Don McGee: 4 receptions, 88 yards, 3 TD's

FirefightnRick · July 30, 2006

http://www.tulsaworld.com/SportsStory.asp?...p_B1_Talon13038

SHERRY BROWN / Tulsa World

af2: Tulsa 67, Amarillo 33: Talons win division again

By GREG TEPPER World Sports Writer

7/30/2006

It's the team's fifth consecutive year to top af2's Midwest Division.

Don McGee put his arm around Talons co-owner Henry Primeaux, who sported a bleach-white shirt proclaiming Tulsa as the 2006 Midwest Division champions.

It's only McGee's first season as a wide receiver with the Talons, but he has already picked up the winning attitude.

McGee pulled in three touchdown receptions from quarterback Ben Bowling to help the Talons win the af2's Midwest Division for the fifth consecutive year by beating the Amarillo Dusters 67-33 on Saturday night at the Tulsa Convention Center.

McGee, whose three touchdowns are the most for him in a game this season, said he tried to save his best for the last game of the year.

"I just tried to get some more scores," McGee said. "We just started clicking, and when you do that, good things happen."

The wide receiver finished with four catches for 88 yards, as well as 36 yards on kick returns. But for the guy who spent last year playing for the CFL's Calgary Stampeders, it's refreshing to be a part of the Talons' winning tradition.

"It's a pleasure to be a part of something like this," McGee said. "It's a pleasure to help continue the performances they've had."

Bowling, a Jenks High School graduate, started his first game of the year at quarterback in place of Mark Radlinski, who was out with a strained collarbone. Bowling finished 17-for-28 for 266 yards and seven touchdowns.

Talons coach Dave Alexander had nothing but praise for the backup QB.

"The whole team has confidence in Ben, and that's obvious from tonight," he said.

Talons wide receiver Cesare Manning pulled in three touchdowns of his own, including one late in the first half that opened the lead over the Dusters to 21-13. He finished with seven catches for 120 yards.

Tulsa got some help on the defensive end, intercepting Amarillo quarterback Jarrod Rouanzoin twice. Wide receiver / defensive back James Sadler took a third-quarter interception back 16 yards for a touchdown, the third time he has done that this season, setting a Talons franchise record.

The win gives the Talons a record of 11-5, the National Conference's second-seed in the af2 playoffs and a first-round bye. On Aug. 12, the Talons host the highest advancing seed from the first round.

"It's big for us to have the bye for a couple reasons," Alexander said. "We get to rest up while the other team that we'll play has to play a tough game."

McGee said the rest is something the team is looking forward to.

"We're all a little banged up," McGee said. "Heck, I'm a little banged up. Now we're going to focus on getting healthy."

TALONS 67, DUSTERS 33

Amarillo 3 10 6 0--33

Tulsa 7 17 21 22--67

T: McGee 6 pass from Bowling (Phillips kick)

A: FG Felton 43

T: FG Felton 24

T: McGee 47 pass from Bowling (Phillips kick)

A: Rouanzoin 1 run (Felton kick)

T: Manning 39 pass from Bowling (Phillips kick)

T: FG Phillips 28