Posted on Sun, May. 04, 2008

Dolezel sets record in close shave

By DAVE O'NEIL

Special to the Star-Telegram

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The night Clint Dolezel's right arm achieved Arena Football League immortality might be more remembered for Mark Lewis' right foot.

The Columbus kicker missed three extra-point attempts and a 28-yard field-goal attempt on the game's final play Saturday night in the Dallas Desperados' 48-45 win over the Columbus Destroyers.

"Tough way to lose a game," Dallas coach Will McClay said. "Clint showed us why he's one of the all-time greats tonight. We were fortunate to leave with a win."

Will Pettis caught a 9-yard touchdown pass with 15 seconds left as the Desperados (8-1) avoiding suffering consecutive losses; they have not lost two in a row in three years. Columbus (2-7) eliminated the Desperados in the playoffs last year after Dallas' 15-win regular season.

Dolezel surpassed Andy Kelly (42,528 yards) to become the AFL's all-time leader passing yardage. He broke the mark with a 7-yard completion to Marcus Nash midway through the first quarter.

The 13-year veteran did not have time to celebrate -- let alone see -- the historic moment. Officials flagged Columbus with a roughing-the-passer penalty on the play. Dolezel has thrown for 42,793 yards in his career.

No confetti, no mentions over the public address system, no stoppage in play marked the record. Just some small, barely visible text recognizing the moment on Nationwide Arena's jumbotron.

That celebration matched the feeling in the Dallas locker room after the game. Dallas won despite turning the ball over three times, including Dolezel's fumble at the Columbus 4-yard line with less than four minutes remaining. On the following possession, Harold Wells scored on a 3-yard run with 40 seconds left to give Columbus a 45-41 lead.

"We didn't play our best ball tonight," McClay said.

Marcus Nash caught 10 passes for 139 yards and four touchdowns. His one-handed 17-yard TD grab in the back corner of the end zone early in the fourth quarter allowed Dallas to erase a 13-point halftime deficit.

Breakdown

Why Dallas won: Clint Dolezel completed 24 of 37 passes for a season-high 291 yards and seven touchdowns.

Why Columbus lost: Mark Lewis missed three extra-point attempts and a 28-yard field-goal attempt on the final play.

Notable

Clint Dolezel surpassed Andy Kelly to become the AFL's all-time passing yardage leader with 42,793 yards.

Columbus hasn't beat Dallas in the past eight regular-season contests.

Up next: vs. Grand Rapids, 7 p.m. Saturday, Time Warner Cable/Ch. 185

DESPERADOS 48, COLUMBUS 45