Rochester Brigade Game Notes

April 17, 2003 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Rochester Brigade News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Rochester Brigade (0-2) vs. Norfolk Nighthawks (1-0)
Date: Friday, April 18, 2003
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
Site: Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial (11,200)
National Anthem: TBA
Coin Toss: TBA
Officials: Referee - Howard Bretchel Umpire - George Santoro Head Linesman - James Debell Line Judge - Paul Wzontek Back Judge - Mike Roberts
Series Record: Norfolk leads, 1-0
Coaches: Mark Saunders (11-22, 3rd Season) Rick Frazier (1-0, 1st Season)

THE STAKES:

Rochester looks to get their first win of the season.

HEAD COACH:

Mark Saunders is entering his third season as the Rochester Brigade head coach with a combined mark of 11-21 during the regular season. After turning things around at the end of his first season, the team finished on a two-game winning streak, a 4-12 record for the team's inaugural year. In his second season as the head coach of the Brigade Saunders led the team to a 7-9 mark and the teams first ever birth in the post season. Saunders brings an abundance of football knowledge and recruiting experience to the Brigade organization, and looks to build upon the success he has encountered the last couple of years and lead the Brigade to another successful season in 2003. During the 2002 season Saunders turned around the teams offense, which led the league in total offensive plays (770), second in rushing attempts (209), fourth in total rushing (40.9 yds/g), third in pass completions (341) and fourth in pass completion percentage (60.8).

Saunders comes to the Brigade after spending the past eight seasons on the North Carolina A&T Aggies coaching staff. He had two stints as an aide with the Aggies, winning the Black College National Championship in the 1999 season. Saunders coached the running backs during the 1990 campaign before moving to Illinois State for one season. While at Illinois State, Saunders coached Toby Davis who set a single season rushing record. Before coming to N.C. A&T in 1990, Saunders served as a graduate assistant for one season at the University of Virginia, where he coached the defensive line. During his tenure in the ACC, the Cavaliers participated in the 1989 Kick-Off Classic and Citrus Bowl. Saunders also had the privilege to coach the 1997 Buchanan award winner, Chris McNiel. The Buchanan award goes to the Top Defensive player in Division I-AA annually, and he also sent two Defensive Linemen to participate in the 1997 Hula Bowl from North Carolina A&T. Saunders has had the privilege of working with NFL players Maurice Smith who is currently a running back with the Atlanta Falcons, and Michael Basnight who played for Cincinnati and is currently with the Houston Texans during his tenure at A&T.

THE SERIES:

The Nighthawks lead the series, 1-0.

Catch Me, If You Can: Martino Theus is the Brigade's all time leader in receptions (176), and receiving yards (1,753). He had a career high 195 receiving yards vs. New Haven 5/3/02 and tied a team high four touchdown in a game with four @ Greensboro 6/15/02. He has registered at least 100 receiving yards in 11 of his 22 career games with Rochester. In 2002, he ranked second in the league in receptions (160), receiving yards per game (109.6) and receiving yards (1,753) and led the team in all-purpose yards (1,991). This season he has eight receptions for 103 yards and one touchdown.

My Turn: Jason Visconti takes over the QB duties this season after being the backup to Matt D'Orazio who is now with the AFL's Buffalo Destroyers. In seven contests last season, Visconti completed 17 of 36 passes for 226 yards and three touchdowns. He played the entire second half the final game of the season against the New Haven Ninjas, where he completed 15 of 28 passes for 201 yards and three scores, including a long pass of 41 yards for a score. For the 2003 season, Visconti is 26 of 59 for 348 yards and five touchdowns.

Double-Trouble: Derek Baker returned to the Brigade for his second season in 2002 after leaving the AFL's Buffalo Destroyers practice squad. In his return, Baker was converted into a two-way player and was one of the best in the league. Playing in just seven games on the season, he quickly learned the defensive side of the game and registered 24 tackles (22 solo), two interceptions and seven pass breakups. Offensively, he continued to dominate on the field, catching 49 passes for 617 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also rushed the ball six times for two additional scores and returned 18 kickoffs for 295 yards, including a 56-yard touchdown. He was named the Game IRONMAN on three separate occasions and was the arenafootball2 league IRONMAN of the week on June 29, against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers. In the playoffs, Baker registered three catches for 57 yards with a score, returned four kickoffs for 98 yards and registered two tackles and two pass breakups. Already this season Baker has 13 receptions for 210 yards and one touchdown.

East On I-90: Buffalo native Teddy McDuffie made his af2 debut with the Brigade last week and had 4.5 tackles and one pass breakup. He spent the majority of the 2002 season on the practice squad of the AFL's Buffalo Destroyers. McDuffie made a great impact in the secondary for the University of Buffalo Bulls after spending three seasons at Temple University. In his one and only season for the Bulls, McDuffie led the team with 98 tackles (57 solo) one fumble recovery and forced fumble as well as two interceptions. McDuffie was also a three-year lettermen at Temple and in his final season tallied an impressive 75 solo stops with 86 total tackles. In his three-year Temple career, McDuffie made 176 tackles and had three forced fumbles with one interception. In his sophomore season he had a career high 14 tackles against the national powerhouse Miami Hurricanes. McDuffie is also one of only eight true freshmen to ever start a game for Temple University. This season McDuffie had five tackles, one interception and one pass breakup.

Last Week:

The Rochester Brigade fell to 0-2 on Saturday, April 12, after losing in a very competitive battle against the Wardogs in Columbus, Georgia. Despite leading in almost every offensive category the Brigade's effort was not enough to overcome the early first half deficit. The Wardogs prevailed 47-32 in a game that was much closer than the final score. Columbus jumped out to an early 20-0 lead and at first the game looked as if the Wardogs were going to run away with things. Behind the aerial attack of quarterback Jason Visconti the Brigade fought back and came within seven points at the start of the fourth quarter. Visconti finished the game completing an impressive 20-37 of his passes for 273 yards and 4 touchdowns. Standout wide receiver Derek Baker was the recipient of two of those touchdown strikes and ended with 9 catches for 139 yards. Fellow wide receiver Martino Theus chipped in with 6 catches for 83 yards and one touchdown. Columbus returned a kickoff late in the fourth quarter, which sealed the victory for the Wardogs, but the game left the Brigade with plenty of confidence to build on. Offensively the Brigade put forth a valiant effort and by games end led in most offensive categories. The Brigade finished with more total yards (258), more first downs (16), and out gained the Wardogs in the air as well as on the ground. Defensively, Mark Harris and William Edwards led the way each recording 4 tackles while Theodore McDuffie added an interception.



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