Revs grind out win; Storm take title game rematch
The Florida Storm (3-0) have plenty of history with the Baltimore Vultures, but the newest chapter was a game like no other. Florida jumped out to a 31-7 lead before surrendering 21-straight, only to score the game's final two touchdowns of a 45-28 thriller. It was the Storm's first victory in Baltimore in three tries and helped lift the defending champions to 3-0. Ron Cockren put together a QBR of 112.4 (20/28, 281 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT). Ryan Davidson picked off Jack Wigmore four times. Baltimore (1-3) wideout Mac Chimah, who had 220 yards in the Championship vs. the Storm, cobbled together 212 yards in the loss.
In the Monday Night Spectacular, Louisiana (2-2) gutted out a 19-13 win over the Mexico City Aztecs (1-2) who inexplicably abandoned the run in the second half that helped contribute to their downfall. Hall-of-Fame back Ray Bentley rushed for a 40-yard touchdown in the first quarter; the Aztecs had 24 rushing yards total after that carry. Kicker Otis Boudreaux went 4-for-4 on the Revs special teams. Mike Twinscrew had his breakout game in the Louisiana offense, receiving five passes for 119 yards helping to provide the deep threat the Revs were looking for. The two teams combined to produce 16 tackles for loss.
Back on Sunday, Carolina (1-3) kicker Malone Brown put two missed kicks in the rear-view mirror when he hit the game-winner in overtime over Alamo City (2-2) helping the Skyhawks get their first win of the season. Quarterback Matt South kept a clean sheet and got hot down the stretch, helping to lead a fourth-quarter drive that eventually tied the game at 17, after Carolina had only mustered three field goals. Shravan Prasad had five tackles for loss including one of the team's three sacks on Ace Fenech who got injured last week in the fourth quarter at Houston, another three-point loss on the resume.
San Diego (2-2) held off the Atlanta Swarm (2-2) late, 28-27 for the Mavs second win in a row. Jonny Pichler continues his steady improvement from the early part of the season, scoring a 102.6 QBR on 267 pass yards and a rushing touchdown. San Diego built a 21-10 lead but lost it on Jason Williams' second touchdown for the Swarm that put Atlanta up 24-21. Mavs tight end Benji Mattson caught his second touchdown of the game to put the Mavericks up for good. San Diego lost defensive backs Nate Haul and Tanner Hendrix in the fourth quarter, but the Swarm offense came up empty in the end.
Not to be outdone, the Minnesota Legend (2-1) shut out the Los Angeles Lycans in the second half and limited the Lycans to just nine first downs in a 28-14 triumph. LA got both of its scores on big plays from the husband and wife duo of Logan and TD Jack, who had a long touchdown reception and an interception return for a score, respectively - TD's first. The Legend ground attack improved for the third-straight week, up to 113 yards and receiver Deezer Powell emerged from his slumber to the tune of 141 yards on five receptions and a touchdown.