Tweet
After learning of their upcoming move to London, the 10-4 Outlaws lost focus in a game that should have been easily won. The Carolina Catfish, who have struggled all season despite beliefs that the team had turned the corner, surprised the Outlaws by pulling themselves off the mat after being down 24-3 at halftime. After 4 consecutive goal-line stuffs by the Outlaws at the 5 minute mark of the 4th quarter, which should have been a back-breaker, Carolina was able to hold Wichita and get the ball back with good field position. With just under 2:00 left to play, May hit TE Roosevelt Hogemiller on a 17 yard TD pass to close the gap to 6 points. On the kickoff, Carolina pinned the Outlaws inside their 20 yard line and after 3 negligible running plays and 3 consecutive timeouts, the Catfish forced the Outlaws to punt with less than a minute on the clock. Lawrence Urlacher, who hadn't been able to return a punt all day, took the ball and returned the punt for 31 yards to the Wichita 39. On 3rd and 10 with 43 seconds, May hit Fullback Mickey Reilly for 36 yards to the 3 yard line. After spiking the ball to stop the clock with 22 seconds left, May looked to pass but found no one open, except for a small running lane in the middle. May tucked the ball and ran for a Touchdown which gave the Catfish its only lead of the game with 22 seconds left in the game. The devestated Outlaws were unable to return the favor and walked dejectedly off of their own field with boos echoing down through the stands.
Fans continue to blame ownership for moving the team out of Wichita, and with the controversy that surrounded the team this week with its announcement to move to London instead of Baltimore, Owner David Ukpatfan said, "I don't know what to say. Maybe it was bad timing to make the announcement. Maybe we got overconfident. Maybe Carolina isn't as bad as everyone thinks they are."
Announcer Boomer Esiason blamed bad game-calling at the end. "They looked like they just wanted to close up shop and stop playing, and after a while...they just looked like they quit." The loss opens a tiny window for the Snipe Hunters who host the Outlaws next week for the last wild-card spot unless Anchorage falls to Fresno in its season finale.
The Catfish meanwhile keep hopes alive of tying their last season record at 5-11. Coach Andrew Bryant has one more year left on his contract to prove he can turn the new Carolina franchise around. The franchise has not had a winning season since 2015 when they won the division.
Comment