Pre-Season: Birds/Mustangs (Full Story)
April 26, 1998 - Final 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Totals Albany 0 10 13 22 45 Milwaukee 14 7 7 0 28 FIREBIRDS DEFENSE SPURS COMEBACK
The Firebirds defense helped them recover from a 21-point first half defecit to cruise to a 45-28 victory over the Milwaukee Mustangs in their second pre-season game of the year. After two quick turnovers by back-up QB Jorge Munoz and a defensive stop by the Mustangs, the Firebirds found themselves fighting an uphill battle. The lone bright spot for Albany in the first half was a 37-yard touchdown run by FB/LB Tim Brown but at halftime the 'Birds were still trailing 21-10.
The Firebirds began clawing their way back early in the third quarter. The defensive unit of the Firebirds made several key stops giving the 'Birds explosive offense an opportunity to cut into the Mustangs lead. After sitting out the first half, QB Mike Pawlawski and OS Eddie Brown took the field together for the first time in the pre-season. They wasted no time as they hooked up for a score on the 'Birds first possession of the third quarter. Pawlawski hit Brown again on the next drive to pull the 'Birds to within five points and then threw a touchdown pass to Greg Hopkins to give Albany its first lead of the game. After three consecutive scoring drives for Pawlawski, Jorge Munoz returned to hook up with Derek Stingley to secure the win and cap off a 38-point turnaround for the Firebirds.
