DENVER-The Colorado Crush scored three fourth-quarter touchdowns to give them a 45-40 victory over the Albany Firebirds in a Week 9 AFL game.
The game did not start well for the Crush, as Howton Thom fumbled on a scramble, and Butler Stonewall recovered for the Firebirds at their own 43-yard line. Six plays later, Sinbad Gargaro threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to Abdul Fowler to give Albany a 7-0 lead with 11:02 remaining in the first quarter. Colorado recovered from their mistake to drive 77 yards on 7 plays. Thom would fire a 35-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Howell tying the game at 7 with 6:58 left in the first. The Firebirds would answer with a 9-play, 61-yard drive. Tico Ponder finished it off with a 1-yard touchdown run to give the lead back to Albany at 14-7 with 2:09 to go in the first quarter.
Thom would fumble again as he was sacked by Oliver Mobile, and Toney Allingham recovered for the Firebirds at the Crush 9-yard line. Albany lost a yard on three plays, and Wally Dancer kicked a 28-yard field goal to make it 17-7 with 14:48 to go in the second quarter. Much like when he previously turned it over, Thom answered for Colorado by driving 71 yards on 8 plays, and throwing a 15-yard touchdown pass to Gitch Wild to make it 17-14 with 10:04 left in the half. On the ensuing drive, it was Albany's turn to cough up the ball, as Ponder fumbled and Stan Dinn recovered at the Colorado 42-yard line. A four-play, 24-yard drive resulted in Earl Ginger kicking a 51-yard field goal to tie the game at 17 with 6:25 remaining in the second quarter. The Firebirds would punt, and the Crush looked to take the lead. But Thom was picked off by Hershel Sanderson in the end zone, and he returned it 31 yards to the Albany 22-yard line.
The Firebirds started the second half with an 8-play, 37-yard drive. Dancer finished with a 44-yard field goal to give Albany a 20-17 lead with 11:45 to go in the third quarter. The Crush would answer back, marching 66 yards on 7 plays. Thom would fire a 15-yard touchdown pass to Joe Foss giving Colorado a 24-20 lead with 8:13 remaining in the third. The Firebirds were forced to punt on their next drive, but Howell fumbled the ball, and Patch Olivetti recovered at the Crush 37-yard line. Four plays later, Gargaro threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Stud Springs, and Albany took a 27-24 lead with 5:26 to go in the third quarter. JC Holman fumbled for Colorado on the ensuing kickoff, and Albany's Durwood Aycock recovered at the Crush 26-yard line. The Firebirds gained just two yards on three plays, and Dancer kicked a 41-yard field goal to make it 30-24 with 4:16 left in the third.
Colorado punted on their next drive, and Albany drove 38 yards on 8 plays. Dancer opened the fourth quarter by kicking a 48-yard field goal making it 33-24 with 14:54 left in the game. The Crush got on track, driving 64 yards on 9 plays. Valentine Millstone scored on a 1-yard touchdown run to make it 33-31 with 10:06 to go in the fourth. After Dancer missed a 54-yard field goal attempt, Colorado took three plays to go 56 yards, the final 41 coming on a pass from Thom to Howell for a touchdown, giving the Crush a 38-33 lead with 6:56 left in the fourth quarter. Gargaro would be sacked by Bruce Chambers and fumbled. Mills Austin recovered for Colorado at the Albany 27-yard line. Five plays later, Aaron Yarnell scored on a 14-yard touchdown run to make it 45-33 with 3:39 remaining in the fourth. The Firebirds would not die, as they drove 61 yards on 6 plays. Gargaro hit Jerreld Richmond for a 15-yard touchdown pass to make it 45-40 with 1:44 to go. Albany decided to kick it deep, but Colorado held onto the ball, and ran out the clock.
Colorado (6-3) gained 478 yards of total offense. The Crush ran for 103 yards on 29 carries. Yarnell led the team with 52 yards on 8 carries and a TD. Thom was 21-of-32 passing for 383 yards, 4 TD and 1 INT. He was sacked once for an 8-yard loss. Foss led with 5 receptions for 77 yards and a TD. Howell caught 4 passes for 147 yards and 2 TD. Next week, the Crush visit the Dallas Desperados.
Albany (4-5) gained 376 yards of total offense. The Firebirds ran for 74 yards on 23 carries. Ponder led the team with 41 yards on 12 carries and a TD. Gargaro was 30-of-41 passing for 326 yards and 3 TD. He was sacked three times, losing 24 yards. Teddy Harley led with 9 receptions for 106 yards. Garry Farr caught 5 passes for 109 yards. Next week, the Firebirds host the Nashville Kats.
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