Grand Rapids, Mich. – If the season has come down to a six-game stretch, the Colorado Crush couldn’t have asked for a more impressive beginning.
The Crush scored the first six times it had the ball Saturday en route to hammering the Grand Rapids Rampage 73-48 before a crowd of 5,712 at Van Andel Arena.
After snapping a two-game losing streak a week ago, Colorado (8-3) has rebounded to score at least 70 points in back-to-back games for the first time in franchise history. The Crush can increase its Central Division lead to two games today if Las Vegas beats division runner-up Nashville (6-4).
Colorado coach Mike Dailey said he told his players to look at the season’s final six games, including the game against Grand Rapids (3-8), as a new season.
“I told the players we should approach this as a six-game regular season,” Dailey said. “You hope to get in a position to advance, so every game is a big one.”
Colorado’s best start of the season ended any hopes of a Rampage upset. The Crush jumped out to a 35-0 lead with 5:37 left in the first half. Four touchdowns came on passes from quarterback John Dutton, who said the season is beginning to remind him of a year ago when Colorado won its first seven games, lost three in a row, then rebounded to win the league championship.
“We came back last year and I think it’s helped us this year,” he said. “We learned the hard way to play with a target on our back.”
Dutton completed 21-of-29 passes for 244 yards and five touchdowns, the Crush totaled a franchise-best 69 yards on the ground, and the defense limited Grand Rapids to 195 total yards. The Rampage had averaged 60.5 points in their past six home games.
Colorado’s Damian Harrell wound up with three touchdown receptions and Andy McCullough added two.
Colorado also got a 54-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by former Rampage player Willis Marshall for a 42-7 lead 48 seconds before halftime.
“Everyone contributed,” said Crush defensive specialist Rashad Floyd, who sparked the defense with three interceptions, including one in the end zone that stopped Grand Rapids’ first drive. Floyd also forced a fumble that Ahmad Hawkins returned 23 yards for a touchdown, making the score 70-34 with 12:17 to play.
Colorado had 11 turnovers in back-to-back losses to Los Angeles and Columbus but had only one – a Dutton interception that was returned 23 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter – against Grand Rapids.
“We had turned the ball over a bunch,” Dailey said. “We tried to be more efficient with the ball tonight. Grand Rapids played hard. They’re just in a tough situation in playing a young quarterback.”
The Rampage’s Ryan Van Dyke, subbing for injured starter Chad Salisbury, completed just 19-of-34 passes for 191 yards.
Colorado 21 21 21 10 – 73
Grand Rapids 0 14 20 14 – 48
First quarter
Colorado – Harrell 6 pass from Dutton (Rush kick), 12:43.
Colorado – Hawkins 8 run (Rush kick), 5:41.
Colorado – McCullough 44 pass from Dutton (Rush kick), 2:04.
Second quarter
Colorado – Harrell 5 pass from Dutton (Rush kick), 10:14.
Colorado – McCullough 44 pass from Dutton (Rush kick), 5:37.
Grand Rapids – T. Marshall 11 pass from Van Dyke (Martinez kick), :57.
Colorado – W. Marshall 54 kickoff return (Rush kick), :48.
Grand Rapids – T. Marshall 21 pass from Van Dyke (Martinez kick), :12
Third quarter
Grand Rapids – Bush 23 interception return (Martinez kick), 12:54.
Colorado – Peaua 4 run (Rush kick), 9:19.
Grand Rapids – Bush 52 kickoff return (Martinez kick), 8:24.
Colorado – Harrell 8 pass from Dutton (Rush kick), 4:52.
Grand Rapids – Ryan 21 pass from Van Dyke (kick failed), 2:45.
Colorado – Patu 7 run (Rush kick), :32.
Fourth quarter
Colorado – Hawkins 23 fumble return (Rush kick), 12:17.
Grand Rapids – Avery 8 run (Martinez kick), 6:47.
Colorado – FG Rush 23, 1:11.
Grand Rapids – Hines 28 pass from Van Dyke (Martinez kick), :54.
Col || GR
First downs 19 18
Rushes-yards 14-69 2-8
Passing yards 238 187
Passes 21-29-1 19-34-3
Total yards 307 195
Penalties-yards 12-98 5-24
Return yards 198 236
Time of possession 31:41 28:19
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING – Colorado, W. Marshall 1-25, Peaua 6-19, Patu 4-18, Hawkins 1-8, Hlavacek 1-0, Dutton 1-(minus 1). Grand Rapids, Avery 2-8.
PASSING – Colorado, Dutton 21-29-1-244. Grand Rapids, Van Dyke 19-34-3-191.
RECEIVING – Colorado, Harrell 7-61, Marshall 7-47, McCullough 4-97, Hawkins 2-29, Peaua 1-10. Grand Rapids, Marshall 7-79, Hines 4-55, Bush 4-29, Porter 2-11, Ryan 1-21, Avery 1-(minus 4).
