Nolan Throws Three Touchdowns as Tidebreakers Top Twisters 31-12

SAN DIEGO - The San Diego Tidebreakers needed a win, and they got a convincing one. Quarterback Preston Nolan threw three touchdown passes in a 31-12 victory over the Oklahoma City Twisters on Sunday.

The final was Tidebreakers 31, Twisters 12. San Diego is now 2-9 and sixth in the West Conference. Oklahoma City is 5-6 and fourth in the West.

Nolan leads the way

Nolan finished with 276 passing yards and 3 touchdowns. Wide receiver Lamar Kimble caught passes for 97 yards and a touchdown, and he was the favorite target all afternoon. Running back Aaron Underwood added 77 rushing yards and a score.

The Tidebreakers' defense did its part too. San Diego recorded 3 sacks against an Oklahoma City offense that has struggled to find rhythm in recent weeks.

"Preston was in control," San Diego coach Frank Delacroix said. "The line gave him time and the receivers made plays. We have been waiting to put together a full game like that."

Twisters stumble again

Oklahoma City never found a way to keep up. Quarterback Jalen Lockhart threw for 197 yards and no touchdowns. Running back Victor Abbott gained 86 yards on the ground, and tight end Wes Vance led the team in receiving with 52 yards. The Twisters did not score a touchdown through the air, and the offense had trouble closing drives.

On defense, Oklahoma City recorded just 1 sack, which gave Nolan the room he needed.

"We moved the ball at times but we could not finish," Twisters coach Hal Brennan said. "We have to be better in the red zone and we have to protect the quarterback."

Oklahoma City had lost 10-6 at Portland the previous week, a game that was also short on offense. Lockhart threw for 112 yards in that game and 197 on Sunday, so there was some improvement, but not enough to change the result.

Records and standings

San Diego finished with the worst record in the league's West Conference at 2-9, but the Tidebreakers have a result to build on. The win is a reminder that this team can score when the passing game is clicking.

Oklahoma City finished 5-6 and fourth in the West. A loss like this one in the finale will sting. The Twisters were held to a low point total in consecutive games, scoring 6 against Portland and 12 against San Diego.

What stood out

The Tidebreakers spread the ball around. Kimble led the receivers, and Underwood gave San Diego a steady ground presence. Nolan's three touchdown passes are what stood out in the box score, but the line deserves credit for giving him time.

"I felt good out there," Nolan said. "The guys up front did a great job and our receivers got open. I just had to deliver the ball."

San Diego can carry that confidence into the offseason. Oklahoma City heads home with work to do.

For one Sunday at least, the Tidebreakers looked like a team that belonged. The scoreboard read 31-12, and the home crowd went home happy.