A valiant second half is cut short, Steel lose to Predators 47-41

Sunday July 10, 2016

 Carter goes for a season-high nine catches for 79 yards; Thompkins shuts the door on a Steel comeback

PORTLAND, Ore. — The Portland Steel (1-12) fell to the Orlando Predators (12-22), 47-41, in front of 4,458 fans at Moda Center on Saturday night. The Steel offense outscored Orlando 21-20 in the second half, but were unable to make a stop late in the fourth quarter after taking their first-lead of the game at 34-33.

Steel quarterback Shane Austin completed 27-of-42 passes for 241 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Portland wide receiver Rashaad Carter hauled in a season high nine catches for 79 yards, one touchdown and added a rushing touchdown. Giving him eight total touchdowns since returning from an injury three weeks ago.

The Predators were led by wide out Brandon Thompkins who hauled in a game-high 12 passes for 123 yards and four touchdowns as he earned Under Armour Offensve Player of the Game honors.

After Orlando jumped out to a 13-0 lead in the first quarter, fullback Kevin Myers ran the ball in from seven yards for his first touchdown of the season and the first rushing touchdown of his career.

With the score 20-6, Orlando took their largest lead of the game when wide receiver Greg Carr hauled in 37-yard touchdown and the Cutters Catch of the Game. The Predators led 27-6 with 2:26 left in the half. Carter followed up as he caught a 6-yard pass from Austin for a score right before the half. Orlando led 27-13 at the break.

Portland defensive back Shaine Boyle returned his second kickoff return for touchdown in two weeks to open the second half. After Orlando turned the ball over on downs, Austin took to the air once again and found a wide open Nick Truesdell in the end zone. A play that was originally ruled incomplete as Truesdell lost the ball after going into the end zone wall, the ruling would be overturned to give the Steel a touchdown and a tie ball game at 27. Thompkins would close the quarter with his second touchdown catch of the night, Orlando led 33-27 going into the final quarter.

Carter would score his second touchdown of the game on an end around from three yards to give the Steel their first lead of the contest at 34-33. Thompkins would give the Predators an insurmountable lead as he caught Orlando’s next two touchdown on efforts of five and 27 yards respectively. Orlando jumped out to a 47-34 lead. Truesdell would add a late touchdown as he hauled in a three-yard touchdown in the deep corner of the end zone.

The Steel return to Moda Center on Saturday, July 16 to take on the Jacksonville Sharks. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. For all ticket information and all the latest Portland Steel news, head to www.pdxsteel.com.

Under Armour Offensive Player of the Game - ORL WR Brandon Thompkins
Riddell Defensive Player of the Game - PDX DB Mike McMillan
J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Game - PDX WR Rashaad Carter
Cutters Catch of the Game - ORL WR Greg Carr, 37-yard TD in the 2nd Qtr.
AFL Highlight of the Game - PDX DB/KR Shaine Boyle, 57-yard kickoff return for TD