The Orlando Storm (4-2) started out the season winning their first four games and were talking about going undefeated and thinking about the UFL playoffs.
Then they lost two straight games.
Now the Storm are talking about getting things turned around and getting back on that positive path, but it’s not all gloom and doom in the Storm locker room.
“We can’t wait to get back out there. The people on the outside might thing the sky is falling, but I see a much different outlook for our team with where we are and what we are doing,” Storm coach Anthony Becht said this week. “I have experienced two straight losses before. Last year (with St. Louis) we won six straight after that, so I think we’re in the right mindset and we’re excited.”
Turnovers, mistakes prove costly as Orlando Storm lose second straight game
Orlando is at Houston on Sunday and the Storm aren’t reeling in desperation. They are certainly feeling concerned after two straight losses, games in which they let their opponents open with leads of 25-0 and 14-0.
Becht remains positive. He isn’t circling the wagons just yet. He has confidence in his football team. On Sunday against Birmingham, the Storm got another good passing performance from quarterback Jack Plummer, but three turnovers spoiled the day.
Orlando Storm coach Anthony Becht will be looking for his team to bounce back from two straight losses on Sunday at Houston. (Chris Hays/Orlando Sentinel)
“We really feel good about what we were doing, offensively, on the field. We had three turnovers that, quite frankly, wrecked our opportunity,” Storm coach Anthony Becht said. “We understand why we didn’t score in the red zone twice because of those fumbles. I really thing they are random acts of God.
“Two of my best players fumbled the snaps. There’s nothing really to coach there. I believe we get six points, worst case, if those two things don’t happen. But it does cause you to lose.”
So the ship isn’t sinking and Becht doesn’t feel concerned about a need to plug holes. Plummer is coming off his best passing game of the season with 324 yards and two touchdowns and the defense only gave up six points after spotting Birmingham a 14-0 lead, so Becht is looking to build on the positive.
Plummer is still completing 66% of his passes and he has thrown just one interception in six games, 187 pass attempts. Plummer just looking to keep things moving forward.
“Just don’t panic. We’re fine. We’re playing well. We just gotta eliminate the bad plays,” Plummer said. “We just gotta sustain the course and keep going about our process.”
Overcoming those mistakes will be the key.
“The real thing is to look at the positives. You can beat yourself up about the turnovers and that does have to be fixed and addressed, but we did a lot of really good things so let’s keep doing that,” Plummer said. “You walk out of that game (vs. Birmingham) where it feels kind of weird because we were able to move the ball really well, but we fumbled the ball three times.
Pictures: Birmingham Stallions vs. Orlando Storm
“That’s the game of football. If you lose the turnover battle, especially by 3, you’re looking at a loss.”
As for the playoff discussion, Orlando still believes it is in the conversation, but it’s time to start showing it on the field again.
“I think we’re, if not the best, one of the best teams in the league, but we have to go out there and show it every week,” Becht said. “There is no reason why this team in not a playoff-caliber, championship team. But, ultimately, … you gotta go do it and take it. I expect this team to bounce back.
“We’re teetering on being a really great team or being a real, like, this is kinda what we are and every week it’s gonna be the same thing. We’re gonna look really good but then we’re gonna shoot ourselves in the foot.”
Orlando has four games left and is on the road for two straight games — at Houston and at Dallas — and then back home against D.C. on May 22. The Storm finishes on the road in a back-to-back at D.C. to end the season.
Chris Hays can be found on X.com @OS_ChrisHays.