GRAND RAPIDS-The Nashville Kats started slow in the first half for the second straight game, and fell short in a comeback bid once again, as the Grand Rapids Rampage won in a Week 3 AFL game, 29-19.
The Kats went three-and-out on its first possession, and the Rampage would move the ball 69 yards on 6 plays. George Tibbs kicked a 29-yard field goal with 9:19 remaining in the first quarter to give Grand Rapids a 3-0 lead. On Nashville's next possession, Brewster Brickhouse threw an interception to Orville Brill that was returned to the Kats' 7-yard line. On the next play, Curtis Wayne hit Bud Tryer for a touchdown to put the Rampage up 10-0 with 8:02 to go in the first. The Kats would make a move on their next drive, but were forced to punt. Red Hull made a coffin corner punt to the Grand Rapids 6-yard line. Wayne was sacked by Marv Boozer in the end zone for a safety to make it 10-2 in favor of the Rampage with 4:30 remaining in the first quarter.
Nashville would punt again, and Hull would place another coffin corner punt to the Rampage 5. Toby Harrell gained 7 on a sweep. Two plays later, Hudie Naylor gained 3 on a sweep for a first down. Three plays later, Wayne hit Clift Gregory for an 18-yard gain and a first down at their own 30. Bobo Cushing lost 2 yards on a sweep. Wayne connected with Gregory again for a gain of 13 and another first down at the Grand Rapids 41. After an incompletion intended for Joe Foss, Gregory gained 6 on a pass. On third-and-4 from the Rampage 47, Grand Rapids pulled a reverse and Gregory gained 27 yards and another first down at the Nashville 26. Nashville jumped offsides, then Cushing gained 6 for a first down at the Nashville 15. Two plays later, Wayne put the exclamation point on the drive with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Foss to put Grand Rapids up 17-2 with 10:36 left in the half. Nashville would punt again and place the Rampage at their own 8. This time, the Rampage would be forced to punt. Nashville would punt again, and then the Rampage would coffin corner the Kats to Nashville's own 3-yard line. Brickhouse was sacked in the end zone by Conroy Wind for a Safety with 26 seconds remaining in the half, and Grand Rapids went into halftime up 19-2.
The Rampage opened the second half with a punt. Nashville's offense finally seemed to get on track as they moved the ball 71 yards on 8 plays. Daniel Stevenson would kick a 33-yard field goal with 7:36 remaining in the third to make it 19-5. On the Rampage's next possession, Wayne fumbled after being sacked by Juareen Karnes and Hawk Tostada recovered at the Rampage 29-yard line. Five plays later, Brickhouse hit Oliver Osler for a 6-yard pass with 4:29 left in the third to get within a touchdown at 19-12. Grand Rapids would move the ball 39 yards on 11 plays. Tibbs would nail a 54-yard field goal on the first play of the fourth quarter to make it 22-12.
On the ensuing kickoff, Osler returned it 65 yards to the Rampage 21-yard line. Four plays later, Osler ran it in from the 3-yard line to make it 22-19 with 13:10 remaining in the game. Grand Rapids drove into position for Tibbs to attempt a 48-yard field goal, but he missed it. Brickhouse was sacked by Bobby Harpole and the fumble was recovered by Grand Rapids' Rodd Clift at the Orlando 28-yard line. Five plays later, Wayne connected with Harrell for a 15-yard touchdown pass to give the Rampage a 29-19 lead with 6:40 to go in the game. The teams traded punts, and then Nashville was stopped on fourth down to end the competitive phase of the game.
Grand Rapids (1-2) gained 355 yards of total offense. The Rampage gained 129 yards rushing on 34 carries. Harrell carried the ball 18 times for 54 yards, and caught 7 passes for 114 yards and a TD. Wayne was 20-for-32 passing for 264 yards and 3 TD. He was sacked five times, losing 38 yards. Gregory caught 5 passes for 59 yards. Next week, the Rampage visit the Albany Firebirds.
Nashville (0-3) gained 254 yards of total offense. The Kats gained 76 yards rushing on 22 carries. Osler led the rushing atttack with 14 carries for 47 yards and a TD. He also caught 3 passes for 34 yards and a TD. Brickhouse was 17-for-37 passing for 192 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT. Vittorio Swane was Nashville's leading receiver with 5 catches for 48 yards. Nashville visits the Orlando Predators next week.
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