Predators overtake SaberCats, 61-35

Sunday May 4, 2008

ORLANDO, FL—The Orlando Predators defeated the San Jose SaberCats 61-35 on Saturday night at Amway Arena as they dominated the fourth quarter to cruise to their seventh victory in eight games.
 
The Predators (7-3) were led by the play of Kenny “The Glove” McEntyre who recorded the 77th and 78th interceptions of his illustrious career; both were returned for touchdowns from 47 and 9 yards respectively.
 
“The defense played great and of course Kenny McEntyre made plays,” Gruden said.  “When you get pressure on the quarterback and defensive backs are playing good, you’re going to have good defense.”
 
Preds quarterback Shane Stafford struggled in the first half prompting head coach Jay Gruden to pull Stafford in favor of back-up QB Jake Eaton.  The Preds back-up responded leading his team on a 46-yard drive that culminated with a 7-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Ron Johnson to give the Predators a 41-28 lead with 3:00 left in the third quarter.
 
The SaberCats would have their best chance to get back in the game in the fourth starting a drive at the Preds 3-yard line. Orlando’s defense would hold on downs when McEntyre knocked a pass away from ‘Cats wide receiver James Roe in the end zone on fourth down.
 
Eaton wasted no time taking advantage of his defense’s stand on a 6-yard touchdown run to give the Preds a 47-35 lead with 4:25 left in the game. On the ensuing kickoff Orlando got a break when wide receiver Chas Gessner stripped San Jose return man Rodney Wright and Nick Allison recovered setting the Preds up for another score.
 
“I just thought we needed a change to see if Jake could change the energy,” Gruden said.
 
Eaton once again took the ball around right end this time from 5 yards out to give Orlando an insurmountable lead of 54-35 with 2:30 remaining.
 
The Preds back-up took home Offensive Player of the Game honors going 6 of 11 passing for 75 yards with a touchdown and an interception; he also added 2 rushing touchdowns.
 
McEntyre earned Defensive Player of the Game for his 2 interceptions returned for touchdowns and wide receiver T.T. Toliver was named IronMan of the Game for recording 225 All-Purpose yards keeping him on pace to set the league’s single-season mark.
 
Preds defensive back Jason Perry suffered a sprained right ankle in the third, the timetable for his return is unknown at this time.
 
The Predators return to action on Friday night as they face the Cleveland Gladiators at 7:00 p.m. The game can be heard locally on 540 AM WFLA with Tom Morgan and Denise Cullen on the call.