The Kent Predators lost 56-40 Sunday at Billings, Mont., in their debut in the professional Indoor Football League.
Kent quarterback Charles McCullum threw three touchdown passes and ran for a score against the Billings Outlaws, the defending IFL champions.
Carlo Heard scored on a 2-yard run for Kent’s first touchdown to give the Predators the early lead and silencing the home crowd or more than 6,000 at Rimrock Auto Arena that was still excited after a pre-game ring ceremony to honor the 2009 United Bowl Champions.
It only took the Outlaws one play to answer, as quarterback Chris Dixon, the 2009 IFL Player of the Year, threw a 43-yard touchdown pass to James Walton.
With Kent trailing 13-7, McCullum found receiver Eric Taylor for a 4-yard strike in the corner of the end zone to knot the score at 13. Then, after a rare stop of the explosive Outlaws offense, the Predators again took the lead as McCullum launched a bomb from his 1-yard line that was hauled in for a 49-yard score by Andre Jordan.
From that point on, penalties were the theme of the game. Kent continually gave Billings second chances and the offense struggled. In all, more than 20 penalties were called on the expansion franchise.
Billings led 28-20 at halftime and then pulled away from the Predators in the second half.
Jarvis Dunn had kickoff returns of 45, 35 and 32 yards for the Predators.
Officials called six personal fouls in the game and ejected Kent offensive lineman Ma’ake Pole in the second half.
Kent plays March 8 at the Alaska Wild in Anchorage before making its home debut March 12 against the Fairbanks Grizzlies at the ShoWare Center.
For tickets, go to www.kentpredators.com or call 253-239-3254.
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