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LA KISS Look Beat the Steel for the Second Time this Month

May 27, 2016 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Los Angeles KISS News Release


This Saturday the LA KISS (3-4) look to get back into the win column and send the Steel from the sunny beaches of SoCal back to the rainy forests of Portland with a loss for the second time in four weeks. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 pm and the game will be available to be watched online via ESPN3/WatchESPN.

This is Portland's seventh and final game of their current seven-game road trip, where they have traveled over 26,000 miles and spent more than 61 hours of total flight time. Portland is hungry to get into the win column for the first time this season and gain momentum for their second home game of the season, which is their first since Week 1.

Last week, rested after their Week 7 bye, the LA KISS went into Arizona's Snake Pit and were defeated with a score of 47-34. No team led by more than two scores for the entirety of the hard-fought matchup. Collins had a career night; he set his career game highs in receiving yards (135) and receiving touchdowns (three), while his eight receptions tied his career-game-high (last: 2016 Week 2 vs. Arizona). In addition, his 47-yard touchdown reception from Thomas, to open the second half, was the LA KISS' longest play from scrimmage this season.

Clevan Thomas reached a significant career milestone while in Arizona last week. After his interception in the first quarter, he became only the second player in AFL history to reach 80 career interceptions. Thomas is now only 17 interceptions shy of tying "The Glove" Kenny McEntyre's all-time interception record of 97.

Both teams suffered costly injuries in their Week 8 defeats. The LA KISS lost both their starting quarterback and tight end, Nathan Stanley and Colin Madison. The Steel lost two of their top receivers; Jabin Sambrano suffered a hamstring injury and Christian Wise left the game with a stinger.

Pete Thomas filled in for Stanley and performed admirably in his first time running an AFL offense. He threw for 214 yards, completing 13 of 27 pass attempts, and three touchdowns.

Since being activated from the "Other League Exempt" list, Portland Steel quarterback Shane Austin has been an offensive catalyst. In his first start in Week 7 against the Cleveland Gladiators, the former "Second-Team All Arena" award winner set Portland AFL game-highs by completing 36 of 56 pass attempts for 363 yards and six touchdowns. However, his performance wasn't enough to get the Steel into the win column as the Gladiators bested them in overtime.

The LA KISS defensive backs will have to focus on Tom Gilson, who has continued to thrive in Portland. He currently leads the Steel with 71 receptions this season, 33 more than anyone else on the team. Additionally, in the two games since Austin has been the quarterback, he has totaled 29 receptions for 295 yards.

The Steel don't want to go back to Portland without a win, so this is sure to be another back-and-fourth gritty AFL game! It will be sure to feature a ton of hard-hits and spectacular passes! Make sure you don't miss out!

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