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Venom Fumble Away Chance at First Place

May 19, 2015 - Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL)
Nashville Venom News Release


NASHVILLE (May 17, 2015) - In a game that could determine seedings for the Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL) playoffs, the Nashville Venom (4-3) fell at home to the Columbus Lions (6-2) 44-38. Both teams came in with explosive offenses and in the first half the Lions looked determined to uphold their reputation. Lion kicker Lindsey Wolfe kicked his first of four Unos on the opening kickoff. The Venom responded when QB Charles "Chuck" McCullum (27-41, 276 yards and four TDs) found WR Dontel Watkins (nine catches, 92 yards and two TDs) on a 19 yard pass to give Nashville what turned out to be their only lead of the contest.

"I just came out to play which is let Chuck sling the ball and I go up and get it," said Watkins who was playing his first home game for the Venom. "It felt out there, I went away to play in Wichita, Kansas. I am from right across the bridge in East Nashville. This is my area. My family is always there to support me."

After that Nashville played a sloppy for the rest of half fumbling four quarterback, center exchanges. The miscues allowed the Lions to take control as they raced out to a 23-13 early in the second quarter. Venom DB Corry Stewart returned the ensuing kickoff into Columbus territory but fumbled. Lion LB Robert Caldwell scooped up the fumble and raced 33 yards giving his team a 30-13 lead. The teams then traded field goals to end the half at 33-16. Wolfe field goal of 54 yards broke Venom kicker's Christian Reed's record of 52 yards which he kicked in Nashville's previous home game versus Richmond. .

"He (Wolfe) kicked the heck out of the all night," said Venom head coach Billy Back. "His foot was the difference in the game. Getting two Unos in a row has never happened to us. Then he kicked the long one right in the middle of the uprights. That would have been good from 66. Yes, he outkicked Christian this time but we still believe Christian is the best kicker in the league."

Wolfe started the second half strong kicking a 45 yard field goal and then kicked yet another Uno. Down 21 points, the Venom then clawed back scoring on a McCullum TD pass to Jordan Jolly (eight catches 106 yards and one TD). On the ensuing drive, DB Kenny Veal picked off a Kacz pass leading to a TD pass from McCullum to Watkins cutting the Lion lead to eight. One the Lions' next possession, Veal tipped a pass that was picked off by Stewart. Nashville had two chances to inch closer but was turned away by the Lion defense.

"We played bad in the first half but came on strong in the third quarter," said Veal. "We held their receivers down pretty good but we still have some work to do."

The Lions scored to take make it a two score lead on a TD pass from Kacz to former Venom WR Terrance Ebagua (six catches 98 yards and three TDs). The Venom answered on a TD connection from McCullum to WR George Murray (10 catches 78 yards and a TD). Then Reed kicked his lone Uno of the night. Down 44-38, the Nashville defense bowed its back and turned the ball back over to the offense. With less than a minute left in regulation, McCullum allowed a snap to go through his hands and it was recovered by Lion DL Damien Thornton. Columbus ran out the clock to preserve the victory.

"You just can't have that many bad snaps and expect to win a game," said Back. "Our offensive line has let us down as a whole. We will bring some guys in to compete. It's my job to get this corrected. We have loyalties to guys because they have been around us for awhile. This is a business, it's not anything personal. We will get this turned around I guarantee."

Snake Bites:

WR Zach Ducker was on the sideline for the game. Ducker suffered a season ending injury in Week 6.

DB C.J. Jones DE Joseph Dientye made their Venom debut against Columbus.

Venom players and coaches we be signing autographs at the Stones River Mall Buffalo Wild Wings in Murfreesboro from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

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Professional Indoor Football League Stories from May 19, 2015


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