From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

ArenaBowl I
Quarter 1 2 3 4 Tot Dynamite 12 6 14 13 45 Gladiators 0 0 0 16 16
Date	August 1, 1987
Arena	Pittsburgh Civic Arena
City	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Attendance	13,232
MVP	Gary Mullen, WR/DB, Denver
Ironman of the Game	Steve Trimble, WR/DB, Denver
Winning Coach	Tim Marcum
Losing Coach	Joe Haering
U.S. TV
Network	ESPN
Announcers	Lee Corso, Bob Rathbun, and ?

Arena Bowl '87 (or Arena Bowl I) was the Arena Football League's very first Arena Bowl. In this match-up, it pitted the #2 Denver Dynamite against the #1 Pittsburgh Gladiators. Both teams finished their seasons at 4-2, yet the Gladiators led in points for (268-261) and points against (199-252).

The Dynamite got off to an early start with a fumble recovery for a touchdown by OL/DL Phil Forte, along with a 2-yard TD run by FB/LB Richard Prather (with a failed two-point conversion) in the first quarter. In the second quarter, Denver's domination continued with QB Whit Taylor completing a 26-yard TD pass to WR/DB Gary Mullen (with another failed two-point conversion) for the only score of the period. In the third quarter, the Dynamite continued their destruction with Taylor completing a 32-yard TD pass to WR/LB Richard Rodgers, along with WR/DB Steve Trimble returning an interception 47 yards for a touchdown. In the fourth quarter, the Gladiators finally managed to score as QB Mike Hohensee completed an 11-yard TD pass to WR/LB Russell Hairston (with a successful 2-point conversion). Denver would wrap up the game with Taylor and Mullen hooking up with each other on a 5-yard TD pass and even a 19-yard TD pass (failed PAT). Pittsburgh's final strike came from QB Brendan Folmar to WR/DB Rodney Richmond.

1st Quarter

• DEN - Forte 0 Fumble Recovery (Morales kick)
• DEN - Prather 2 run (Taylor pass failed)

2nd Quarter

• DEN - Mullen 26 pass from Taylor (Taylor pass failed)

3rd Quarter

• DEN - Rodgers 32 pass from Taylor (Morales kick)
• DEN - Trimble 47 Interception Return (Morales kick)

4th Quarter

• PIT - Hairston 11 pass from Hohensee (Hohensee pass)
• DEN - Mullen 5 pass from Taylor (Morales kick)
• DEN - Mullen 19 pass from Taylor (Morales kick failed)
• PIT - Richmond 14 pass from Folmer (Folmer pass)

• ArenaFan Box Score