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af2 week six Thursday night matchup

Published on May 2, 2007 under arenafootball2 (af2) News Release


TEXAS COPPERHEADS (1-3) AT ALABAMA STEELDOGS (2-2)

THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2007 - Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Complex (16,000) 8:00 P.M. ET

* Broadcast via B2 Networks

The Copperheads make the trip to Birmingham, Ala. this week their first-ever meeting with the Steeldogs in a matchup of one of the af2's new additions vs. one of the league's charter members. Texas is off to a bit of a slow start in its first month of af2 play, going 1-3. The Copperheads lone win came in Week 4 against fellow first-year club Corpus Christi. Texas' most recent result was a 65-27 road defeat at Lubbock. After trailing by just seven points at halftime, the Renegades outscored Texas 48-14 over the final 30 minutes of play. The Copperheads were hurt by five turnovers in the contest (3 fumbles, 2 INTs). WR JARROD FULLER led the team in the loss with 184 all-purpose yards, including 86 yards receiving and one touchdown on eight receptions. He is the team's top weapon so far in 2007 with 228 receiving yards and three TDs on 21 receptions. Miscues have hurt Texas in the early season. The Copperheads currently lead the league in total turnovers with 20 (9 fumbles, 11 interceptions). As a result, their offense has had trouble scoring points, averaging just 24.0 points per game (lowest average in af2). They will need to protect the football and protect QB TONY ECKERT to be successful against Alabama. The Steeldogs, currently ranked No. 16 in the latest Coaches Poll, is coming off a 57-33 Week 5 road loss at Tulsa. In that contest, Alabama scored on just five of 11 total possessions. Rookie QB Mitch Tanney, in his first af2 start, completed just 13-of-28 passes for 206 yards, five touchdowns and one interception. He was also sacked three times. He'll likely be more comfortable in the pocket this week against a Texas pass rush that isn't quite on par with Tulsa's. Leading the receiving corps is former AFL player MARKEITH COOPER (22 catches, 263 yards, 3 TDs). JON OLINGER and BRADLEY CHAVEZ are also weapons at Tanney's disposal. Tanney has completed 33-of-54 passes this season for 411 yards, 12 TDs and one interception. Defensively, DB ERIC OLIVER leads the squad in tackles with 24.0 tackles. If Texas limits its mistakes and keeps Eckert upright, the Copperheads won't make things easy for Alabama. The Steeldogs look to be just a bit better overall, however, especially at home where they're 2-0 this year.

TEXAS ALABAMA SERIES LEADER First Meeting

LAST MEETING No previous meeting

LAST FIVE GAMES 1-3 2-3

LAST GAME Lost 27-65 at Lubbock on 4/28 Lost 33-57 at Tulsa on 4/28

2007 LEADERS TEXAS ALABAMA PASSING Eckert: 114-58-10; 608; 8 TDs Kent: 88-44-2; 462; 5 TDs

RECEIVING Fuller: 21-228; 3 TDs Cooper: 22-263; 3 TDs

RUSHING Norton: 27-65; 1 TD Kent: 12-62; 3 TDs

TACKLES Williams: 15.0 Oliver: 24.0

SACKS George: 1.5 Daniel and DeBoise: 1.0

INTERCEPTIONS Abii: 2 Three players tied: 1

KICKING Gatto: 9-14 PAT; 1-11 FG; 12 PTs Hayes: 18-25 PAT; 2-8 FG; 24 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 24.0 PPG; 155.8 YPG 45.0 PPG; 233.8 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 53.2 PPG; 261.2 YPG 50.5 PPG; 303.5 YPG

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