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“We cannot lose our heads…” Orlando City Head Coach asks for calm after two home losses in a row

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Orlando City SC play at home against Nashville SC at Exploria Stadium in Orlando, Saturday, April 1, 2023. Photo by Harry Castiblanco / Florida National News

ORLANDO, Fl. (FNN) — In a action-packed MLS Saturday, Orlando City hosted the Western Conference’s Nashville SC this weekend at Exploria Stadium. After winning the two head-to-heads last year, Nashville were determined to get revenge, and that they did. The crafty Nashville side coached by Gary Smith played their textbook game as they lost in possession and passes distributed but relied on their defense and counter-attack to find success. Hany Mukhtar found the net for the first time this season as he assisted the first goal of the night to Fafa Picault. This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Mukhtar-vs-Schlegel-4-1-23-1024x683.jpeg — Hany Mukhtar duels with Rodrigo Schegel for possession at Exploria Stadium in Orlando, Saturday, April 1, 2023. Photo by Harry Castiblanco / Florida National News

Crafty, crafty Nashville

The Orlando Li — or rather, the Orlando Sea Cows for tonight were well in control during bouts of possession. Legitimately looking like a threat against a stoic Nashville defense. Complications for Nashville soon arose as Luke Haakenson & Anibal Godoy both picked up yellows. However, in a bizarre turn of events after a quick free-kick, Fafa Picault latched onto a lofted through ball in the box played by Mukhtar. He managed to chip it over Pedro Gallese to start Orlando’s headache. With just 28 minutes into play Orlando once again find themselves down at Exploria Stadium.

With a goal completely against the run of play Orlando looked deflated for a few minutes. Despite that, Angulo injected the fans with a jolt of his effort and pace. After chasing down the goalkeeper and almost deflecting a ball into the net the fans in downtown Orlando exploded with approval. The message was clear going into the second half — Orlando will not go out without a fight.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Angulo-Dribbling-4-1-23-1024x683.jpeg

— Ivan Angulo enjoying a positive spell of football in his first full year in Orlando as he take on Nashville SC at Exploria Stadium, Saturday, April 1, 2023. Photo by Harry Castiblanco / Florida National News

To start the second half, Felipe came off the pitch for Facundo Torres as the Uruguayan also makes his return from international play. Felipe provided a useful offensive spark that Torres will undoubtedly look to fill. Despite some shots on target, Facundo Torres and co. were unable to break the deadlock despite enjoying 60% possession all game and passing 100 more times as a team.

Keep the balance

Matters went from bad to worse as Nashville’s biggest star Hany Mukhtar got a wonderful through ball from Shaquell Moore. Despite Gallese getting a foot onto it the ball bounced fortunately into the back of the net for Nashville. With the walls coming down on them, Orlando look deflated and without a purpose as the game finished 2-0.

With two home losses in a row, Oscar Pareja and his men are undoubtedly angsty to get back out there and win in front of their fans. Pareja asked for calm and poise in the post-game presser. Exclaiming that Orlando City are not the best team after their away win to Philadelphia Union. But also clarifying that tonight’s loss to Nashville SC does not make them the worst either. The level-headed take will do well to pacify the waters. But there is a sense that a personnel issue on the field may be at play here. Deciding which players to sit and which players to play, and how to play them, are becoming daunting tasks for the Orlando City Head Coach.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Ramiro-Enrique-Action-Shot-1024x683.jpeg

— Ramiro Enrique ramps up for a shot against Walker Zimmerman at Exploria Stadium, Saturday, April 1, 2023. Photo by Harry Castiblanco / Florida National News

“We have to keep our heads up. We have responsibility [as coaches] to lure the players together and see how we can use all this chemistry and players we have to do good things. We have a good group and I believe in them. So we have to keep the balance.” — Oscar Pareja on Orlando City’s lack of consistency so far this season.

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NFL

UCF Hall of Fame Inductee Shaquem Griffin Launches Search For Greatness Combine With Joey Grant and GMTM

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UCF Hall of Fame Inductee Shaquem Griffin Launches Search For Greatness Combine With Joey Grant and GMTM

Former UCF football players Shaquem Griffin and Joey Grant have partnered with GMTM to launch their Search for Greatness Combine at UCF on Saturday, November 9th. They’re giving local athletes a chance to showcase their talents and explore new sports opportunities. Griffin will be inducted into the UCF Hall of Fame on Saturday, November 2nd, during halftime of the Arizona vs. UCF football game. He is remembered for his tenacity, setting an NFL Combine record with the fastest 40-yard dash by a linebacker, and playing four seasons in the NFL, overcoming the challenge of only having one hand. He is now training to make the USA Paralympic Track and Field Team and hopes to compete in the 2028 Olympics. Joey Grant, the co-founder and CEO of GMTM, is a former UCF team captain, playing mostly Center for the Knights from 2011-2015.

Participation at the upcoming combine is free and invite-only, targeting athletes over the age of 18. To be considered, athletes must submit a highlight video via GMTM’s platform, showcasing their athleticism. GMTM will evaluate submissions and invite the most promising athletes to participate in the combine. The goal for this year’s event is to get 1,000 athletes to submit videos and be part of the combine process. Athletes chosen will receive personalized invites with further instructions, including event time slots and details. The athletes will be evaluated for their key athletic traits, to identify opportunities for them across multiple Olympic sports or professional sports programs. To learn more, or to apply for the combine, visit: https://gmtm.com/articles/the-search-for-greatness-at-ucf-with-shaquem-griffin-what-you-need-to-know.

Florida National News spoke with Shaquem and Joey about the combine, college football in the era of NIL and the transfer portal, and Griffin’s hall of fame induction. You can watch the full interview here:

Shaquem Griffin and Joey Grant interview

Stay tuned to www.FloridaNationalNews.com and www.FloridaSportsChannel.com for more.

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Turnovers Prove Costly, Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers Fall to Falcons 31-26

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TAMPA, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) – The Tampa Bay Buccaneers fell 31-26 to the Atlanta Falcons at Raymond James Stadium despite a powerful offensive display, generating 432 total yards. This marks Tampa Bay’s fourth game this season with 400+ offensive yards, tying them for the most in the NFC. However, despite their offensive firepower, turnovers and late-game slips cost the Buccaneers.

“Our offense is firing on all cylinders, but we’ve got to tighten up when it counts,” said Head Coach Todd Bowles postgame. “We can’t afford to let opportunities slip like we did today.”

Key moments from Sunday’s clash included:

  • QB Baker Mayfield’s career-high completions: Mayfield completed 37 of 50 passes (74%) for 330 yards and three touchdowns, his fourth straight game with at least three passing touchdowns. “We’re connecting well downfield,” Mayfield commented. “But we need to eliminate turnovers if we want to win big games.”
  • TE Cade Otton’s record-breaking day: Otton finished with a career-high nine catches for 81 yards and two touchdowns. This marks the second consecutive week Otton set a personal record in receptions.
  • Rookie RB Bucky Irving’s versatility: Irving amassed 84 scrimmage yards with nine missed tackles forced, showcasing his dynamic impact in both the run and pass game. “He’s explosive and hard to bring down,” Bowles praised.
  • Defensive leader K.J. Britt: Britt led the defense with 10 tackles, while DL C.J. Brewer recorded two sacks and two tackles for loss, stepping up in a career-best performance.

Despite the defeat, Tampa Bay’s stats are among the league’s elite:

  • Top-ranked third-down conversions: Tampa Bay leads the NFL with a 52.5% conversion rate on third downs.
  • Leader in passing yards: With 2,068 passing yards, the Bucs are first in the league for the 2024 season.
  • Mayfield’s league-best touchdown count: Mayfield ranks first in total touchdowns (23) and completions (202), leading the NFL’s passing leaders.

 

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Jaguars Fall to the Packers 30-27

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Photo Credit: Harry Castiblanco, Florida National News

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) – The Jacksonville Jaguars (2-6) lost 30-27 to the Green Bay Packers (6-2) at EverBank Stadium. This was the Jaguars’ first game back in the U.S. after playing two games in London, where they lost to the Chicago Bears and beat the New England Patriots.

After unsuccessful scoring drives by both the Packers and the Jaguars to start the game, P Logan Cooke had an impressive 73 yard punt that went out of bounds at Green Bay’s 2 yard line. The Packers and Jaguars both failed to score on their next drives. The Packers ended up in the red zone at the end of the first quarter, but neither team was able to score before the clock ran out and the teams switched sides.

Early in the second quarter, fans were excited to see an interception by Jaguars rookie CB Jarrian Jones at the Jaguars’ 6 yard line to put a stop to the Packers’ drive. But three plays later, QB Trevor Lawrence was intercepted by S Xavier McKinney, putting the ball back in the Packers’ possession. Green Bay scored a touchdown a few plays later on a 3 yard run by RB Josh Jacobs. Former Jaguars K Brandon McManus scored the extra point to put the Packers ahead 7-0 on his first return to EverBank Stadium since the Jaguars decided not to re-sign him this past offseason. The Packers later added a 31 yard field goal by McManus, extending their lead to 10-0. The Jags responded with a touchdown on their next drive, ending with Trevor Lawrence running 6 yards into the end zone. K Cam Little added the XP, narrowing the Jaguars’ deficit to 10-7. McManus later added a 38 yard field goal, to extend the Packers’ lead to 13-7. With less than a minute remaining in the half, the Jaguars had an effective drive, which ended with Little’s 39 yard field goal, putting the Jags down 13-10 heading into halftime.

Brian Thomas Jr. (Photo by Harry Castiblanco / Florida National News)

In the third quarter, the Jaguars’ Trevor Lawrence completed a 14 yard touchdown pass to rookie WR Brian Thomas Jr., and Little’s extra point put the Jaguars ahead 17-13, for their first lead of the game. But a 38 yard touchdown run by Josh Jacobs, followed by a McManus XP put the Packers ahead 20-17.

After a Trevor Lawrence fumble early in the fourth quarter, Packers QB Malik Willis completed a 3 yard touchdown pass to TE Tucker Kraft, and McManus added another extra point, extending their lead to 27-17. Cam Little scored a 47 yard field goal, to make it 27-20.

Trevor Lawrence later added a 14 yard touchdown pass to TE Evan Engram, and Little’s XP tied the game at 27-27 with 1:48 remaining in the game. But that left enough time for McManus to add a 24 yard field goal as time expired, giving the Packers the 30-27 victory.

Foyesade Oluokon returned from the injured reserve today for his first game since suffering a foot injury in week 3. But WR Gabe Davis suffered a shoulder injury, CB Ronald Darby injured his hip, and RG Brandon Scherff had a knee injury in the first half of today’s game, and in the second half, LG Ezra Cleveland hurt his ankle, WR Brian Thomas Jr. suffered a chest injury, and Christian Kirk hurt his shoulder, and it’s not yet clear when they might return. On the other side, Packers QB Jordan Love played with a knee injury for most of the first half, before leaving the game with what Green Bay described as a groin injury.

Trevor Lawrence finished with 308 yards and 2 touchdowns. Tank Bigsby led the Jaguars’ rushing with 78 yards. Brian Thomas, Jr. was the leading receiver with 60 yards and 1 touchdown.

The Jaguars head to Philadelphia to face the Eagles on Sunday, 11/3. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. The Jaguars’ next home game will be against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, 11/10 at 1:00 p.m.

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Be sure to follow www.FloridaSportsChannel.com and www.FloridaNationalNews.com for more.

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