Storm defeat Power

Published on June 11, 2011 under Arena Football League (AFL)
Tampa Bay Storm News Release


Tampa Bay - Defensive back Erick McIntosh and the Tampa Bay Storm (5-7) defense forced five critical stops, including three turnovers as the Storm defeated the expansion Pittsburgh Power 62-55 in front of 11,756 fans at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, FL. on Saturday night.

All three of Tampa Bay's turnovers came in the second quarter as the Storm pulled away in what was a tight contest up until the fourth quarter. Defensive lineman Jermaine Smith forced a fumble early in the fourth quarter on a sack of Power quarterback Bernard Morris that swung momentum in favor of the Storm. Eric McIntosh, who accounted the other two turnovers, recorded an interception late in the fourth quarter to seal the victory for the Storm.

Following a first possession interception, Storm quarterback Brian Zbydniewski went on to have a banner evening, setting career highs in passing yards, with 357, and touchdowns, with 8, as he completed 24of-34 passes.

Huey Whittaker and Amarri Jackson accounted for three touchdowns apiece. Jackson led the Storm with 11 catches for 158 yards including a 41-yard touchdown reception late in the fourth quarter to put the Storm up 62-48 with five minutes left in the fourth quarter. Whittaker finished with five receptions for 96 yard while Hank Edwards caught seven passes for 111 yards and two touchdowns.

Pittsburgh Power (7-5) receiver Jerome Mathis was exceptional in the loss. Mathis led all receivers with 195 yards from 12 catches and added three touchdowns. Mathis added a fourth score on a 57-yard kick return in the first quarter, the Power's first kickoff returned for a touchdown all season.

Morris completed 29-of-49 passes for the Power as he threw for a career-high 335 yards with seven touchdowns despite the two turnovers.

Storm kick returner Michael Lindsey returned seven kicks for 140 yards on the night, his seventh 100-plus yard return game of the season.

The AFL's biggest rivalry, the War on I-4, renews next Friday, June 17 as the Tampa Bay Storm host the Orlando Predators (8-4) at the St. Pete Times Forum at 8:00pm. The game is the AFL National Game of the Week with coverage beginning on the NFL Network at 8:00 PM EST. Storm Radio Coverage kicks off at 7:30 PM EST on 1250 AM_WHNZ.

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