In Moe Leggett’s head coaching debut, the Albany Empire continued their losing ways on Friday night.
Former Albany quarterback Jonathan Bane threw for four touchdowns before leaving with an injury and ex-Empire wide receiver Darius Prince had eight receptions for 130 yards and a pair of scores as the Orlando Predators trounced the Empire 68-24 at Amway Center in Orlando, Fla.
The Empire (1-6) lost their sixth straight game and for the first time under Leggett, who retired from playing for the Empire last Friday and became the team’s fourth head coach this season. He replaced Pete Porcelli, who was demoted to line coach.
The results didn’t change as Albany fell behind 25-0 after one quarter and 48-12 at halftime.
Efforts to reach Leggett after the game were unsuccessful.
Albany quarterback Roland Rivers III had two interceptions returned for touchdowns in the first half. He finished 8 for 19 for 86 yards with one touchdown and four interceptions.
Empire wide receiver Fabian Guerra provided the only first-half highlights with a leaping grab in the back of the end zone for a 2-yard touchdown and a kickoff return for a score on the final play of the first half.
Bane was injured with 9:15 left in the fourth quarter. Albany linebacker Kerry Starks was flagged for roughing the passer and ejected after the play.
The officials went to a running clock after that. The game ended with Empire backup quarterback Jeffree Legree being ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct after shoving an Orlando player. Predators coach Herkie Walls led both teams in a postgame prayer on the field for Bane.
The Empire have lost their past three games by a combined 111 points. They haven’t won since a 70-33 home victory over Orlando in the April 16 opener at MVP Arena, when Tom Menas was still head coach, Prince was an Albany receiver and Sam Castronova was the quarterback.
Albany returns to action against Jacksonville next Saturday at MVP Arena. Empire owner Antonio Brown, the former All-Pro wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers, has said he’s going to play in that game. However, he said that before Albany’s last home game and didn’t play in a 49-27 home loss to Fayetteville on May 27.