Predators mauled in Big-D
February 17, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Orlando Predators News Release
Clint Stoerner fired four touchdown passes to lead the Dallas Desperados to a 42-28 win over the Orlando Predators on Thursday night. The win lifted Dallas to 3-1 on the season; while the Predators lost for the first time in four games. "We got beat in every aspect of the game tonight, hats off to Dallas," Orlando Predators Head Coach Jay Gruden said. "We didn't block anyone, we didn't get stops when we needed them and frankly I wasn't very good at play-calling tonight. We pretty much got what we deserved."
Trailing 28-21 at the half, the Predators were in position to tie the game as they received the second half kickoff. But Orlando went four and out after picking up an initial first down. After recording a defensive stop of their own, the Predators again went four-and-out. Getting the ball back with just seconds remaining in the quarter, Stoerner dropped back from his own goal line and lofted a 45-yard scoring pass to Jason Shelley to up Dallas' lead to 35-21.
Hamilton countered with a 22-yard scoring pass to Justin Skaggs to make it a one-score game but Shelley made it a 14-point game with his second touchdown reception of the game at the 9:46 mark. Each team had two more possessions, but neither could score as Dallas held on for the 14-point win.
"Maybe we came in with too much confidence, but either way we got our butts kicked," Predators Defensive Specialist Kenny McEntyre said. "We gave up too many big plays on defense and we certainly had trouble protecting our quarterback. When you do that against a good team you are going to get beat."
Stoerner was solid in earning the victory, completing 14 of 22 attempts for 217 yards and four touchdowns. Shelley was his favorite target catching seven passes for 138 yards and two scores. Pettis had three catches for 17 yards but also scored two touchdowns.
Although Hamilton threw for more yards with 228 yards, he was 23 of 39 but was harassed most of the night. Hamilton was sacked four times, losing 21 yards. When he wasn't being sacked, he was being knocked down constantly and throwing off rhythm. When he was getting the ball off, the Desperados defensive backs were all over the Predators receivers. Dallas broke up 10 passes, including three each by Pettis and Jermaine Jones.
Dallas gambled on the first series and was able to jump on top early, as quarterback Stoerner hit Will Pettis on a 4-yard touchdown pass on a 4th and goal play. Orlando rallied back to force a 7-7 tie, converting a 4th and 10 on the drive and taking advantage of a pass interference penalty. Travis McGriff capped off the seven-minute drive by catching Joe Hamilton's 4-yard touchdown pass with 2:07 remaining in the quarter.
After trading touchdowns to make it 14-14, Dallas then took charge. Ja'mar Tombs capped a xx-yard drive with a 5-yard touchdown run to make it 21-14. On the first play of the ensuing series, Predators fullback Rupert Grant failed to handle a Hamilton pitch-out and former Orlando fullback Duke Pettijohn caught the ball in mid air for a touchdown and a 28-14 Dallas lead.
Hamilton rallied the Predators, driving Orlando 43-yards for a touchdown -- the last five coming on an 8-yard pass from Hamilton to Grant to cut the Dallas lead to 28-21. With one-minute remaining in the half, Stoerner drove the Desperados the length of the field, but the Predators' defense stiffened and kicker Carlos Martinez missed a chip shot field goal.
"We are going to have to study the film and figure out what went wrong," Gruden added. "The road doesn't get any easier from this point on and we need to find a way to regroup and get ready for a really good Chicago Rush team."
Orlando lost twice to the Rush last season, including a quarterfinal playoff game.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 17, 2005
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