by COLUMBUS, OH – After starting off in an early hole, the Columbus Aviators came storming back to stun the UFL’s best team and hand the Dallas Renegades a 28-14 loss. It was a stunning come from behind win that saw the Aviators dominate the line on both sides of the ball in a convincing, leave no doubt about it victory to earn their first win of the season.
After allowing Dallas to score twice in their first three possessions, the Columbus defense shut them down for 69 yards the rest of the night. Meanwhile, the Aviator run game dominated to the tune of 202 yards on a whopping 47 carries. That tally was a UFL single game record.
John Lovett led Columbus with 81 yards on 15 carries with only being stopped once all game for a loss. Zaquandre White rushed for 50 yards on 13 carries while Jalan McClendon picked up 42 yards on 8 carries while also throwing for 126 yards on 10 of 15 passing with a touchdown. Toa Taua got into the rushing mix as well with 37 yards on 11 carries with a touchdown.
The Aviators forced turnovers, were smart with the football and even had a few lucky breaks and bounces go their way. When they needed a long drive to salt the game away, they got it late on a 97 yard drive while running the ball 17 times and soaking up nearly 10 minutes to keep Dallas off the field.
The Aviator defense held Dallas top threat Dae Dae Hunter to just 45 yards on only 6 carries as they kept him off the field. In fact, Columbus dominated the time of possession to an impressive 36:38 to 23:22 difference. If the plan was to keep Dallas off the field, it worked!
After picking up a couple of quick first downs on their opening drive, Dae Dae Hunter broke free for a 22 yard pickup which placed the ball at the Columbus 15 yard line after making several Aviators miss. Moments later, it was Austin Redd hooking up with Drake Stoops for a 17 yard touchdown on third and long. This handed the Renegades an early 7-0 lead with 11:11 still to play in the first quarter.
The Game remained 7-0 Dallas until the early moments of the second quarter when Columbus tied it up with a 1 yard touchdown rush by White. The Aviators had a chance to score with a nice drive in the first quarter but couldn’t, this time they wouldn’t be denied, tying it up with 12:16 to play in the opening half.
Dallas didn’t allow the game to stay tied long as on their next drive, they went to work with a drive that started from their own 20 yard line. The big play coming on a massive 41-yard mad scramble from quarterback Austin Reed that flipped the field quickly. A few plays later they hit paydirt with a Butler 7-yard touchdown catch. All in all, it was 10 play, 8- yard drive that soaked up 5:14 off the clock.
That was the last momentum the Renegade offense would have however, as it was all Aviator defense from there. This Columbus team has shown fight all season long and did so again tonight to tie the game at half.
Down 14-7, they promptly put together a 12 play 70 yard drive soaking up the majority of the remaining first half clock before scoring on a beautiful 20 yard pitch and toss from McLendon to Chism touchdown pass to send the game into halftime tied. The touchdown itself was a highlight reel play as Chism made a diving catch one handed and pulled it in as he hit the pilon. The score was set up by a third and long pass interference call that came from a Ginn Jr Super Challenge.
Columbus came out of the locker room a house of fire and took their first lead of the second half all season long. They went on an 8 play, 63-yard drive to hand Dallas their first second half deficit all season. They kept it on the ground, and it paid off as they continued to control the line, taking a 21-14 lead with 10:15 to play in the third quarter.
Like their second score, their next one was every bit as zany as it also involved some highlight reel drama. This time it was McClendon about to cross the goal line he got hit by Moragne and fumbled it, it was picked up by Alize Mack in the endzone for the score. Sometimes when you haven’t won a game all year and you play the leagues best team, you need a few breaks to go your way, and tonight they did for Columbus.
Later on, up 21-14 with a chance to salt the game away, the Aviators went on a brilliant 18 play, 97 yard drive while soaking up 9:59 off the second half clock to pretty much seal the game on a Tua two yard touchdown rush to go up 28-14 with 6:26 left to play in the game.
A few minutes later, Columbus sealed the win when Willekes intercepted a Reed pass over the middle to put Dallas away for good. Columbus will look to stay hot as they travel to Houston next Sunday to take on the Gamblers. As for Dallas, they will try to get back on the winning track as they host Louisville next Sunday at 2pm.
Photo Credit – Michael McKinney
