After four weeks of the UFL season, the Orlando Storm sit all alone in first place and head coach Anthony Becht knows that his team has become the hunted a 4-0.
“We’re sitting on top of the league at 4-0, and we’re very appreciative of that,” Becht said. “It’s all because of the hard work of the players and they’re belief in buying in and executing in the biggest moments.
“Now, being the only team that is 4-0, the target becomes bigger … Can you stay in phase? Can you stay locked-in, and can you stay hungry for more?”
The Storm will put their unblemished record on the line Saturday when they return home to Inter&Co Stadium for a 7 p.m. date with the St. Louis Battlehawks (2-2). Becht came to Orlando after coaching for two seasons in St. Louis, and he knows the team will be gunning for him and the Storm.
“It means a lot to everybody in the building, and we want to continue to ride the Storm, for lack of a better word,” Becht said. “So we’re excited about our upcoming game. We’re playing against St. Louis, and we all know it’s where I’ve been and where I’ve coached.
“It’s my first time ever coaching against these guys, and I want it to be loud.”
Orlando Storm remain unbeaten with UFL’s first-ever shutout at Birmingham
The Storm are coming off an impressive defensive performance in their last victory over Birmingham, when they put up marks that may stand in team annals for a while. They allowed just 166 yards of total offense and only 36 yards on the ground in accomplishing the first-ever shutout in the UFL’s three-year existence 16-0.
Becht has been lauding the team’s defensive coordinator Donnie Abraham since the team broke camp, and it appears rightfully so. Led by Keshawn Banks and his four sacks, Orlando is allowing just 13 points per game.
“When you have the ability to go play fast, you can think less and just can fly around, especially as a defensive front,” Banks said. “We’ve got some guys who intellectually have some high IQs when it comes to football, so they know when they can play fast … we definitely got some smart guys for sure.”
Abrahams, Bucs fans will remember, played nine seasons in the NFL, including six in Tampa.
“We all know how hard it is, with the scoring and the different ways to score in our league, to shut a team out,” Becht said. “I can’t be more happier for Donnie. He deserves all the praise. He deserves to have his week to shine. He’s just a great communicator, and it’s awesome to see.”
But then there is the offense. The Storm managed just two touchdowns last week. Becht hasn’t spoken about urgency in the offense, and quarterback Jack Plummer has been impressive, passing for nearly 220 yards per game and completing 69% of his passes, with 7 TD passes.
The running game, however, has only produced two touchdowns in four games, and leading rusher Jashaun Corbin is averaging just 52 yards per game.
“Folks know we want (to run the ball), and we have a plethora of backs to do that. We have to do it,” Becht said. “We’re gonna run the football, but the great part about it is that we’re gonna pass it too, and we’re pretty damn good at that, as well.
Becht is inviting fans to come out and enjoy a Saturday filled with Orlando sports.
“After four weeks and being on top of the UFL, I really hope people will give us a try. There’s no reason why we can’t get 15-20,000 fans at a game. Why not?” Becht said. “(After the Magic game at 1 p.m.), just walk on down the street, go grab a ticket and go have some fun for the rest of the day.”
In honor of the team’s 4-0 record, this week the Storm is offering 40% off tickets and $4 beers between 6-7 p.m.
DT Willie Yarbary (biceps) has been placed on IR. His roster spot will be filled by DT Amani Bledsoe, who was acquired in a trade with Birmingham this past weekend.