 |
| Jalen Morton warms up and will make his starting debut today against the Birmingham Stallions. (Photo: Columbus Aviators photographer) |
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Jalen Morton's first game as the starting quarterback proved to be a successful decision for the Aviators, who defeated the Birmingham Stallions 36-29, marking their third home victory of the season.
"That's complementary football for you, that's all three phases that you saw," said Jalen Morton.
During the initial play of the game, with the Stallions in possession, the Aviators' defense secured an interception by O'Donnell Fortune off a pass from DTR of Birmingham, setting the stage for Jalen Morton.
Things weren't looking good for Morton early, as he humbled on the 6th play of the possession, setting up a touchdown for Birmingham to get on the board early, 6-1, after a failed one-point conversion.
Columbus defense held the Stallions, and they would receive the ball. Morton would find Keke Chism 25 yards down the field early in the drive, but after failing to get the first down conversion, the Aviators would turn the ball over on downs.
The Stallions would take over and use over six minutes on the drive to finally score as Dorian Thompson-Robinson would find Deon Cain for a 17-yard touchdown and would expand the lead 13-1 with 2:45 remaining in the first quarter.
Birmingham would lead 13-1 to end the quarter.
Opening the second quarter, the Aviators Morton and Lovett would be the driving force as they score at the top of the quarter to close the gap 8-13 as they would connect on a 16-yard play.
The Stallions would answer on the next drive, going 57 yards on seven plays as Tyrion Davis-Price would rush for a 1-yard touchdown to go up 20-8 with 4:53 remaining in the half.
This game would begin to be a shootout as the Aviators answered the call, and J. Morton would navigate the team down the field and would go 3 for 4 passing to find Gunnar Oaks in the endzone for a touchdown, and would trail 14-20 after a failed two-point conversion.
Birmingham responds and drives downfield to settle for a 19-yard field goal by Anders Carlson to end the first half, leading 23-14. “For us to go out and put all three phases together and do it like we're supposed to, and today showed,” said Ginn Jr., speaking on the defense.
The third quarter would see ten points total. Jalen Morton, with his legs, would scramble and find John Lovett alone in the flats for a 34-yard touchdown pass that would get them within two points, trailing 21-23.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson would drive the team to just a field goal attempt, as Anders Carlson would find paydirt and hit the 43-yard field goal to expand the score 26-21, as that score would end the quarter.
The fourth quarter would be about Jalen Morton and the Aviators as they score a total of 15 straight points to the Birmingham Stallions' three points after an early interception by Morton with 13:20 that led to Birmingham getting points from Anders Carlson on a 46-yard field goal.
Morton would score on a controversial rushing touchdown as Birmingham contended that he did not cross the plane of the goal line, but it was upheld as a touchdown for Columbus, and they would tie the game up 29-29 with 1:37 remaining.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who has the Stallions on a roll since being acquired mid-season, would throw an interception to D.J. Miller and return for the final touchdown that would give the Aviators the home win after a successful extra point by J. Dalmas.
“It’s a heartbreaker, it sucks,” said A.J. McCarron
The Aviators improve to 3-6 on the season as they enter a final regular-season game against the Louisville Kings at Historic Crew Stadium on Sunday, May 31, at 6:00 p.m.
“This is the most complimentary football we played all year,” said Ginn Jr.
The Birmingham Stallions (4-5) season may have taken a turn with this loss, with the playoff picture sizing up.
Top Performers
Jalen Morton completed 14 of 30 passing attempts for 213 yards and three touchdowns, and one interception. Tony Fields II led with 10 tackles (4 solo).
Dorian Thompson-Robinson did it in the air and on the ground for the Stallions, going 16 of 35, 157 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions in the air, and four rushes for 27 yards.
.jpg)
.JPG)
Connect with us!