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ORLANDO, Florida - Ted Ginn Jr. will have to wait for his first win as a head coach, as his Aviators lose their opening game to the Orlando Storm 23-16.
A late-game surge would not be enough, as they try to get past an opening kickoff fumble by Tre'Von Jones, which may have been the deciding factor in the game.
"It's hard to come out and start out on the wrong side of the ball, on the wrong foot early," said Ginn Jr.
Orlando managed to get a score off the turnover a few minutes into the quarter off the legs of Jashaun Corbin with 13:54 remaining to take an early 6-0 lead after a failed two-point conversion.
The Aviator offense is under veteran offensive coordinator Todd Haley, who didn't get off to a good start in the air, as they managed to get points on the board by special teams kicker Ryan Coe; he would be the only offensive points for the Aviators in the first half.
His kicks would tie the score up at 6-6 heading down the stretch of the first quarter on kicks from 35 and 37 yards as quarterback Jalan McClendon struggled but was efficient. "He played great, it's a couple of things we go on the film and watch, but overall I think he managed the game pretty well," said Ginn Jr as he spoke about McClendon's play.
Orlando would take a 3-point lead into the halftime, leading 9-6.
In the third quarter, the Orlando defense would be a thorn in the Aviators' side; they would have a 14-point period. Running back Jashaun Corbin would score a rushing touchdown with 11:09 remaining on a 13-yard run. Orlando quarterback Jack Plummer would find Chris Rowland for a 9-yard touchdown reception and add the extra point to make it 22-6 heading into the 4th quarter.
After Orlando held them to zero points in the third quarter, things would reverse, and they held Orlando scoreless for the fourth quarter, and began to get the air attack going.
That defense would sack Plummer four times for the game, so it's a lot to say about their defense under Captain Munnerly. "They're pretty much similar to our defense, so coming out, we knew we were going to get a 5-man pressure and were going to send a couple of blitzes," Ginn Jr. elaborated. "You see, as the game went on, we managed that pretty good."
Kicker Ryan Coe would put his final points (10 of 16 total points) on the board with an opening field goal with 14:55 remaining to pull the Aviators within 14 points, trailing 23-9.
McClendon (21 for 32, 212 yards) was catching fire as he completed 6 passes in this stretch of the game. Those dink and dunk completions led to a Zaquandre White 3-yard touchdown and the last points for the Aviators.
As time expired, they would come up on the short end in their inaugural game for the franchise and get ready for their home opener against the DC Defenders (0-1) on April 3.
For Orlando (1-0), they will stay at home to face the Louisville Kings (0-1).
Orlando offensive key players:
Jack Plummer 17 for 22, 245 yards, and one touchdown.
Jashaun Corbin had 15 carries for 68 yards and two touchdowns.
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