Preds wallop Austin, 51-21
Published on March 26, 2005 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Orlando Predators News Release
Everything went right for Austin -- at least on the first play of the game. But after returning the game's opening kickoff for a touchdown, the Wranglers were dominated for the remainder of the game as the Orlando Predators recorded a 51-21 win Friday night before 13,050 fans at Hummer Field.
The win lifted the Predators to 6-3 on the season; while Austin fell to 3-6.
Joe Hamilton had a huge night for the Predators, completing 22 of 26 passes for 235 yards and six touchdowns. Hamilton, who has been plagued with some consistency this season, did not throw and interception and led the Predators to points on their first seven possessions. Hamilton left the game after three quarters and rookie Chris Sanders mopped up.
"Whenever you can win by 30 in this league, you know everyone played well," Orlando Predators head coach Jay Gruden said. "I thought Joe Hamilton had his best game of the season. He made great decisions all night, didn't try to force anything and hit the right receivers."
"We've had a tendency to play well one game and like horse bleep the next," Gruden added. "Now is the time to put that behind us and get some consistency. We have another huge home game next week against Los Angeles."
It took Austin exactly 10 seconds to take a lead as Tacoma Fontaine took Brian Gowin's opening kickoff 56 yards for a touchdown. Todd Sievers extra point made it 7-0. Joe Hamilton brought the Predators back to 7-7 on his first drive -- completing four of four passes -- including a 16-yard touchdown pass to Jimmy Fryzel in the right corner at the 10:51 mark of the first period.
After a defensive stop, the Predators went 45-yards for a score to make it 14-7. Hamilton set up the touchdown with a 21-yard run on first down. Jerrian James covered the final five yards on a one-handed touchdown grab from Hamilton.
Following a Kenny McEntyre interception, Hamilton made it 21-7 on the final play of the first quarter with an 18-yard touchdown pass to Cory Fleming on the final play of the first quarter Hamilton finished the quarter a perfect 9 for 9 for 112 yards and three touchdowns.
Orlando upped the lead to 27-7 at the 3:19 mark of the second quarter. After the Predators defense recorded their third consecutive stop of the game, Hamilton completed his 4th touchdown pass of the game -- hitting James on a five-yard pass. The extra point snap was botched but the Predators led by 20.
The Predators defense answered the call on Austin's final possession of the half, as Buck Gurley recorded a quarterback sack on 4th and 10. Taking over with 33 seconds remaining, Hamilton led the Preds on their fifth touchdown drive of the half -- hitting James again from 1-yard out for a 34-7 lead.
Austin finally slowed down the Predators offense on the opening drive of the third period. But Brian Gowins booted a 20-yard field goal to put the Predators up 37-7. The Wranglers offense did not put their first point on the board until 6:31 of the third quarter when quarterback Bobby Pesavento hit Kevin Nickerson on a 6-yard scoring pass to make it 37-14.
Hamilton added his 6th touchdown of the night, hitting Fryzel on a 20-yard pass with 3:18 to go in the third to make it a 44-14 game.
From there, the Predators traded fourth quarter touchdowns with the Warnaglers for the 51-21 final.
For the game, Fryzel posted a 10-catch, 115-yard night for Orlando; while James had seven receptions for 58 yards. Both scored three touchdowns. Cory Fleming (2-33) kept his string of consecutive games streak of at least one touchdown reception alive -- catching a second quarter 10-yard scoring pass to move the streak to 33 games.
For the game, the Predators limited Austin to just 200 total yards while forcing three turnovers and a pair of quarterback sacks.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 26, 2005
- Rattlers defeat Kats - Arizona Rattlers
- Destroyers drop 56-55 decision to New York at Nationwide Arena - Columbus Destroyers
- Soul win second straight; defeat Rampage 64-41 - Philadelphia Soul
- Dragons win in Harding's homecoming - New York Dragons
- Preds wallop Austin, 51-21 - Orlando Predators
- Hamilton, Predators outgun Wranglers 51-21 - Austin Wranglers
- Crush Wins Duel of Division Leaders - Colorado Crush
- Desperados Crushed In Final Seconds, 66-58 - Dallas Desperados
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