The Tampa Bay Storm hosted the Portland Steel at the Amalie Arena in Tampa on Saturday evening. The Storm were looking for their second win of the season while the Steel were looking for their second consecutive win for just the second time in franchise history.
The Storm got on the board first when Adam Kennedy, who started for the injured Jason Boltus, found V’Keon Lacey from nine yards out. The Storm needed two plays to score a touchdown when fullback Bryson Kelly ran it in from four yards out. The extra point was blocked and the Storm held a 7-6 lead. That would be the score after the first quarter.
After a penalty after a Kennedy interception gave the Storm the ball back, the Storm scored to start the second quarter when he found Prechae Rodriguez in the end zone. After the Steel fumbled the ensuing kickoff away, the Storm expanded their lead when Kennedy handed the ball off to Ings and he ran it into the end zone.
The Steel failed on a 4th and 13 inside their own five and the Storm took over with great field position. They would capitalize when Kennedy found a wide open Toliver in the end zone on the second play of the drive.
After a Shane Austin pass was intercepted in the end zone by Cameron McGlenn, the Storm failed to convert a fourth down. The Steel would score to close out the half, but the Storm still led 28-13.
The Steel would score with a Rashaad Carter touchdown to bring the score to 28-19. Each team would swap touchdowns, and the Storm led 35-26 at the end of the third quarter.
The Steel would make it a two point game when Austin found Nick Truesdell for a touchdown. Down by just one, the Steel forced an interception to get the ball with 3:52 left. On a 4th and 5, the Steel converted, but the catch was fumbled and Cortez Stubbs picked it up and returned it for a touchdown. After review, the call was overturned and the Steel kept the ball.
They would chew the clock and set themselves up for the game-winning field goal. The kick was blocked and the Storm won by a final score of 41-40. The Storm will travel to take on the Jacksonville Sharks to close out their regular season next week. The Steel will close out their regular season in Portland against the Los Angeles KISS.
Inside the Arena 