Columbus Aviators (Photos by Columbus Aviators and the United Football League)
Columbus had their home opener in the Buckeye State
Columbus Aviators 26, DC Defenders 44
The Columbus Aviators had their home debut on Friday night. After losing in Orlando, Columbus was fighting for their first win, this time against the DC Defenders. DC scored on their opening drive of 60 yards, but Columbus would answer with a 60-yard touchdown drive of their own. Quarterback Jalan McClendon would show off his mobility and skills as a ball carrier. His six-yard touchdown run would tie the game at 7-7.
The Defenders would respond strongly to the Columbus touchdown. DC would score 17 unanswered points and would lead 24-7 late in the second quarter. That’s when Ted Ginn Jr.’s team took a page out of his Ohio State head coach’s playbook. In true Jim Tressel fashion, Columbus capitalized on special teams. DC would cough up a punt return that would give the Aviators the ball at the Defenders’ 35-yard line. 1:13 later, ZaQuandre White would soar for a six-yard touchdown run. Columbus had cut the lead to 24-14 at the half.
Second Half
The second half started off in wild fashion. Columbus had a promising drive going until Jalan McClendon put the ball on the ground. The DC defender recovered the ball but was never touched, and fumbled himself while celebrating, so the Aviators got the ball back. Columbus then went backward, almost fumbling again, losing massive yardage before being forced to punt. After the punt, DC scored quickly. Deon Jackson got his third rushing touchdown of the night, and Columbus was in a 31-14 hole.
Things went from bad to worse when on the first play of their next drive, Columbus fumbled the ball and gave it right back to DC. The Defenders scored again on a tight end screen, and the rout was on. Columbus was crashing hard, trailing 38-14, late in the third quarter. The Aviators were determined to go out fighting, though. Jalan McClendon found Alize Mack in the end zone for a touchdown, and the Aviators cut the lead to 38-20, heading into the fourth quarter.
The Columbus Aviators are 0-2
DC would get a field goal, and Columbus would answer with another touchdown, but the game was no longer in doubt. The Defenders would tack on another field goal. DC would give Columbus their second straight loss, 44-26. Ted Ginn Jr. and the Aviators will try to get their team’s first-ever win next week in Dallas against the Renegades.
