Empire Earn First Win: by the Numbers
Published on May 6, 2018 under Arena Football League (AFL)
Albany Empire News Release
The Albany Empire (1-2) won their first game in franchise history last night against the Washington Valor (0-3) at the Times Union Center by a score of 47-23. The game started off even throughout the first quarter, but the Empire managed to take advantage of Valor turnovers and take the lead in the second quarter while never looking back.
SCORE BY QUARTER 1 2 3 4 FINAL
ALBANY 7 21 12 7 47
WASHINGTON 7 8 0 8 23
At the helm of the offense, Tommy Grady totaled 20 completions on 29 attempts for 221 yards and five touchdowns. Through three games, Grady has totaled 67 completions on 100 attempts for 733 yards and 16 touchdowns. Grady is tied for the league lead for passing touchdowns per game with 5.3 and second overall in yards per game with 244.3.
Grady spread the ball around to all his weapons completing touchdowns to 3 different receivers. Wide receiver Joe Hills caught 3 touchdown passes on 7 catches for 85 yards, compiling an impressive 7 receiving touchdowns, 18 receptions and 193 yards in just his first two games. Hills' seven touchdown receptions are tied for the league lead. Rookie standout Malachi Jones continued his AFL campaign last night totaling for 7 receptions for 62 yards and 2 touchdowns; 1 receiving and 1 rushing. Jones owns the team lead with 226 receiving yards on the season, a number that ranks fourth in the league. Veteran receiver Collin Taylor chipped in 5 receptions for 58 yards and 1 touchdown.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Empire were led by defensive back Marrio Norman who had 10 tackles, 2 interceptions and 1 touchdown on his way to being named Defensive Player of the Game. Norman leads the team in total tackles on the season with 20.5. Veteran defensive end Joe Sykes added another 2 sacks last night, adding two his league lead of 4 sacks on the season. Sykes also forced a fumble in the Empire's Week 4 victory, giving him 2 forced fumbles on the season, also leading the league.
The Empire covered the betting spread (-3.5) easily and thanks to solid defense by Albany, the score totaled up to only 70 points; nearly 30 points fewer than the over/under of 98.5 set by oddsmakers.
The next game for the Empire is a road matchup against the Valor in the Nation's Capital on Friday, May 11 at 7 pm in the Capital One Center.
Arena Football League Stories from May 6, 2018
- Empire Earn First Win: by the Numbers - Albany Empire
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