Firebirds lose third straight in overtime (Full Story) Firebirds lose third straight in overtime
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Larry Ray Willis caught a 40-yard touchdown pass in overtime, and then teamed with quarterback Rickey Foggie again for the two-point conversion to give the New Jersey Red Dogs a 53-52 triumph over the Albany Firebirds in an Arena Football League game Friday night at Continental Air Arena.
Foggie, who opened the second half for the Red Dogs instead of starter Carlos Garay, hit Chad Lindsey with a six-yard touchdown with 10.3 seconds left in regulation. Steve Videtich's extra point kick tied the score at 45-45. When the Firebirds' Pete Elezovic just missed a 61-yard field goal as time expired, the game went into overtime.
Albany received the kickoff and went 45 yards in eight plays, scoring on a one-yard run by quarterback Mike Pawlawski. Elezovic's extra point kick made it 52-45, Firebirds.
With each team getting at least one possession in overtime, according to AFL rules, the Red Dogs took the ensuing kickoff. Return man Willie Gaston got the ball out to the six-yard line.
On the second play from scrimmage, following a short pickup to the 10, Foggie hit Willis perfectly just beyond the goal line for the touchdown. Albany's David McLeod was in good defensive position on the play, but couldn't stop Willis from making a superb catch.
Foggie fired five touchdown passes in the second half, three to Willis.
The victory improved New Jersey's record to 4-1, while the Firebirds fell to 2-3, losing their third straight game.
New Jersey jumped out to a 7-0 lead on the first possession of the game, getting a six-yard touchdown pass from Garay to Alvin Ashley with 11:38 left in the quarter. Garay hooked up with Ashley three times during the drive, which covered 30 yards in five plays.
Albany picked up a pair of first downs on its first offensive possession, but then Pawlawski was intercepted on first down at the New Jersey 14. Willie Gaston picked off the errant throw and the Red Dogs took over on their own three.
On third down at the New Jersey 20, Derrick Stingley stepped in front of a Garay pass and returned it 25 yards for an Albany touchdown. However, the Firebirds were called for roughing the quarterback on the play, giving the Red Dogs a first and 10 at the Albany 22. The Albany defense stiffened, but Videtich kicked a 36-yard field goal for New Jersey with 1:40 left in the opening quarter to give his team a 10-0 lead.
Albany scored on its second offensive possession, but had to settle for a 28-yard Pete Elezovic field goal after picking up a first-and-goal at the New Jersey 10. Robert Stewart sacked Pawlawski for a nine-yard loss to stop the drive, but Elezovic's kick put the Firebirds on the scoreboard with 12:05 left in the first half, 10-3.
Albany's David McLeod intercepted a pass on New Jersey's next possession, giving the Firebirds the ball on the Red Dogs'24. Albany had settled for Elezovic's 26-yard field goal, but a penalty gave the Firebirds a first down at the New Jersey six. Pawlawski found Eddie Brown open in the corner of the end zone for a touchdown to tie the game at 10-10, with 6:58 left in the half.
Score by periods:
Albany 0 24 7 14 7 52
New Jersey 10 7 14 14 8 53
First quarter
NJ - Ashley, 6 pass from Garay (Videtich kick), 11:38.
NJ - Videtich, 36 field goal, 1:40.
Second quarter
Alb - Elezovic, 28 field goal, 12:05.
Alb - Brown, 6 pass from Pawlawski (Elezovic kick), 6:58.
NJ - Jasper, 21 pass from Garay (Videtich kick), 4:15.
Alb - Brown, 8 pass from Pawlawski (Elezovic kick), 1:15.
Alb - Baker, rec. fumble in end zone (Elezovic kick), 0:00.
Third quarter
NJ - Willis, 36 pass from Foggie (Videtich kick), 3:53.
Alb - McLeod, 25 pass from Pawlawski (Elezovic kick), 2:02.
NJ - Ashley, 4 pass from Foggie (Videtich kick), 0:00.
Fourth quarter
Alb - Dukes, 9 run (Elezovic kick), 11:37.
NJ - Willis, 11 pass from Foggie (Videtich kick), 3:54.
Alb - Brown, 7 pass from Pawlawski (Elezovic kick), 1:25.
NJ - Lindsey, 6 pass from Foggie (Videtich kick), :10.3.
Overtime
Alb - Pawlawski, 1 run (Elezovic kick), 9:14.
NJ - Willis, 40 pass from Foggie (Willis pass from Foggie), 7:27.
