ArenaBowl V
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ArenaBowl '91 was the Arena Football League's fifth ArenaBowl. The game featured the #2 Tampa Bay Storm
(8-2) against the #1 Detroit Drive
(9-1). The Storm were in their first season in Tampa Bay, Florida since moving from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
and having spent their first four seasons as the Pittsburgh Gladiators, while the Drive were trying to win an unprecedented fourth-straight ArenaBowl title.
getting a one-yard touchdown run, yet the Drive responded with Quarterback Art Schlichter
completing a 10-yard touchdown pass to WR/DB Gary Mullen
and a 32-yard touchdown pass to OS George LaFrance
.
In the second quarter, Tampa Bay struck back with Gruden completing a 13-yard touchdown pass to WR/LB Stevie Thomas. Detroit responded with FB/LB Alvin Rettig, the Storm began to take control with FB/LB Lynn Bradford getting a three-yard touchdown run, while Gruden and Thomas hooked up with each other again on a 42-yard touchdown pass.
In the third quarter, the Drive answered with Schlichter completing a 13-yard touchdown pass to WR/LB Will McClay
, while the Storm replied with Gruden completing a 37-yard touchdown pass to WR/DB Darren Willis
. While Detroit could only answer with Kicker Novo Bojovic
getting a 46-yard field goal, Tampa Bay increased its lead with Gruden hooking up with Thomas again with a 17-yard touchdown pass.
In the fourth quarter, the Drive tried to come back with Schlichter and Mullen hooking up again on a 23-yard touchdown pass (with a failed PAT) and FB/LB Aric Anderson
getting a one-yard touchdown run (with a failed two-point conversion), the Storm wrapped the game up with Gruden and Thomas hooking up with each other once more on a 35-yard touchdown pass.
With the win, not only did Tampa Bay win its first-ever ArenaBowl title, but they also prevented Detroit from winning its fourth consecutive league title.
2nd Quarter
3rd Quarter
4th Quarter
Tampa Bay Storm
The Tampa Bay Storm are an Arena Football League team based in the Tampa Bay Area of Florida. They play their home games in the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa....
(8-2) against the #1 Detroit Drive
Massachusetts Marauders
The Massachusetts Marauders was a professional arena football team that played in the Arena Football League in 1994.-Detroit Drive :...
(9-1). The Storm were in their first season in Tampa Bay, Florida since moving from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
and having spent their first four seasons as the Pittsburgh Gladiators, while the Drive were trying to win an unprecedented fourth-straight ArenaBowl title.
Game summary
In the first quarter, the Storm struck first with Quarterback Jay GrudenJay Gruden
Jay Gruden is an American football coach and former quarterback. He is currently the offensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals and was formerly the head coach of the Florida Tuskers of the United Football League. He is also a decorated player and coach in Arena Football League history,...
getting a one-yard touchdown run, yet the Drive responded with Quarterback Art Schlichter
Art Schlichter
Arthur Ernest Schlichter is a retired college and professional American football quarterback, sometimes known for his compulsive gambling and the legal problems especially gambling that arose from it...
completing a 10-yard touchdown pass to WR/DB Gary Mullen
Gary Mullen
One Night of Queen is a touring two-hour stage show, paying tribute to the stage theatrics and music of Queen. It is performed by Gary Mullen and The Works, a five piece band headed by Stars in Their Eyes winner and Freddie Mercury sound-alike Gary Mullen on vocals, with Davie Brockett on Guitar,...
and a 32-yard touchdown pass to OS George LaFrance
George LaFrance
George Herbert LaFrance III is a former Arena Football League Offensive Specialist. In a playing career lasting twelve years, he played for the Detroit Drive , the Tampa Bay Storm , and the New Jersey Red Dogs...
.
In the second quarter, Tampa Bay struck back with Gruden completing a 13-yard touchdown pass to WR/LB Stevie Thomas. Detroit responded with FB/LB Alvin Rettig, the Storm began to take control with FB/LB Lynn Bradford getting a three-yard touchdown run, while Gruden and Thomas hooked up with each other again on a 42-yard touchdown pass.
In the third quarter, the Drive answered with Schlichter completing a 13-yard touchdown pass to WR/LB Will McClay
Will McClay
Will McClay is an Arena Football League coach for the Dallas Desperados. He has a career record of 43-23, including a 1-3 mark in the postseason, in which were all home games.-External links:***...
, while the Storm replied with Gruden completing a 37-yard touchdown pass to WR/DB Darren Willis
Darren Willis
Darren Willis is a former Arizona State University and professional American football player with the Tampa Bay Storm.-High school years:...
. While Detroit could only answer with Kicker Novo Bojovic
Novo Bojovic
Novo Bojovic is a former placekicker. Bojovic played college football at Central Michigan before embarking on a career in professional football which lasted nine years. Bojovic began his career in pro football with the United States Football League's Michigan Panthers in 1983...
getting a 46-yard field goal, Tampa Bay increased its lead with Gruden hooking up with Thomas again with a 17-yard touchdown pass.
In the fourth quarter, the Drive tried to come back with Schlichter and Mullen hooking up again on a 23-yard touchdown pass (with a failed PAT) and FB/LB Aric Anderson
Aric Anderson
Aric Anderson a former linebacker in the National Football League who played for the Green Bay Packers. In 1988–1992 Aric Anderson played Arena football; two years for Pittsburgh Gladiators, one year for Detroit Drive, and two years for Albany Firebirds. Anderson played collegiate ball for...
getting a one-yard touchdown run (with a failed two-point conversion), the Storm wrapped the game up with Gruden and Thomas hooking up with each other once more on a 35-yard touchdown pass.
With the win, not only did Tampa Bay win its first-ever ArenaBowl title, but they also prevented Detroit from winning its fourth consecutive league title.
Scoring summary
1st Quarter- TB - Gruden 1 run (Hickert kick)
- DET - Mullen 10 pass from Schlichter (Bojovic kick)
- DET - LaFrance 32 pass from Schlichter (Bojovic kick)
2nd Quarter
- TB - Thomas 13 pass from Gruden (Hickert kick)
- DET - Rettig 2 run (Bojovic kick)
- TB - Bradford 3 run (Hickert kick)
- TB - Thomas 42 pass from Gruden
3rd Quarter
- DET - McClay 13 pass from Schlichter (Bojovic kick failed)
- TB - Willis 37 pass from Gruden (Hickert kick)
- DET - FG Bojovic 46
- TB - Thomas 17 pass from Gruden (Hickert kick)
4th Quarter
- DET - Mullen 23 pass from Schlichter (Bojovic kick failed)
- DET - Anderson 1 run (Schlichter pass failed)
- TB - Thomas 35 pass from Gruden (Hickert kick failed)
Trivia
- On the Arena Football League's 20 Greatest Highlights Countdown (which was shown on arenafootball.com during the AFL's 20th season), this game is a #5.