Talons/Storm Recap

Yesterday the Tulsa Talons opened the 2010 season of the Arena Football League with a home game against the Tampa Bay Storm. The Storm has been one of the most historic teams of the Arena Football League; while Tulsa has been one of the winningest teams of the af2.

I started the day by going to the official tailgate party on 3rd Street before the game. There were several vehicles grilling out. Some people were throwing around footballs and playing other games. Also, Z104.5 was there giving away Bon Jovi tickets. However, I didn't win any.

At around 5:30PM me and my friends went to get in line to enter the BOK center. There was a ton of fans piled up in line to enter.

After all the pregame warmups, entrances, and the coin flip the game was ready to begin! The Storm won the toss and deferred until the 2nd half. Thus, the Talons received the first kickoff. The Talons first drive started off great with a 1st Down completion to Donovan Morgan. The Talons would continue to drive and culminate with a touchdown pass to Carlese Franklin.

The Storm, however, would answer. With a 3 play drive to tie the game. The two teams continued to answer each other until the end of the half when, due to time restraints, the Storm had to kick a field goal to cut the lead to 5. The Talons went to the locker room leading 35-30 and set to kickoff to the Storm.

The Storm failed to continue scoring at the beginning of the 2nd half. The Talons forced the Storm to 4 plays and out, giving them the ball on the Storm's 11 yard line. The Talons would go on to score. The teams continued to answer each other in the 2nd half until turnovers by Tampa allowed Tulsa to build a decent double-digit lead. The Storm then could not catch back up to Tulsa before the clock ran down. Tulsa won 69-58.

The Talons played a near flawless game offensively. They never let Tampa Lead during the entire game. Justin Allgood didn't throw a single interception. Tulsa's only flaws seemed to be defensive penalties and stopping Tampa's Tyrone Timmons; who had 5 touchdowns.

Justin Allgood went 26 of 36 for 274 yards and 8 TDs. His most efficient target was Donovan Morgan who finished with 120 yards and 4 TDs. The defensive effort was lead by Andre Burns who had a league high 5 pass breakups and a forced fumble.

Next saturday the Talons take on the Dallas Vigilantes at 7:00 at the BOK Center.