Thunder Live | Early deficit

Fighting to keep their faint playoffs hopes, alive, the Thunder opened unimpressively against the Albany Conquest, trailing 13-0 at home before quarterback Glenn Gauntt had completed a pass.

Chris Curd, the Ursuline graduate who played for the University of Pittsburgh and was a member of the Columbus Destroyers of the Arena Football League in 2005, caught the Conquest's first touchdown pass then sprinted to the opposite end zone to toss the football to his family.

Thunder fans thought their team had a score late in the first quarter when Gauntt fired to Kenneth Johnson in the corner of the end zone. Johnson flew over the sideboard and disappeared. The official on the spot ruled Johnson did not have possession when he tumbled from sight.

One play later, Gauntt connected with wide receiver Chris Johnson for a touchdown that reduced the Conquest lead to 13-6.