ArenaBowl V

ArenaBowl V, also known as ArenaBowl '91, was the fifth championship game of the Arena Football League. It brought together two strong teams: the Tampa Bay Storm and the Detroit Drive. The Tampa Bay Storm, who were playing in their new home in Tampa, Florida, had just moved from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where they were called the Pittsburgh Gladiators. The Detroit Drive were the top team that year and were trying to win their fourth ArenaBowl title in a row. This game was important because it showed how competitive the Arena Football League was and featured two teams with a history of success.

Game summary

In the first part of the game, the Tampa Bay Storm scored first with a short touchdown run by their quarterback, Jay Gruden. The Detroit Drive answered back with two touchdown passes from their quarterback, Art Schlichter.

The Storm kept fighting back, and by the middle of the game, they started to lead. In the later parts of the game, both teams scored more touchdowns, but Tampa Bay managed to win the game. This victory was special because it was Tampa Bay’s first ever ArenaBowl title, and it stopped Detroit from winning their fourth title in a row.

Scoring summary

1st Quarter

• Tampa Bay – Gruden ran for 1 yard (Hickert kicked the extra point).
• Detroit – Mullen caught a 10-yard pass from Schlichter (Bojovic kicked the extra point).
• Detroit – LaFrance caught a 32-yard pass from Schlichter (Bojovic kicked the extra point).

2nd Quarter

• Tampa Bay – Thomas caught a 13-yard pass from Gruden (Hickert kicked the extra point).
• Detroit – Rettig ran for 2 yards (Bojovic kicked the extra point).
• Tampa Bay – Bradford ran for 3 yards (Hickert kicked the extra point).
• Tampa Bay – Thomas caught a 42-yard pass from Gruden (Hickert kicked the extra point).

3rd Quarter

• Detroit – McClay caught a 13-yard pass from Schlichter (Bojovic’s extra point attempt failed).
• Tampa Bay – Willis caught a 37-yard pass from Gruden (Hickert kicked the extra point).
• Detroit – Bojovic kicked a 46-yard field goal.
• Tampa Bay – Thomas caught a 17-yard pass from Gruden (Hickert kicked the extra point).

4th Quarter

• Detroit – Mullen caught a 23-yard pass from Schlichter (Bojovic’s extra point attempt failed).
• Detroit – Anderson ran for 1 yard (Schlichter’s pass failed).
• Tampa Bay – Thomas caught a 35-yard pass from Gruden (Hickert’s extra point attempt failed).

Trivia

This game was picked as the #5 greatest moment in the history of the Arena Football League. It was shown on arenafootball.com to celebrate the league’s 20th year.