Predators Top Talons, 58-39 QB Bernard Morris returned to the starting lineup and threw for 188 yards and three touchdowns in Orlando's victory over San Antonio.

June 7, 2014

Orlando Predators Press Release

SAN ANTONIO, TX – The Orlando Predators (7-5) put forth a dominant effort against the San Antonio Talons (1-11), earning a decisive 58-39 road victory on Saturday evening. Quarterback Bernard Morris returned to the starting lineup and threw for 188 yards and three touchdowns while adding 33 yards and two more scores on the ground.
San Antonio received the ball out of the gates, but was immediately denied by the Predators defense. After forcing a four-and-out stop, Orlando quickly converted the turnover on downs into point off a two-yard touchdown plunge by FB Michael Simons. The Talons settled for a field goal on the following series and the Predators quickly built a two-score lead off a 14-yard touchdown pass from Morris to WR Khalil Paden.
Two plays into the ensuing San Antonio drive, Predators DB Anthony Shutt picked off a pass attempt by QB Shane Boyd and returned the interception 23 yards to end zone for the score. QB Matt Bassuener would relieve Boyd for the remainder of the night, but Orlando’s defense didn’t make it any easier on the Talons backup. Facing 4th-&-10 during his first series, Bassuener tried to scramble from several Predators defenders only to be dropped for a 24-yard loss by DL Earl Okine and LB TJ Fatinikun. Morris took advantage of the turnover and fired a 10-yard scoring strike to WR Larry Brackins on the resulting series to put Orlando ahead, 28-3.


San Antonio finally got back on the board after Orlando’s quick start, as FB Mykel Benson scored from seven yards out on a rushing attempt. However, the Predators would quickly steal the momentum back, as Morris launched a 32-yard touchdown to WR Kendal Thompkins to rebuild a four-score advantage. The Talons would manage to get another score off a two-yard pass from Bassuener to WR David Little just as time expired in half. During the opening possession of the third quarter, Morris hooked up with Paden on a 35-yard completion to set up a one-yard touchdown run by Simons. On the following drive, San Antonio found the end zone again as Benson took a screen pass 12 yards for a score. The Predators responded with a methodical 11-play, 45-drive capped off with a one-yard quarterback sneak over the goal line by Morris.
Bassuener was able to find WR Brent Holmes for a seven-yard touchdown on the next drive, but the Predators answered yet again as Morris took a handoff and rushed over the right side for a five-yard touchdown run. San Antonio managed one final score in the game by way of a short touchdown run by Benson. The Predators regained possession and ultimately ran out to the clock to seal the 58-39 victory.