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AAF Recap: Ja’Quan Gardner, San Diego Fleet Run Away with Win

AAF Recap: Ja'Quan Gardner powered the San Diego Fleet to their first victory of the season over Matt Simms and the Atlanta Legends.
Ja'Quan Gardner

The San Diego Fleet gave Phillip Nelson the nod in game number two and Nelson was running for his life in the first half. However, Nelson and the Fleet were able to overcome a nine-point deficit with two fourth-quarter rushing touchdowns from Ja’Quan Gardner. The Fleet defense shut down the Legend offense after the first quarter. San Diego outscored the Legends 15-3 in the fourth to pick up its first win, 24-12.

Week 2 Recap: Atlanta Legends vs. San Diego Fleet

Legends Offense Comes Alive Early, Sputters Late

It was another head-scratching game for Atlanta Legends quarterback Matt Simms. Simms is coming off a dismal performance where he went 15 of 28, 126 yards and two interceptions. In tonight’s game, Simms impressed early. On the Legends’ second drive of the game, Simms threw his first career touchdown on a 19-yard strike to Malachi Jones.

However, following that touchdown, Simms and the Legends offense struggled to sustain drives and score points to hold their lead against the Fleet. After taking a 9-0 lead after the first quarter, the Legends offense mustered three points in the final 3 quarters. Simms finished the game 17 of 25, 160 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

And to make matters worse, the Legends rushing game continues to be non-existent. As a team, the Legends put together a measly 82 yards on 25 attempts, just averaging 3.3 yards per rush. By having an ineffective running game, the Legends were put in predictable third and long situations, causing Simms and the Legends offense to sputter down the stretch.

Fleet Offense Uses Run to Find Rhythm

Unlike the Legends offense, the Fleet offense got off to a slow start. Phillip Nelson threw a first-quarter interception, leading to the Legends first and only touchdown. However, Nelson played a flawless game after the interception. Nelson finished the game 14 of 30, 142 yards and just the one interception. It is safe to say the insertion of Nelson at quarterback provided a spark for the offense.

Ja’Quan Gardner was the best player on the field for the Fleet. Gardner will forever be immortalized, becoming the first player in Fleet history to score a touchdown. Gardner was an unstoppable force, rushing for 104 yards on just 15 carries, scoring those two pivotal fourth-quarter touchdowns.

The Fleet defense completely shut down the Legends after the first quarter. For the second week in a row, the Fleet only give up one touchdown, flexing their dominance. The play of the Fleet defense allowed the offense to get in gear.

Atlanta Legends returns home next Sunday to play their first home game, looking to pick up win number one against the Birmingham Iron. The San Diego Fleet also play next Sunday at home as they take on the San Antonio Commanders.

Main photo:
Embed from Getty Images

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