Predators Win Streak Ends at Six in 48-41 loss to Tampa Bay
Saturday April 26, 2008
ORLANDO, FL—The Orlando Predators (6-3) were a victim of their own mistakes in a 48-41 loss to the Tampa Bay Storm (3-5) on Saturday night at Amway Arena. A last gasp pass from quarterback Shane Stafford to wide receiver Ron Johnson came up short of a first down conversion and the Storm were able to run out the clock to secure the victory.
Storm wide receiver/linebacker Lawrence Samuels earned Ironman of the Game honors with 5 receptions for 45 yards and a touchdown on offense to go with an interception for touchdown on defense. Samuels interception return gave the Storm a 45-28 lead with 13:28 left in the fourth quarter.
“It was a great game in a great rivalry,” Preds head coach Jay Gruden said. “Usually defense determines the winner in this series and tonight was no exception.”
The Preds would trail by as many as 20 points when the Storm took a 48-28 lead on kicker Seth Marler’s 29-yard field goal with 9:38 left in the fourth. From there, the Predators went on a tear scoring first on a 4-yard touchdown pass from Stafford to Chas Gessner to bring them within 48-34 with 6:47 to go.
“We dug ourselves in a big hole,” Gruden said. “We just turned the ball over too many times and never fully recovered.”
After a stop on a Marler missed field goal, the Preds took over on their own 10-yard line and went on a 40-yard scoring march. The drive was capped on a 7-yard touchdown pass from Stafford to T.T. Toliver to bring the Preds within 48-41 with just 2:31 remaining.
On the ensuing kickoff, Preds kicker John Vaughn pegged the ball off the chest of Storm up-man Marcus Owen and the Predators would recover. However, the Preds ensuing drive would fail to tie the game.
Stafford finished the game 25 of 32 passing for 266 yards and 5 touchdowns, but his 2 interceptions were too much for the Preds to overcome. The Predators leading receiver was Gessner with 11 receptions for 110 yards and 2 touchdowns; earning him Offensive Player of the Game honors.
Storm quarterback Brett Dietz was not fabulous, but he did not have to be going 17 of 31 for 171 yards and 2 touchdown passes. The Storm’s offensive star of the game was fullback Torrance Marshall with 2 rushing touchdowns and 24 total rushing yards.
The Preds six game winning streak came to an end, but they will have a chance to redeem themselves next Saturday against the San Jose Sabercats. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. and can be heard locally on 540 AM WFLA in Orlando with Tom Morgan on the call.
