Post by 50yardfan on Jul 26, 2010 8:57:39 GMT -5
trib.com/sports/pro/article_510ebdba-936e-5ac0-9f05-df63c697b86d.html
LIGHTNING LENNY: Pro Football Hall of Famer and former Baltimore Colts running back Lenny Moore was the honorary team captain for the Mariners. Moore, who was on the field the last time Baltimore hosted a football championship — a 31-16 win over the New York Giants in 1959 — was escorted to midfield by a couple of Mariners cheerleaders during pre-game introductions and received a loud ovation from the Baltimore crowd.
9TH MAN: Baltimore's fans, many of whom wore 9th Man jerseys, were a loud presence inside 1st Mariner Arena. The crowd of 6,075 was the largest in Mariners history and rivaled the crowd at nearby Oriole Park at Camden Yards, where temperatures approached 100 degrees. It felt a little cooler inside.
B'MORE CONNECTION: Jasonus Tillery, who grew up in Newport News, Va., and served a 28-month prison sentence in Baltimore, enjoyed a successful return to Charm City. Tillery was on the receiving end of five of Matt Strand's six touchdown passes and caught seven passes for 170 yards overall. After catching only two passes in the season's first two weeks, Tillery emerged as one of Strand's main targets and led the Cavalry with 30 TD receptions. "At the start of the season, you wouldn't guess he'd be where he is now," Strand said. "I'd put him against any receiver in the league."
UNDER ARMAR: Every time the Cavalry moved the ball inside the Mariners' 10-yard line, the PA announcer would encourage fans to make some noise. An advertisement for Under Armour, which was founded in the area, blared with the message, "We Must Protect This House!" Armar Watson answered the call, finishing with three interceptions.
CHAMPIONSHIP WOES: The Cavalry fell to 0-5 all-time in championship games. Wyoming lost the 2001 Indoor Football championship to Mississippi, the 2007 National Indoor Football League championship game to Fayetteville, the 2008 AIFA Bowl to Florence, and the 2009 AIFA Bowl to Reading.
CONTROVERSY: The game didn't lack for controversy. In addition to the questionable call on Watson's interception on the deflection off the wall, there was some confusion after Baltimore receiver Aaron Yarbough caught a 20-yard pass from Nemeth in the third quarter and tumbled over the wall in the end zone. Two officials immediately ran to look over the wall to determine if Yarbough had maintained possession. The first official ruled that the pass was incomplete, but the second signaled touchdown. The ruling gave Baltimore the lead for good. "The referees don't lose the game," Maciejczak said. "But to me, I guess that's why you don't want to play on the road."
LIGHTNING LENNY: Pro Football Hall of Famer and former Baltimore Colts running back Lenny Moore was the honorary team captain for the Mariners. Moore, who was on the field the last time Baltimore hosted a football championship — a 31-16 win over the New York Giants in 1959 — was escorted to midfield by a couple of Mariners cheerleaders during pre-game introductions and received a loud ovation from the Baltimore crowd.
9TH MAN: Baltimore's fans, many of whom wore 9th Man jerseys, were a loud presence inside 1st Mariner Arena. The crowd of 6,075 was the largest in Mariners history and rivaled the crowd at nearby Oriole Park at Camden Yards, where temperatures approached 100 degrees. It felt a little cooler inside.
B'MORE CONNECTION: Jasonus Tillery, who grew up in Newport News, Va., and served a 28-month prison sentence in Baltimore, enjoyed a successful return to Charm City. Tillery was on the receiving end of five of Matt Strand's six touchdown passes and caught seven passes for 170 yards overall. After catching only two passes in the season's first two weeks, Tillery emerged as one of Strand's main targets and led the Cavalry with 30 TD receptions. "At the start of the season, you wouldn't guess he'd be where he is now," Strand said. "I'd put him against any receiver in the league."
UNDER ARMAR: Every time the Cavalry moved the ball inside the Mariners' 10-yard line, the PA announcer would encourage fans to make some noise. An advertisement for Under Armour, which was founded in the area, blared with the message, "We Must Protect This House!" Armar Watson answered the call, finishing with three interceptions.
CHAMPIONSHIP WOES: The Cavalry fell to 0-5 all-time in championship games. Wyoming lost the 2001 Indoor Football championship to Mississippi, the 2007 National Indoor Football League championship game to Fayetteville, the 2008 AIFA Bowl to Florence, and the 2009 AIFA Bowl to Reading.
CONTROVERSY: The game didn't lack for controversy. In addition to the questionable call on Watson's interception on the deflection off the wall, there was some confusion after Baltimore receiver Aaron Yarbough caught a 20-yard pass from Nemeth in the third quarter and tumbled over the wall in the end zone. Two officials immediately ran to look over the wall to determine if Yarbough had maintained possession. The first official ruled that the pass was incomplete, but the second signaled touchdown. The ruling gave Baltimore the lead for good. "The referees don't lose the game," Maciejczak said. "But to me, I guess that's why you don't want to play on the road."