Talons Roll over Storm 68-42
July 13, 2013 - Arena Football League (AFL)
San Antonio Talons News Release
SAN ANTONIO - The 2012 Central Division Champion San Antonio Talons (9-7) emerged victorious against the Tampa Bay Storm (7-9) on Saturday night at the Alamodome with a score of 68-42 in front of a crowd of 8,576. Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game Rohan Davey had a standout performance, going 21-31 for 313 yards and 8 touchdowns. Storm counterpart Randy Hippeard was 13-33 for 246 yards and 4 touchdowns on the night.
San Antonio's top ranked defense came out in full force tonight as they held Hippeard and the Storm offense from scoring on the opening drive. Pressure from Tim McGill resulted in a turnover on downs, allowing the Talons to capitalize on a missed opportunity. In his first outing since returning from a hamstring injury, Receiver DJ Stephens was a spark for San Antonio's offense starting with a clutch 4th down conversion on the first offensive possession of the game. The following play, Quarterback Rohan Davey found Stephens for a 27 yard touchdown pass to put the Talons on the board first. The Storm didn't waste any time responding. Randy Hippeard found favorite receiver, Joe Hills wide open for a 17 yard touchdown to even the game 7-7. With less than two minutes left in the first quarter, Davey found Stephens again for his second score of the night putting the Talons on top 13-7 following a missed extra point from Demos.
The Storm came out strong in the second quarter with a one yard touchdown rush from Hippeard to take the lead 14-13. Following a heartbreaking 43 yard touchdown pass fumbled by Stephens, the Talons defense was able to hold the Storm by forcing a turnover on downs. Davey and Stephens connected once again for his third touchdown of the night to give the Talons a 6 point edge 20-14. Following Stephens third touchdown, Ransom intercepted Hippeard's pass attempt returning it for a touchdown giving the Talons a 27-14 lead. Just when it seemed the Talons were beginning to pull away, Hippeard connected with Joe Hills again making it a one possession game 27-21 with less than two minutes to play in the first half. The Talons proved to be relentless in their fight to the playoffs as Davey found San Antonio native Brent Holmes for the final score of the first half, giving the Talons a 33-21 cushion.
Stephens proved his talents on special teams in Saturday's matchup with a 29 yard kickoff return to begin the second half. Davey connected with Brent Holmes for an 11 yard touchdown to earn San Antonio a 19 point lead with 11:20 left in the third quarter. Hippeard quickly answered back, finding Joe Hills again for a 16 yard Storm touchdown cutting the Talons lead 40-28. This was a D.J. Stephens kind of night. The former Arkansas-Monticello receiver pulled in his fourth touchdown of the night, and the Talons regained a comfortable advantage yet again 47-28. Guard Moqut Ruffins even saw some end zone action with a touchdown pass from Davey as the Talons continued to run away with a 54-28 lead over the Storm. The unsung heroic Talons defense had an outstanding performance on Saturday night as Joe Sykes sacked Hippeard for a loss, and Andre Jones contributed on both sides of the ball with an interception to end the third quarter.
After an eight play opening fourth quarter drive, Rohan Davey continued to find his receivers with a deep touchdown pass to Holmes; Talons lead 61-28. Hippeard added one more score in the fourth to lessen the damage 36-61, but Davey answered right back hitting Stephens with a diving endzone catch for his fifth score of the night. Shane Boyd, coming in relief for Hippeard adds one more score for the Storm, but to no avail. Talons emerge victorious at home with one of their best overall outings of the season 68-42.
The Talons return to action in Week 18 where they travel to Spokane to take on the Shock on Friday, July 19, 2013. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:00 pm CST.
The San Antonio Talons are in their second season in the Arena Football League (AFL). The team won the AFL's Central Division title, as well as hosted their first AFL playoff game in the 2012 season. For more information or to ask about season tickets please call 210.227.TEAM.
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Arena Football League Stories from July 13, 2013
- Talons Roll over Storm 68-42 - San Antonio Talons
- Storm's Skid Extends to Five Games - Tampa Bay Storm
- Gladiators Eliminated from Playoff Contention with Loss to Chicago - Cleveland Gladiators
- Early Turnovers Costly as Sharks Fall to Shock, 62-40 - Jacksonville Sharks
- Pittsburgh Power Drop Final Home Game of Season to San Jose - Pittsburgh Power
- Predators Rally in Second Half to Defeat Barnstormers, 55-41 - Orlando Predators
- Shock Sweep Sharks with 62-40 Win - Spokane Shock
- Barnstormers Denied Victory by Orlando - Iowa Barnstormers
- SaberCats Shut Down Power, 78-20 and Improve to 12-4 - San Jose SaberCats
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