af2 week three Sunday matchups

April 14, 2007 - arenafootball2 (af2) News Release

SPOKANE SHOCK (1-1) AT FORT WAYNE FUSION (1-1)

SUNDAY, APRIL 15, 2007 - Allen County War Memorial Coliseum (12,500) 4:00 P.M. ET

The Shock (No. 8 in Coaches Poll) make their first road trip of the season for a Sunday afternoon affair against the expansion Fusion. Spokane saw its 10-game win streak (including playoffs) come to a close in Week 2 at home against Quad City, 60-45. It was also just the team's second loss at home in 12 games (including playoffs). Rookie QB ANDRICO HINES, who played well in Week 1, struggled against the Steamwheelers, throwing four interceptions. His shaky play gave way for MATT GUTIERREZ, who completed 9-of-15 passes for 133 yards, three TDs, and no interceptions. It will be interesting to see who starts this week against the Fusion. The Shock boast two of the top receivers in the af2 in ANTWONE SAVAGE and RAUL VIJIL, both of whom were key players in Spokane's ArenaCup title run in 2006. This year they've been just as consistent, ranking among the league leaders in receiving yards and touchdowns. Veteran DB ROB KEEFE leads the defense with two interceptions. The Fusion return home for their second game of the season at the Coliseum. Their team's most recent result was a 67-52 road loss to Bossier-Shreveport. In that contest, rookie QB CODY HODGES threw for 300 yards, but also threw three costly interceptions to Battle Wings defender Kendrick "Boss" Walker. Hodges has thrown 10 touchdowns through two games and also has 50 yards rushing and three rushing scores. Rookie WR JERMAINE JACKSON leads the squad with 17 catches for 165 yards and three TDs. DB NATHAN WILLIAMS leads the defense with 15.5 tackles. DL A.J. LINDSAY has 3.0 tackles for loss. This looks to be an intriguing matchup between two teams who don't want to see their records drop below the .500 mark.

SHOCK FUSION SERIES LEADER First time these two teams are meeting

LAST MEETING No previous meetings

LAST FIVE GAMES 4-1 1-1

LAST GAME Lost 45-60 vs. Quad City on 4/7 Lost 52-67 vs. Bossier-Shrev. on 4/7

2007 LEADERS SHOCK FUSION PASSING Hines: 58-40-5; 408; 6 TDs Hodges: 70-40-3; 427; 10 TDs

RECEIVING Savage: 21-235; 4 TDs Jackson: 17-165; 3 TDs

RUSHING Brown: 5-17; 2 TDs Hodges: 10-50; 3 TDs

TACKLES Teems: 10.0 Williams: 15.5

SACKS Three Players: 1.0 Three Players: 1.0

INTERCEPTIONS Keefe: 2 Williams and Maxwell: 1

KICKING Koker: 9-12 PAT; 1-2 FG; 12 PTs Weller: 5-8 PAT; 1-3 FG; 8 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 48.0 PPG; 293.0 YPG 44.0 PPG; 232.0 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 47.5 PPG; 274.5 YPG 47.5 PPG; 239.0 YPG

ARKANSAS TWISTERS (0-1) AT LUBBOCK RENEGADES (0-1)

SUNDAY, APRIL 15, 2007 - CITY BANK COLISEUM (6,928) 4:00 P.M. ET

The Twisters head to Lubbock this week for the first-ever af2 game at City Bank Coliseum where the expansion Renegades will be waiting. Arkansas is coming off a bye in Week 2 after suffering a 47-31 loss at South Georgia in Week 1. The Twisters are led by former backup QB turned starter BRIAN VILLANUEVA. In his first start, Villanueva threw for 301 yards, five touchdowns, and two interceptions. His receiving corps is a familiar cast with WR/LB KEVIN WILLIAMS, WR JON SCHOONOVER AND WR ROBERT KILOW back on board. The group is also bolstered by the addition of ERICK MCCOWN, who had a team-best 11 catches for 114 yards in Week 1, including one touchdown. Defensively, the team lost a lost a number of playmakers from 2006, names like Delenell Reid and C.J. McLain (both now with Tulsa) and Steve Watson (AFL - San Jose). DB PIERRE THOMAS had a solid first game against South Georgia with two interceptions. DL ERIC ANDERSON also performed well with 4.0 tackles and a sack. Lubbock's first af2 outing a week ago was a struggle, losing 61-26 at Amarillo. QB JUSTIN MIDGETT threw for 247 yards with two touchdowns, but also threw two interceptions, including one that was returned for a touchdown. WR/LB PRESTON HARTFIELD had a solid all-around game with a rushing touchdown, 6.5 tackles, including two for loss, and three pass breakups. DB JAMES MCCOY scored the first kick return touchdown in Renegades history with a 51-yard dash in the second quarter. He also posted 3.5 tackles and one pass breakup. Lubbock will need to be more efficient on offense and protect the football in order to be successful this week. If the Renegades do those things on Sunday, this contest will be a close call.

TWISTERS RENEGADES SERIES LEADER First time these teams are meeting

LAST MEETING No previous meetings

LAST FIVE GAMES 3-2 0-1

LAST GAME Lost 31-47 at So. Georgia on 3/31 Lost 26-61 at Amarillo on 4/6

2007 LEADERS TWISTERS RENEGADES PASSING Villanueva: 43-28-2; 301; 5 TDs Midgett: 39-17-2; 247; 2 TDs

RECEIVING McCown:11-114; 1 TD Hawkins: 7-67; 1 TD

RUSHING Freeney: 5-27; 0 TD Hartfield: 3-2; 1 TD

TACKLES Simpson: 10.0 Hartfield: 6.5

SACKS Anderson: 1 Scott: 1.0

INTERCEPTIONS Thomas: 2 None

KICKING Carlton: 1-5 PAT; 0-0 FG; 1 PT Toogood: 2-4 PAT; 0-1 FG; 2 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 31.0 PPG; 293.0 YPG 26.0 PPG; 248.0 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 47.0 PPG; 232.0 YPG 61.0 PPG; 231.0 YPG

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