Preds Get Win - Top Utah 69-61
March 14, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Orlando Predators News Release
ORLANDO, FL-- The Orlando Predators defeated the Utah Blaze 69-61 at Amway Arena Friday night. Quarterback Shane Stafford threw for six touchdown passes in the game, three of those came to wide receiver T.T. Toliver.
The Preds led the Blaze 63-61 in the final minute when Stafford found Toliver on a five-yard touchdown pass to give the Predators a 69-61 lead with just 27 seconds remaining. Utah took over on their own five yard line and drove to Orlando's 19 before quarterback Joe Jermaine's pass off the net fell incomplete with no time left in the game.
"It's great to win," head coach Jay Gruden said. "It's going to be short-lived unless we fix our defense, but I am happy as heck for our offense. Defensively I am going to have a heart attack."
The turning point of the game was provided by Preds kicker John Vaughn who drilled an onsides kick off a Utah up-man and the ball was recovered by Orlando's Ron Johnson. The Predators would capitalize on the stunning turn of events when fullback Marlon Moye-Moore went in for a two-yard touchdown run giving the Preds their first lead of the game at 56-49 with 1:18 left in the third.
"John has been working on that line drive at practice and I thought we should take a shot," Gruden said. "I think John Vaughn was our MVP tonight, he only missed one extra point."
Toliver returned the game's opening kickoff for a 54-yard touchdown to give the Predators a 7-0 lead with 13:58 remaining in the first quarter. Blaze wide receiver J.J. McKelvey had four touchdown receptions in the first half and could not be stopped by the Preds defense.
The Predators return to action next Saturday night as they face the Georgia Force in a southern division battle at Amway Arena, game time is set for 7:30 p.m.
• Discuss this story on the Arena Football League (1987-2008) message board...
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 14, 2008
- Predators hand Blaze third consecutive loss, 69-61 - Utah Blaze
- Preds Get Win - Top Utah 69-61 - Orlando Predators
- Rampage Fall Behind Early, Lose 64-35 to Rush - Grand Rapids Rampage
- Rush Wins Amtrak Classic, 64-35 - Chicago Rush
- Soul Sign Cleveland; Waive Broussard, Edwards - Philadelphia Soul
- Columbus Destroyers Partner With Giant Eagle To Tackle Hunger - Columbus Destroyers
- ESPN's Groundbreaking Coverage Of AFL Nominated For Emmy - AFL I
- Soul to face Dragons - Philadelphia Soul
- Rattlers To Broadcast Team's Games On Website - Arizona Rattlers
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.
