In a game where they were sacked five times, the Tampa Bay Storm still managed to pull out a 41-33 victory at Washington Saturday night at the United Center. Washington got down to the 1-yard line in the final minute but Valor quarterback Erik Meyer, who had already fumbled three times although not losing any, finally had one get recovered by a Storm player. Paul Stephens made the recovery at the 13-yard line and Tampa Bay ran out the clock for its third straight win.
The same teams meet up at Amalie Arena next Saturday as the Storm (4-1) start a four-game homestand.
In a crazy quirk, the Valor only had the ball twice in the first half, due to long drives by both teams and a perfect onside kick at the one-minute mark by Tampa Bay's Mark Lewis. It led to quarterback Randy Hippeard scoring on a 1-yard run at the halftime horn for a 27-14 lead.
Washington bounced back to tie it but the Storm prevailed.
Full box score (here).
photo courtesy Tampa Bay Storm