Sports stats



Destroyers lose 47-44

March 29, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Columbus Destroyers News Release


COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Columbus Destroyers, presented by Germain, were defeated by the Orlando Predators 47-44 in front of 13,035 fans on Huntington Field at Nationwide Arena Saturday night on a game-winning 32-yard field goal kicked by John Vaughn as time expired. This is the second consecutive week the Destroyers have played in a contest that was decided by a field goal to end the game. Columbus has lost three games this season decided by three points.

Orlando quarterback Shane Stafford took home the Offensive player of the Game honors, completing 24-of-31 passes for 316 yards and four touchdowns. Destroyers quarterback Matt Nagy completed 21-of-26 passes for 206 yards and three touchdowns.

Defensive lineman Michael Landry finished the game with a total of 7.5 tackles (6UT-3AT) and 1.0 tackle for loss, leading Columbus' defense and earning Defensive Player of the Game. Marlon Moye-Moore of the Predators received the Ironman Award with seven rushes for eight yards and two touchdowns while tallying 4.5 tackles (3UT-3AT).

Derek Lee led the Destroyers receivers for the fifth consecutive game as he made nine catches for 109 yards and two touchdowns. Rasheed Marshall added six receptions for 32 yards, as well as 92 yards on four kick returns.

Down 7-3, with 9:36 seconds left in the first quarter, the Destroyers began a seven-minute, 45-yard drive capped off by a 1-yard run by Harold Wells, who finished the game with 18 yards rushing on eight carries with two touchdowns and two catches for 20 yards and a touchdown. The Columbus (1-4) lead was short-lived as Orlando regained the lead early in the second quarter on a touchdown pass from Shane Stafford to Chas Gessner.

The Predators began a late drive in the second quarter with hopes of taking a 14-point lead before getting the ball back at halftime. With 0:07 left in the half, Orlando quarterback Shane Stafford threw a pass to the corner of the end zone was picked off by Rober' Freeman, ending the half. Freeman finished the game with four solo tackles along with his interception.

The Destroyers got a big stop to open the second half, forcing the Predators (3-2) to turn the ball over on downs. Nagy and the Destroyers took advantage of the turnover as he and Lee hooked up for a 32-yard touchdown pass on the second play of the drive to tie the game 23-23.

Throughout the second half, Columbus and Orlando traded scores to put the game at 44-44 at the one minute warning. The Predators had possession of the ball, running down the clock as they neared the red zone. On fourth and eight, Orlando had the ball on the Destroyers' 16 yard line with 0:02 left in the game. The 32-yarder came off Vaughn's foot as time expired giving Orlando the three-point victory.

The Destroyers return to Huntington Field at Nationwide Arena to take on the Tampa Bay Storm on Saturday, April 5 at 7 p.m. Single game tickets start at just $15 and are on sale now at the Nationwide Arena Ticket Office, ticketmaster Ticket Centers, ticketmaster.com and all FSN Ohio Blue Line team stores located at The Mall at Tuttle Crossing, Chiller Easton, Chiller Dublin and Chiller North or by calling (877) COLS-AFL. Groups of 10 or more are eligible for group rates by calling (614) 246-HITS.

• Discuss this story on the Arena Football League (1987-2008) message board...

Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 29, 2008


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Columbus Destroyers Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central