Alabama Falls to Florida, 29-21

Saturday June 2, 2007

Estero, Fla. – The Alabama Steeldogs fell to division rival Florida, 29-21, Saturday night at Germain Arena in Estero, Fla.
 
Alabama (5-4) took a 14-10 lead into the locker room at the half after Mitch Tanney found receiver Jon Olinger for a 14-yard TD pass with seven second left in the second.
 
The Firecats (6-3) came out firing in the third, however, and scored quickly to take a 16-14 lead. The Firecats’ defense never relinquished the lead after that, forcing two turnovers and sacking Tanney four times in the final two periods.
 
Alabama’s defense forced a turnover on downs and got the ball back on offense with under a minute to play. A pick by Tanney three plays later, however, sealed it for the Firecats.
 
“This was a game of momentum,” Steeldogs Head Coach Ron Selesky said. “We had plenty of opportunities to swing it in our favor but couldn’t follow through.
 
Tanney finished the night 21-of-37 for 196 yards and three scores. Olinger led Alabama in receiving with 11 catches for 101 yards and two scores.
 
The Firecats were led on offense by receiver Chris McKinney, who caught 10 balls for 105 yards and two TDs.
 
The Florida win secures the Firecats place in the division at No. 2 behind the South Georgia Wildcats. A loss by the Tennessee Valley Vipers (4-4) on Friday night to Quad City keeps Alabama one game ahead of their in-state rivals in the Southern Division. South Georgia (7-2) keeps ahold of the division lead with a win over Corpus Christi.
 
Alabama returns home for the first time in nearly a month to host the Bossier-Shreveport Battlewings at the BJCC, Friday night at 7 p.m. Florida travels to face Tennessee Valley in an important division matchup next Saturday at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville.
 
Score by Quarters         1         2         3         4         Score
Alabama Steeldogs        0         14         0         7         21            Record: (5-4)
Florida Firecats             3         7         12         7         29         Record: (6-3)
 
LEADERS:
PASSING: WALLACE, Chris (FLA) 34-22-207-2; TANNEY, Mitch (ALA) 37-21-196-3
RECEIVING: MCKINNEY, Chris (FLA) 10-105-2; OLINGER, Jon (ALA) 11-101-2
RUSHING: HOUSE, Wallace (FLA) 9-17-1; COOPER, Markeith (ALA) 1-3-0
 
Schutt Offensive Player of the Game: Wallace House (FLA)
U.S. Army Ironman of the Game: Chris McKinney (FLA)
ADT Defensive Player of the Game: Tony Stubbs (FLA)