San Diego Game Notes vs. Salt Lake
Published on March 6, 2019 under Alliance of American Football (AAF)
San Diego Fleet News Release
MEMPHIS COMEBACK HALTS TWO-GAME SURGE
The Memphis Express (1-3) denied the San Diego Fleet (2-2) a three-game winning streak with a 26-23 come-from-behind victory at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium last Saturday. The Fleet started hot, scor- ing less than three minutes into the game on a 57-yard punt return touchdown by CB/PR Ron Brooks - the first in Alliance history. The lead later swelled to 20-6 after backup QB Alex Ross connected with TE Marcus Baugh on a 30-yard touchdown strike with 5:17 remaining in the half. Ross, whose first career professional touchdown came on just his second attempt, entered on the drive after QB Philip Nelson fractured his collarbone and was ruled out for the game. The momentum turned on an interception by Memphis LB Drew Jackson with 1:43 left in the half. The Express converted the turnover into a touch- down on a one-yard keeper by QB Zach Mettenberger and outscored the Fleet, 17-3, from that point on. With the game tied, 23-23, inside of five minutes remaining, the Fleet failed on a fake-punt attempt at their own 32-yard line that resulted in a game-winning, 45-yard field goal by K Austin MacGinnis. Nelson finished 9-for-12 with 110 yards and a touchdown. WR Dontez Ford finished with three recep tions for a game-high 71 receiving yards and his first touchdown of 2019. The Memphis defense held The Alliance's leading rusher, RB Ja'Quan Gardner, to six yards on nine carries.
FRANK THE TANK
MLB Frank Ginda (San Jose State) made his first start of the season at Memphis and filled in admirably for reigning AAF Defensive Player of the Week A.J. Tarpley, who was sidelined by a back injury. Ginda, the youngest player on the roster (21), led the team and set a Fleet single-game record by registering 15 tackles. The native of Los Banos, Calif., is no stranger to double-digit tackle totals. As a junior in 2017, Ginda led the NCAA and set a Mountain West Conference single-season record with 173 tackles (94 solo) - averaging 13.3 tackles per game. Ginda declared for the NFL draft after three seasons with the Spartans and eventually signed as an undrafted free agent with Arizona Cardinals on April 30, 2018, and later spent Training Camp with the Miami Dolphins before being released at the start of the season.
BERCO IS BACK
On Monday, Mike Martz named QB Mike Bercovici (Arizona State) starting quarterback for a second time this season following the injury sustained by Philip Nelson in Memphis. The 26-year-old started the opener at San Antonio on Feb. 9 and competed 15-of-25 passes for 176 yards with two interceptions. Of note, the Commanders defense sacked Bercovici six times while amassing 10 QB hits for the game.
Alliance of American Football Stories from March 6, 2019
- San Diego Game Notes vs. Salt Lake - San Diego Fleet
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