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Memphis Xplorers game notes

June 17, 2005 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Memphis Xplorers News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Birmingham Steeldogs (1-9)
@ Memphis Xplorers (9-1)
Date: Saturday, June 18th
Kickoff: 7:05 p.m. CST
Site: DeSoto Civic Center
National Anthem: Millington Band
Coin Toss: Covington Pike Scion
Radio, The Mighty 790 WMC (Eric Hills, Keith Spann)
TV: None
Series Record: Birmingham leads series 3-1
Last Meeting: Memphis won 60-24 on April 23, 2005
Streaks: Memphis won five, Birmingham lost two
Coaches: Danton Barto (30-29, 4th Year)
Officials: Referee: Marc Curles; Umpire: Ben Young; Head Linesman: Dick Wittenburg; Line Judge: Chris Jamison; Back Judge: Brad Freeman

HE STAKES: The Memphis Xplorers look to pick up their tenth win of the season against a struggling Birmingham Steeldogs team. The Xplorers beat the Steeldogs in week three 60-24 in Birmingham.

THE SERIES: In the first three meetings between these two teams, the Steeldogs had the edge, winning all three contests. However, in week three Memphis traveled to Birmingham and beat the Steeldogs by 36 points.

THE Ifs:
If Memphis defeats Birmingham, it would ...
- Give the Xplorers a six game win streak.
- Make Memphis 5-0 on the season at home.
- Complete a season sweep of the Steeldogs.


HEAD COACH: In his fourth season behind the Xplorers bench, Head Coach Danton Barto guides a Memphis team in search of an ArenaCup. Barto has set a career mark of
30-29 for the Xplorers, which includes a 10-6 finish during the 2004 season, and a (0-1) record in the playoffs. In each of his previous three seasons as the Xplorers skipper, Barto has improved on the overall record of the year before. This is a trend that he will look to continue in 2005.


Memphis Xplorers (9-1)
Date Opponent Time Streak Results
4/3 @ Bossier 4:05 W1 63-24
4/8 @ Amarillo 7:05 W2 66-41
4/15 ARKANSAS 7:35 W3 54-13
4/23 @Birmingham 7:05 W4 60-24
4/30 @ Quad City 7:35 L1 42-45
5/7 OKLAHOMA CITY 7:05 W1 43-38
5/14 AMARILLO 7:05 W2 46-40
5/21 @ Albany 6:35 W3 73-53
6/4 @ Arkansas 7:05 W4 35-33
6/11 QUAD CITY 7:05 W5 61-54 (OT)
6/18 BIRMINGHAM 7:05 1-9
6/24 @ Oklahoma City 7:35 6-4
7/9 TULSA 7:05 7-3
7/16 MANCHESTER 7:05 9-1
7/23 @ Central Valley 9:35 5-5
7/30 BOSSIER 7:05 2-8
Date Opponent Streak Results

Birmingham Steeldogs (1-9)
Date Opponent Time Streak Results
4/9 SAN DIEGO 7:05 L1 57-58
4/14 @ Macon 7:35 L2 50-67
4/23 MEMPHIS 7:05 L3 24-60
4/30 @ Louisville 7:35 L4 46-48
5/7 SOUTH GEORGIA 7:05 L5 49-69
5/14 @ San Diego 7:35 L6 44-77
5/21 @ Arkansas 7:05 L7 60-61
5/28 GREEN BAY 7:35 W1 55-26
6/4 @ Florida 6:35 L1 40-56
6/11 LOUISVILLE 7:05 L2 61-69
6/18 @ Memphis 7:05 --- 9-1
6/24 @ Green Bay 7:35 --- 6-4
7/9 MACON 7:35 --- 4-6
7/16 @ South Georgia 7:35 --- 2-8
7/23 ARKANSAS 7:05 --- 1-9
7/30 FLORIDA 7:05 --- 9-1
Date Opponent Streak Results


LAST SERIES MEETING: Memphis dominated the Steeldogs throughout the entire game, and quickly silenced the home crowd. Kevin Prentiss earned Offensive MVP with four TDs, Dahnel Singfield won ADT Defensive MVP, and Scott Cunningham was the Army Ironman in a 60-24 victory.

SERIES NOTABLES: Birmingham won the first three meetings in this series, before losing in week three this season. Memphis and Birmingham have only played once at the DeSoto Civic Center, a game which the Steeldogs won 51-36.

LEAGUE TOP 10s: Players from this week's matchup who rank among af2's statistical leaders:
BIRMINGHAM
Player Rank Category Stat
Harris, Detronn 2 All Purpose Yds. 186.3
Harris, Detronn T-1 Kick Return TDs 4 TDs
Harris, Detronn 6 Receptions 71
Holmes, Devlon 4 Yards/Catch 17.1 yds
MEMPHIS
Player Rank Category Stat
Jones, Brian 2 Rushing Yards 185
Singfield, Dahnel 4 Interceptions 7 INTs
Prentiss, Kevin 1 All Purpose Yds. 204.8
Prentiss, Kevin 3 Scoring 186

TALE OF THE TAPE: Here's how MEMPHIS and BIRMINGHAM stack up: (2005)
Statistical MEMPHIS BIRMINGHAM
Category Rank Stat Rank Stat
Scoring Offense 3 54.9 10 48.6
Scoring Defense 2 36.5 20 59.1
Total Offense 10 265.0 9 266.2
Total Defense 5 234.9 7 258.2
Pass Offense 11 239.1 12 238.5
Pass Defense 4 211.4 8 242.3
Rushing Offense 5 25.9 4 27.7
Rushing Defense 15 23.5 4 15.9
Pass Rating 3 121.5 17 85.6
Pass Def. Rating 1 72.9 17 112.0
Kickoff Returns 1 22.8 15 17.5
MFG Returns Yards 17 10.5 7 17.5
Turnover Margin 1 +21 20 -15
Sacks By 1 23 9 12
Sacks Against T-11 13 19 20
First Downs 16 160 8 190
Opp. First Downs T-4 175 T-7 178
Penalty Yards 20 79.6 9 54.5
Opp. Penalty Yds 7 62.0 4 66.6
Red Zone Offense 6 82.5 17 73.5
Red Zone Defense 3 69.8 17 86.0


THIS WEEK'S QUOTES:
Coach Barto, on the last second field goal attempt by Quad City in the win last Saturday: "I thought to myself, oh no, here we go again. Fortunately he missed it."

Barto, on the play of Stephen Battle against Quad City: "Stephen was huge for us in that game. He made tremendous plays, and really stepped up his game."

Barto, on the overtime victory: "It was one of the most exciting games from a fans perspective. We really dug deep at the end, to force OT and then stepped it up to get the win."


MILESTONES: Kevin Prentiss has scored 186 points this season, and is currently second in the af2. He is on pace to break the single season scoring record of 284 points set by Shon King for Quad City back in 2000. Khreem Smith leads the Xplorers with 11.5 sacks this season. This is already a franchise record for the Xplorers.

DROPBACK: The Xplorers came back from a 13 point deficit late in the fourth quarter to force overtime against the Quad City Steamwheelers. In OT, the Xplorers scored first, converted the PAT, then intercepted Quad City in the endzone to win the game.

FORWARD MOTION: Memphis will travel to second place Oklahoma City for their second matchup of the season against the Yard Dawgz.

TEAM NOTES/TRENDS:

Turnovers: The Xplorers have the best turnover margin in the league at +21. On the other side of the ball, the Steeldogs have the worst TO margin at -15. This heavily favors Memphis.

Defense, Defense, Defense: The Xplorers allow the second least amount of points in the af2 at 36.5 per game. The Steeldogs on the other hand, allow the most in the league at 59.1 points per game. With Memphis scoring the third most points in the league, this is a huge advantage for the Xplorers.

Home Field: This season the Xplorers are undefeated at home. Birmingham is 0-5 on the road this year.


GAME MVP AWARD (selected by media)
Week Opp. Player
1 Bossier Brian Jones (Memphis)
2 Amarillo Kevin Prentiss (Memphis)
3 Arkansas Brian Jones (Memphis)
4 Birmingham Kevin Prentiss (Memphis)
5 Quad City Kevin Prentiss (Memphis)
6 Oklahoma City Brian Jones (Memphis)
7 Amarillo Kevin Prentiss (Memphis)
8 Albany Kevin Prentiss (Memphis)
10 Arkansas Brian Jones (Memphis)
11 Quad City Stephen Battle (Memphis)
12 Birmingham
13 Oklahoma City
15 Tulsa
16 Manchester
17 Central Valley
18 Bossier


GAME DEFENSIVE MVP AWARD (selected by media)
Week Opp. Player
1 Bossier Joe Wesley (Bossier)
2 Amarillo Khreem Smith (Memphis)
3 Arkansas Khreem Smith (Memphis)
4 Birmingham Dahnel Singfield (Memphis)
5 Quad City Scott Cunningham (Memphis)
6 Oklahoma City Dahnel Singfield (Memphis)
7 Amarillo Philip Perry (Memphis)
8 Albany Nate Grace (Memphis)
10 Arkansas CJ McLain (Arkansas)
11 Quad City Khreem Smith (Memphis)
12 Birmingham
13 Oklahoma City
15 Tulsa
16 Manchester
17 Central Valley
18 Bossier

GAME IRONMAN AWARD (selected by media)
Week Opp. Player
1 Bossier Terrance Quattlebaum (Mem)
2 Amarillo Terrell Adams (Memphis)
3 Arkansas Ryan Karr (Memphis)
4 Birmingham Scott Cunningham (Memphis)
5 Quad City Terrell Adams (Memphis)
6 Oklahoma City Ryan Karr (Memphis)
7 Amarillo Terrell Adams (Memphis)
8 Albany Terrell Adams (Memphis)
10 Arkansas Robert Kilow (Arkansas)
11 Quad City Tim Dodge (Quad City)
12 Birmingham
13 Oklahoma City
15 Tulsa
16 Manchester
17 Central Valley
18 Bossier



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