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San Diego Riptide game notes

May 11, 2005 - arenafootball2 (af2)
San Diego Riptide News Release


QUICK FACTS:
San Diego Riptide (1-3)
vs Birmingham Steeldogs (0-4)
Date: Saturday, May 14, 2005
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. PST
Site: ipayOne Center at the Sports Arena (12,000)
Officials: Referee: Mike Weseloh; Umpire: Ali Shetula ;
Head Linesman: Clay Reynard; Line Judge: Danny Short
Back Judge: Greg Toler
Series Record: SDG 1- BRM 0
Last Meeting: SDG 57- BRM 56 (wk 1: 4/9/05)
The Riptide pulled away with a victory on a Kimo Naehu 37-yard field goal as time expired. The rushing attack accounted for four of the team's seven touchdowns. Offensive Player of the Game Quarterback Anthony Buich completed 17-of-36 passes for 232 yards and two touchdowns. Naehu was flawless on three field goals and went perfect on PATs.

Coaches: Sean Ponder (1-4, First Season with Riptide)
(13-16, overall)
Bobby Humphrey (49-40)

Birmingham Steeldogs:
Steeldogs Head Coach Bobby Humphrey is still searching for his 50th win after losing five straight to open the 2005 season. The team is coming off of a 49-69 loss to the South Georgia Wildcats.

The Steeldogs have core receivers Detronn Harris and Herman Bell in their arsenal. Last weekend, both receivers combined for just over 200 receiving yards and three touchdowns. However, the team's primary asset has been its running game. The Steeldogs are ranked second in rushing offense averaging 39.6 yards per game. Overall, they are ranked third in total offense in the league.

However, the Steeldogs have had trouble holding onto the ball. Currently, the team is tied for last place in sacks allowed, have a -2 takeaway ratio, and have been outscored by an average 15.2 points per game.

THE IFs:
If San Diego wins...
· It'll snap their four game losing streak
· It'll give them their first regular season win at the ipayOne Center
· it will be the team's first win since Week One
Shark Bites:
· Naehu needs two more field goals to surpass his five field goal 2004 season total.
· The ‘Tide recorded a season high 32 tackles against the Dorados.
· FB/LB Jeff Macrea recorded his fifth touchdown and is currently tied for 4th in the league in rushing touchdowns.
· Claunch's 264 passing yards against the Dorados put him over the 10,000 Riptide career passing yards.
· McElrath hauled in a career single game high 153 receiving yards last week against the Dorados and became the first Riptide receiver to break the 100 receiving yards mark.

San Diego Riptide (1-4)
Date Opponent Time Series Score
4/9 @ Birmingham 5:00 1-0 W, 59-58
4/15 @Bakersfield 7:00 1-4 L, 30-57
4/23 Tulsa 7:00 0-4 L, 37-55
4/30 Amarillo 7:00 0-1 L, 31-49
5/7 @ Rio Grande Valley 5:30 0-1 L, 45-51
5/14 Birmingham 7:00 1-0
5/20 @Bakersfield 7:00 1-4
5/28 Central Valley 7:00 7-4
6/4 Bakersfield 7:00 1-4
6/11 @ Central Valley 7:30 7-4
6/18 @ Tulsa 5:00 0-4
6/25 Rio Grande Valley 7:00 0-1
7/9 @ Louisville 4:30 0-1
7/16 Central Valley 7:00 7-4
7/23 Bakersfield 7:00 1-4
7/30 @Central Valley 7:30 7-4

TALE OF THE TAPE:
Here's how the Riptide and the Dusters stack up:
Statistical Riptide Steeldogs
Category Stat Rank Stat Rank
Scoring Offense 40.2 ppg 18 45.2 ppg 14
Scoring Defense 53.8 ppg 16 60.4 ppg 18
Total Offense 224.8 ypg 19 273.8 ypg 3
Total Defense 231.8 ypg 5 246.0 ypg 7
Pass Offense 213.2 ypg 16 234.2 ypg 12
Pass Defense 200.8 ypg 5 230.8 ypg 8
Rushing Offense 11.6 ypg 15 39.6 ypg 2
Rushing Defense 31.0 ypg 16 15.2 ypg 8
Scoring (Non-Kick) 40.2 ppg 19 45.2 ppg 12
Scoring (Kicking) 5.4 ppg 15 6.0 ppg 12
Kickoff Returns 21.1 ypg 5 17.3 ypg 16
Turnover Margin 0.0 9 -2.0 20
Field Goals 4-9 6 3-7 8
PAT Kicking 15-21 16 21-25 5
Sacks By 9 6 5 15
Sacks Against 10 14 13 19

WEEKLY GAME AWARD WINNERS

WEEK OFFENSIVE DEFENSIVE IRONMAN
Wk 2 VS BRM A. Buich, SDG E. Hill, BRM A. Griffin, SDG
Wk 4 VS TUL J. Blankenship, TUL A. Faoa, SDG R. Smith, SDG
Wk 5 VS AMR J. Reese, AMR R. Smith, SDG N. McElrath, SDG
STRUGGLES TO STREAKS
The ‘Tide has struggled to find their rhythm this season as they enter Week 7 on a four game losing streak. Last season, the ‘Tide had a dismal 1-5 start before hitting their stride with a four game win streak and finishing the season with a franchise best 8-8 record.

THE MCELRATH SPECIAL
In his first week at the offensive specialist position, Nakoa McElrath nearly doubled his offensive production hauling in eight passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns against the Dorados. He also returned six balls for 111 yards. Last season, he only returned three balls for 44 yards. He also ranks third in af2 in yards per catch and leads the ‘Tide with 349 receiving yards.

IN A CLAUNCH
In Claunch's first game, he threw for a Riptide season high 264 yards. It was the first time this season that the ‘Tide threw for over 250 yards. Claunch also rushed for seven yards in that game, recording the third most rushing yards on the team. He also needs just nine touchdowns to get 200 and just seven to move into eighth all-time in af2 history.

ON ASSIGNMENT
Coach Sean Ponder's late additions to the roster have all made serious impacts to the team's overall production. In addition to bringing back Claunch, the ‘Tide were assigned OL/DL Jimmy Williams. Williams recorded 2.5 tackles, including one for a loss of two yards, and one quarterback hurry. Last week's assignments DS Maurice Taylor and OS Lamont Webb turned in great performances. Webb returned three balls for 111 yards and a touchdown before his season ended after he tore his ACL. M. Taylor has been consistent turning in 3.5 sacks in his first game and 5.5 in his second appearance.

BATTLE FOR CALIFORNIA
The Riptide's next four match ups will all be in California switching off between the Bakersfield Blitz and the Central Valley Coyotes. The ‘Tide will look to topple the Division West Leader Coyotes whose lone loss came against the Oklahoma Yard Dawgz in Week Three. San Diego will also look to avenge their early season loss to the Bakersfield Blitz. The Riptide will need these wins to move up in the rankings having yet to win in National West Division play.

IT'S ALL ABOUT CHEMISTRY
Despite having trouble finding W's, the team has been positive this week citing chemistry and desire as fuel for victory.

"They're gelling together and getting a good feel for each other. They're starting to get more comfortable with each other." – Head Coach, Sean Ponder

"Everyone is keeping a positive attitude. We all know how much everyone is putting into this, and we just want to prove to the fans, staff, and coaches that we can do this for them." – FB/LB Jeff Macrea
Last Weekend's Team Results
Steeldogs Can't Slow South Georgia, 69-49
Courtesy of www.steeldogs.com

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Steeldogs first win of the season is still at least one week away.

Herman Bell caught eight passes for 110 yards and two scores, but the Birmingham Steeldogs, hobbled by QB Ray Nelson's gimpy knee, fell at home, 69-49, at the hands of the South Georgia Wildcats.

The Steeldogs led throughout much of the first quarter, as Nelson found a streaking Detronn Harris from 16 yards out, putting Birmingham on top 7-0. South Georgia answered late in the quarter, as Bobby Pesavento fired a 27-yard scoring pass to Matt Burstein. It was one of five touchdown passes that the OS from Arkansas hauled in on the evening.

The Wildcats forced a safety early in the second quarter, giving them an eight-point advantage. The lead never changed hands again.

Nelson was injured just before halftime after getting sacked for a one-yard loss. Reserve quarterback Tim Gallahan saw his first action of the year early in the second half. In his second series, Gallahan tossed a short out pass to Herman Bell, who took it 44 yards to the end-zone to put the Steeldogs within 14 points at 42-28.

But the combination of Pesavento and Burstein was just too much to handle, as the pair scored three additional touchdowns to put the game out of reach.

Pesavento completed 24 of 33 passes for 228 yards and eight touchdowns. Burstein caught 10 passes for 141 yards and five touchdowns, good enough to earn Offensive Player of the Game honors.

Nelson completed 16 of 22 pass attempts for 159 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Aside from Bell's outstanding performance, Detronn Harris caught eight passes for 91 yards and a touchdown. Bell's numbers earned him the U.S. Army Ironman of the Game award.

The Wildcats' Rob Keefe collected five and a half tackles and took home the ADT Defensive Player of the Game award.


Dorados Rip Win from ‘Tide, 51-45
Courtesy of www.doradosfootball.com

Hidalgo, Tx - The Rio Grande Valley Dorados registered their first home win of the season and remained perfect in division play (2-0) rebounding back from a 32-13 halftime deficit to defeat the San Diego Riptide 51-45 in front of a vocal 4,540 fans Saturday night at Chase Field inside the Dodge Arena.

San Diego trailed the Dorados 7-3 after the first quarter but then outscored the Dorados 29-6 in the second quarter, tallying 22 consecutive points to close the half. After a Jeff Macrea one-yard rushing touchdown to give the Riptide a 16-13 lead early in the second quarter, the Dorados offense went three-and-out, forcing Eric Houle to attempt a 48 yard field goal. Asi Faoa blocked Houle's attempt and the ball landed out of bounds through the endzone, resulting in a safety. The Riptide scored on the ensuing kickoff from the Dorados with a 24-yard strike from Kane Claunch, making his San Diego return at quarterback, to receiver Nakoa McElrath to increase the 'Tide lead to 25-13. The Dorados next drive fell short, and a turnover on downs gave the Riptide an opportunity to produce a touchdown off a two-yard run by Anthony Griffin with two-seconds remaining in the half.

The Dorados then mounted their comeback march in the third quarter, when Marquis Floyd, who earned ADT Defensive Player of the Game honors with an interception, tallied a pair of offensive touchdowns in the third quarter with a 6-yard and 36-yard reception. Rio Grande Valley went on to score 28 consecutive points in the second half with a rushing touchdown by Chris Robinson and a 20-yard pass from Josh Kellett to Travis McAlpine, building the Dorados lead to 41-32.

San Diego ended their drought of three consecutive scoreless drives on the ensuing drive with a 40-yard pass from Claunch to McElrath with 7:21 remaining in the game to cut their deficit to 41-38. Rio Grande Valley bounced back on the next drive with a 22-yard touchdown pass to Craig Cole from Kellett and then received an interception by Floyd. The interception by Floyd gave the Dorados the ball with 1:17 remaining at the San Diego five yard line with a 48-38 lead, but an interception by John Amaro Jr. on the first play gave the Riptide life. Claunch hit Ryan Smith with a 24-yard touchdown pass with 42-seconds left and then limited the Dorados to a 32-yard field goal by Eric Houle with 27-seconds remaining after an unsuccessful onside kick. San Diego received the ball with 23-seconds remaining and an opportunity to tie the game with a touchdown, trailing 51-45. Claunch took the 'Tide 19 yards on four plays to the Rio Grande Valley 21 yard line, but his final pass sailed through the endzone incomplete as time expired and the Dorados held onto the win.

Arena football is known for its air game, but this game featured a lot of ground play. The game saw 24 rushing attempts (16 by Rio Grande Valley) and five rushing touchdowns (three by San Diego). Josh Kellett was 16 of 31 passing for 222 yards and 5 touchdowns to earn the Baby Ruth Real Deal Offensive Player of the Game. Claunch was 19 of 40 for 264 yards with three touchdowns and a pair of interceptions for the Riptide. The US Army Ironman of the Game was Chris Robinson, who registered a rushing touchdown on offense and six tackles on defense, including an interception and 1.5 tackles for a loss.

RIPTIDE VS STEELDOGS LAST MEETING:

Riptide Rust Steeldogs, 58-57
San Diego Opens Season with Win

BIRMINGHAM, AL – After losing several games last season to missed field goals and PATs, the Riptide finally found the solution in all-af2 kicker Kimo Naehu. With two seconds left on the clock and down by two points, Naehu nailed a 37-yard field goal to win the game, 58-57 at the Birmingham Jefferson Civic Complex in front of 7112 fans.

Although the spotlight was on the San Diego quarterback situation leading up to this weekend's contest, it was the running game that got the job done for the ‘Tide. The rushing attack accounted for four of the team's seven touchdowns. Offensive Player of the Game Quarterback Anthony Buich completed 17-of-36 passes for 232 yards and two touchdowns. Naehu was flawless on three field goals and went perfect on PATs. With one score and two and a half tackles, WR/DB Anthony Griffin was awarded Ironman of the Game honors.

For the Steeldogs, Ray Nelson completed 9-of-20 for 171 yards and two touchdowns. Recently assigned OS Detronn Harris finished with three receptions for 67 yards and a touchdown and also returned a kickoff for a score. Defensive Player of the Game, Eldrick Hill made eight tackles.

It was a tug-of-war battle from the opening moments of the game. San Diego struck first with a 23-yard field goal. Taylor intercepted a Nelson pass on the next drive which the ‘Tide capitalized on with a Griffin rushing touchdown. With 1:40 on the clock, Nelson ran the ball in for a score on a bootleg run. At the end of the quarter, the ‘Tide were on top, 10-7.

In the second quarter, the ‘Tide continued its rushing campaign with FB/LB Jeff Macrea chipping in with two rushing scores and WR/DB Ryan Smith taking one in. Through the air, Buich completed his first touchdown to Gonzalez. OS Detronn Harris returned a kickoff return for a touchdown after Macrea's first score. Nelson threw two 45-yard touchdowns in the quarter, one to Harris and one to WR/DB Devlon Holmes. Macrea blocked an attempted PAT after the Holmes touchdown leaving the score at the half, 38-27.

The Steeldogs took a page out of the Riptide playbook and spent the third quarter getting the job done on the ground. FB/LB Patrick Billings ran the ball in for two scores, from 20 and 2 yards out. The ‘Tide's Buich threw his second touchdown of the game, this time to Taylor. Gonzalez also chipped in with another score after returning a kickoff for a touchdown. With both teams notching 14 points in the quarter, the ‘Tide was still on top 52-41.

The final quarter of play saw the Steeldogs finally hitting their stride. Billings started the quarter off with a 5-yard touchdown run. WR/DB Eldrick Hill intercepted a Buich pass for a touchdown to put the Steeldogs up 54-52 with 9:35 on the clock. Naehu hit a 42-yard field goal to put the ‘Tide back on top 55-54. With 11 seconds left in the game and on the one yard line, San Diego held the Steeldogs to a field goal, but Birmingham was still on top, 57-54. In a matter of just eight seconds, the Riptide set up for a Naehu field goal on the Birmingham 23-yard line. Naehu kicked it straight through the uprights, giving the ‘Tide the victory, 58-57 with one second left on the clock.

Offensive Player of the Game: Anthony Buich, SDG
Defensive Player of the Game: Eldrick Hill, BRM
Ironman of the Game: Anthony Griffin, SDG

Box Score (Final)
San Diego Riptide vs Birmingham Steeldogs (Apr 9, 2005 at Birmingham, AL)

Score by Quarters 1 2 3 4 Score
----------------- -- -- -- -- -----
San Diego Riptide... 10 28 14 6 - 58
Birmingham Steeldogs 7 20 14 16 - 57

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