Preds Stun Rush in Overtime

Sunday April 6, 2008

ORLANDO, FL—The Orlando Predators (4-2) had nothing to lose and everything to gain on the last play of the game Sunday.  Fullback Marlon Moye-Moore lined up in the backfield and ran the ball in for a 2-point conversion to give the Predators a 57-56 overtime victory over the Chicago Rush (4-2).  The victory puts the Preds in second place alone in the southern division behind the New Orleans VooDoo.

Quarterback Shane Stafford connected with wide receiver T.T. Toliver for a 14-yard touchdown pass to bring the Preds within 1-point at 56-55 to set-up Moye-Moore’s plunge.  The conversion was Orlando’s second 2-point play of the game; earlier fullback Odie Armstrong scored a deuce on a fake extra point tying the game at 35 with 14:08 remaining in the fourth quarter.

“Marlon went the wrong way on the play, we will have to reprimand him for that,” Preds head coach Jay Gruden said. “He was just being Marlon, he made a play, that’s what he does.”

Stafford struggled to find a rhythm through the third quarter committing 5 turnovers in the game, 4 of which were interceptions.  Orlando’s turnovers kept Chicago in the lead most of the afternoon as they returned a fumble and an interception for touchdown in the game.

“The sign of a good team is the ability to win on both sides of the ball,” Gruden said.  Early on we were trying to win on offense because our defense was bad, tonight our defense was great, if we ever get both together on the same night, look out, then we won’t have to wait until the last play of the game to win.”

Sunday’s victory gave the Predators their fourth win in a row, including 3 wins at Amway Arena; giving them an undefeated record at home.

“Five games in a row it has come down to the last play of the game,” said Gruden. “We are getting our 60 minutes worth and I think the fans are getting their monies worth.”

Stafford finished the game 27 of 49 for 255 yards with 6 touchdown passes. His leading receiver was Toliver who finished with 9 receptions for 111 yards and 3 touchdowns earning him offensive player of the game honors. Toliver’s 55-yard kickoff return gave the Preds their first touchdown of the game pulling them within 14-6 with 2:59 left in the first.

For Chicago, DeJuan Alfonzo earned Defensive Player of the Game honors with an interception; he also added a fumble recovery for a touchdown in the third quarter.  Moye-Moore was awarded Ironman of the Game after his game-winning play.

Before the start of the game, the Preds lost defensive lineman Elton Patterson with a torn right quadriceps tendon. The time of his return is unknown at the time of the injury.

The Preds are back in action next Sunday as they face the Grand Rapids Rampage on the road.  Game time is set for 2p.m. eastern time and will be broadcast live on 540 AM WFLA with Tom Morgan and Denise Cullen on the call.