Wuerffel is on Fire

April 15, 2000 http://nfleurope.com

Barcelona Dragons 17 Rhein Fire 28 Rheinstadion: 28,924

QUARTERBACK Danny Wuerffel and wide receiver Kevin Drake teamed up for a trio of touchdowns as the Fire staged a second-half rally to get their season off to a winning start.

Former Heisman Trophy winner Wuerffel marked his NFLEL debut by completing 14 of 22 passes for 204 yards and three touchdowns, while Drake, a former Scottish Claymore, celebrated his first appearance in Fire colours by catching five passes for 72 yards.

The Fire struck first when former New Orleans Saints starter Wuerffel hit Drake for a 21-yard touchdown with 8:18 to play in the first quarter.

But the Dragons dominated the second quarter with two unanswered scores by wide receiver Jeremaine Copeland. The former University of Tennessee player, a 22nd-round draft pick by the Dragons, helped level the score when he held a 16-yard touchdown pass from Tony Graziani, the allocated quarterback from the Atlanta Falcons with 8:37 to play.

Copeland sent the Dragons into the locker room with the lead when he hooked up with Detroit Lions quarterback Cory Sauter from 22 yards with just seven seconds left in the half.

But it was the Fire's turn to make the scoreboard tick over in the third quarter. With 8:51 left in the quarter Pepe Pearson raced in to score on a 5-yard run and Drake was on the end of another touchdown pass by ex-University of Florida star Wuerffel -- this time from 15 yards with 3:44 to play.

Former F.C. Barcelona soccer goalkeeper Jesus Angoy landed a 21-yard field goal with 8:27 to play in the fourth quarter, but the Fire -- keen to get off to a fast start after opening last year with a pair of losses -- ensured victory when Drake and Wuerffel combined again from 13 yards with 4:43 to play.

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