Preds trounce Rattlers, 51-40

Published on February 4, 2005 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Orlando Predators News Release


Orlando jumped out to a big 32-7 lead and held on for a 51-40 win over rival Arizona. PHOTO: Idris Price has a couple of rushing touchdowns for the Predators. Joe Hamilton threw for five touchdowns and ran for a sixth as the Orlando Predators rolled to a 51-40 road win over the Arizona Rattlers on Thursday night. The win lifted the Predators to 2-0 on the season, while the Rattlers fell to 1-1. "This is a game that shouldn't have been this close," Predators Head Coach Jay Gruden said. "When you jump out to a 32-7 lead, you shouldn't let a team get back into the game. We made some turnovers and mistakes, but at the same time to come in here and beat a great team on the road. That is a huge plus for us."

The kicking game remained a problem for the Predators. After missing five extra points ands two field goals in the opener, Veteran Steve McLaughlin missed five extra points and both field goal attempts -- keeping Arizona in the game. "Steve has had a great career, but right now he doesn't have any confidence. We have to do something and I think Steve understands that," Gruden said in hinting at a change that may come as early as Monday.

The Predators looked like they had an opportunity to blow the Rattlers out of the building in the first half dominating in every aspect of the game, as Arizona was forced to play with two of its biggest stars in quarterback Sherdrick Bonner and WR/LB Hunkie Cooper on injured reserve.

Orlando jumped out to a 13-0 lead in the game. On the team's first possession, quarterback Joe Hamilton found Cory Fleming on a 34-yard touchdown reception. Two plays later, Fleming intercepted Joe Germaine. Hamilton needed just two plays to find Travis McGriff on 13-yard touchdown pass.

Former Predators player Siaha Burley then put the Rattlers back in the game, returning McLaughlin's kickoff 42 yards to the Orlando 12 yard line. One play later, fullback Bo Kelly scored on a 12-yard run and Orlando's lead was cut to six at 13-7. Orlando would answer with their third touchdown in as many possessions with Idris Price upping the Predators lead to 20-7 on a 4-yard run.

The Predators would then use two more defensive stops with Fleming and McGriff scoring touchdowns as Orlando jumped out to a 32-7 lead. But two errors would quickly put the Rattlers back in the game. Burley pulled in a 32-yard wounded duck pass to set up short touchdown pass between Burley and Germaine. EJ Burt blocked the extra point, and Arizona trailed 32-13.

On Orlando's next possession, Joe Hamilton made one of the few Predators mistakes -- under-throwing Fleming. Randy Gatewood's interception gave Arizona the ball on the Orlando 17. Three plays later, Germaine hit Gatewood on a 17-yard pass and Arizona cut the lead to just 12 at 32-20.

Orlando got a defensive stop to start the second quarter, as Chris Sailer missed a short field goal. Taking over from the Orlando 10, Hamilton took the Predators on a 5-play, 40-yard touchdown drive -- covering the last four yards on a keeper to make it 39-20.

Germaine answered back with an impressive drive of his own. After another solid return by Burley put the Rattlers in business at midfield, Kelly capped the drive with a his second touchdown of the game on a 1-yard run to make it 39-27 with 2:44 remaining in the game.

Arizona would then put the heat on Orlando. After Hamilton failed to connect with a wide-open Travis McGriff, the Predators elected to go for it on 4th and 10 on the first play of the 4th quarter. Hamilton was hit by Anthony Hutch as he released the ball. Thomas Wilson intercepted and returned it 20 yards for a touchdown to make it 39-34.

But the Rattlers would then see their chance of a comeback go up in smoke. Two false start penalties gave Orlando a 3rd and 17 but Hamilton hit Fleming on a slant to the seven and Fleming carried three players in the end zone for a touchdown to up the lead to 45-34.

On Arizona's next possession, the Rattlers stalled and Sailer again missed a field goal. Orlando drove down to the Arizona 6-yard line where on a 4th and one, Idris Price picked up three big blocks and walked untouched into the end zone for a 51-34 advantage.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 4, 2005


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