Morris scores eight touchdowns in victory over Tampa Bay

Friday June 24, 2016

 ORLANDO – June 24, 2016 – Quarterback Bernard Morris scored eight total touchdowns while leading the Orlando Predators (11-2) to a 56-33 victory over the rival Tampa Bay Storm (1-11) on Friday night. The #OrlandoUnited community was on full display as a season-high crowd of 13,527 packed the Amway Center.

Making his second start of the season, Morris completed 16-of-23 pass attempts for 131 yards and five touchdowns while adding 31 yards and three more scores on the ground. He hooked up Greg Carr five times for 43 yards and three touchdowns and Brandon Thompkins paced the receivers with seven catches for 54 yards and two scores.

The Predators defense forced four total stops in the game, logging three interceptions and a turnover on downs. In the secondary, Paul Stephens, Emanuel Cook and Terence Moore all registered picks while nose guard Willie McGinnis added a seven-yard sack.

Orlando jumped out to a 14-0 first quarter lead beginning with a nine-yard touchdown run by Morris on the game’s opening drive. Emanuel Cook intercepted Storm QB Jason Boltus on the ensuing drive and the Predators converted the turnover into points as Morris fired a 10-yard scoring strike to Thompkins.

Tampa Bay ended the drought early in the second quarter off a six-yard touchdown pass from Boltus to WR Prechae Rodriguez, but Morris would regain a two-score lead for the Predators a series later with his second touchdown run of the night.

Orlando attempted an onside kick following the score and Tampa Bay would recover as Prechae Rodriguez took it 10 yards for a touchdown. Rodriguez managed a five-yard scoring reception later in the quarter, but Greg Carr caught two touchdown passes before the half was out to give the Predators a 35-20 lead at the midway point.

The Predators built a 49-20 lead in the second half that started with an interception by Paul Stephens on the opening drive of the third quarter. Morris converted the turnover into his third rushing touchdown of the night and the defense once again denied the Storm a series later, forcing a turnover on downs inside opponent territory. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Morris found Carr for a third touchdown, this time from nine yards out.

Rodriguez posted his third touchdown reception early in the fourth quarter, but Morris responded a series later, lofting a two-yard score to Thompkins for a 56-27 advantage. Tampa Bay would get one more score off an eight-yard reception by WR V’Keon Lacey before the Predators ran out the clock to seal the victory.

The Predators head into a bye week before returning to the field for a road game against the Portland Steel on Saturday, July 9.
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UNDER ARMOUR OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME: Orlando QB Bernard Morris

RIDDELL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME: Orlando DB Paul Stephens

J.LEWIS SMALL PLAYMAKER OF THE GAME: Tampa Bay WR Prechae Rodriguez

CUTTERS CATCH OF THE GAME: 15-yard TD reception by Tampa Bay WR Prechae Rodriguez (Q4 | 10:46)

AFL HIGHLIGHT OF THE GAME: Helmetless sack by Orlando DL Willie McGinnis (Q3 | 5:05)

ABOUT THE ORLANDO PREDATORS
The Orlando Predators celebrate their 25th Anniversary in 2016 as Central Florida’s most exciting and innovative professional sports franchise. Proud members of the Arena Football League, the Predators have achieved unprecedented success on the field. Orlando has advanced to the AFL playoffs a league-leading 22 times in their history while securing seven conference championships, including two ArenaBowl Championship victories in 1998 and 2000.