Hard Luck \'Tide Take On League\'s Best in Week Eight

May 18, 2004 - arenafootball2 (af2)
San Diego Riptide News Release


SAN DIEGO - If you are a 1-5 team coming off two heartbreaking, last-second losses in a row, the last thing you want is to have to play the league's toughest team in your next game. That's exactly what the Riptide will have to do, however, when they take on the two-time af2 champion Quad City Steamwheelers this Saturday.

The ‘Tide dropped to 1-5 last week, falling to Bakersfield on a Brian Walker field goal as time expired. San Diego's last three losses have come by a combined seven points and all three have come down to the game's final play. Even the team's two earlier losses were close - the ‘Tide trailed by just three points in the fourth quarter of both – but none of that has translated into wins and San Diego is now tied for the worst record in the league, despite having only been outscored by their opponents by a total of just 10 points on the season.

Quarterback Kane Claunch turned in another stellar performance in Week 7, completing 23-of-37 passes for 294 yards and no picks en route to his second Offensive Player of the Game Award of 2004. He now ranks among the top 10 in af2 in total offense (7th-1489 yards), total offensive touchdowns (T-9th-31), passing yards-per-game (7th-245.8), pass yards-per-catch (10th-14) and passing touchdowns (7th-29). Claunch's history against Quad City may be some cause for concern, however, having completed just 27 of his 54 career attempts against the ‘Wheelers, including three interceptions and was benched in both games.

In Claunch's favor, however, is his plethora of downfield targets. The San Diego signal caller has connected with eight different receivers for touchdowns this season, including 12 to offensive specialist Dwight Carter. Carter has torched opposing defenses to the tune of 44 catches for 597 yards – both among the top 10 in the league. Carter's 113 yards in Week 7 against Bakersfield also moved him ahead of Marty Graham for first place on the Riptide's all-time list for career receiving yards.

Claunch, Carter and the rest of the ‘Tide offense may have a tougher time finding the end zone against Quad City, however. The Steamwheelers are the league's top ranked defense, allowing just 32.6 points per game. The Quad City defense is led by Matt Forbes, who currently ranks second in af2 in tackles, along with former Riptide player and San Diego State alum, Brian Berg, who ranks among the af2 top sack artists with three.

The Riptide defense, which had been extremely susceptible to the big play and had trouble forcing turnovers, finally turned things around last week. Ryan Smith, Rico Curtis and company held the Blitz to just 39 points, a season low for a Riptide opponent, and forced three turnovers in the game – all setting up San Diego scores.

They'll have to build on that performance if they hope to stop the Steamwheeler offense this week. Quad City, which averages 51 points-per-game, is led by QB Ronnie Gordon, who leads the league in total offense (1702 yards) and is in the top 10 in passing yards, completions and touchdown passes.

In addition to Berg, the Steamwheelers roster also features the Riptide's all-time leading scorer, kicker Ryan Geisler. Geisler is again among the league's top kickers, ranking fifth in scoring among kickers with 43 points.

Tickets are still available for this week's game against Berg, Geisler and the Steamwheelers by stopping by the Sports Arena box offices or logging on to Ticketmaster Online. Free Riptide ballcaps will be given to the first 3,000 fans, courtesy of Assil and Flowers Vision Center and all the action can be heard at www.WorldTalkRadio.com with Mark Rogondino calling the play-by-play.



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