By Daniel Dullum

Sports Radio Service

Friday, April 10, 2015

San Jose became the first Arena Football League team to start the season 3-0 Friday, traveling to Tampa Bay and defeating the Storm 36-27 before an announced crowd of 8,588 at Amalie Arena.

In the process, SaberCats receiver T.T. Toliver reached the 1,000-pass reception plateau for his career, the fourth receiver in league history to do so. On the night, Toliver finished with six catches for 84 yards.

Newly-acquired wide receiver D.J. Stephens snagged six passes for 80 yards and two touchdowns for San Jose, and Darius Reynolds made six catches for 64 yards.

Defensively for San Jose, defensive back Vigil Gray grabbed an interception for the third straight game, and made five tackles. DB Ken Fontenette finished with a team-high eight tackles. Defensive end Rodney Fritz had a forced fumble and two sacks, and Jason Stewart had an interception and a safety. Also, DE Donte Paige-Moss contibuted two sacks and a forced fumble.

SaberCats quarterback Erik Meyer completed 17-of-32 passes for 179 yards and two touchdowns. Storm quarterback Jason Boltus finished the night completing 21-of-39 passes for 260 yards and four touchdowns.

The SaberCats came close to scoring on their opening drive, but a possible scoring play to D.J. Stephens was wiped out by a penalty, and another scoring pass to Reynolds was nullified when the wide receiver was unable to get his feet inbounds. But the SaberCats bounced back with a big second quarter.

San Jose took a 14-0 lead in the second quarter on a 16-yard scoring pass from Meyer to Stephens. Jacksonville responded with a 19-yard TD reception by Kendrick Ings, who led the Storm with a game-high eight catches for 100 yards and three touchdowns.

Meyer’s quarterback sneak extended San Jose’s lead to 21-7, and Nich Pertuit booted a 16-yard field goal, giving the SaberCats a 24-7 halftime lead.

Next Friday, the undefeated SaberCats travel to Jacksonville to face the Sharks.