Two Months Without Football is Never Ideal
Football is Back, Audiences Give Alliance Boost
July 12, 2020
Frisco, TX - The first round of the AAF 2020 playoffs showed a lot of rust from the teams on the offensive side of the ball with the two month layoff. The teams only got together for practice ten times over the last two months and it showed. However, two of the three "home" favorites advanced to round two.
K Blair Walsh kicked a 44-yard field goal as time expired to give the San Diego Fleet a wild 27-25 victory over the St. Louis Stallions on Saturday night in the first round playoffs of the Alliance of American Football in Frisco, Texas. Walsh’s third field goal of the night was set up moments earlier by a 45-yard completion from QB Colin Kaepernick to WR Martavis Bryant.
QB Jordan Ta'amu had led the Stallions on a 76-yard scoring drive in the closing minutes to go up 25-24 with just under a minute remaining. DB Ron Brooks had three interceptions, returning one 23 yards for a fourth-quarter touchdown, as San Diego moved on to the 2nd round. In the third quarter, Fleet DB Leon McFadden returned a fumble 41 yards for a touchdown to give San Diego a 12-11 lead.
On the ensuing Stallions drive, Fleet DL Damontre Moore sacked QB Ta'amu, forcing and recovering a fumble. The offense capitalized on the turnover when QB Kaepernick connected with TE Marcus Baugh for an 18-yard touchdown and an 18-11 lead. Kaepernick threw for 304 yards and a touchdown for San Diego.
RB Christine Michael ran for two touchdowns to keep the Stallions within striking distance. QB Ta'amu overcame three interceptions and his first Alliance start to lead the Stallions on what seemed to be a game-winning final drive, tossing a 6-yard touchdown pass to TE Nick Truesdell to pull St. Louis within one. Ta'amu then scrambled and completed a 2-point conversion pass to WR Kenny Bell to give the Stallions a 25-24 lead. Kaepernick, however, drove the Fleet into field goal position. Walsh split the uprights from 44 yards, and the Fleet remain in the championship hunt.
Fleet - 27 Stallions - 25
(3-1)SD: QB Colin Kaepernick - 22/43 304 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Kapri Bibbs - 14 carries, 57 yards, WR Martavis Bryant - 3 catches, 94 yards, WR Braxton Miller - 4 catches, 65 yards
(3-2)STL: QB Jordan Ta'amu - 32/51 386 yards, 1 TD, 3 INTs, RB Christine Michael - 17 carries, 95 yards, 2 TDs, WR Kaelin Clay - 8 catches, 130 yards, WR Terrelle Pryor - 6 catches, 71 yards
Generals - 23 Wildcats - 15
(3-2)COL: QB Chris Streveler - 22/31 178 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB CJ Anderson - 27 carries, 85 yards, 2 TDs, WR Devier Posey - 8 catches, 90 yards, 1 TD
(3-1)LA: QB Josh Johnson - 22/39 222 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, RB Branden Oliver - 21 carries, 66 yards, WR Nelson Spruce - 6 catches, 51 yards
Commanders - 3 Dragons - 8
(3-2)SA: QB Tim Tebow - 11/22 155 yards, 2 INTs, RB David Cobb - 33 carries, 92 yards, WR Quinton Patton - 4 catches, 32 yards
(3-1)SEA: QB Geno Smith - 22/37 210 yards, 2 INTs, RB CJ Prosise - 14 carries, 54 yards, 1 TD, WR TJ Graham - 8 catches, 79 yards, WR Ricardo Lockette - 6 catches, 73 yards
