ROSTRAVER TWP. - The Pittsburgh Passion had accomplished the unthinkable through seven weeks of their inaugural season in the National Women's Football Association, playing competitive football in each game and winning two contests.
Coach Larry Camerota wanted to close the season the way it started, when the Passion had defending division champion Baltimore on the ropes before falling 7-0.
But Columbus running back Shelly Gates made sure the Passion got its first taste of being an expansion team by handing Pittsburgh (2-6) its first blowout loss.
Gates galloped for a career high 311 yards on 28 carries, leading the Flames to a 57-15 massacre over Pittsburgh at James Weir Stadium Saturday night.
"This is not the way we wanted to go out," Camerota said. "I know we're a much better football team than this."
The Passion's defense had no answer for Gates, a powerful runner with speed.
"This is the worst we tackled all season," Camerota said. "She's a very good runner, and I give her credit, but we played our worst game tonight."
Columbus (5-3) opened the scoring on its first possession when quarterback Crystal Davis hit tight end Erin Taylor for a 65-yard touchdown strike on third-and-11. The Passion struggled with the Flames' spread offense, particularly in third-and-long situations.
Pittsburgh quarterback Lisa Horton, who finished with 131 yards passing, fumbled at the Columbus 20, and it did not take the Flames long to strike again.
After three Gates runs gave Columbus a first down, the tailback busted through the left side of Pittsburgh's defense on her way to a 61-yard run.
Down 14-0, the Passion struck back when Horton's pass deflected into the hands of tight end Kathryn Sullivan for a 28-yard touchdown. But Gates was just getting warmed up, and carried six times for 59 yards on Columbus' next drive, finishing it off with a 30-yard score on third and nine.
Pittsburgh committed seven turnovers, and none were costlier than Ashley Solum's interception of Horton three plays into Pittsburgh's next drive.
Gates would again score from 30 yards out, giving Columbus a commanding 29-8 lead.
But the Passion, displaying by far its most aggressive game plan of the season, marched deep into Columbus territory moments before halftime. Horton hit Sullivan for another touchdown with 21 seconds left in the half, cutting the Flames lead to 29-15.
Pittsburgh received the ball to start the second half, and were enjoying a productive drive until running back Mandy McLuckie fumbled at the Columbus 41. Gates and the Flames dominated the rest of the game, ultimately gaining 305 more yards (534-229) than Pittsburgh.
Each Pittsburgh possession for the game's duration ended in either a turnover or loss of downs.
Camerota objected to Columbus inserting Gates back onto the field with six minutes remaining, and the game very much over.
Gates rushed for 29 yards on two carries in the game's final minutes, putting her over the 300-yard mark.
"I don't understand that," Camerota said. "Sometimes you have to show a little bit of class."
Despite Saturday's setback, Camerota is pleased with the Passion's first season.
"These girls work so hard," he said. "I'm very proud of this team. We very easily could have been 6-2 instead of 2-6. This team will keep getting better."
NOTES: Sullivan became the first player in Passion history to top the 100-yard receiving mark, catching five passes for 108 yards and two touchdowns.
