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Storm fall to Force

July 16, 2011 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Tampa Bay Storm News Release


Tampa Bay - Despite a third quarter turnaround led by new quarterback Matt Grothe, the Tampa Bay Storm fell to the Georgia Force 58-40 in front of 9,700 fans at the St. Pete Times Forum Saturday night.

The Force (10-7) came into the evening certain of their playoff inclusion, but strengthened their grasp on the American Conference's third seed with the win over the Storm. Georgia quarterback Darnell Kennedy led the charge for the Force, throwing five touchdown passes as he completed 12-of-20 passes for 130 yards and five touchdowns.

Kennedy played in relief of Georgia's starting quarterback Brett Elliott, who was injured in the second quarter thanks in part to the Storm's swarming pass rush. The Tampa Bay defense hit Elliott six times, which included two sacks and two forced fumbles on consecutive plays, en route to forcing two stops in the first quarter. Their play kept the Storm in the mix before several offensive mistakes allowed Georgia to take a 31-7 halftime lead. Those two sacks raise the Storm's season sack total to 37, just one shy of the AFL single-season record with one game left to play.

Grothe threw for five touchdowns after entering the game in the third quarter, including a 40-yard strike to receiver Michael Lindsey on his first career pass. He finished 12-of-24 passing for 161 yards.

Former South Florida teammate, Amarri Jackson, was on the receiving end of three of Grothe's touchdowns. The rookie receiver broke his second franchise mark in as many weeks with those touchdowns catches, eclipsing Freddie Solomon's single-season rookie touchdown record of 28 set in 2003. Jackson now has 31 touchdowns on the season, fifth most receptions in a single-season by a Storm receiver.

After a flurry of midweek roster changes, the newest members of the Storm contingent shined in the loss. In all, six Tampa Bay players made their Storm debut. Linebacker Taylor Scott finished the night with three tackles for a loss of 13 yards, a sack, and a forced fumble. Defensive back Tavious Polo also marked his Storm introduction with a turnover, intercepting a third quarter Darnell Kennedy pass and returning it 20 yards as a part of Tampa Bay's third quarter turnaround.

Polo's interception set up Grothe and the Storm offense with great field position and allowed for a 14-yard touchdown pass to offensive lineman Tom Kaleita. The touchdown is the sixth in his career, he finished the game with two catches for 19 yards and that score.

The Storm is now 8-9 all-time against the Force after dropping both meetings with its division rival this season.

The Storm will look to close out its 2011 AFL campaign with a win as they face the San Jose Sabercats next Saturday, July 23rd, at 7:30 PM EST at the St. Pete Times Forum. Be sure to tune in to Bright House Sports Network 47/HD1147 and the Storm Radio Network, 1250 WHNZ, at 7:00 PM for all the action.

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