Albany Drops Season Opener At Mahoning Valley
April 2, 2008 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Albany Firebirds News Release
Conquest Head Into Bye Week Before Home Opener April 13th
2008 Record: 0-1 (0-0 Home, 0-1 Road); Streak: Lost 1
Week 1 Recap:
March 29, 2008 Albany 33 @ Mahoning Valley 59
The Conquest opened their seventh season of af2 football on Saturday, March 29th against the Mahoning Valley Thunder at the Chevrolet Centre in Youngstown, Ohio. Things got off to an ominous start as Mahoning's Henry Tolbert ran back the opening kickoff for a 50-yard return for a touchdown and an instant lead. But new starting quarterback Dan Cole led Albany into the trenches and grinded out a 26-23 lead at half time. Conquest wide receiver Jared Jones scored his third touchdown of the game when he recovered a Cole fumble on the opening drive of the third quarter and ran it in for a ten point Conquest lead. But the Thunder struck back with 36 unanswered points and shut down Albany's offense, holding them without a score on their last five possessions for a 59-33 Mahoning win.
Week 2 Preview:
Albany's first of two bye weeks comes in Week 2, giving the team an opportunity to collect themselves and regroup for the team's home opener on Sunday, April 13th when they host the expansion Peoria Pirates for a 4:00 pm kickoff at the Times Union Center.
Week 2 Schedule:
(All games are broadcast LIVE on 88.3 FM The SAINT and on the Internet at www.albanyconquest.com)
BYE WEEK
Next Game:
NEXT GAME - Sunday, April 13th, 4:00 pm, HOME vs. Peoria Pirates
River Rats Player of the Week: (Week 1)
Jared Jones - WR - #6 179 total yards - 3 TDs
Jared Jones began the season in fine form, proving to be a formidable threat to Mahoning Valley's defense. Jones caught a game-high 11 passes for 139 yards and two touchdowns, including a career-long 30-yard touchdown strike from Dan Cole in the final minute of the first half. Jones also scored the Conquest's only touchdown of the second half, recovering a Dan Cole fumble and running it into the end zone from four yards out. Jones led both teams with 179 all-purpose yards and ranks 2nd in af2 in receptions after Week 1.
Conquest Arrows:
- GUN SLINGER - QB Dan Cole set single game career-highs by throwing for 276 yards and four touchdowns at Mahoning Valley, breaking previous af2 bests of 160 yards and 2 touchdowns set on July 27, 2007 vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
- A CAREER DAY - Jared Jones made a statement in the 2008 season opener, setting af2 career highs in catches (11), receiving yards (139), receiving touchdowns (2), total touchdowns (3), all-purpose yards (179) and longest reception (30).
- WRINKLES IN THE LINE - Albany struggled to protect their quarterback in the second half at Mahoning Valley. Conquest QB Dan Cole was sacked four times for 20 yards, including once for a safety in the closing minutes of the third quarter.
- BY THE NUMBERS - Although they lost the season opener in Ohio, Albany did lead the game in first downs (18), passing yards (256), total offense (267), and time of possession (31:03).
- WINLESS AGAINST THE THUNDER - Albany's season opening loss at Mahoning Valley gave them a 0-3 record against the Thunder in three all-time meetings (2007-2008). The Conquest will have two more opportunities to break through the winless streak against Mahoning Valley, hosting them in Week 5 at the Times Union Center on April 26th and again in Week 10 at the Chevrolet Centre on May 31st.
Albany Conquest Team Leaders:
Passing
-Attempts: Dan Cole (47)
-Completions: Dan Cole (22)
-Percentage: Dan Cole (46.8%)
-Yards: Dan Cole (276)
-Touchdowns: Dan Cole (4)
-Long: Dan Cole (38)
Receiving
-Receptions: Jared Jones (11)
-Yards: Jared Jones (139)
-Touchdowns: Jared Jones (2)
-Yards/Catch: Vernard Abrams (14.0)
-Yards/Game: Jared Jones (139.0)
-Long: Vernard Abrams (38)
Rushing
-Attempts: Dan Cole (4)
-Yards: Dan Cole (6)
-Touchdowns: None (0)
-Yards/Carry: Jared Jones (3.0)
-Yards/Game: Dan Cole (6.0)
-Long: Dan Cole (4)
Kick Returns
-Attempts: Jared Jones (3)
-Yards: Jared Jones (31)
-Touchdowns: None (0)
-Yards/Return: Jared Jones (10.3)
-Yards/Game: Jared Jones (31.0)
-Long: Jared Jones (12)
Field Goals
-Attempts: None (0)
-Kicks Made: None (0)
-Percentage: None (0)
-Long: None (0)
Kickoffs
-Attempts: Jason Fralicker (7)
-Yards: Jason Fralicker (327)
-Yards/Kick: Jason Fralicker (46.7)
-Touchbacks: Jason Fralicker (1)
Defense
-Tackles: Brandon Taylor (6.0)
-Solo Tackles: Brenton Brady & Brandon Taylor (5)
-Sacks: Brenton Brady & Brandon Taylor (1)
-Tackles For Loss: Brenton Brady & Brandon Taylor (1)
-Interceptions: None (0)
-Pass Breakups: Aharon Kiett (2)
-Forced Fumbles: None (0)
-Blocked Kicks: None (0)
East Division Standings:
(AMERICAN CONFERENCE)
Team W L PCT Home Road
Mahoning Valley 1 0 1.000 1-0 0-0
Albany 0 1 .000 0-0 0-1
WB/Scranton 0 1 .000 0-0 0-1
Manchester 0 0 .000 0-0 0-0
The Conquest have a bye week in Week 2 and will return to action for their home opener on Sunday, April 13th at 4:00 pm against the expansion Peoria Pirates at the Times Union Center.
Full and partial season ticket packages are now on sale for the 2008 Albany Conquest
regular season. For more information please contact the Conquest at (518) 487-2244
or online at www.albanyconquest.com
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