Late sack, safety help Albany stave off Mustangs

MARK SINGELAIS
Staff writer

ALBANY -- It was strange to hear the Firebirds' defense getting more applause than the offense at Pepsi Arena. It was also strange to hear the Firebirds quarterback getting booed.

But both of these phenomena happened Saturday night as Albany (2-0) pulled out a 34-23 victory over the Milwaukee Mustangs (0-2) in an Arena Football League game in the home opener in front of an announced crowd of 12,858.

The Firebirds, who in the past have treated their fans to shootouts, instead unveiled their new commitment to defense.

The game's Ironman Award went to lineman Kyle Moore, who had a critical sack to foil Milwaukee's bid for a tying touchdown in the fourth quarter. Also, linebacker Leroy Thompson recorded a safety late in the third quarter that swung momentum in Albany's favor.

Milwaukee coach Michael Trigg, whose team scored an average of 53.5 points in two losses to Albany last year, said the Firebirds' defense is much improved. One big difference, according to Trigg, is new Albany defensive coordinator Durwood Roquemore.

"They have much better balance on offense and defense,'' said the Milwaukee coach. "Roquemore's a good coach and a real good, experienced guy in Arena Football. I think he's a lot better than anybody they've had here doing defense. That's not to knock anyone who was here prior, but Durwood is a coach that a lot of people knew that when he got out of playing, he'd be able to make a difference.''

Roquemore played defensive specialist in Arenaball for nine season, including one for the Firebirds.

Albany quarterback Mike Pawlawski, making his first start in front of the home crowd, was the victim of some booing when he threw two interceptions and lost a fumble that was returned for a touchdown.

But he turned the fans in his favor when he made a gritty 20-yard run down to the Milwaukee 2. That play set up Pawlawski's 2-yard touchdown keeper that gave Albany the lead for good 22-20 with 1:20 remaining in the third quarter.

Pawlawski completed 21 of 39 passes for 198 yards and one touchdown.

It remains to be seen whether Pawlawski has the raw passing skills of Mike Perez, the man he's replacing, who broke all sorts of league records. But Pawlawski is tough and more mobile than Perez.

"I can get outside the pocket and move a little bit,'' said Pawlawski of his 20-yard run. "I got flushed, there was a running lane and I took it.''

After Pawlawski scored, Thompson sacked Milwaukee quarterback Todd Hammel in the end zone for a safety that gave Albany a 24-20 lead. Albany got the ball back on a free kick, and Pete Elezovic kicked a 37-yard field goal to increase the advantage to 27-20 with 13:36 left in the game.

The Mustangs responded with a drive that reached the Albany 9, but Moore sacked Hammel for an eight-yard loss on third down. Milwaukee kicker Kenny Stucker made the resulting 32-yard field goal, cutting Albany's lead to 27-23, but that's the last time Milwaukee was in a position to tie.

Chad Dukes, the game's MVP, scored his second rushing touchdown of the game (a 4-yarder) to give the Firebirds a 34-23 lead. Milwaukee's last threat was snuffed out when Albany defensive specialist Larry Jones broke up a fourth-down pass intended for Milwaukee receiver David Andrews with 3:24 remaining. The crowd went crazy for the defense, and it was an unusual sight.

Albany offensive specialist Eddie Brown was held scoreless for the second straight game. Prior to this season, he had been held scoreless only once in three years.

Brown caught 11 passes for 111 yards.

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