The Orlando Predators remained winless on Sunday after the team lost their fourth straight game to the Cleveland Gladiators, 41-24. It was the Predators' fourth loss of the season, bringing their overall record to 0-4 after five weeks of play.
The first quarter started with a long drive by the Gladiators, which ended in a touchdown pass from quarterback John Dutton to wide receiver Dominik Goodman giving Cleveland a 7-0 lead. The Predators answered with a touchdown drive of their own, a pass from quarterback Collin Drafts to wide receiver Dwayne Eley, Jr. The scoring drive brought an end to the first quarter with the game tied, 7-7.
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The Gladiators opened up the second quarter with a score, a touchdown pass from Dutton to wide receiver Robert Redd, regaining the lead 14-7. On the Predators next possession, Drafts was able to find Eley, Jr. for his second touchdown of the game, tying the score 14-14. Following the touchdown, the Predators successfully recovered an onside kick, keeping possession with 5:30 left in the first half. The Predators were able to capitalize off of the onside kick with a Mark Lewis field goal. The score gave Orlando a 17-14 lead at the half.
On the opening play of the second half Drafts was intercepted by Gladiators defensive back Derrick Boyd. Cleveland capitalized off of the turnover with a touchdown pass from Dutton to Goodman, giving the Gladiators a 21-17 lead. After the Predators turned the ball over on downs, the Gladiators scored quickly on a touchdown pass from Dutton to Goodman but missed the extra point attempt, making the score 27-17. The Predators answered with a quick scoring drive, a touchdown pass from Drafts to Eley, Jr., cutting the Gladiators lead to 27-24. On the Gladiators next drive, Predators linebacker Marlon Moye-Moore recovered a fumble, giving the Predator offense possession to start the fourth quarter. The Predator offense wasn't able to capitalize off of the turnover, Drafts fumbled giving the Gladiators possession at midfield. Cleveland scored on their possession, a touchdown pass from Dutton to Goodman, his fourth touchdown reception of the game. The score gave the Gladiators a 34-24 lead with 6:42 left in the fourth quarter. With under a minute to play, the Predators were on a drive inside the Gladiators five-yard line and Drafts threw his second interception of the game. The Gladiators marched down the field quickly, scoring another touchdown, a pass from Dutton to Redd, sealing the win for the Gladiators, 41-24.
The Predators were led statistically by quarterback Collin Drafts. Drafts completed 24 of 39 passes, threw for 235 yards, three touchdowns, and had two interceptions. Nate Forse hauled in 10 passes for 74 yards and Dwayne Eley, Jr. caught six passes for 70 yards and three touchdowns.
The Predators were led on defense by linebacker Marlon Moye-Moore. Moore contributed four tackles and a fumble recovery.
Up next, the Predators will play their second consecutive away game against the Pittsburgh Power at the Consol Energy Center on Saturday, April 14th at 7:30 p.m. EST.