September 24, 2002
 

BUCS TOP RAMS WITH STRONG DEFENSIVE EFFORT

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the St. Louis Rams 26-14 Monday night behind a defense that recorded five sacks and four interceptions, and scored a touchdown.

The Bucs built a 13-7 halftime lead on a nine-yard touchdown pass from QB BRAD JOHNSON to TE RICKY DUDLEY and two MARTIN GRAMATICA field goals. 

Tampa Bay CB BRIAN KELLY returned an interception 31 yards early in the fourth quarter to set up a two-yard touchdown plunge by RB MIKE ALSTOTT.  Then, with the Bucs leading 19-14 with just over a minute left in the game, LB DERRICK BROOKS intercepted the fourth pass of the night for the Tampa Bay defense, returning it 39 yards for a touchdown to seal the win.

Rams QB KURT WARNER completed 30 of 45 passes for 301 yards and now ranks as the quarterback to reach 1,000 career completions the fastest in NFL history (47 games).