Sunday's Game Recap
July 8, 2002 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release
Orlando 55, TAMPA BAY 48 (11,784)
TAMPA, Fla. (Ticker) -- JAY GRUDEN threw for 215 yards and six touchdowns to help the Orlando Predators defeat the Tampa Bay Storm, 55-48.
Gruden, who converted 18-of-32 passes, threw four touchdowns in the first half to help Orlando (6-6) take a 29-20 lead. He also had an 18-yard scoring strike to JUNIOR LORD with 55 seconds left in the fourth, pushing the Predators' lead back to double-digits, 47-34.
ANTONIO STANLEY had seven catches for 58 yards and two touchdowns, while Lord and SIAHA BURLEY also scored twice for Orlando, which improved to 15-15 all-time against Tampa Bay (4-8).
SHANE STAFFORD completed 21-of-39 attempts for 221 yards and five scores for the Storm, but threw an interception and was sacked once. He attempted to rally Tampa Bay in the fourth with three touchdowns. CALVIN SCHEXNAYDER finished with five catches, 43 yards and two touchdowns and LAWRENCE SAMUELS had five receptions for 70 yards for the Storm.
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CURRENT PLAYOFF PICTURE â Through Week 12
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Here's how the rankings would appear if the playoffs were to begin this weekend. Twelve (12) teams advance to the postseason; the top four seeds would receive a BYE in the first round. (* Denotes current Division leader; x-Clinched playoff berth; y-Clinched First Round BYE; z-Eliminated from playoffs.)
xy- 1. SAN JOSE * (12-0)
x- 2. ARIZONA (9-3)
x- 3. CHICAGO * (8-4)
x- 4. NEW JERSEY * (8-4)
x- 5. Dallas (7-5)
x- 6. Los Angeles (7-5)
7. Buffalo (6-6)
8. Grand Rapids (6-6)
9. Orlando * (6-6)
10. Toronto (5-7)
11. Carolina (5-7)
12. Indiana (5-7)
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13. Georgia (5-7)
14. Tampa Bay (4-8)
z- 15. New York (2-10)
z- 16. Detroit (1-11)
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