• Recap
• Bleachers

Stafford throws five TD passes as Predators take opener

Mar 3, 2007 - 4:40 AM TAMPA, Florida (Ticker) -- Shane Stafford threw for 329 yards and five touchdowns to lead the Orlando Predators to a a 52-27 victory over the Tampa Bay Storm in the season opener for both teams.

Stafford set career highs in TD passes (89), completions (408) and yards (4,795) in his fifth season with Tampa Bay last year before signing with Orlando as a free agent.

The Predators (1-0) wasted little time against the Storm, jumping to 21-0 lead. Stafford connected twice with DeAndrew Rubin and once with Jimmy Fryzel for touchdowns in the first 10 1/2 minutes.

Stafford, who completed 24-of-34 passes, fired a scoring strike to Rubin in the third quarter and another to Javarus Dudley with 2:08 to play. He also scored on a three-yard run in the final period.

Fryzel caught 10 passes for 107 yards and Rubin had eight receptions for 141 for Orlando.

John Kaleo was 24-of-37 for 289 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions, and Demetris Bendross caught 10 passes for 124 yards for Tampa Bay (0-1).