The comeback kids

http://nfleurope.com/news/story/10167920

Berlin Thunder 31, Cologne Centurions 28

Berlin Thunder overcame a 21-0 deficit to record a breathtaking victory over the Cologne Centurions.

Cologne scored three touchdowns in the opening 16 minutes of the game but the Thunder, led by Seattle Seahawks-allocated quarterback Travis Lulay, stormed back to outscore the Centurions 31-7 over the final 44 minutes en route to a victory that evened the record of both teams at 2-2.


Travis Lulay led the Thunder to a come-from-behind win at Cologne. (City-Press)
The game-winning touchdown – which came following a crucial fumble by Centurions running back A.J. Harris – was scored by Damien Rhodes, who burst through the heart of the Cologne defense from 11 yards out with 1:12 remaining.

Despite Berlin’s late score, Cologne still had a chance to send the game into overtime but Nick Novak (Chicago Bears) sent his 38-yard field goal attempt wide left with four seconds remaining.

Lulay completed 17 of 26 passes for 218 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Cologne’s Erik Meyer, who completed his first 10 passes for 110 yards and three touchdowns, ended the game with 15 completions from 21 attempts for 180 yards.

The Centurions made a fast start as Meyer threw a five-yard touchdown pass to Dallas Cowboys-allocated tight end Tony Curtis just 2:46 into the contest.

Cologne had been gifted possession at Berlin’s five-yard after defensive end George Gause sacked Lulay and forced a fumble. Gause fell on the loose football to set up the touchdown one play later.

Berlin went three and out on their next possession and the Centurions took over on their own 43-yard line. The home team took full advantage of the good field position, moving into a 14-0 first quarter lead on Meyer’s 27-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jovon Bouknight (Tampa Bay Buccaneers).

The Thunder went three and out for the second time in a row and then gave Cologne 20 yards in penalties as defensive tackles Walter Curry (Jacksonville Jaguars) and Bryant Shaw (Washington Redskins) were flagged for roughing the passer and offsides respectively.


Erik Meyer made an outstanding start for the Centurions. (City-Press)
Meyer continued with the hot hand, hitting Curtis for nine yards and running back Derrick Ross (Kansas City Chiefs) for an additional seven before firing a 22-yard scoring pass to Bouknight, who made the catch down the right sideline to give Cologne a commanding 21-0 lead inside the first minute of the second period.

With the game in danger of getting out of hand, Berlin found an immediate response as Cleveland Browns-allocated running back Chris Barclay took the ensuing kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown.

Quinton Porter (Houston Texans) replaced Meyer at quarterback for the Centurions and promptly threw an interception to Thunder defensive back Chris Harrell.

Following the turnover, Lulay connected with New York Giants-allocated tight end Charles Davis on a 12-yard pass and picked up an additional 13 yards on a completion to wide receiver Rich Musinski. Lulay then fired a 10-yard touchdown strike to Davis to pull the Thunder to within seven with 9:19 remaining in the second quarter.

Ross was the focal point of the Cologne attack on an 11-play, 69-yard drive that saw them move back into a two-touchdown lead with 3:36 left in the first half. He carried six times for 24 yards, scoring on a one-yard run, and added one reception for eight yards.

Porter also played his part on the scoring march, hitting Bouknight for 10 yards and Curtis for 17 down the left sideline.

Berlin took the second half kickoff and ran 14 plays en route to a 43-yard field goal by Andrew Jacas that pulled the scoreline to 28-17 in favour of the Centurions.

Lulay connected on four passes for 44 yards, including a 24-yard hookup with Mexican wide receiver Alejandro Gamez, on the drive that took more than eight minutes off the clock but ultimately failed to result in an all-important touchdown.

Berlin pulled to within four with just over 11 minutes remaining in the contest as Lulay threw a 55-yard touchdown pass to league-leading wide receiver Carlton Brewster (Green Bay Packers).

The score came following a fumble by Ross that was recovered by Curry at Berlin’s 44-yard line.

Cologne had a chance to ice the game when safety Chris Reis (New Orleans Saints) recovered a Barclay fumble at Berlin’s 38-yard line. But Centurions running back A.J. Harris also coughed the football up and Harrell recovered for Berlin at his own 31 with 3:52 remaining.

That set up Lulay to complete key passes of 11 yards to Musinski and 14 yards to Brewster before Rhodes scored the winning points.

Even then, Cologne moved into scoring range as Meyer connected with wide receiver Burl Toler for 25 yards and tight end Bobby Blizzard for a gain of 20. But Novak was unable to tie the game as he hooked his field goal wide.

Note:

To date the leading receiver in NFLE is our own Carlton Brewster. He has 23 receptions for 283 yards both league bests (a 12.3 yard avg and a long of 37 yards) and zero TD's.

Way to go Carlton !!