Talons Overcome Slow Start to Win Third Straight

Originally Published: Jul 17, 2010 11:8 PM CDT

Corey DeMoss
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama – The Tulsa Talons used two big quarters to eliminate an early deficit and defeat the Alabama Vipers 61-48 Saturday and extend their winning streak to three games.

The Vipers (6-8) took a quick lead with a touchdown on the first drive of the game, and then took advantage of Tulsa mistakes to extend the lead. The Talons (9-5) sustained a long drive on their first possession, but Justin Allgood threw an interception at the Alabama 4-yard line that Vince Hill returned for a touchdown to take a 14-0 lead.

Tulsa sustained another long drive on the ensuing possession, but again it ended without any points. The drive stalled inside the 10-yard line, and the Talons failed to convert a fourth down attempt to give the ball back to Alabama. The Vipers turned that into another touchdown to take a 21-0 lead early in the second quarter, but Tulsa dominated the rest of the night.

The Talons responded with unanswered touchdowns on three consecutive possessions – two of which ended with touchdown passes by Allgood – to tie the game. The Vipers retook the lead seconds later, but another Allgood touchdown pass tied the game 28-28 going into halftime.

Tulsa rattled off another streak of 21 unanswered points to start the second half, and it was all smooth sailing from there. The final score was the closest the Vipers pulled for the rest of the night.

Allgood finished with 310 yards and six touchdowns, while Roderick Green and Jeff Hughley each caught nine passes for more than 100 yards and two touchdowns.

The Talons will return home to face the Arizona Rattlers at 7 p.m. on July 24 before finishing the season against in-state rival Oklahoma City.