Conquest Defeat Steeldogs, 56-47

Published on May 24, 2003 under arenafootball2 (af2)
Albany Firebirds News Release


Albany, NY -- Game MVP Ryan Vena threw five touchdowns and ran for another, as the Albany Conquest defeated the Birmingham Steeldogs, 56-47, in front of 5,296 fans at the Pepsi Arena Friday night. With the win, Albany maintained its lead in the Northeast Division over the Mohegan Wolves.

Vena completed 19-of-27 pass attempts for 318 yards and five touchdowns, while rushing for eighteen yards on six carries. OS Corey Hill caught a game high 12 passes for 141 yards and a touchdown, while racking up another 80 yards on kick returns.

Albany (6-1) got on the board in the first quarter when OL/DL Nick Anderson recovered a fumble in the endzone for a safety and a 2-0 lead. Then Vena found Ironman of the Game WR/LB Adriel Linyear for the first of his two scores on the night, this one from 39 yards out to give the home team a 9-0 lead.

The two teams then traded scores for the next two and a half quarters. Birmingham's (3-4) WR/LB Anthony Jordan caught three Chris Windsor touchdown passes, compiling a team high five receptions for 121 yards. Windsor, playing in his second game back since the 2001 season, completed 14-of-24 passes for 197 yards and five touchdowns of his own.

Albany OL/DL Spencer Conley was named ADT Defensive Player of the Game, grabbing 3.5 tackles (three unassisted and 1.5 for loss), forced and recovered a crucial third quarter fumble, and registered his fifth sack of the season. Conley came into the game tied for 2nd in af2 in sacks. FB/LB Ron Perry also had a big game, rushing for 11 yards and a touchdown, while registering 1.5 tackles and a sack on defense.

Conquest international member, Japan's Yuichi Watanabe, made his first career interception and ran it back 25 yards in the first quarter to halt a Steeldogs' scoring opportunity.

Albany returns to the Pepsi Arena next Saturday, May 31st, to take on the Rochester Brigade (1-6) at 7:30 PM. The Tailgate on Pearl Street begins at 5 PM and tickets are available by visiting www.albanyconquest.com or at any Ticketmaster outlet. Tonight's game will be re-broadcast tomorrow at 12:00 Noon on Time Warner Cable (Ch. 2 in Albany, Ch. 14 in Schenectady and Ch. 11 Pittsfield).



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