Practice this week for the Colorado Crush’s final game of the regular season is sure to be direct and serious.
After Saturday night’s 61-56 loss on the road to the San Jose SaberCats, Crush coach Mike Dailey voiced displeasure with his Arena Football League team for 40 minutes behind closed doors.
“It’s my prerogative as a coach to address them, and I don’t think the teachable moment should go past,” Dailey said when he emerged from the locker room. “If you wait until tomorrow, cooler heads wouldn’t address it directly as it should be.”
The Crush (10-5) hosts Arizona (8-7) on Friday night, and a win would give Colorado the American Conference title and home field in the playoffs.
San Jose improved to 5-0 against Colorado in regular-season games, and has won six consecutive games this season. The Crush won the playoff matchup against San Jose last season.
Damian Harrell was the Crush’s lone bright spot Saturday. He set the AFL record for single-season touchdown receptions with four against San Jose to put him at 55 for the season.
Colorado looked in control after Willis Marshall took a pitch and swept left end for a 28-27 lead with 44 seconds left before halftime. But San Jose’s Charles Pauley went untouched on a 57- yard kickoff return with 37 seconds remaining.
By the time the horn sounded, San Jose had scored again when Omarr Smith returned John Dutton’s interception 42 yards as time expired for a 40-28 lead.
“Anytime you give up big plays like we did it’s always a factor,” Dailey said.
