Wednesday, September 7, 2016

AFL: Down To The Wire, Dallas Beats Chicago 20-16

DALLAS-The Dallas Desperados held off a late surge by the Chicago Rush to emerge with a 20-16 victory in Week 5 of the AFL season.

Both teams traded punts to start the game. Chicago then went on a 7-play, 43-yard drive that ended with Dete Justen kicking a 48-yard field goal with 8:04 to go in the first to take a 3-0 lead. After both teams again traded punts, Dallas went on a 9-play, 54-yard drive that saw Elson Gregson run in from 3 yards out to give the Desperados a 7-3 lead with 1:03 remaining in the first.

The second quarter featured lots of punting. Golden Reinhart intercepted an Arman Drummond pass for the Desperados and returned it to his own 42. After that, the Desperados drove 47 yards on 10 plays. Greg Hall kicked a 28-yard field goal with 1:50 left in the half to put Dallas up 10-3. Chicago tried to drive for the tying score, but Indiana Forrester picked off the pass at the Dallas 24 and the half ended with Dallas in front.

Dallas began the second half with a punt. Chicago started from its own 39, and eventually were faced with a 4th-and-goal from the Desperados' 3-yards line with 9:57 to go in the third. Drummond's pass to Marty Margerum fell incomplete. On the next play, Heinie Voorhees was sacked in the end zone by MacArthur Fagan for a safety to get the Rush within 5 points at 10-5 with 9:41 remaining in the third. After fielding the safety kick, the Rush drove 58 yards on 7 plays, culminiating in Margerum catching a 12-yard touchdown pass from Drummond. Chicago successfully made the two-point conversion to go up 13-10 with 6:09 to go in the third. Both teams traded punts as the third quarter drew to a close.

Keith Headrick returned the Dallas punt 28 yards to the Desperados' 27-yard line at the start of the fourth quarter. After three plays, Justen kicked a 46-yard field goal with 12:42 left in the game to put the Rush up 16-10. The Desperados responded with a 9-play, 67-yard drive. With Dallas facing a 4th-and-9 at the Chicago 21, Voorhees completed a touchdown pass to Gregson to put Dallas up 17-16 with 8:02 to go. Both teams traded punts, and then with 2:24 left, Chicago's Winn Burnett's punt attempt was blocked by Richie Garner who returned it 18 yards to the Rush 26. After three plays, Hall kicked a 34-yard field goal to make it 20-16 with 1:10 remaining in the game. Chicago hurried down the field and faced a 4th-and-5 on the Dallas 9 with 4 seconds left, but Drummond was sacked by Theron Jaxon and Drummond fumbled the ball to end the game.

Dallas (3-2) gained 205 yards of total offense. The Desperados ran for 76 yards on 23 carries. Gregson led the team with 52 yards on 14 carries and a TD. He also led Dallas receivers with 5 catches for 47 yards and a TD. Voorhees was 16-for-31 passing for 152 yards and a TD. He was sacked four times, losing 23 yards. Next week, Dallas hosts the Detroit Drive.

Chicago (1-4) gained 343 yards of total offense. The Rush gained 126 yards rushing on 30 carries. Lonnie Clements led the Rush with 53 yards on 11 carries. Drummond was 19-for-32 passing for 242 yards, 1 TD and 2 INT. He was sacked three times, losing 25 yards. Zach Allen caught 6 passes for 83 yards. Margerum had 6 catches for 64 yards and a TD. The Rush host the Grand Rapids Rampage next week.

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