Well what can you say (except for a few expletives)?The Talons opened up the game perfectly. The defense was playing tough, making Cleveland work for everything they got and eventually came up with a safety in the first half. The offense scored on their first 3 possessions and the team took a 23-21 lead into halftime with the ball to start the second half.
Then the game changed. But not because both teams weren't playing well. To start the downward spiral, Cleveland's QB Kurt Rocco went down and didn't return. Shortly thereafter Talons WR Al Hunt injured his ankle on a kickoff. Then to start the fourth quarter, star Talons WR Troy McBroom took a big shot and left the game with what appeared to be a concussion.
The Talons defense closed the game well, holding the Gladiators to only 13 second half points (usually a winning performance). However, the Talons offense sputtered without its two big receivers only putting up 7 points (0 after McBroom left the game).
In the end, the Talons were left with one last shot at the endzone which fell off the nets incomplete. However, it appeared that Cleveland had jumped two yards offsides before the snap with no call. It was finished, the Talons lost.
Matt Bassuener finished the game 23 for 40 and 246 passing yards, 3 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Both Brandon Copeland and Troy McBroom ended the game with 101 yards each. DE Collin Bryant had a forced fumble that ended up in a Cleveland safety.
Next week the Talons return home to the BOK Center to face off against the Chicago Rush. However, I think everyone can agree that if feels like the Talons need a bye week to recover.
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