Records are pouring on to Colorado Crush players’ résumés, but coach Mike Dailey is keeping things in perspective.
The perspective Friday night at the Pepsi Center was a 59-35 victory over the Arizona Rattlers, securing home-field advantage for the Arena Football League playoffs.
“Individual records are fine as long as they go along with a winning program,” Dailey said. “It’s good to win and it’s good to have the top seed.”
The victory tied a Crush franchise high and increased the team’s regular-season wins in the three years with Dailey at the helm to 32, including 10 last season on the way to the Arena- Bowl championship.
The Crush (11-5) has a bye in this week’s first round of the playoffs. Dailey said the time off was critical because of several injuries on the offensive line.
“We hope to get some of them back,” Dailey said, “but I’m not sure we will.”
Receiver Damian Harrell continued his record-setting season. Harrell finished with five touchdown receptions, tying the Arena Football League record for consecutive games with a touchdown at 65. Defensive specialist Rashad Floyd set a league record for tackles in a season with 136, getting 10 against the Rattlers.
There were two big defensive plays that stunned the Rattlers. On the second play, linebacker Willis Marshall stepped in front of Arizona quarterback Sherdrick Bonner’s pass and returned the interception 10 yards for a touchdown and a 14-0 lead.
The Crush executed a successful onside kick late in the second quarter and Harrell’s touchdown catch left just two seconds on the clock, with Colorado ahead 42-21. The Crush converted three third downs during the 2:19 possession.
Dutton was 22-for-32 for 228 yards and six touchdowns.
“I think we came real close to putting together a complete game,” Marshall said. “We got stops on defense, we scored points on almost every possession and we had great play of special teams. If we keep this up, we’ll have another ring.”
Quarterback John Dutton credited his entire receiving group.
“Damian played his game, but the other guys really stepped up,” Dutton said. “I was comfortable throwing to any of them.”
Marshall caught nine passes for 75 yards, Ahmad Hawkins had five catches for 63 yards and a touchdown, and Andy McCullough had five for 50 yards. Harrell caught five for 61 yards.
Colorado’s opponent will be determined after the first-round games. Four other American Conference teams have clinched playoff spots – San Jose, Arizona, Nashville and Utah. Grand Rapids or Chicago will fill the final playoff berth.
In the National Conference, Dallas has secured the top seed, while New York, Orlando and Austin have clinched playoff participation. The final two playoff berths will go to Georgia, Columbus or Philadelphia.
Irv Moss can be reached at 303-820-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com.
