QB change, defensive score on 2-point attempt lifts San Antonio Commanders past Salt Lake Stallions

SAN ANTONIO — A quarterback switch ended up being the turning point Saturday, as the San Antonio Commanders used a fourth-quarter touchdown drive and a defensive score on a two-point conversion attempt to put away the Salt Lake Stallions 19-15 at the Alamodome in San Antonio.

With both teams stalling on offense for much of the second half, the Commanders turned from starting quarterback Logan Woodside to Marquise Williams with 10:36 to play. The more mobile Williams opened up what had been a stagnant rushing attack and led a nine-play, 75-yard scoring drive.

Facing a third-and-16 at the Salt Lake 36-yard line, Williams faked the handoff then threw what almost appeared to be a lateral to running back Trey Williams, who weaved his way through the Stallions defense for the 36-yard go-ahead touchdown with 5:25 to play.

Marquise Williams then scrambled before finding Greg Ward Jr. for the two-point conversion to make it 17-9.

On the ensuing drive, the Stallions (2-5) converted a third-and-17 and a fourth-and-4 before quarterback Josh Woodrum found running back Terrell Newby for a 21-yard touchdown pass.

Needing two points to tie the score, though, Woodrum's pass to the sideline was intercepted and returned for two points the other way by De'Vante Bausby.

Instead of trying an onside conversion to take offensive possession, the Stallions — with three timeouts — tried to hold the San Antonio offense to a three-and-out. The gamble didn't pay off, as Williams used a read-option carry to run for 5 yards on a third-and-3, and the Commanders ran out the clock.

In limited play, Williams completed 2 of 3 passes for 49 yards while rushing for 19 yards on six carries, helping the Commanders finish with 64 rushing yards. Woodside completed 13 of 19 passes for 164 yards, with a touchdown and an interception.

Salt Lake outgained San Antonio (5-2) in total yards, 263 to 240, in a largely defensive game, but the Stallions couldn't convert on chances to take the lead. That included a costly second-quarter interception thrown by Woodrum in the red zone that eventually led to a San Antonio field goal, as the Commanders led 9-6 at halftime.

Woodrum completed 22 of 35 passes for 229 yards, while Stallions tight end Nick Truesdell led all receivers with four catches for 74 yards.

Defensively, the Stallions finished with six sacks, including two by Mike Purcell.

Up next for Salt Lake is a home game against the San Diego Fleet next Saturday, March 30, at 6 p.m. MDT at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

from Deseret News https://ift.tt/2HPOt3Z