DENVER-The Colorado Crush held the ball for 34 minutes and kicked three field goals to outlast the Orlando Predators, 16-10 in closing out Week 6 of the AFL season.
Colorado started the game with an 8-play, 63-yard drive, ending with a 31-yard field goal by Earl Ginger with 10:04 remaining in the first to go up 3-0. Orlando answered with a 5-play, 66-yard drive that saw DJ Haji throw a 26-yard touchdoen pass to Farren Smithson to put the Predators up 7-3 with 7:05 remaining in the first. The Crush answered with a 7-play, 76-yard drive that saw Valentine Millstone score on a 20-yard touchdown run to give Colorado a 10-7 lead with 3:28 to go in the first.
After that early offensive outburst, the defenses settled down. Abel White missed a 55-yard field goal late in the first quarter. Colorado went three-and-out, then Orlando punted the ball away. The Crush were pinned on their own 1-yard line, then drove 27 yards on 7 plays, but had to punt. Gale Rosewall's punt traveled 58 yards, and Fulton Darwin returned it 6 yards for the Predators, but he fumbled, and Antony Croft recovered for the Crush at the Orlando 20-yard line. Three plays and minus 1 yard later, Ginger would kick a 38-yard field goal to put the Crush up 13-7 with 2:49 to go in the half.
The third quarter continued to be a defensive struggle. Orlando started with a drive, but Haji was intercepted by Deron Putman at the Crush 25-yard line. Colorado drove down the field, but Ginger would miss a 54-yard field goal attempt. Orlando went three-and-out, and the Crush would then move the ball 63 yards on 13 plays. Ginger would open the fourth quarter with a 39-yard field goal to put Colorado up 16-7 with 14:54 remaining in the game.
The Predators would respond with a 12-play, 54-yard drive that ended with White kicking a 27-yard field goal to make it 16-10 with 9:39 remaining in the game. Colorado worked their way down the field, but Ginger missed a 53-yard field goal attempt with 4:16 left. Orlando went three-and-out and punted to the Colorado 5-yard line. The Crush moved a little, but Rosewall still had to punt, and RW Warden returned the punt 28 yards to the Colorado 34 with 48 seconds to go. But the Predators were turned away on 4th down, and Colorado held on for its third straight win.
Colorado (4-2) gained 357 yards of total offense. The Crush ran for 156 yards on 37 carries. Millstone led the Crush with 85 yards on 21 carries and a TD. Ervin Castin started the game at quarterback, going 5-of-7 for 84 yards. Howton Thom entered the game in the second quarter, and went 14-of-20 for 133 yards, and was sacked twice, losing 16 yards. Turk Dill led the receivers with 5 catches for 86 yards. Tyler Howell caught 5 passes for 55 yards. Colorado goes on the road next week to face the Tampa Bay Storm.
Orlando (1-5) gained 256 yards of total offense. The Predators gained 98 yards rushing on 21 carries. D.J. Giles led the team with 74 yards on 13 carries. Haji went 17-of-27 passing for 173 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT. He was sacked once, losing 15 yards. Steven Thompson led the team with 5 catches for 44 yards. Next week, the Predators host the Los Angeles Avengers.
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