Preds top Georgia 50-45
March 22, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Orlando Predators News Release
Orlando, FL - The Orlando Predators (2-2) needed every inch of the field to survive the Georgia Force (1-3) on Saturday night as they took home a 50-45 victory in front of 12,107 fans at Amway Arena.
The final play saw Force quarterback Chris Greisen find wide receiver Charles Pauley for an 18-yard gain to Orlando's 1-yard line as time expired. The call was very close, but the officials ruled Pauley out of bounds and the Georgia players chased the officials off the field in protest, while the Preds celebrated a much needed victory.
"The defense played great the last three series of the game," head coach Jay Gruden said. "We are still cleaning some things up but they did a great job."
Orlando's previous drive started at their own 2-yard line with 56 seconds remaining in the game. Quarterback Shane Stafford completed consecutive short passes to wide receiver Ron Johnson to move the Preds up to the 23. On the next play Stafford would find Chas Gessner for a 27-yard touchdown pass with 22 seconds remaining to give the Predators a 50-45 advantage.
"The offensive line did a phenomenal job," said Gruden. "I knew if we gave our quarterback time we would make great plays and except for the turnovers we did.
Preds defensive back Kenny McEntyre recorded the 73rd interception of his career in the second quarter. That set up a 35-yard touchdown pass from Stafford to receiver T.T. Toliver to give Orlando a 24-21 lead with 8:38 to go before halftime.
Orlando's fullback Marlon Moye-Moore scored his league leading seventh touchdown of the season from 3-yards out tying the game at 38 going into the fourth quarter.
Toliver recorded his fourth consecutive game with over 100 yards receiving as he went for 154 on 8 receptions. Johnson led the Preds with 9 receptions in the game for 76 yards.
The Predators return to action next Saturday as they face the 1-3 Columbus Destroyers at Nationwide Arena. Game time is set for 7 p.m. as the Preds try to improve on a .500 record.
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