ArenaBowl I
Dynamite Gladiators (2nd) (1st) 45 16 1 2 3 4 Total DEN 12 6 14 13 45 TB 0 0 0 16 16
Date	August 1, 1987
Arena	Pittsburgh Civic Arena, 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 Haerin
U.S. TV
Network	ESPN
Announcers	Bob Rathbun, Lee Corso
ArenaBowl II >

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 (Arena Football) 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).

This is the only ArenaBowl game to be played outdoors, as the Civic Arena opened its roof for the game.

[edit] Game summary

The Dynamite got off to an early start with a fumble recovery for a touchdown by OL/DL Phil Forte, along with a two-yard touchdown 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 Quarterback Whit Taylor completing a 26-yard touchdown 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 touchdown 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 Quarterback Mike Hohensee completed an 11-yard touchdown pass to WR/LB Russell Hairston (with a successful two-point conversion). Denver would wrap up the game with Taylor and Mullen hooking up with each other on a five-yard touchdown pass and even a 19-yard touchdown pass (failed PAT). Pittsburgh's final strike came from Quarterback Brendan Folmar to WR/DB Rodney Richmond.

[edit] Scoring summary

1st Quarter

• DEN - Forte 0 Fumble Recovery (Morales kick failed)
• 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)

[edit] External links

• ArenaFan box score

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