Memphis wins over South Georgia
June 24, 2006 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Memphis Xplorers News Release
SOUTHAVEN --- The Memphis Xplorers (9-3) avenged an earlier season loss to South Georgia (1-11) with an 81-53 victory over the Wildcats Saturday night at the DeSoto Civic Center. The Xplorers' 81 points were the second-most in team history. Quarterback Brian Jones threw just one incomplete pass as he went 22 of 23 for 281 yards to go with a career high and team record tying eight touchdown passes.
Both teams' offenses were clicking in the first half. Memphis scored on all six of its possessions while the Wildcats converted on five of seven.
The biggest play of the half, and possibly the game, came on the final play of the first half. With Memphis leading 40-34, South Georgia lined up for a 28 yard field goal attempt with :04 remaining. Dan Burnett's kick went wide left. Memphis' Deon Giddens caught the ball off the net, turned and ran it 57 yards for a touchdown and a 47-34 Xplorers lead at the half.
It was a lead that the Xplorers would not give up as they outscored the Wildcats 34-19 in the second half.
South Georgia QB Julian Reese was harassed all game long by a stepped-up Memphis pass rush. Reese completed 18 of 36 passes for 202 yards and five touchdowns.
Xplorers OS Kevin Prentiss caught nine passes for 143 yards and three touchdowns, including the 100th TD reception of his career. Prentiss also returned his all-time af2 leading 14th kickoff return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Wildcats OS Chris McKinney, who came into the game third in the league with 94 receptions, caught 10 balls for 114 yards and four scores.
The Xplorers improve to 9-3, but remain a half game behind the first place Florida Wildcats in the South Division. The Wildcats defeated Birmingham 60-27 on Saturday night. Memphis plays three of their final four games on the road beginning with next Friday's game at Macon at 6:30 CDT.
South Georgia fell for the sixth straight game and will host Bossier-Shreveport next Saturday.
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