Wes Crannby Returned Interception for Touchdown as Atlanta Beat Detroit
Riley Kade — JRSports One
Wes Crannby returned an interception of Jun Ninno for a touchdown with 0:15 left, and Atlanta beat Detroit 31-7. The win lifted the Firebirds to 2-5 and dropped the Hot Rods to 2-6.
The game turned in the third quarter. Detroit had taken its only lead at 7-6 on a 2-yard touchdown run by Ninno at 9:57, but Ernesto Rus scored on a 5-yard run with 0:25 left in the quarter to put Atlanta ahead 13-7, and the Firebirds never trailed again.
Atlanta opened the scoring with Eric Graicklin's 48-yard field goal at 2:16 of the first quarter, then added a 35-yard field goal at 10:03 of the second. Cole Gartson threw an interception to Jason Kustwood at 5:21 of the second quarter, but Detroit did not score until the third, and Atlanta led 6-0 at halftime.
Ninno's 2-yard run cut the margin to 6-7 at 9:57 of the third quarter. Rus's score followed, and Jordan Thann's 25-yard touchdown run at 8:06 of the fourth quarter, with a successful two-point conversion, made it 21-7. Graicklin's 21-yard field goal at 1:36 made it 24-7. Crannby's interception return at 0:15 closed the scoring at 31-7. Atlanta scored 25 unanswered points after Detroit's touchdown.
Gartson finished 26 of 42 for 232 yards with one interception and no touchdowns for Atlanta. Thann carried 21 times for 100 yards and a touchdown and caught four passes for 24 yards. Peyton Foosby led the Firebirds with 11 catches for 113 yards.
Ninno was 10 of 20 for 122 yards with one interception for Detroit, and he also ran in a touchdown. Lane Cirley added 51 rushing yards on eight carries. Dalton Mosley led Detroit with 13 tackles, and Austin Shows had two sacks for Atlanta.
Atlanta outgained Detroit 332 yards to 194 and converted 11 of 18 third-down attempts. Detroit was 2 of 10 on third down, committed 12 penalties for 99 yards and turned the ball over twice to Atlanta's once.
Detroit lost strong safety Jake Brart to a torn labrum in his shoulder.
Atlanta is 2-5 and Detroit is 2-6 after the result.
