First-Place Showdown Set for Friday
March 30, 2011 - Ultimate Indoor Football League (UIFL)
Northern Kentucky River Monsters News Release
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, KY - It's safe to say, the Northern Kentucky River Monsters will need to play better this week than they have in the previous two weeks.
Despite scoring a league-high 79 points two weeks ago and tallying 62 in a win last week, the level of team rolling into the Bank of Kentucky Center is head and shoulders better. Northern Kentucky brings a 4-1 record into the game, however, the teams that have beaten combine for two wins.
The River Monsters, and their top-ranked offense, will face a stout challenge when the Huntington Hammer brings the league's top-ranked defense. Huntington (4-1) is coming off a game in which they held Johnstown to 16 points, and leads the UIFL - allowing 28.4 points per game.
The Hammer has never allowed more than 40 points in any game this season, while Northern Kentucky has scored under 62 points once in five games. The River Monsters tallied 33 points in their lone loss. Quarterback Jared Lorenzen was harassed all game during the loss, and Huntington brings a pressure packed defense that is second in the league with 19 sacks. The Hammer trails Northern Kentucky, which has 21; including 16 in the last two games.
Northern Kentucky's offense is led by Lorenzen, who leads the UIFL in passing yards with 264.2 yards per game. His 32 touchdowns are tied with Saginaw's Tommy Jones for the tops in the league. While Jones was able to touch up the Hammer for six passing scores, he only threw for 124 yards.
Lorenzen's former teammate with the Lexington Horsemen, Harry Lewis, has developed into his favorite scoring threat. Half of Lewis' 26 receptions have resulted in touchdowns as the receiver is ranked second in the UIFL with 13 touchdowns. He is coming off a game in which he tied a single-game record with five scoring receptions.
Defensively, the River Monsters will face a dual threat option at quarterback in Martavious Young. The former Southern Mississippi signal caller has really taken to the switch to shotgun. Following the switch, the Hammer offense has really taken off. Young has averaged 74.2 yards rushing in those three games, along with throwing for 10 touchdowns and one interception. In the two games prior, Young threw five interceptions against just two touchdowns.
Keeping Young in the pocket could be the key to slowing down the Hammer offense. Since the from under center, the signal caller is still only completing 46 percent (41-of-88) of his passing. However, it is still a vast improvement over the first two games when he completed a mere 32 percent.
The winner of the game will claim sole possession of first place in the UIFL, something that hasn't been done all season.
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Ultimate Indoor Football League Stories from March 30, 2011
- First-Place Showdown Set for Friday - Northern Kentucky River Monsters
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