'Birds lose heartbreaker to SaberCats (Full Story) 'Birds Lose Heartbreaker to SaberCats
The Albany Firebirds dropped to 2-1 Saturday night as they lost a tough fought battle with the San Jose SaberCats in San Jose by a score of 41-37. The Firebirds looked sharp on offense for most of the game as "Touchdown" Eddie Brown caught his first two touchdowns of the 1997 season.
Ryan Jones who was signed last week to be the SaberCats' third fullback, not knowing what a prominent role he would play in his first game, took a handoff with 3:41 to go in the seesaw game and punched over from the one for the go ahead touchdown.
Jones was in the game only because Leonard Nelson had sustained a dislocation of his right ring finger.
Former Cal quarterback Mike Pawlawski, dogged by SaberCats rushers all night, followed Jones' touchdown by throwing his third interception of the night, clinching the SaberCats' second straight victory and the Firebirds' first loss in three games.
Pat McGuirk picked off a pass from Pawlawski at the SaberCats' 14. After picking up two first downs, the SaberCats ran out the clock.
Pawlawski completed 22 of 30 passes for 162 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran for a touchdown and paid a heavy price. Blood flowed from unbandaged wounds on his forearms and elbows after the game.
``They're a very good defense,'' Pawlawski said. ``Their defensive line is one of the best in the league. They're bringing it.
``Al Noga has a knack of jumping the snap. That's what playing three years in the NFL will do for you.''
SaberCats quarterback John Kaleo had a better night, completing 16 of 26 passes for 195 yards and four touchdowns.
``I still don't feel all that comfortable with this offense,'' said Kaleo, who has been filling in for injured Tony Kimbrough. ``But I'm a lot better than I was two weeks ago.''
Before Jones scored the winning touchdown, Pawlawski had hooked up with last year's league MVP, Eddie Brown, for an 8-yard scoring strike that gave Albany a 37-34 lead.
The Firebirds were in front thanks to three missed two-point conversion attempts by the SaberCats.
Pawlawski managed only 59 yards passing in the second half after SaberCats Coach Todd Shell made adjustments away from a more complicated defense.
``We let him get away from us in the first half,'' Shell said. ``I turned them loose in the second half. Our defensive guys were thinking too much trying to react at full speed in the first half.''
The SaberCats held the league's leading scorer Chad Dukes scoreless in the game to knock from the league lead.
Two field goals by Pete Elezovic put Albany ahead 22-21 in the third quarter. The second kick traveled 55 yards, tying a club record.
The third time definitely wasn't the charm. Elezovic's 52-yard attempt in the third quarter was returned 55 yards for a touchdown by Titus Dixon, who went cross-field twice on the daring run, which gave San Jose a 28-22 lead once Winters added the conversion.
Dixon had missed the fourth quarter the previous game because of a strained left hamstring.
``That play was huge,'' Shell said. ``Any time you can score on special teams gives you a tremendous advantage.
``Plus, I thought Titus had a pulled hamstring.''
The Firebirds return home Saturday, MAy 24th to face the Arenabowl runner up Iowa Barnstormers. The Firebirds and Barnstormers have become one of the league's major rivalries.
