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Mohegan Wolves Game Notes

June 23, 2003 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Mohegan Wolves News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Mohegan Wolves (8-3) at Albany Conquest (9-2)
Date: 6/28/03
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
Site: Pepsi Arena (13,901)
National Anthem: n/a
Coin Toss: n/a
Officials: n/a
Radio: Webcast on www.albanyconquest.com
TV: none
Series Record: Albany leads 3-1.
Last Meeting: MOHEGAN 52, Albany 45 (April 18, 2003)
Streaks: Wolves W 4, Conquest L 1
Coaches: Mark Stoute (8-3, first season) Pete Costanza (13-14 overall, first season with Albany)

THE STAKES: This is the 12th game of the season for the Wolves and Conquest. A Wolves victory would make them 9-3 overall and 2-0 against Albany in 2003. A Wolves win would also move them into a first-place tie with the Conquest in the Northeast Division. A Mohegan victory would also extend the team's current win streak, which stands at four games.

THE SERIES: Tonight's game is the fifth all-time meeting between the Wolves and Conquest. Albany currently leads the series, 3-1. The Wolves earned their first win against Albany on April 18 (52-45) after suffering three losses to the Conquest in 2002.

THE Ifs:

If Mohegan defeats Albany, it would ...
· Give Mohegan a 2-3 series record against the Conquest
· Give Mohegan a 9-3 record in 2003
· Give Mark Stoute a 9-3 record as coach of the Wolves and a 9-3 overall record as an af2 coach

HEAD COACHES: In his first season as an af2 head coach, Mark Stoute is leading the Wolves through their second season of af2 play. For the last two seasons, Stoute coached the AFL's Toronto Phantoms. Stoute's best year was in 2001 when he led Toronto to an 8-6 regular season record and the Eastern Division Championship.

Albany's Pete Costanza is in the midst of his first season as head coach of the Conquest. Costanza replaced 2002 af2 Coach of the Year, Ron Selesky, who accepted a position with the Tampa Bay Storm (AFL). In 2002, Costanza coached the Columbus Wardogs (af2) of the American Conference-Eastern Division. He inherited a 0-16 club from 2001 and improved their record to 4-12, while having the fifth-ranked defense in the league.

LAST SERIES MEETING: MOHEGAN 52, Albany 45 Uncasville, Conn. (April 18, 2003) – The Mohegan Wolves defense withheld a late rally by Albany to pull out a narrow 52-45 win over the Conquest at Mohegan Sun Arena. The game was tightly contested from start to finish. Trailing 52-45 with just 50 seconds to play, Albany had its final drive halted at the Mohegan 18-yard line after QB Ryan Vena's fourth-down pass to OS Corey Hill was broken up by Wolves WR/DB Anthony Comer. With the victory, Mohegan stays perfect on the season at 3-0 overall (3-0 in the Northeast Division). Mohegan QB Ryan Tracey completed 9-of-17 passes for 153 yards and four touchdowns to earn Game MVP honors. The Wolves also swept the two other awards given out on the night. WR/DB Lance Small was named Ironman of the Game for his impressive two-touchdown performance. Small scored twice in the second quarter in a span of just 23 seconds. His first touchdown came on an 11-yard fumble recovery while his second came by way of a 25-yard pass from Tracey. Mohegan FB/LB LaJhon Jones earned the ADT Defensive Player of the Game with two tackles for loss, including one sack and one forced fumble. Albany had some impressive showings all around as well. Vena completed 23-of-39 passes for a game-high 247 yards and four touchdowns while Hill thrilled with game- high totals in three categories, catches (12), yards receiving (131) and return yards (144). Hill also had 3 touchdowns, two receiving and one on a 51-yard kickoff return.

SERIES NOTABLES: This is the fifth all-time meeting between the two clubs and second of 2003. Albany leads the series, 3-1. The Wolves won the most recent matchup on April 18, 52-45. Last year the Conquest took all three contests from Mohegan.

FAMILIAR FACES: Conquest WR/DB Phil Taylor played for Mohegan head coach Mark Stoute in 2001 when he was the head coach of the Toronto Phantoms (AFL).

MILESTONES:

· 12th game of second season for Wolves
· 12th af2 game for Wolves' coach Mark Stoute
· Wolves gunning for their third consecutive road win and fifth consecutive win overall

DROPBACK: Twelfth game of the season. Wolves are currently 8-3 overall (5-1 home, 3-2 road). Last time out on June 21, Mohegan defeated the expansion Cincinnati Swarm, 38-24. The win coupled with Albany's loss at Norfolk moved the Wolves up to just one game back of the Conquest in the Northeast Division standings. FORWARD MOTION: Mohegan returns home to tackle the Bossier City Battle Wings on Saturday, July 5. This will be the first-ever meeting between the two clubs. Bossier City is currently 3-9 overall.

TEAM NOTES/TRENDS:

Sacks Piling Up: A year after recording just 18 sacks in 16 games, the Mohegan Wolves are currently fifth in the league with 22 in 2003. Last year's total was one of the lowest in the league (T-29th).

New Haven's Best: New Haven's loss has turned into Mohegan's gain. Five of the Ninjas' top performers from 2002 have joined the Wolves in 2003. With the Ninjas going dark this season, players Cy Butler, Anthony Comer, Kazmell Minott, Allistair Sebastien, and LaJhon Jones have all played a big part in Mohegan's 7-3 record. Another New Haven player, DS Damon Richardson, is also on the Wolves roster and has played in two games this year.

Long Haul-in In Touchdowns: Rookie OS Mel Long has been the Wolves most outstanding offensive performer so far this season. His best showing came in Mohegan's 51-36 road victory at Norfolk on 5/31. Long proved lethal against the Nighthawks, catching a career-best four touchdowns. He currently leads the Wolves in receptions (43), yards receiving (645) and touchdown receptions (15). He also leads the team in scoring with 92 points (15 TDs, 1 2-Pt conversion).

Jones In A Rush: A year after not having one carry as part of the New Haven Ninja offense, Wolves FB/LB LaJhon Jones has been Mohegan's best running back in 2003. His most impressive performance to date came in the Wolves 55-22 win vs. W-B/Scranton on June 14. In that contest, Jones scored two rushing touchdowns and one receiving touchdown. Just 11 games through the regular season, the former Rhode Island standout has already set two team records - most yards rushing in a season (153) and most rushing touchdowns in a season (11).

PLAYERS/MATCHUPS TO WATCH:

Wolves Receivers: From 1-4, the Wolves have some of the sharpest receivers in the league. QB Rob Harding doesn't have one go-to guy – he has four. Mel Long leads the pack with 645 yards receiving and 15 touchdowns. Kazmell Minott, Cy Butler and Anthony Comer, however, are always a threat to go deep as well.

Wolves QB Rob Harding: The rookie from Mississippi Valley State looked a bit rusty last Saturday against Cincinnati, but still commanded the Wolves to a well-earned 38-24 win. It was Harding's first start since Mohegan's season opener on April 5. The 6-foot-3-signal caller sat out 10 weeks while recovering from a knee injury suffered in game one. If he plays a solid game, the Wolves should be in good shape.

Wolves OL/DL vs. Conquest OL/DL: This battle in the trenches should play a major factor in the outcome of Saturday's game. Each team boasts a strong front three on both sides of the ball. Whichever team can impose its will on the other will most likely win out.

KEY DATES IN TEAM HISTORY:

· July 19, 2001: Mohegan Sun Arena and Dr. Eric Margenau announce agreement to bring af2 to southeastern Connecticut

· Nov. 1, 2001: 1st Season Tickets sold, Margaret Lidden becomes first Wolves Season Ticket holder

· Dec. 12, 2001: Team Name and logo unveiled

· Dec. 12, 2001: Jeff Cogell, Randy Hart, Greg Gildea and Mike Thomas become first Mohegan Wolves signees

· Mar. 7, 2002: Opening night April 5 vs. the Albany Conquest dubbed "Pride of America Night"

· Aug. 8, 2002: Wolves OL/DL Jeff Cogell wins the prestigious af2 "Built Ford Tough Man of the Year" Award after leading the Wolves in sacks (7.5) in their inaugural season

· Nov. 13, 2002: Wolves announce the hiring of Connecticut resident and AFL coaching veteran Mark Stoute as the second coach in team history

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