DENVER- Robert Thomas’ one-yard rushing touchdown with six seconds remaining in the game lifted the Colorado Crush (3-2) to a 55-48 victory over the Nashville Kats (2-3) Sunday afternoon. Colorado closed the game scoring 21 straight points sparked by two huge defense plays in the game’s final minute.  

With 48 seconds left in the contest and Nashville looking to extend a 48-41 lead, Thomas- the contest’s Ironman of the Game- blocked a 30-yard field goal attempt. Four plays later Crush QB John Dutton found Willie Quinnie on a 13-yard touchdown pass to knot the score at 48 all with 32 seconds left on the clock. On the Kats first play of their ensuing possession, Colorado DB Chris Angel hauled in his second interception of the day and returned it to the Nashville one-yard line setting up Thomas’ go ahead run.

Colorado controlled most of the first half and led 24-14 with 50 seconds left in the second quarter before Nashville turned the game’s momentum completely around. With 27 ticks remaining, Kats FB Dan Alexander rushed in for a nine-yard score cutting the Crush lead to just three points. The Nashville defense then forced a fumble on the Crush’s next play setting the stage for a Jeff Smoker to Cornelius Bonner nine-yard touchdown strike and the Kats first lead at 28-24 as the half ended.

Both teams traded scores through the third and majority of the fourth quarters as Nashville hung onto their lead until the game’s final dramatics.   

LEADERS:

Passing

NAS- Jeff Smoker- 18-32-298-3-2

COL- John Dutton- 26-41-252-5

Receiving

NAS- Kenny Higgins- 7-163

COL- Willie Quinnie- 9-107-2

Rushing

NAS- Dan Alexander- 9-27-3

COL- Robert Thomas- 4-2-2

Offensive Player of the Game: Jeff Smoker, Nashville

Defensive Player of the Game: Chris Angel, Colorado

Ironman of the Game: Robert Thomas, Colorado