Game Day Preview - West Texas Roughnecks Vs. Abilene Ruff Riders (5/22/10)
May 21, 2010 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
West Texas Roughnecks News Release
MIDLAND, TX. : Nine games have passed since the Roughnecks & Ruff Riders faced each other back in week one of the regular season. Things have certainly changed for both organizations since their first meeting as the Roughnecks stand at 3-7 sitting a half-game back of the final playoff spot in the Intense Conference. Following an 0-5 start, the Ruff Riders made a change at the Head Coaching position by releasing Gerald Dockery and bringing in Rodney Blackshear. Blackshear has led the Ruff Riders to a 2-3 record since taking over as Head Coach. This game marks the second of three meetings between both clubs and it is the final road game of the 2010 regular season for the Roughnecks.
The Roughnecks are coming off a 41-29 loss to the Arkansas Diamonds back on May 15. The Roughnecks came back from being down 24-6 to the Diamonds to make a 27-23 ball game. The Roughnecks had a chance to complete the come-from-behind win but the offense was unable to convert a fourth down and three situation in the fourth quarter, which eventually sealed the win for the Diamonds. The Roughnecks have three of their final four games of the regular season at home and each game is becoming a make or break situation. The Roughnecks will look to use the passing attack against the Ruff Riders defense and attempt to utilize the rushing game inside the red-zone. QB Tommy Jones has thrown for nearly 1,700 yards this season and he has done so by spreading the ball around to his targets in Ryan Bugg, Steve Bergeski and Josh Floyd. Floyd has posted 17 receptions for 244 yards and four touchdowns in his last three games. The Roughnecks will additionally have center Dustin Washburn back on the offensive line to help the offensive unit.
The Ruff Riders are coming off a 47-20 win over the Austin Turfcats back on May 15. The Ruff Riders defense was able to produce four turnovers as the offensive unit posted 263 total yards with 51 yards coming on the ground from RB Carlos Alsup. The Ruff Riders have had several changes at the quarterback position over the course of the season, recently, Robert Kent has been productive from the position and look for him to use short-yardage passing schemes against the Roughnecks defense on Saturday.
Abilene will be looking to avenge a 36-33 loss to the Roughnecks in their previous meeting back on March 6. In that game, Roughnecks LB Johnny Anderson blocked a late Abilene field goal attempt as Eric Henri recovered the loose ball in the end-zone for the go-ahead score. Tommy Jones was intercepted four times in that game and the Roughnecks had issues with the snap transitions. The Ruff Riders will look to blitz and pressure Jones throughout the course of the ball game and DB Darvin Peterson will be a factor in the secondary against the strong Roughnecks passing attack.
The Roughnecks defense has been playing solid and the defensive line has been the key with Jermaine Blakely & James Vess up front. The defensive line will be the key to containing the Ruff Riders running game. Look for the Roughnecks to switch Eric Henri around at linebacker as the Roughnecks added former Georgia rover back Antonio Sims this week to bring depth to the secondary. This game could be decided based upon the turnover battle and the efficiency of the Roughnecks passing game, but the play of both defensive units will set the tone of this rivalry match-up.
Game Time / Location: 7:00 p.m. Kickoff - Taylor County Expo Center in Abilene, TX
Broadcast: 95.1 BOB FM (6:40 start)
Online: BOB FM - www.boblivesintexas.com / B2 Networks - www.b2livetv.com
Next Week: West Texas Roughnecks vs. Corpus Christi Hammerheads (Saturday, May 29, 2010) - Ector County Coliseum, Odessa, TX
Abilene Ruff Riders vs. Amarillo Venom (Saturday, May 29, 2010) - Taylor County Expo Center, Abilene, TX
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