 |
| Dustin Nichols, QB, Denver |
The Denver Gold fell behind the Portland Storm, 28-7, after one quarter but recovered to win, 50-38, and pull into a first-place tie in the West Division.
Denver was clinging to a 42-38 lead with 1:29 to play when LDE George Turner sacked Portland QB William Hill for a safety. The Gold recovered Portland's onside kick attempt and QB Dustin Nichols clinched the win with a 6-yard TD pass to Michael Sonnenberg with 38 seconds remaining.
The teams combined for nearly 1,200 yards total offense (and eight turnovers). Sonnenberg caught six passes for 106 yards and three TDs. Hill passed for 563 yards and five TDs.
Denver (3-1), which plays Tuesday at Baltimore, has tied the 1977 Gold for the best start in franchise history.
In other Week 4 games:
- Michigan Panthers QB Jerry Ruiz passed for 653 yards and nine TDs during an 84-27 rout of the Southern California Sun. Ruiz's yardage ranks No. 3 in the league's all-time single-game history and the TD passes ranks No. 2 behind the 10 TDs tossed by former Birmingham Stallions QB Agustin Crook in 1977.
- Detroit Wheels backup QB Henry Prieto threw for 595 yards and eight TDs as the Wheels rolled past the Jacksonville Bulls, 69-9. WR John Risinger caught seven passes for 375 yards and six TDs. Risinger's yardage ranks No. 6 all-time for a single game and the six TDs tied for second behind the seven scored by New Orleans VooDoo WR Thomas Canale in 1974. Detroit starting QB Mario Valencia missed the game with a knee injury.
- Pittsburgh Maulers DT John Hunter had 8 tackles, 8 hurries, and 6 sacks during a 38-10 win over the Washington Federals.
- Memphis is 11-0 all-time vs. Houston after beating the Gamblers, 40-29. Antonio Wilson passed for five TDs for the Showboats, who trailed, 20-12, at halftime.
