Tulsa World

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Talons squeak by OKC

by: MATT BAKER World Sports Writer
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
7/17/2007 5:19:48 AM

Reid had two late game pickoffs that each led to TDs.

After a first half that produced 12 combined touchdowns and almost 600 total yards, it was a pair of defensive plays that saved the game.

With the Tulsa Talons down 13 with four minutes left, defensive back Delenell Reid had two interceptions that led to two touchdown passes by Justin Allgood and lifted the Talons over the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz 70-69 on af2 Monday night football.

Tulsa wide receiver Danny Howard, who joined the Talons last week after being released by the Yard Dawgz, led the way with three touchdowns, including the game-winner.

"I'm feeling pretty good right now," Howard said. "There's not a feeling like it in the world -- except maybe a championship."

The first half produced an offensive assault from both teams, as Tulsa (12-2) and Oklahoma City (7-7) combined to score 83 points and rack up 563 total yards. The only defensive stop came at the end of the half when time expired on the Yard Dawgz.

The shootout began when former Talons wide receiver Jarrail Jackson scored on a 20-yard pass by Stan Hill on the third play from scrimmage. The Talons responded with a 4-yard rush by fullback Jamar Ransom, but Luke Phillips' extra point was blocked, keeping Tulsa down one.

The teams traded scores until the end of the half. Unable to stop Oklahoma City defensively, the Talons began trying two-point conversions to take the lead.

After the defense stuffed wide receiver Jeff Hughley on the first conversion try, the Talons nailed the next two on passes from Allgood. His bullet through a defensive lineman's outstretched arms and into Jermaine Landrums hands gave the Talons a 42-41 lead -- their first of the night.

"We played pretty poorly defensively," Talons coach Mitch Allner said. "But you can't say enough about what our offense did tonight."

In the second half, Oklahoma City's defense took over.

The Yard Dawgz stopped the Talons on third down, stripping the ball from Allgood in his own end zone, but Tulsa recovered at its own 1. Oklahoma City scored on its ensuing possession to go up by six.

The Yard Dawgz forced another fumble in the fourth quarter, poking the ball out of fullback Odie Armstrong's hands and pouncing on it at their own 7. Their offense responded with a long drive ending with Alan Krutulis' 4-yard rush up the middle to put Oklahoma City up 69-56.

After Oklahoma City's defense stopped Tulsa on fourth down with four minutes left, the game looked over. But Reid's first interception and 20-yard return gave Tulsa first and 10 at Oklahoma City's 12 and another shot at a comeback.

Don McGee scored on an end-around to the right side, bringing the Talons within six. The Yard Dawgz marched to the Talons 15 when Reid picked off another pass from Hill, taking the return 20 yards before stumbling at the Oklahoma City 15 with 31 seconds left.

The Yard Dawgz burned Reid most of the night on short passes, but Reid said he knew if the balls went up in the air, he'd be able to pick one off.

"When you stick together as a team and don't give up, you never know what's going to happen," Reid said.

Allgood completed a fade to Howard -- his seventh score of the night -- to tie the game at 69. Phillips' extra point put Tulsa up by 1.

"Allgood couldn't have thrown a better pass," Howard said. "I just went up and got it."

Oklahoma City had a chance to win, but Dylan Pohlman's 45-yard field goal attempt sailed just left of the upright as time expired.

Scoring summary

Oklahoma City	21	20	14	14	--	69
Tulsa	20	22	14	14	--	70

O: Jackson 20 pass from Hill (Pohlman kick)

T: Ransom 4 run (kick failed)

O: Jackson 8 pass from Hill (Pohlman kick)

T: Hughley 20 pass from Allgood (Phillips kick)

O: Fontaine 8 pass from Hill (Pohlman kick)

T: Hughley 6 pass from Allgood (Phillips kick)

O: Krutulis 2 run (kick failed)

T: Hughley 20 pass from Allgood (conversion failed)

O: Krutulis 2 run (Pohlman kick)

T: Howard 2 pass from Allgood (Howard pass from Allgood)

O: Hunt 21 pass from Hill (Pohlman kick)

T: Hughley 10 pass from Allgood (Landrum pass from Allgood)

T: Allgood 2 run (Phillips kick)

O: Jackson 52 kickoff return (Pohlman kick)

O: Fontaine 20 pass from Hill (Pohlman kick)

T: Howard 4 pass from Allgood (Phillips kick)

O: Hunt 25 pass from Hill (Pohlman kick)

O: Krutulis 3 run (Pohlman kick)

T: McGee 2 run (Phillips kick)

T: Howard 5 pass (Phillips kick)

Associate Images:

Got him
Tulsa’s Jermaine Hope (right) drags down Oklahoma City’s Tacoma Fontaine during Monday night’s game at Convention Center Arena. The Talons defeated the Yard Dawgz 70-69.

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