[b0ea0cdc]Boston[/b0ea0cdc] - The Boston Panthers beat division rivals the Hartford Attack in a 23-13 thriller in overtime. Showcasing a balanced attack, but with the running game bailing out [b0ea0cdc]QB McMillan[/b0ea0cdc] (7 bad throws), the Panthers' defense really shone on the day, keeping Hartford at bay when it was really needed.

"There were a lot of good performances today," said Coach Sam Hobbs, "but you really have to give credit to the D-Line. We made a decision before the game to concentrate on Hartford's passing game, and not expose ourselves with a lot of blitzing. The front four had to generate a pass rush all by themselves, and they did a great job."

The day started ominously for Boston, with Hartford scoring easily on their first drive. To make matters worse, Boston got within field goal range, at the Hartford 38, but chose to punt instead.

"Lynch has been up-and-down this year" said Coach Hobbs. "We didn't think it was the right time for a Field Goal."

Later in the 1st, and into the 2nd, Boston put together a nice 15-play, 84-Yard drive for a TD. This drive even featured some clutch passing from [b0ea0cdc]McMillan[/b0ea0cdc] on 6 plays, as opposed to the usual all-out running attack (more on that later).

Boston's defense then clamped down on Hartford. Two plays at the end of the first half made the difference. On 3rd-and-3 Boston [b0ea0cdc]DT Hiatt[/b0ea0cdc] hurried Hartford [b0ea0cdc]QB Oberg[/b0ea0cdc] into a bad throw, stopping short a Hartford drive. Later, with 1 minute left in the first half and Hartford again facing a crucial 3rd down, Boston [b0ea0cdc]CB Nichols[/b0ea0cdc] intercepted an [b0ea0cdc]Oberg[/b0ea0cdc] pass, returning it deep into Hartford territory and setting up a Boston FG to end the half.

The 3rd quarter saw more good stops by the Boston Defensive Line. As a result, Hartford couldn't get much moving on offense. Boston then opened with 4th quarter with, astonishingly, a 51-yard Field Goal by [b0ea0cdc]K Lynch[/b0ea0cdc], earlier snubbed from closer in.

"Unlike earlier, I thought the time was right for a long try, and Lynch came through for us" said Hobbs.

The Boston defense kept the pressure up, with the line hurrying [b0ea0cdc]QB Oberg[/b0ea0cdc] all over the field, and the secondary defensing the passes he managed to get off. Along the way an excellent punt by [b0ea0cdc]P Schrimsher[/b0ea0cdc] pinned Hartford at their own 4. Despite this, Hartford managed to tie it up with a last-minute FG, and sent the game into OT.

More Boston defense in OT. After winning the toss, Hartford started driving, but the drive was quickly snuffed out when [b0ea0cdc]CB Nichols[/b0ea0cdc] forced a fumble on a crunching tackle. [b0ea0cdc]FS Sampson[/b0ea0cdc] picked up the ball and returned it deep into Hartford territory. The winning drive was pure Boston:

Robinson ran around the left tackle for 4 yards.
Sheehan ran around the left tackle for 3 yards.
Sheehan ran around right end for 3 yards.
Robinson ran around left end for 3 yards.
Sheehan ran inside the right guard for 1 yard.
Sheehan ran around left end for 6 yards.
Sheehan ran inside the left tackle for 1 yard.
Sheehan ran around left end for 3 yards and a touchdown.

Congrats on your big win! Next up, Durham. Motormouth is waiting!