LAS VEGAS (AFLWA) – Quarterback Adrian McPherson threw eight touchdown passes, including the game-winner, to keep the Indiana Firebirds' playoff hopes alive and earning him Player of the Week, as determined by the board of the Arena Football League Writers Association (AFLWA).

The Firebirds beat the Colorado Crush 59-56 to improve to 8-7. McPherson provided the game-winning pass when he connected with Andy McCullough from 21 yards with 55 seconds left.

For the game, McPherson completed 15 of 24 passes for 266 yards with no interceptions. His touchdown passes went to five different receivers, and he rushed for 19 yards on five carries.

McPherson previously was honored as the AFLWA Rookie of the Mid-Year.

The AFLWA, founded at the start of the 2004 season, is a national organization made up of media members who cover the Arena Football League. Mark Anderson of the Las Vegas Review-Journal is the AFLWA's founder and executive director.