Columbus Aviators lose after coach Ted Ginn Jr's DWI arrest
· Yahoo Sports
In the wake of a temporary head coaching change, the Columbus Aviators (0-3) failed to take advantage of an early lead and lost 28-23 on the road to the Dallas Renegades (3-0) April 12.
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A day before the game, Aviators coach Ted Ginn Jr. was charged with driving while intoxicated in Tarrant County, Texas, according to multiple reports. Though Ginn Jr. was reportedly released on bond, Aviators' offensive coordinator Todd Haley stepped in to take on head coaching duties for the game.
The Renegades entered Week 3 undefeated with the most passing yards and touchdowns in the UFL, but also the most points allowed. Despite outgaining the Renegades in yards 288 to 225, turnovers killed the Aviators' momentum while the Renegades went turnover-free.
After not having a lead at any point during their 44-26 loss to the D.C. Defenders, the Aviators' offense took advantage early. Quarterback Jalen McClendon led an eight-play, 60-yard drive and picked up an 8-yard touchdown pass to former Penn State running back John Lovett, who broke a couple of tackles with consecutive spin moves for the score.
On the first Renegades offensive drive, former Kent State cornerback DJ Miller broke up a pass from quarterback Austin Reed. It was the first time the Aviators forced a punt in two weeks after the Aviators allowed a score on every possession against the D.C. Defenders in their home opener.
Though McClendon started 11 for 12 on passes, he struggled with turnovers. Up 10-7 with under two minutes in the first half, the Aviators had a chance to score after the defense forced another Renegades punt. With the ball at their own 11-yard line, McClendon telegraphed a pass that was intercepted by former Ohio State cornerback Shaun Wade.
Instead of going down with the ball, Wade threw a lateral back to fellow corner Ajene Harris for a 14-yard pick-six for a 14-10 lead at the half. The Aviators had a chance to score with 38 seconds remaining in the half, but went for it on fourth-and-3 and were unable to complete a pass.
Late in the third quarter down 21-10, McClendon threw another interception, which set up the Renegades offense at the Columbus 32-yard line. Reed completed a short pass to Emmanuel Butler to get up 28-10. The Aviators responded with a 60-yard drive ending in a Lovett rushing touchdown to enter the last quarter down 28-17.
The Renegades' offense sputtered in the fourth quarter, leading to an Aviators comeback effort in the final minutes of the game. McClendon led an 11-play, 75-yard drive ending in a short touchdown pass to Antwane Wells. Haley called for a two-point try to get within a field goal, but running back Zaquandre White was tackled before reaching the endz one on a checkdown pass.
Enacting a special UFL alternate kickoff rule, the Aviators could win the next possesion by converting a fourth-and-12-yard play from the Columbus 28-yard line. Instead of looking deep, McClendon dumped off a pass to running back Toa Taua, who made it six yards and failed to convert.
At 0-3, the Aviators are tied with the Louisville Kings at the bottom of the UFL standings. The Aviators have not announced if Ginn Jr. will be available to coach the next game against the Renegades at home April 17.
On April 11, Ginn Jr. was stopped at 12:58 a.m. for traffic violations and an officer conducted a DWI investigation and was subsequently arrested, per police spokesperson Brenda Alvarado told The Dallas Morning News. Ginn has since issued a statement about his arrest, taking full responsibility for his actions in a post on social media.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Aviators lose to Dallas Renegades in UFL Week 3