Fleet Powers over San Antonio, 31-11
February 25, 2019 - Alliance of American Football (AAF)
San Diego Fleet News Release
San Diego Fleet running back Ja'Quan Gardner runs 83 yards for a score against the San Antonio Commanders
(San Diego Fleet, Credit: Denis Poroy/AAF/Getty Images)
(SAN DIEGO, CA) - Quarterback Philip Nelson tossed a pair of touchdown passes to wide receiver Nelson Spruce to lead the San Diego Fleet past the San Antonio Commanders, 31-11, at SDCCU Stadium on Saturday.
With the victory, the Fleet (2-1) has won back-to-back games to pull its record above .500 for the first time in team history. It also avenged a 15-6 loss to the Commanders (1-2) in the season opener on Feb. 9 at the Alamodome.
Nelson finished the game 17-for-25 for yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Spruce led all Fleet receivers with 50 yards on four receptions and two touchdown catches (3, 18).
Fleet running back Ja'Quan Garnder, who entered the weekend tied for The Alliance rushing lead, posted his second-consecutive, 100-yard contest and finished with 122 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries. His 83-yard touchdown burst at the 8:09 mark of the third quarter marked the longest scoring play in The Alliance this season.
Commanders quarterback Logan Woodside finished 12-for-23 for 151 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. Mekale McKay led all receivers with a game-high 91 yards on four catches, including a 47-yard touchdown grab on the Commanders first play from scrimmage. Trey Williams paced San Antonio with 75 rushing yards
After training 8-0 just 19 seconds into the game, the Fleet posted a run of 28 consecutive points over the next 41:14 to build a commanding, 28-8 lead - and one it would not relinquish.
The game completely changed after a 14-yard touchdown connection between Commanders quarterback Logan Woodside to receiver Greg Ward Jr. was called back due to a holding penalty. Had the play stood, San Antonio would have built a 14-0 lead with 8:24 to go in the first quarter.
San Diego got on the board when a 94-yard drive was completed with a three-yard touchdown pass from Nelson to Spruce at the 3:11 mark of the first half. The drive was aided by a 43-yard reception by wide receiver LaQuvionte Gonzalez on a second down and three from the Fleet 28-yard line.
The Fleet took the lead for good on pick-six by linebacker A.J. Tarpley that covered 27 yards into the end zone. It was the first defensive touchdown in team history. With a successful two-point rushing conversion by running back Terrell Watson, San Diego took a 14-8 lead with 11:02 remaining in the first half.
Nelson and Spruce hooked up for an 18-yard touchdown with 2:09 seconds remaining in the half, and another Watson rushing conversion gave the Fleet a 22-8 lead at the half.
San Diego will look to make it three wins in a row when they play at the Memphis Express (0-3) on Saturday.
Images from this story
 San Diego Fleet running back Ja'Quan Gardner runs 83 yards for a score against the San Antonio Commanders (Denis Poroy/AAF/Getty Images) |
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- Gardner, Martini and Gilbert Capture OurSports Central's Week 3 AAF Player of the Week Awards - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury
- Gardner, Martini and Gilbert Capture OurSports Central's Week 3 AAF Player of the Week Awards - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury
- Fleet Powers over San Antonio, 31-11 - San Diego Fleet
- San Antonio Commanders Fall to San Diego, 31-11 - San Antonio Commanders
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