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| John Lovett breaks a would-be tackle by Malik Fisher on his way into the endzone. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com) |
COLUMBUS, Ohio — As the Aviators enter week six of the UFL season, they must secure a victory to improve their postseason chances, and they were listening to hold on for a 24-17 win to at least stay in contention.
"Tonight was a good win. We fought a lot of adversity," said Ginn Jr.
The Aviators receive the kickoff on a blistering night at Historic Crew Stadium. On their first possession, McClendon goes 4-for-5 before handing it off to the running back, John Lovett. On 2nd and 3rd with 8:20 remaining, he rushes it in for three yards for the Aviators' first touchdown of the game, a 14-play, 72-yard drive that puts them up 7-0.
On the ensuing drive by the Gamblers, they march down the field after a big run by quarterback Nolan Richardson that put them in great field position to lead to a score by Marcus Major on a 13-yard touchdown run to tie things up at 7-7 with 2:30 left in the first quarter, as the quarter would end.
McClendon is on fire as he finds Antwane Wells over the middle for 9 yards and their second straight score on as many possessions after a referee reviews the play to see if the runner broke the plane, as Columbus comes out fast because of the urgency of needing a win.
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| Jalan McClendon shouts out the cadence during the first half of the game; he went 20-for-26 on the night with zero turnovers. (Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com) |
They go up 14-7 with 11:21 remaining. "I felt like today we went out there and flew around, and it was very little mistakes," Tony Fields II said.
Good defensive showing for the Aviators, even without Cam Smith in the lineup as he was listed on the inactive list before the game. As they continue to play with urgency on both sides of the ball, and hold them to a field goal from kicker John Hoyland, they still trail 10-14.
"Having a balanced attack and treating every day like it's your last," said Martin. McClendon hooks up with Tay Martin for 52 yards and maybe the longest offensive play of the season, which would set them up for a ZaQuandre White rushing touchdown with 5:44 remaining in the half to go up 21-10.
Aviators enter the half leading 21-10.
The third quarter opens with the Aviators continuing their running and passing onslaught, but the Gamblers' defense holds in their territory, and they settle for a 48-yard field goal by kicker Ryan Coe to go up 24-10 with 9:59 left.
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| Aviator's kicker Ryan Coe lines up a 48-yard field goal to extend the lead 24-10 in the 3rd quarter. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com) |
"This game was exactly the opposite a week ago," said Kevin Sumlin, Gamblers' head coach.
A 20-plus-minute light rain may have played a role in the third quarter of action, as both teams struggled offensively, although the Gambler’s managed to squeeze out a score late with 48 seconds remaining, as Taulia Tagovailoa finds Lawrence Keys for 21 yards and scores deep across the field.
Gambler’s trail 17-24 to end the quarter.
The offense sputtered as Ryan Coe missed a 38-yard field goal, as field conditions may have played a factor, yanking it wide right with 5:30 remaining in the game.
A run by ZaQuadre White with just over two minutes left for a first down put the icing on the cake for the Aviators and gave the response the fans and critics were looking for.
The Gambler’s had one more shot with a 1st and 10 on their 17-yard line with 57 seconds left, but on the first play, Tagovailoa went down holding his head and walked off the field with athletic trainers.
And that would essentially end the game.
The Aviators will play the St. Louis Battlehawks on Friday, May 8, at 8:00 p.m. The Gamblers will host the Orlando Storm on Sunday, May 10, at 5 p.m.
Top Performers
Aviators: Tay Martin - 6 catches for 103 yards, Jalan McClendon 20 for 26, 187 yards, and one touchdown.
Houston: Eugene Asante - 12 tackles, (2 for loss).
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