Dallas – Matt Nagy threw four touchdown passes and ran for two scores to lead the Columbus Destroyers to a surprising 66-59 victory over the top-seeded Dallas Desperados on Saturday night, advancing to the National Conference championship game for the first time.
Nagy completed 20-of-32 passes for 285 yards for Columbus (7-9 in the regular season), and Damien Groce had eight receptions for 170 yards and one touchdown.
After trailing 35-21 with 4:25 left in the second quarter, the Destroyers scored 31 of the next 34 points. Groce’s 4-yard scoring run with 14:02 to go in the third gave Columbus the lead for good, 42-38, and Jason Shelley’s 28-yard reception pushed the advantage to 14 with 12:55 left in the game.
Clint Dolezel threw seven touchdown passes for Dallas (15-1 in the regular season). He completed 27-of-36 passes for 320 yards.
Marcus Nash had seven catches for 129 yards and two touchdowns, and Willis Marshall and Dialleo Burks also caught two scoring passes apiece.
