Atlanta Legends lose first game to Spurrier, Orlando

Orlando Apollos coach Steve Spurrier reacts after a play during the second half of the team's Alliance of American Football game against the Atlanta Legends on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Credit: Phelan M. Ebenhack

Credit: Phelan M. Ebenhack

Orlando Apollos coach Steve Spurrier reacts after a play during the second half of the team's Alliance of American Football game against the Atlanta Legends on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

The Atlanta Legends lost their first game in the Alliance of American Football Saturday night.

The Legends lost at Orlando 40-6.

The Apollos are coached by former college legend Steve Spurrier.

The Legends did score the first points in league history. On the first drive, kicker Younghoe Koo capped a 15-play, 62-yard surge with a 38-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead.

In the second quarter, the Apollos outscored the Legends by 19.

“Overall, our guys gave effort, but we just didn’t execute like we were supposed to do,” Legends coach Kevin Coyle said. “That is the thing that hurts. We have to figure out how to get it right for next week.”

The Legends mustered 224 total yards (80 rushing and 144 passing) and were 4-for-13 on third downs. Quarterback Matt Simms started and finished 15-for-28 for 126 yards and 2 interceptions.

Simms started with four straight completions on his first drive. He connected with receivers Seantavius Jones and Bug Howard early in the first quarter.

Jones led the Legends with 3 catches and 43 yards. Howard had 4 catches for 34 yards. Running back Tarean Folston had 12 carries for 32 yards.

The Apollos’ stingy defense held up against the Legends. Linebacker Terence Garvin intercepted Simms twice and sealed the game with a 51-yard interception return in the fourth quarter. Garvin had 11 tackles and 2 passes defensed.