Mustangs That Lead the Pack
June 14, 2012 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Milwaukee Mustangs News Release
MILWAUKEE (June 14, 2012) - This week the Milwaukee Mustangs take on the Pittsburgh Power, who are coming off a win by forfeit against Cleveland last week. Pittsburgh is well-rested, but Milwaukee has the talent and determination to defeat the Power for the second time this season and stay in the playoff hunt.
JACK-OF-ALL-TRADES
Marcus Everett (6'2, 205, UCLA) has been playing receiver and jack linebacker for the Mustangs since 2010. In Week 3 of the 2012 season, he tallied a receiving touchdown, a rushing touchdown and an interception return for a touchdown in the Mustangs road win at New Orleans that earned him JLS Ironman of the Week. In Week 8, he caught four touchdown passes on offense while playing the whole game at jack and was later named National Guard MVP of the Week.
"It's a little different than how it used to be," Everett said. "There aren't many players in the league who actually play offense and defense. I feel athletic enough to do both. I have a defensive mentality, but I played receiver in college."
Last week in Milwaukee, Everett intercepted two passes in the third quarter against Philadelphia, returning one for a touchdown. It was his third interception return for a score on the season. The ability and willingness to play multiple positions is a key reason why Everett is on this year's list of candidates for JLS Ironman of the Year.
HOME RUN HITTER
Kelvin Rodgers (6'1, 180, Minnesota State) continues to show his X factor ability on the turf. The Minnesota State product has become as much a threat in the kick-returning game as any returner in the league.
Earlier this season he recorded a kick return for a touchdown for three straight games and returned two for touchdowns in the first half last week in Milwaukee. Rodgers returned the opening kickoff 58 yards for the score, while adding a 54-yard return in the second quarter. His first two returns of the game resulted in points. Rodgers now has five touchdown returns on special teams this season.
Rodgers has stampeded over the Player of the Week award taking home the Week 9 JLS Ironman of the Week, as well as the Week 10 and Week 14 Spalding Highlight of the Week.
THE ITALIAN STALLION
Quarterback Gino Guidugli (6'4, 230, Cincinnati) tied the Mustangs' franchise record for most touchdown passes in a single game with nine in the Mustangs victory over the San Jose SaberCats in Week 13 in Milwaukee.
"It's a great feeling anytime our offense sets or ties a record," said Guidugli. "It is an even better feeling when it happens in a win in front of our home crowd."
The "Italian Stallion" is not only ranked fifth on the AFL's Top 25 nicknames in AFL history list, but he has become a vital weapon in the Mustangs' offense. Guidugli has been named the Russell Offensive Player of the Game three times this season and National Guard MVP of the Game for his performance in Tampa in Week 10 when he passed for 294 yards and six touchdowns.
QUICK FEET, FAST HANDS
Wide receiver Jared Jenkins (6'3, 225, UW-Stevens Point) totaled 110 receiving yards against Philadelphia last week to bring his season total to 1,045. He is the first Milwaukee receiver to cross the 1,000-yard mark since 2010 when Tiger Jones, Damian Harrell and Nate Forse each hauled in at least 1,000 yards. He has been a threat in the red zone with his height, but has also hauled in a few long passes that have stretched the field.
The Milwaukee local has come out strong in his first season with the Arena Football League and continues to have success on the turf. In Week 2 Jenkins was named Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week and has continued to put points on the board ever since.
Andrae Thurman (6'0, 180, Southern Oregon) was given a chance to become a go-to weapon for Guidugli with an injury to Jonathan Wilson earlier this season, and he has not disappointed. After snagging four catches for 86 yards and three touchdowns against Philadelphia in Week 9, Thurman was at it again in Week 10 against the Gladiators. He was Guidugli's main weapon, hauling in 12 passes for 154 yards and three touchdowns, including an improbable finger-tip catch in the end zone for one of his scores.
Both Thruman and Jenkins totaled four receiving touchdowns against San Jose in Week 13. Thurman finished with seven catches for 123 yards, while Jenkins added six catches for 76 yards. Both receivers have each been awarded the Cutters Catch of the Game three times this season.
Watch these Mustangs standouts when they take on the Power at 6:30 p.m. (CST) Saturday night. You can tune into 540 ESPN ( ESPNWisconsin.com ) for the live play-by-play with Bill Johnson and watch the live webcast on Ustream.tv.com.
The 2012 Milwaukee Mustangs are thrilled to honor and represent the Arena Football League as they celebrate their Silver 25th Anniversary this season. Tickets and sponsorships on sale now! For more information, visit mkemustangs.com or call 414-224-4000. Don't forget to follow the Milwaukee Mustangs on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
Arena Football League Stories from June 14, 2012
- Utah Strengthens O-Line with Addition of Tivis - Utah Blaze
- Syvelle Newton Added to VooDoo Roster - New Orleans VooDoo
- Top 25 Players in AFL History: #11 Sylvester Bembery - AFL
- Philadelphia Soul's Morgan Named Week 14 MVP - Philadelphia Soul
- Dunk Cancer with the Shock Friday, June 15th - Spokane Shock
- Sharks to Offer Haunted House at Saturday's Game - Jacksonville Sharks
- Morgan Voted Week 14 National Guard MVP - AFL
- VooDoo and Gladiators Set for Saturday's Game - New Orleans VooDoo
- Storm Add Three to Roster - Tampa Bay Storm
- Soul Add Another Anchor to Offensive Line - Philadelphia Soul
- Mustangs That Lead the Pack - Milwaukee Mustangs
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
