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Barracudas Game Notes

April 17, 2002 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Pensacola Barracudas News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Pensacola Barraudas (0-1) vs. Birmingham Steeldogs (1-1)
Date: Saturday, April 20, 2002
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Site: Pensacola Civic Center Arena (8,118)
Officials: Marc Curles (Referee), Chris Hughes (Umpire), Dirk Bell (Head Linesman), Andy Britton (Line Judge), Rob Skelton (Back Judge)
Radio: WCOA 1370 AM
Craig Falanga (Play-by-play)
Greg Golden (Color Commentary)
Series Record: Pensacola leads 2-1
Last Meeting: Birmingham won 57-48
Streaks: Pensacola lost 1; Birmingham won 1
Coaches: Mike Buck (Career: 7-6, Season: 0-1)
Bobby Humphrey (Career: 20-15, Season: 1-1)

THE STAKES: Pensacola can pull into a tie for second place in the National Conference South with a win over divisional rival Birmingham. The Barracudas and Steeldogs meet twice this season. Both will have key playoff implications as the top two teams in each division make the post season.

THE SERIES: Pensacola leads the all-time series over Birmingham 2-1. The Barracudas took both games against the Steeldogs in 2000, but fell 57-48 in the teams' most recent meeting (6/2/01) in Birmingham.

THE IFs:
If Pensacola defeats Birmingham it would ...
•Give the Barracudas a 3-1 series record with Birmingham
•Give the Barracudas a 2-1 record in home openers
•Give Mike Buck his first win as the Barracudas head coach
•Give Pensacola a 2-1 record in home openers

HEAD COACHES: In his second season as head coach, Mike Buck returns to Pensacola where he served as offensive coordinator for the 2000 Barracudas playoff team. Last year Buck took the head coaching job in Norfolk four games into the season and led the 0-4 Nighthawks to a 7-5 record the rest of the way. Buck was a backup quarterback for the NFL's New Orleans Saints and Arizona Cardinals before taking up coaching.

Birmingham's Bobby Humphrey begins his third season as head coach of the Steeldogs after a career in the NFL with the Denver Broncos. Humphrey is a hometown hero having starred at tailback at the University of Alabama. Humphrey is 20-15 in his career with the Steeldogs taking them to the playoffs for the first time last season.

LAST SERIES MEETING: BIRMINGHAM 57–PENSACOLA 48
In its third road game in as many weeks Pensacola was also looking for its third straight victory. But the homestanding Birmingham Steeldogs had other plans jumping out to a 23-7 first quarter lead. Cedrick Buchanon returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown, Chris Windsor added a touchdown pass, and Montressa Kirby returned an interception for a touchdown, all in the first quarter. Two Husani Longstreet touchdown runs were all the Barracudas could muster as Birmingham opened up a 36-14 halftime lead. Pensacola made a late run putting up 28 points in the fourth quarter as Robert Stromas hauled in two touchdown passes and John Knust threw for two more TDs, but it was too little too late, as the Barracudas fell 57-48.

SERIES NOTABLES: Pensacola QB Bobby Clayton is 31 for 63 for 438 yards and 8 touchdowns in two games versus Birmingham. WR/LB Robert Stromas has scored on an interception return for a touchdown, a fumble recovery for a touchdown and a pass reception for a touchdown in three games against Birmingham.

FAMILIAR FACES: Barracudas play-by-play man Craig Falanga played college football at Samford University with Steeldogs WR/LB Anthony Jordan, K Brian Holmes, and roomed with FB/LB Jeff Hannah.

LEAGUE TOP 10s: Players from this week's matchup who rank among af2's statistical leaders: (Pensacola stats after week 1, Birmingham after week 2).

PENSACOLA BARRACUDAS INJURY REPORT:
Pos. Name Injury Status
FB/LB Bryan Hawthorne Hamstring Probable
OS Jerrian James Hand Probable
WR/DB Patrick Dyson Hamstring Probable

THIS WEEK'S QUOTES:

Head Coach Mike Buck, on Birmingham: "They look good. They have a lot of talented players. If we don't turn the ball over we have a good chance." Buck, on keys to victory: " The key to the game is not giving anybody extra possessions like we did and they did the first week"

Buck on the Barracudas QBs:"I thought they did a great job the first week. They played within the system, but both had fumbles which hurt. But overall they did a good job."

MILESTONES:

Stromas Stalking Receiving Records: WR/DB Robert Stromas, who already ranks as the leading tackler in Barracudas franchise history with 140 stops in his career, is now closing in on several receiving marks as well. Stromas is 196 yards away from the team's all time receiving mark set by Rodney Woodham in 2000 (1,074 yards). Stromas' 18 career receiving touchdowns leave him just five shy of Woodham's career mark, and his 72 career receptions are only 13 back of Woodham.

DROPBACK: Pensacola jumped out to an early 21-4 lead over Tallahassee behind two Robert Stromas touchdowns, but a scoreless third quarter and 42 unanswered points left the Barracudas in hole that was too big to climb out. Down 46-21 in the fourth quarter, Pensacola rallied for three touchdowns in the final eight minutes of play to make it close, but the Thunder hung on for the win, 46-41, dropping the Barracudas to 0-1 on the season.

FORWARD MOTION: Next week the Barracudas host new South Division rival Mobile in the Battle of the Bay. A win in that game and a win against Birmingham would give Pensacola a perfect division record.

TEAM NOTES/TRENDS:

Incredible QB's: Following week one of the regular season Pensacola's Josh Rogers was the top rated passer in the af2 with a 138.5 rating. Rogers and Bobby Clayton combined have the league's second highest team passer rating of 136.7. Clayton Climbng the Record Book: After sitting out the 2001 season, quarterback Bobby Clayton is adding to his career passing totals, already club records. Clayton is the team career leader in passing yards (3,311) and passing touchdowns (51).

Sack Prevention: In the first game of the season against Tallahassee the Barracudas did not give up a single sack. That's down greatly from last year when the ‘Cudas averaged allowing 1.8 sacks a game. Peeping out Pettis: In his af2 debut WR/DB Will Pettis registered in almost every statistical category. He is also among the league's top ten in receiving yards/ game, receptions, passes defended, and tackles.

PLAYERS/MATCHUPS TO WATCH:

Cudas WR/DB Robert Stromas: Will likely be the team leader in tackles, receptions, receiving yards and career touchdown catches by the time the season is over. Stromas already has two more touchdowns after week one. One came on a 56 yard kickoff return, and one on a four yard run. Barracudas DBs vs Steeldogs WRs: The Barracudas defensive backs were among the league leaders in tackles and passes broken up following week one of play. Birmingham OS Wayne Thomas leads the league in TD receptions and is in the top 10 in all other receiving categories.

Cudas WR/DB Will Pettis: In week one against Tallahassee, Pettis racked up 169 yards and two touchdowns on nine catches. He also made seven tackles broke up three passes, made an interception, and recovered a fumble.

KEY DATES IN TEAM/LEAGUE HISTORY:

4/20/01 Pensacola defeated Macon 45-42 in "The Tank" giving the Barracudas their first home win of the season 2001 season.

4/19/01 Mike Buck is signed by Norfolk as the team's new head coach.

4/19/00 Tulsa OL/DL David Camacho is signed by the NFL's Baltimore Ravens, making him the first af2 player to make the leap to the NFL.



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