DETROIT-Lou Couch threw 2 touchdown passes, including the game-winner to Ahmed Sohn with 3:18 remaining to lead the Detroit Drive to a 31-28 victory over the Albany Firebirds in the AFL season opener for both teams.
After Detroit MLB Tad Adler intercepted Albany QB Sinbad Gargaro in the first possession, the Drive opened up the scoring with a 43-yard field goal by Cletis Frayer to give Detroit a 3-0 lead with 12:40 left in the first quarter. Later in the first, Albany's defense would get the Firebirds on the board, as Couch's mishandled snap resulted in a fumble recovery by DE Riley Cater, who rambled 28 yards to the end zone and gave Albany a 7-3 lead at the 6:35 mark. The Drive were quick to respond, however, as HB Patch Brolie scored on a 10-yard touchdown run off tackle right to give Detroit a 10-7 lead with 3:11 left in the first.
In the second quarter, Detroit expanded on their lead, as S Butch Bryant stepped in front of a Gargaro pass and took off on a 63-yard pick six and the ensuing extra point gave the Drive a 17-7 lead with 10:50 remaining in the half. But then the Firebirds got back on track, and drove 70 yards on 9 plays, culminating in a 1-yard plunge by Scooter Colby to cut the lead to 17-14 with 6:40 left in the second. The half ended with that score.
In the third quarter, Detroit had a chance to tie the game early, but Frayer missed a 51-yard field goal. The Firebirds would subsequently drive down the field, and scored when Gargaro hooked up with WR Teddy Harley on a 16-yard pass to take a 21-17 lead with 7:45 to go in the third. However, Detroit would drive down the field and retake the lead as Couch hit FB Rocky Adams with a 10-yard pass to go up 24-21 with 4:00 to go in the third. Albany K Dom Wenning missed a 47-yard field goal late in the third.
The score would remain 24-21 until midway through the fourth quarter. A long punt return by Harley set the Firebirds up in the red zone, and Gargaro would later hit FB Abdul Fowler for a 7-yard touchdown and give Albany a 28-24 lead with 5:51 remaining. But Detroit picked their way back down the field, driving 75 yards on 6 plays, with Couch hitting TE Sohn for a 1-yard TD pass to go up 31-28 with 3:18 left. Albany's hope for a comeback died two plays later when S McKinley Beaumont picked off Gargaro and Detroit ran out the clock.
The Drive offense gained 367 yards of total offense. Detroit gained 152 yards rushing, Brolie leading the way with 59 yards on 12 carries and a touchdown. Couch went 20-for-30 for 219 yards and 2 TD and 2 INT. He was sacked three times, losing 28 yards. Dave Huntley caught 5 passes for 105 yards, including a 24-yard completion from Brolie on an Option Pass at the end of the third quarter. Vern Kelly caught 6 passes for 54 yards.
Albany gained 258 yards of total offense. Colby led the Firebird rushers with 45 yards on 9 carries and a TD. Harley was Albany's leading receiver in a balanced passing attack, with 4 catches for 42 yards and a touchdown. Gargaro went 21-for-34 for 190 yards, 2 TD and 3 INT. He was also sacked once, losing 7 yards.
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