Costly Turnovers Lead To Firebirds Third Consecutive Loss

Published on March 10, 2003 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Albany/Indiana Firebirds News Release


The Indiana Firebirds committed four turnover, including two in the final 4 minutes, lifting the Orlando Predators to their sixth consecutive victory Monday night at TD Waterhouse Centre, 46-38. It was the Firebirds third loss in as many games. The Predators remain the sole unbeaten team in the Arena Football League after six weeks of the regular season.

Orlando's offensive specialist Travis McGriff led the Predators' offensive attack with six catches for 96 yards and two touchdowns before being named MVP of the contest. Firebirds' backup quarterback Jose Davis completed 16-of-21 passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns in only one half of action. Davis also rushed for 17 yards and a touchdown in a losing effort. Terrance Blackwell led the ‘Birds in receiving with seven catches for 65 yards and a touchdown.

The Predators (6-0) struck first on their third play from scrimmage when quarterback Connell Maynor found WR/LB Thabiti Davis over the top for a 36-yard touchdown reception, giving the Predators an early 6-0 advantage after the extra point misfired. Maynor found Davis, who was named Ironman of the Game, streaking down the middle of the filed after some apparent miscommunication between the Firebirds' secondary leaving Davis wide open for an easy score.

On the Firebirds ensuing possession, the ‘Birds were able to penetrate Predator territory looking to take an early first quarter lead. However, on a third and long play from the Orlando 11 yard-line quarterback Craig Whelihan was stripped of the ball after he was pressured from his blind side. The ball kicked across midfield into Indiana territory where Orlando's Duke Pettijohn was able to recover the football. The Predators quickly took advantage of the turnover as Orlando's FB/LB Rick Hamilton bowled his way into the endzone from one-yard out, giving Orlando a 13-point advantage midway through the first quarter.

Indiana (3-3) once again shot themselves in the foot on their second possession of the game. After methodically moving the ball down field, the ‘Birds once again turned the ball over after Leroy Thompson fumbled a pitch from Whelihan on the Predators' seven yard-line. The Firebirds' defense attempted to keep the ‘Birds close by getting pressure on Maynor and forcing him to get rid of the ball prematurely on Orlando's next two possessions. However, the Predators were able to extend their lead to 16-0 after Orlando's kicker Brian Schmitz connected on a 47-yard field goal with six minutes left in the first half.

Coach Dailey and his staff decided to make a quarterback change handing the ball over to rookie quarterback Jose Davis, who entered the game with seven minutes remaining he first half. Davis, seeing his first action of the season, wasted little time making his presence felt as he led the ‘Birds down the field into Predator territory. Davis was able to do some damage with his arm, however was most impressive with his feet. Davis was 3-of-4 for 20 yards passing on the drive, also rushing the ball four times for 19 yards. The drive was capped of by a three-yard touchdown run by Davis on a keeper. Davis faked the handoff, made his way around the pile and lunged into then endzone for his first touchdown as a Firebird.

The Firebirds inched their way closer to the Predators on their first possession of the second half after Indiana's FB/LB Leroy Thompson bullied his way into the endzone from one-yard out, cutting the Orlando lead to five early in the third quarter. The drive was highlighted by a 22-yard reception by Eddie Brown to the Orlando seven yard-line as Davis rolled out to his right, threw across his body and found Brown against the wall setting up the score.

The Firebirds once again cut into a 26-17 fourth quarter lead after rookie speed-burner Terrance Blackwell took screen pass 25-yards to the house, pulling the ‘Birds to within two points midway through the fourth quarter. Davis found Blackwell on a screen pattern and with the help of a busload of Firebird blockers was able to dance his way into the endzone.

The Firebirds took their first lead of the game when Donnie Caldwell rumbled in from 6-yards out giving the Birds a 30-26 lead. On Orlando first play after the score, Maynor connected with McGriff on a 35-yard bomb as Orlando regained the lead 33-30. Trailing 33-30 with three minutes left in the game, the game clock began to work against the Firebirds. After approaching midfield with just over one minute remaining, Davis was intercepted by Orlando's Floyd essentially ending the Firebirds' hopes of a dramatic fourth quarter comeback.

The 'Birds return home on Sunday to face the Los Angeles Avengers in the first of a two-game home stand. The game can be heard on the Indiana Firebirds' Radio Network, which includes ESPN Radio 950 AM (Indianapolis), WPZZ 95.9 FM (Franklin, IN), ESPN Radio 1130 AM (Brazil) and ESPN Radio 1300 AM (Terre Haute). Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 noon. Tickets to that game can be purchased at the Conseco Fieldhouse Box Office, all Ticketmaster Outlets, Ticketmaster charge-by-phone at 317-239-5151 and firebirds.com.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 10, 2003


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