With 1:04 left in the game Columbus (3-12) defensive lineman Michael Landry sacked Grand Rapids (5-10) quarterback James MacPherson, forcing a fumble, which was recovered by Tremaine Neal on the Rampage 14 yardline. The Destroyers could not take advantage of the opportunity, turning the ball over on downs with 0:02 remaining in the game.
Destroyers' wide receiver C.J. Johnson took home Offensive Player of the Game honors finishing the game with nine catches for a career-high 162 receiving yards and four touchdowns, which also tied a career best. Columbus quarterback Matt Nagy had another 300-plus yard passing game, ending this contest with 343 yards and six touchdowns, completing 24 of 38 passes.
Down 7-3 in the first quarter, Nagy found wide receiver Derek Lee for a 27-yard touchdown catch. Lee finished the game with eight catches for 159 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Grand Rapids responded with a three-play touchdown drive, allowing them to regain a four-point lead at the close of the quarter.
With 10:12 remaining in the second quarter, Columbus quarterback Justin Zwick made his debut as an AFL quarterback. On his first play from scrimmage, the rookie threw the ball from his own end zone, finding C.J. Johnson for a 47-yard touchdown. The play gave the destroyers a three-point lead, 24-21. After the teams traded touchdowns on the next four drives, Matt Thomas intercepted a MacPherson pass in the end zone to conclude the first half with a score of 38-35 in favor of Columbus.
Rampage defensive back Chris Martin opened the second half with his second kickoff return for touchdown of the night, taking back the lead for Grand Rapids. Columbus responded with pass and catch score from Nagy to Lee, to give the Destroyers a 45-42 advantage.
The Destroyers found themselves down by two scores after Bowling Green product Cole Magner caught two touchdowns, giving Grand Rapids a 56-45 lead at the end of the third quarter.
Johnson scored with 3:47 remaining in the game when Nagy found him for a 22-yard pass and catch. Wide receiver Rasheed Marshall played quarterback on the two point conversion, which he converted with a run from the three yardline.
The Destroyers will play their final regular season game Saturday, June 21, as they travel to take on the Cleveland Gladiators at Quicken Loans Arena. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. (ET).
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