for ArenaFan Online during the 2001 season.
