San Jose 73, Storm 70

This was one that got away.

As has been the case in practically every Storm defeat this season, turnovers were the difference Saturday night. During its 73-70 loss at San Jose, Tampa Bay had two interceptions and one fumble, and each was costly.

"We had our opportunities and didn't take advantage of them," Storm said Tim Marcum told the Times via cell phone moments after the game.

The most crucial miscue arguably was a second-quarter interception that was thrown by Storm quarterback Brett Dietz. With the Storm (7-8) leading 14-7, it recovered a fumbled San Jose kickoff return at the Sabercats 6. But with a chance to pull ahead by two scores late in the first quarter, a Dietz pass was picked off in the endzone.

"We had a chance, but gave it right back to them," Marcum said.

San Jose (10-5) scored a game-tying touchdown a few minutes later. Then things quickly got worse.

On Tampa Bay's next possession, Dietz was blindsided from behind and fumbled the ball. San Jose recovered it for a touchdown, and just like that it was 21-14 Sabercats.

From there, the Storm had to play catch-up the rest of the way. And couldn't.

Two things hurt Tampa Bay's comeback efforts.

The first: San Jose got the ball to start the second half. When it scored a touchdown on its first third-quarter possession, the Storm fell behind by 10.

The second: In the fourth, Dietz was intercepted on a play in which the Storm thought there was pass interference. Soon after the play occurred, San Jose took a 66-49 lead.

Dietz finished with a career-best 10 TD passes. Storm receiver Hank Edwards had five touchdown catches. On defense, cornerback Jeroid Johnson intercepted two San Jose passes.

"It's totally frustrating," Marcum said. "It has been an up-and-down nightmare season."

You can find the complete box HERE.

Comments

[Adam]

It's time for Marcum to go. No playoff wins in 5 years. Missed the playoffs 2 of the past 3 years. This is his team that he put together. His playcalling. His personell. There's no one to blame but him and he's not getting it done. it's time to move on.