Nashville Kats Fall 51-41 to Albany Firebirds

ALBANY, N.Y. – In an early showdown of East Division foes in the American Football League’s second week, the Nashville Kats fell 51-41 to the Albany Firebirds Thursday night at MVP Arena.

The Kats (1-1) fell behind early 14-0 and had to play catch up most of the game. After trailing most of the first half, the Kats scored 14 points in the 10 final seconds of the second quarter to take a 21-20 halftime lead. But the Firebirds (2-0) answered by scoring the first 10 points of the second half to regain a lead they would never relinquish.

Kat quarterback Ramone Atkins completed four touchdown passes – two to Marquise Irvin and two to Charles McClain. Albany was led by quarterback Jake Medlock, who completed five touchdown passes -- four to wide receiver Darius Prince and one to Darian Townsend. Two of the TD passes came on fourth-down conversions.

The Kats were their own worst enemy by committing 12 penalties for 72 yards. They also lost a fumble at the Albany 1-yard line, another inside the 5-yard line and also turned the ball over once on an interception pass by Atkins. Albany committed seven penalties for 50 yards.

The Kats trailed 20-7 with less than one minute to play in the first half but pulled within 20-14 following an Irvin TD reception. Nashville took the lead on the ensuing kickoff after the kick went into the nets and bounded off the crossbar before being recovered and returned for a touchdown by Derrick Jones to give the Kats 21-20 halftime lead.

The Nashville Kats return to action on Sunday, May 12 for a Mother Day’s home encounter against the Philadelphia Soul at Municipal Auditorium. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. with the game broadcast on 102.5 FM The Game starting with the pregame show at 2 p.m.