The Pittsburgh Power (3-12) had to feel fairly confident heading into their divisional matchup against the Cleveland Gladiators (3-12), after all this was one team they were ahead of in the standings and had defeated earlier in the season.
Not anymore.
The Power got off to a great start by forcing a goal line fumble by Gladiator quarterback Chris Dieker. It took the Power exactly one play on offense, a 42 yard strike from Steven Sheffield to Julian Talley and just like that it was 7-0 Power.
Cleveland would answer with a sustained offensive possession that saw Dieker take it the final two yards for a score. After a failed PAT by Aaron Pettrey, the Power still had the lead but that quickly disappeared on the ensuing kickoff. Chris LeFlore advanced to the ten yard line then tried running backwards to stretch the play only to fumble the ball at the goal line and see it recovered by the Gladiators for a touchdown. Just like that a 7-0 lead was gone in two plays and Cleveland was up 13-6.
It’s the kind of play Power fans have grown accustomed to, a momentum killing error that destroys the team’s confidence. Kind of like Beau Elliott’s fumble into the end zone a few drives later that wiped out a potential tying score. Cleveland would answer that mistake with a touchdown for a two possession lead.
It wasn’t just the two first half fumbles, the Power had a chance with four seconds left to try and score a touchdown from the four yard line down 35-20. A touchdown would have pulled them within one possession with the second half kickoff headed their way. Instead Derek Stingley opted for the field goal attempt which Julian Rauch converted.
It’s the kind of mind boggling decision that drives you nuts. Why not play for the win? Failing to score at that point still requires two touchdowns to take the lead which was the same situation you faced even when you made the kick. Might as well tell the team you just don’t care about winning. I’m sorry but it just seemed like an idiotic decision to me.
Pittsburgh appeared to grab some momentum to start the second half by scoring on their first two possessions with a Gladiator return team fumble sandwiched in between. Unfortunately that’s when Steven Sheffield started to throw interceptions. Back to back drives ended with interceptions, the second being a pick six by Mario Norrman which made the score 57-37 and you knew the game was over.
It wasn’t all doom and gloom for the Power tonight as Julian Talley tied the Power single game record of five receiving touchdowns, which was set by Mike Washington last week in defeat as well. Talley finished with eight catches for 127 yards and five touchdowns. Tyrone Collins added nine catches for 122 yards and two touchdowns.
It’s nice and all to see some highlights in a game like this but the bottom line is you were facing the team with the worst record in the league and your five turnovers gave you no chance to beat them. Chris LeFlore’s fumbled return was the biggest faux pas of the game. I understand trying to fight and stretch but at some point just take what they give you. Giving a bad team an easy score like that makes it that much tougher to win and again, the Power seemed to fall apart a lot from there.
The Power return home for their final home game of the 2013 season next Saturday against the San Jose Sabercats.
Photo Courtesy of Pittsburgh Power Facebook Page
