Storm knock off Predators, 52-41
Published on February 8, 2004 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Orlando Predators News Release
TAMPA, Fla. (Feb. 8) -- Shane Stafford threw for five touchdown passes as the Tampa Bay Storm defeated the Orlando Predators, 52-41, in front of 15,404 fans at the St. Pete Times Forum on Sunday afternoon.
Tampa Bay, the defending AFL champions, never trailed in the game and took advantage of two missed fourth down attempts by the Predators to build a 21-7 lead. Orlando used a pair of Jay Taylor field goals to cut the gap to 24-13 at the half.
From there, Orlando forced a turnover on Tampa's first possession of the second half and cut the lead to 24-20 on James Bowden's 7-yard touchdown reception from Joe Hamilton. Tampa would build the lead back to 11 on Clif Dell's 22-yard catch and run, but the Predators came right back one play later when Cory Fleming hooked up with Hamilton on a 33-yard touchdown pass.
Leading by just four, Tampa received two huge breaks at the start of the fourth quarter that would ultimately decide the game. On its first possession of the quarter, the Storm got a break when officials ruled that Kenny McEntyre stepped out of bounds while juggling an apparent interception. One play later, Stafford hit Antoine Tolliver on a third and 10 play for a 19-yard touchdown to make it 38-27.
On Orlando's next possession, Fleming was stripped of the ball after a big 22-yard gain and Del Lee recovered for the Storm. Three plays later, David White would score on a 1-yard run to make it 45-27 with just 2:18 remaining.
"It's obviously disappointing to start the season with a loss," Predators Head Coach Jay Gruden said. "Still, I think we take some positives away from this game. Our guys never quit fighting and had a couple of breaks gone our way, I think we would have had a chance to win tonight. Still, you can't fall behind the defending champions by 14 points early and expect to win."
Making his first Arena Football League start, Hamilton had a solid game after a shaky start. He started the game just five of 15 for 43 yards, but hit on 18 of his last 25 to finish with 270 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions. Fleming was his main target with 151 yards and three touchdowns on 13 receptions.
Stafford won Offensive MVP honors by completing 15 of 29 passes. He threw for only 158 yards, but also rushed for 23 and one touchdown to go with his five touchdown passes. Tampa Bay was aided by excellent field position for most of the night and also took advantage of 12 penalties on the Predators for 68 yards.
"This game came down to one factor. Tampa Bay made plays on third and fourth down and we failed to," Gruden said. "Everything we did wrong today is correctable and its going to be important for us to put this game behind us and get ready for Austin on Friday night."
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 8, 2004
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