Columbus Aviators (Photo by the Columbus Aviators and the UFL)
Columbus sputters in their first game
Orlando 23, Columbus 16
The Aviators hit some turbulence right away in Orlando. Columbus fumbled the opening kickoff and it was recovered by the Storm. Three plays and 34 yards later, Orlando scored a touchdown. The Storm failed on the try after touchdown, but still led 6-0. Columbus settled in, though, and a pair of Ryan Coe field goals would have the game tied, 6-6, after the first quarter was in the books.
Zaquandre White got things going for the Aviators about midway through the second quarter. His 42-yard run put Columbus in the Red Zone. Jalan McClendon would get the Aviators to first and goal at the Orlando six-yard line, with a 12-yard scramble. Columbus would stall, though, and the Aviators would go for it on fourth-and-goal. The throw was a little behind the tight end, and the Aviators would come up empty despite getting the football to the Orlando two-yard line. Orlando would respond with a drive that would get them a 55-yard field goal, and the 9-6 lead at halftime.
Second Half
Orlando had things moving when Columbus made a big play, taking an interception back for a touchdown. Unfortunately for the Aviators, one of their defenders didn’t get off the field in time, and Orlando maintained possession. The Storm kept their drive alive and eventually paid it off with a touchdown. Columbus would get their first possession of the second half, trailing 16-6.
The Aviators were forced to punt, but were able to pin Orlando deep. The Storm took over at their own six-yard line. Fred Thompkins nearly had a pick-six. It hit him square in the chest, and he couldn’t get a handle on it. A block in the back saved Columbus from allowing a 94-yard touchdown pass, but the Storm still had it at the Columbus 25-yard line. Orlando would get a nine-yard touchdown pass and take a 23-6 lead on a 94-yard drive.
No Quit in Columbus
Columbus was trailing by 17 late in the third quarter. The Aviators would again drive deep into Orlando territory, this time reaching the Storm’s 10-yard line. Columbus would once again stall out within ten yards of a touchdown. They’d settle for their third Ryan Coe Red Zone field goal and trail 23-9 at the beginning of the fourth quarter. The Aviators got the ball inside the Orlando 20-yard line four times, but only had nine points to show for it.
The Aviators would get the ball back and then go on a 65-yard drive and get into the Orlando Red Zone for the fifth time. This time, however, Columbus would pay it off. Zequandre White would punch the ball into the end zone from three yards out, making it a one-touchdown game, 23-16. Orlando would drain a lot of clock, with Columbus getting the ball back with 1:06 left to go. Columbus couldn’t get out of their own way and would fall 23-16.
Next up, the Defending Champs
Columbus will have their home opener next week at Historic Crew Stadium. It will be against the defending UFL Champions, the DC Defenders. The Defenders are coming off an opening week loss at St. Louis. Columbus and DC will do battle on Friday night.
