Riptide-Blitz Preview
May 18, 2005 - arenafootball2 (af2)
San Diego Riptide News Release
Date: Friday, May 20, 2005
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. PST
Series Record: SDG 1 - BAK 4
Game Preview: The Riptide appeared to have all the pieces working together last weekend against the Steeldogs and it's the team chemistry that will jump start San Diego's season. The âTide heads north for a rematch with their rival Bakersfield Blitz in hopes of avenging an earlier season loss.
The breakout game against the Steeldogs last weekend is reflected heavily in this week's Riptide statistics. The âTide jumped six spots in scoring offense (18 last week), seven spots in scoring non-kick (19 last week), and nine spots in PAT kicking (16 last week). The team also ranks third in sacks with 11 on the season and have a +2 turnover margin which is fourth in the league.
Coach Ponder has made several adjustments to his roster since Week Two, but none more significant than the quarterback situation. The third time's a charm as Claunch is the third person to call the shots under center. Upon getting comfortable with the team's offense, he threw for a career single game high nine touchdowns in his second start for the team. The previous week, he threw for a 2005 Riptide season high 264 yards.
Nakoa McElrath and Nian Taylor have stepped up as the âTide's best receivers with both recording over 350 receiving yards and over five touchdowns on the season. Taylor hauled in five touchdown passes alone against the Steeldogs and recorded his first 100+ receiving yard game. Both receivers will be going against Bakersfield's standout Defensive Specialists Kharee Shorter and Alex Wallace.
Ryan Smith has also been a huge contributor to the team's success through his Ironman tactics. On the season, he has come down with 12 receptions for three touchdowns through the air and three rushing attempts with all ending up in the endzone as touchdowns. He has also returned eight balls for 154 yards. On defense, he's recorded eight and a half tackles, including one and a half for a loss, two interceptions, and nine breakups.
The team's defense overall recorded a break out game with three fumble recoveries and an interception for a touchdown bringing their season total to 12 takeaways. DS Maurice Taylor now has 11 tackles after just two games while Trayvon Waller has 14.5 on the season. Anthony Griffin recorded his first interception of the season last weekend which he returned for a touchdown. Despite not recording any official sacks in the team's last three games, Asi Faoa is still second in the league with 6.5.
The Blitz have not been a strong passing team and are ranked at the bottom of most scoring categories. Without a stable passing game, the team has had to rely on their ground attack and defense. On the ground, the Blitz put up 36.5 yards per game, ranked third in the league. The team's defense is currently ranked third in scoring defense and second in passing defense. However, the team's defense has been generally ineffective on the ground, ranking 20th in rushing defense.
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