By Times staff and wire reports
Published June 1, 2003
TAMPA - A second-quarter touchdown that was called back might have cost Detroit the game.
At least that was the way coach Al Luginbill saw it.
The Fury trailed by four with less than a minute left in the quarter when Andy Kelly completed a 3-yard pass to Marcus Nash in the front left corner of the end zone.
One official signaled touchdown but was overruled because Nash, who had to reach back for the ball, hit the sideline barrier before the ball crossed the goal line. Television replays seemed to support the decision.
After a long and heated conversation with the officials, Luginbill was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct, pushing the ball back to the 10.
"I've been in this business for more than 35 years, and I've never seen a touchdown signaled, no flags, but called back," Luginbill said. "When we question them, they throw a flag. Someone has to be responsible for this." Kelly and Nash connected for another apparent score on the next play, but a holding penalty resulted in another 10-yard penalty and the Fury settled for Nick Gatto's 35-yard field goal.
Freddie Solomon's 6-yard touchdown catch 18 seconds later gave the Storm a 35-27 lead, its biggest of the half.
"The ref saw the play differently," Nash said, "and it was the difference in the game."
LATE SWITCH: Calling it "a tough decision," Storm coach Tim Marcum activated newly signed receiver/defensive back Tramain Jones and sat Keita Crespina for the first time this season.
BLAST FROM THE PAST: Former Storm quarterback Jay Gruden was honored with a No. 7 banner above the 200 level of the St. Pete Times Forum alongside banners for Sylvester Bembery (78) and Tracey Perkins (24). Gruden's number was taken out of retirement and issued to Calvin Schexnayder after Gruden returned to play for Orlando last season. The number was taken back out of circulation this season.
HOBBLED: Storm defensive specialist Corey Sawyer twice was slow getting off the turf after receiving what he called an illegal cutblock from Nash on the back of his right knee.
Around the league
SAN JOSE 69, GEORGIA 48: Kevin McKenzie tied an AFL record with six touchdowns as the defending champion SaberCats beat the Force in a quarterfinal. McKenzie had three catches for 91 yards and three TDs, ran twice for 2 yards and two touchdowns and returned two kickoffs for 75 yards and one touchdown.
NO TV: Today's playoff game between host Orlando and New York will not be shown on Ch. 8, as sports will be pre-empted by the All Children's Hospital Telethon.
