Talons Weather Storm to Win Season Opener

Originally Published: Apr 3, 2010 11:17 PM CDT

Corey DeMoss
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

TULSA, Oklahoma – Donovan Morgan scored four touchdowns and led the Tulsa Talons to a 69-58 victory over the Tampa Bay Storm in the season opener Saturday.

The Talons started the scoring in the first quarter with a touchdown pass from Justin Allgood to Carlese Franklin for a 7-0 lead. Tampa Bay quickly answered with a pass from Brett Dietz to Hank Edwards to tie the game.

The two teams traded blows for the rest of the night. Tulsa held the lead for most of the first half, but Tampa Bay continued to fight back. A field goal by the Storm on the final play of the half cut Tulsa’s lead to 35-30 heading into the locker room.

Down by eight in the third quarter, Tampa Bay drove inside the 15-yard line, but the Talons’ Gabe Nyenhuis came away with a timely fumble recovery to end the drive. Tulsa later intercepted Dietz to help seal the victory.

Morgan was the player of the game for Tulsa, finishing with nine catches for 120 yards and four touchdowns. Allgood threw for 274 yards and eight touchdowns, and Franklin caught nine passes for 75 passes and two touchdowns.

Tyrone Timmons had a big night for the Storm with 11 catches for 181 yards and five touchdowns. Hank Edwards also caught nine catches for 137 yards and three touchdowns. Dietz threw for 346 yards and eight touchdowns, but threw one costly interception.