Not Ready For Primetime

Not ready for Primetime.

That one phrase sums up the Pittsburgh Power season, as the Power (8-9) fell on the road to the Cleveland Gladiators 67-55.

This was the third time this season Pittsburgh was playing as the AFL Game of the Week on the NFL Network.  This was also the third time the team lost, the other two being a 54-48 overtime loss to Philadelphia, and a 62-54 loss to Orlando.  Ironically the Power had leads in all three games but couldn't find a way to win.

This time the Power battled back from an early 32-14 hole to take the lead, but back to back fumbles by Bernard Morris blew the game open as Cleveland (10-7) cashed in repeatedly on his mistakes. 

Maybe Morris saw Rudi (Gladiator Mascot) fumble the plate of DiBella's Subs during a promotion and felt sorry for him.  Fumbling food at a game is one thing, fumbling the division title and a spot in the playoffs is another. 

Morris finished the game 28 of 41 for 318 yards, 7 TD's, as well as 23 yards rushing and a score, but it will be his mistakes that will mark his performance in this one.

Pittsburgh lost five of six games down the homestretch and will spend the entire offseason wondering what might have been.

Jason Willis awoke from his recent funk to lead the Power in receiving with nine catches for 134 yards and three touchdowns.  His juggling catch off the wall for the first Power touchdown looked like an early omen that things might go Pittsburgh's way.  His drop of a fourth down touchdown pass on the next drive was not as exciting.

The Power defense failed to record a defensive stop in the first half, but came alive a bit in the second.  Unfortunately they could not stop Cleveland after the Morris fumbles.  The secondary continued to struggle to contain to contain opposing receivers and missed several opportunities for game changing interceptions.

Cleveland's Kurt Rocco finished the day 25 of 35 for 297 yards and 8 TD's.  Dominick Goodman did most of the damage on the night with 12 catches for 130 yards and 2 TD's.

Hats off to the Power fans who made the bus trip to Cleveland.  They were loud and rowdy throughout the game, trying to will the Power to victory.  Hopefully this is a sign of a strong rivalry for years to come in the AFL. 

Pittsburgh will close out the regular season Friday night in Philadelphia (6-11)