Joe Howard Johnson had nine catches for 156 yards and two touchdowns, one a "Hail Mary" from Scott Mitchell at the end of the first half, as the Orlando Thunder beat the Frankfurt Galaxy 38-0 Saturday.
After being held to just 25 yards of offense in the first quarter, Orlando (5-1) struck for 173 yards and three touchdowns in the second period, including a 38-yarder on the half's final play to Johnson. Johnson is on loan from the Washington Redskins, Mitchell from the Miami Dolphins.Johnson also caught a TD pass from Kerwin Bell with 2:27 left in the game.
Orlando made it 28-0 in the third quarter when Todd Krumm blocked Robbie Keen's punt and Tommie Stowers scooped it up and rambled in 29 yards.
A crowd of 38,104 jammed into Wald Stadium to watch Frankfurt (2-4) lose its fifth straight at home, dating back to last season. After Tracy Bennett's 22-yard field goal made it 31-0 midway through the third quarter, the Galaxy fans switched allegiances and cheered every gain by the Thunder.
The Thunder opened the scoring midway through the second quarter on Mitchell's 12-yard touchdown pass to Dennis Arey. Mitchell was 11 of 31 for 178 yards.
Riders 17, Fire 14
At San Marcos, Texas, San Antonio quarterback Mike Johnson threw for one second-quarter score and safety Chris Oldham returned an interception for another to lead the Riders to a win over Birmingham.
San Antonio raised its record to 5-1 and remains atop the North American West standings. Birmingham fell to 3-2-1.