By Vincent Butler, Special to the Times
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Milwaukee — The game slipped away from the Storm during the second quarter.
It led 14-7, but Milwaukee took advantage of three consecutive turnovers, roaring to a 16-point halftime lead and 50-33 win Saturday at the Bradley Center.
Tampa Bay's Brian Zbydniewski was roughed up in his first career start. Replacing Grant Gregory (sprained ankle), he was 17-of-29 for 270 yards and four touchdowns. But his three interceptions (two returned for touchdowns) left him frustrated.
"It was embarrassing out there," he said. "I put it all on myself. I'm the quarterback. I've got to get the ball to the right people."
The Storm got off to a good start. Zbydniewski completed a pass to Huey Whittaker (eight catches for 113 yards and two touchdowns). He followed with a touchdown pass to Hank Edwards, who made a diving catch while falling into the end zone.
After the Storm recovered a fumble, Zbydniewski hit Amarri Jackson to put it up 14-7.
But the game was lost in the second quarter.
First, linebacker Marcus Everett picked off Zbydniewski at the Tampa Bay 5 and strolled into the end zone. On the next series, defensive back Kelvin Rogers intercepted a pass and ran it back 10 yards for a touchdown.
The woes continued when Tampa Bay fumbled the kickoff. The Mustangs (2-5) soon scored again, this time a short run by Justin Lawrence that made it 30-14.
The Storm (2-5) reached the Mustangs 3 on its other second-quarter possession (after an interception was nullified by a penalty). But two running plays went nowhere. Jackson dropped a pass, and Zbydniewski's pass on fourth down was batted away.
The Storm's struggles continued in the second half. On its first possession, Zbydniewski's pass was intercepted, and the Mustangs turned it into a touchdown and 37-14 lead with nine minutes left in the third quarter.
"It was terrible," Tampa Bay coach Dave Ewart said. "They scored more points on defense than they did on offense. You're not going to win many games playing like that."