Post by lionsroar on May 10, 2008 5:32:39 GMT -5
Close, but no cigar for Lions
Lions can't come up with defensive stop late against unbeaten Mudcats
BY CHRISTA TURNER - turnerc@ledger-enquirer.com
Just one defensive stop would have made a difference for the Columbus Lions, but they couldn't come up with it.
Mississippi quarterback Tommy Jones threw for eight touchdowns, including six to Maurice Avery, as the Mudcats maintained their undefeated status with a 70-61 win over Columbus Friday night at the Columbus Civic Center.
"We couldn't stop them," Columbus coach Jason Gibson said. "They threw the ball all over the place. They've got a good offense."
Repeatedly, the Lions (5-3) cut the lead to three and even two points, but they couldn't catch up with the Mudcats. The Lions got within three at 64-61, but couldn't recover the onside kick. They got one last shot after Mississippi scored again, but turned the ball over on downs at the Mudcats 21.
The key sequence for the Lions came in the first quarter after Columbus took a 7-0 lead. The next three series produced a Lions interception and two missed field goals, during which time Mississippi took a 21-7 lead.
"That was terrible," Gibson said. "You can't have the ball four times and score just one time. Not in this league."
Mississippi (8-0) had a couple of miscues, but scored on all but its first and last possession in each half. The Lions defense focused on Mississippi's Daryl Carter, one of the top receivers in the league. Carter had just four catches for 46 yards, but Avery had a breakout night with seven catches for 115 yards and six touchdowns. Josh Smith added seven catches for 120 yards and a touchdown. Jones finished 20-of-26 for 344 yards. Rico McDonald rushed for a pair of scores.
"We didn't play well," Gibson said. "We had a lot of miscues."
Columbus quarterback Joey Conrad had a strong night, connecting on 22-of-44 for 274 yards and five touchdowns. He rushed for three more scores. Receivers Gerald Gales (6 catches, 96 yards) and Silas Daniels (7-77) had two touchdowns each. Gales, the leading receiver in the league, left the game with a bruised knee.
The Lions started quickly, with Conrad sneaking in from 2 yards out on the game's fourth play. Columbus' Damian Daniels intercepted a pass, giving the Lions a chance to put the pressure on Mississippi, but Conrad gave it right back by throwing an interception.
Mississippi, meanwhile, moved the ball well offensively, scoring on five consecutive possessions to take control of the game and keep the Lions playing catch-up.
Two missed field goals left the Lions staring at a 21-7 deficit. Conrad responded with an 18-yard scoring strike to Gales and Hunter Smith kicked an uno. Conrad also connected with Gales on a 30-yard touchdown.
Columbus cut the deficit to nine at the half on a 20-yard Smith field goal and an uno. Mississippi's Jones threw three touchdown passes, including a 45-yarder to Lemane Casimer
www.ledger-enquirer.com/293/story/318692.html
Lions can't come up with defensive stop late against unbeaten Mudcats
BY CHRISTA TURNER - turnerc@ledger-enquirer.com
Just one defensive stop would have made a difference for the Columbus Lions, but they couldn't come up with it.
Mississippi quarterback Tommy Jones threw for eight touchdowns, including six to Maurice Avery, as the Mudcats maintained their undefeated status with a 70-61 win over Columbus Friday night at the Columbus Civic Center.
"We couldn't stop them," Columbus coach Jason Gibson said. "They threw the ball all over the place. They've got a good offense."
Repeatedly, the Lions (5-3) cut the lead to three and even two points, but they couldn't catch up with the Mudcats. The Lions got within three at 64-61, but couldn't recover the onside kick. They got one last shot after Mississippi scored again, but turned the ball over on downs at the Mudcats 21.
The key sequence for the Lions came in the first quarter after Columbus took a 7-0 lead. The next three series produced a Lions interception and two missed field goals, during which time Mississippi took a 21-7 lead.
"That was terrible," Gibson said. "You can't have the ball four times and score just one time. Not in this league."
Mississippi (8-0) had a couple of miscues, but scored on all but its first and last possession in each half. The Lions defense focused on Mississippi's Daryl Carter, one of the top receivers in the league. Carter had just four catches for 46 yards, but Avery had a breakout night with seven catches for 115 yards and six touchdowns. Josh Smith added seven catches for 120 yards and a touchdown. Jones finished 20-of-26 for 344 yards. Rico McDonald rushed for a pair of scores.
"We didn't play well," Gibson said. "We had a lot of miscues."
Columbus quarterback Joey Conrad had a strong night, connecting on 22-of-44 for 274 yards and five touchdowns. He rushed for three more scores. Receivers Gerald Gales (6 catches, 96 yards) and Silas Daniels (7-77) had two touchdowns each. Gales, the leading receiver in the league, left the game with a bruised knee.
The Lions started quickly, with Conrad sneaking in from 2 yards out on the game's fourth play. Columbus' Damian Daniels intercepted a pass, giving the Lions a chance to put the pressure on Mississippi, but Conrad gave it right back by throwing an interception.
Mississippi, meanwhile, moved the ball well offensively, scoring on five consecutive possessions to take control of the game and keep the Lions playing catch-up.
Two missed field goals left the Lions staring at a 21-7 deficit. Conrad responded with an 18-yard scoring strike to Gales and Hunter Smith kicked an uno. Conrad also connected with Gales on a 30-yard touchdown.
Columbus cut the deficit to nine at the half on a 20-yard Smith field goal and an uno. Mississippi's Jones threw three touchdown passes, including a 45-yarder to Lemane Casimer
www.ledger-enquirer.com/293/story/318692.html
