June 1,2013
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Turnovers Prove to be Costly in Predators Loss to Chicago
Story By: Cammon Bogart
Orlando FL- Saturday night the Orlando Predators (2-8) faced off against the Chicago Rush (6-5) at the Amway Center. With a lackluster defensive performance by Orlando allowing nearly 300 yards of offense, combined with an 8 passing touchdown evening from Rush Quarterback Carson Coffman, the Pred’s fell to Chicago 63-55. During the first half it was a back and fourth game with the Pred’s and Rush going score for score until late in the 2nd quarter. With 5:22 left in the 1st half, the Predators quarterback Aaron Garcia threw a pick six to defensive back Josh Pleasant of the Chicago Rush making the Score 28-21. After two more scores by both teams and a missed PAT by Predators kicker #18 Mark Lewis, the Chicago Rush went in to half time with a 42-34 lead over the Predators. |
After the Rush came out on their opening drive scoring on a 10 yard TD pass from Carson Coffman to Jared Jenkins which extended the Rush lead to 15 the Predators were stuck playing catch-up the rest of the evening. Orlando’s best opportunity to climb back into the game came after the 3rd quarter fumble by Rush fullback J.J. Payne that was recovered by Dominic Jones of the Predators. At this point in the game the Pred’s could tie the game by getting a touchdown and a 2 point conversion.
As Aaron Garcia completed 3 passes in a row to get Orlando down to the one yard line the Pred’s looked poised for a come back. With the ball on the one yard line, on a second and goal Wondell Rutledge looked to have scored a touchdown but was called short by the refs. Orlando challenged the play only for the refs to return to the field to announce that due to play being stopped by forward progress the play was not reviewable. This was much to the dissatisfaction of the Orlando faithful and coaching staff as chants and boos could be heard round the Arena. On the next two plays the Predators would fail to break the plain on two more consecutive rushes by Rutledge thus turning the ball over to the Rush.
After the third quarter the teams would go blow for blow scoring 14 points a piece. Trailing 63-55 with four minutes left in the game defensive back Greg Laybourn gave Orlando a late burst of hope intercepting Chicago’s Carson Coffman. After the interception Orlando was set up with a 1st and 10 at the Chicago 19 yard line. On 1st and ten Aaron Garcia would complete a pass to T.T. Toliver for eight yards bringing up a Predators 2nd and 2 at the Chicago 11 yard line. On the next play Orlando fullback Wondell Rutledge would be stopped in the backfield for a loss of 1 yard on the play. This would set up a 3rd and 3 from the Chicago 12 with the crowd waiting in suspense. The air would all then be sucked out of the arena after 2 consecutive incomplete passes resulting in a Orlando turnover on downs giving the Rush the ball with only 1:56 left in the game. The Rush calmly drained the rest of the clock out in the 63-55 defeat of the Orlando Predators at Driver Mart Field at the Amway Center in Downtown Orlando Florida.
Next week the Orlando Predators look to match up against the Tampa Bay Storm in round two of the “War on I-4”. That game will take place at the Tampa Bay Times Forum in Tampa, Florida. Kickoff is set for 7:30 pm EST. This game will also be featured as the CBS Sports Network Game of the Week.
As Aaron Garcia completed 3 passes in a row to get Orlando down to the one yard line the Pred’s looked poised for a come back. With the ball on the one yard line, on a second and goal Wondell Rutledge looked to have scored a touchdown but was called short by the refs. Orlando challenged the play only for the refs to return to the field to announce that due to play being stopped by forward progress the play was not reviewable. This was much to the dissatisfaction of the Orlando faithful and coaching staff as chants and boos could be heard round the Arena. On the next two plays the Predators would fail to break the plain on two more consecutive rushes by Rutledge thus turning the ball over to the Rush.
After the third quarter the teams would go blow for blow scoring 14 points a piece. Trailing 63-55 with four minutes left in the game defensive back Greg Laybourn gave Orlando a late burst of hope intercepting Chicago’s Carson Coffman. After the interception Orlando was set up with a 1st and 10 at the Chicago 19 yard line. On 1st and ten Aaron Garcia would complete a pass to T.T. Toliver for eight yards bringing up a Predators 2nd and 2 at the Chicago 11 yard line. On the next play Orlando fullback Wondell Rutledge would be stopped in the backfield for a loss of 1 yard on the play. This would set up a 3rd and 3 from the Chicago 12 with the crowd waiting in suspense. The air would all then be sucked out of the arena after 2 consecutive incomplete passes resulting in a Orlando turnover on downs giving the Rush the ball with only 1:56 left in the game. The Rush calmly drained the rest of the clock out in the 63-55 defeat of the Orlando Predators at Driver Mart Field at the Amway Center in Downtown Orlando Florida.
Next week the Orlando Predators look to match up against the Tampa Bay Storm in round two of the “War on I-4”. That game will take place at the Tampa Bay Times Forum in Tampa, Florida. Kickoff is set for 7:30 pm EST. This game will also be featured as the CBS Sports Network Game of the Week.