Predators season ends in Cleveland 69-66

Monday June 30, 2008

CLEVELAND, OH—The Orlando Predators poured their collective hearts into Monday night’s match-up with the Cleveland Gladiators but fell just short when wide receiver T.T. Toliver fumbled inside the Glads 5-yard line and was unable to recover.  Cleveland would go on to run out the clock on their final drive to seal a 69-66 victory at Quicken Loans Arena.

The Preds got off to a fast start as quarterback Shane Stafford found wide receiver Chas Gessner on 3 occasions in the first quarter to give Orlando a 20-14 lead heading into the second quarter.

“We just weren’t able to make the plays when we needed to make them late in the game,” Preds head coach Jay Gruden said.  “My hat is off to the Gladiators they made the plays and deserve to move on in the playoffs.”

Those plays Gruden is referring to were 2 missed extra points by kicker Dan Frantz and another botched snap proved to be the 3-point difference in the game.  Stafford also threw an interception to Glads defensive back Brandon Hefflin just 10 seconds before halftime. That mistake turned into a big swing when Glads kicker Jason Ball made a 25-yard field goal at the halftime buzzer.

Orlando recovered in the second half as Toliver scored 4 touchdowns, 3 of which came on deep post routes that Stafford delivered right on the money.  Stafford added a 6-yard rushing touchdown that gave the Preds a 60-55 lead. 

Toliver’s late turnover was too much to overcome but he finished the game with 11 receptions for 185 yards.  The returning Gessner recorded 12 receptions for 101 yards and 3 touchdowns.

The loss closes out the 2008 season for the Preds and the Cleveland Gladiators will face the Georgia Force Monday night on ESPN2.