Grand Rapids, MI - Steve Smith set career-highs in receptions and receiving yards and Clint Dolezel threw five TD passes as the Grand Rapids Rampage snapped its two-game losing streak with a 69-55 victory over the Orlando Predators Saturday night at Van Andel Arena.
In front of 9,588 fans, Smith, who earned MVP honors, caught a game-high 13 passes for 176 yards and three touchdowns. His catch total was two catches shy of the Rampage's single-game reception record, which is currently held by Terrill Shaw and Thomas Bailey (15).
Dolezel, who entered the Saturday night's game as the league's third highest rated passer, completed 27-of-39 passes for 277 yards and one interception for Grand Rapids (2-2).
The two teams traded touchdowns in the first quarter. Dolezel hit Steve Smith on a quick out to give the Rampage the early 7-0 lead. Orlando equalized with a Jay Gruden to Antonio Stanley TD pass and catch. On the ensuing kickoff, David Cool's kick deflected off the uprights into the hands of Damon Bowers, giving the Predators the ball on Grand Rapids' three-yard line. Eight plays later Orlando took a 13-7 lead on a one-yard TD run by Duke Pettijohn. Cool's next kickoff was again mishandled by Grand Rapids, but Willis Marshall was finally able to get a grasp and 54 yards later he scored the Rampage's first kickoff return for a touchdown on the early season. Grand Rapids' defense made sure the game remained tied, 13-13, at the end of one with a four-play goal line stand, their first defensive stop of the game.
Rod Manuel opened second quarter scoring with a five-yard TD catch, giving the Rampage a 20-13 lead. Orlando evened the score at 20 apiece with an eight-yard TD pass from Gruden to Clif Dell. Steve Smith then put the Rampage back up with his second TD catch of the night, but the Predators quickly answered with another Gruden to Dell touchdown. With the score tied, 27-27, Grand Rapids drove the ball all the way down to the Orlando eight-yard line before stalling. Rampage kicker Brian Gowins came on for his first field goal attempt of the night. The 23-yarder sailed left, but a heady Gowins recovered the ball in the endzone for a Grand Rapids' touchdown, putting the Rampage up 34-27 at the half.
Two Grand Rapids' touchdowns and one Orlando touchdown made up of the scoring of the third quarter. The Predators received the second half kickoff and one play after receiving the ball Gruden hit Dell for his third TD of the game, tying the score at 34-34. Grand Rapids ended the third quarter with touchdowns from Travis McDonald and Smith, and a 48-34 lead.
Orlando cut the Rampage lead to seven with Gruden's second TD pass to Stanley. Shaw, who played his second consecutive game at the wide receiver/linebacker position, put the Rampage back up 14 when he scored a rare defensive touchdown. Travis McDonald, who was named Ironman of the Game, forced Gruden to fumble on his first sack in a Rampage uniform. The ball bounced right to Shaw, who took it in to give the Rampage a 55-41 advantage. On the ensuing kickoff, Stanley, who made his AFL debut on Saturday, returned the kick 56 yards to put the Preds back within one score. Orlando would get one more score on a Pettijohn 2-yard touchdown run, but it wouldn't be enough as Shaw and Chris Ryan capped off the 14-point win with a TD reception and a TD run respectively.
Gruden finished 12-of-22 for 232 yards and five TDs and Dell caught six passes for 132 yards and three TDs to lead Orlando (1-3).
Grand Rapids meets the Carolina Cobras (3-1) next week in the team's first trip to Raleigh, North Carolina. Kickoff at Entertainment & Sports Arena is at 7:30 p.m. The game can be heard live on WBBL 1340 AM.
Game Notes:
*In his last two games, Rampage OS Steve Smith has 25 catches for 322 yards and seven TDs.
*Rampage WR/DB Willis Marshall returned his first career kickoff for a touchdown.
*Rampage OL/DL Rickie Simpkins recorded his first career sack.
*Rampage OL/DL Demetrius Crowder did not return in the second half due to a knee injury.
*In a scary moment, Rampage DS JoJo Polk was knocked unconscious late in the fourth quarter when he landed head first into the boards. He did not finish the game, but was cleared to return.
*Predators' OS Siaha Burley was a scratch due to a hamstring injury.
