Photo by the Columbus Aviators and the United Football League
Things went from bad to worse this week for the Columbus Aviators
Columbus Aviators 23, Dallas Renegades 28
Not only are the Aviators 0-3, but their head coach got arrested for a DUI in Dallas on Saturday, the day before their third game of the season. Despite this massive off-field distraction, the team, for a moment, looked decent on Sunday. Columbus went for a 60-yard touchdown drive to open the game in Dallas. Jalan McClendon hit John Lovett for an eight-yard touchdown pass, and Columbus had an early 7-0 lead.
It wouldn’t last, however, as Austin Reed, the gunslinger of the UFL, would get the Dallas Renegades moving. Reed’s first touchdown pass would tie the game at 7-7. Columbus kicker Ryan Coe would briefly give the Aviators the lead back with a 53-yard field goal. Jalan McClendon would throw for another touchdown, this time to the wrong team. A player Columbus fans are familiar with would get the pick-six. Former Ohio State defensive back Shaun Wade would pick off McClendon, lateral the ball to Ajene Harris, who would return it for a touchdown.
Aviators 10, Renegades 14 at the Half
Dallas would add to their lead in the third quarter. Running back Dae Dae Hunter would get a rushing touchdown, and quarterback Austin Reed would get his second passing touchdown of the game. Columbus would trail, 28-10, late in the third quarter. The Aviators would get another John Lovett touchdown, this one rushing the ball, and trail 28-17 going into the final quarter.
The Aviators would get a 75-yard touchdown drive late in the fourth quarter, but it would prove to be too little too late for Columbus. The Aviators would fail to convert their try to get the ball back, and Dallas was able to run out the clock.
No Rest for the Struggling
The Aviators will be back in action at Historic Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, on Friday night. They’ll be hosting this same Dallas team that is now 3-0. The only thing the Aviators have gotten up in the air so far this season is the status of their head coach. They’ll now have to play the best team in the league, back-to-back on a short week, with questions upon questions looming over their heads.
