Sauk is Back for Vipers
March 14, 2003 - United Indoor Football Association (UIF)
Tennessee Valley Raptors News Release
Huntsville, AL - The passing section of the Tennessee Valley Viper record book is full of the name Matt Sauk and after leading the Vipers to a 14-2 record in 2001 and a berth in the af2 semifinals, the former Utah State quarterback is rejoining the Vipers for the 2003 season.
"Our goal was to bring in as much competition at every position that we could," Vipers head coach, Kevin Guy, said. "I feel like I have three quarterbacks that we can go out and win with. Matt adds a quarterback with experience to our roster. Everything looks good on paper, but we will find a lot out when we put the pads on."
Sauk was named af2 Rookie of the Year and second team all-af2 after completing 353-of-574 passes for 4,185 yards and 86 touchdowns. He only threw 15 interceptions, had a 61.3 completion percentage and a 110.13 quarterback rating. He averaged 262.6 yards passing per game. His broke the af2 record for touchdown passes in a season with 86. Tallahassee's Shane Stafford set the record in 2000 with 85.
"My wife wanted me to go San Diego, but the Vipers were the only af2 team I wanted to play for," Sauk said. "I knew the people here I felt comfortable with the situation."
He set Viper records for yards passing in a game (401), touchdown passes in a game (8), touchdown passes in a season (86), yards passing in a season (4,185), completions in a game (38) and attempts in a game (60). He finished third in af2 in pass rating (110.13), first in passing yards (262.6), first in total offense (260.6), first in completions (352), first in attempts (574) and first in touchdowns (86). He owns Vipers records for pass attempts in a game (60) and season (574), pass completions in a game (38), most passing yards in a game (401) and a season (4,185), most touchdown passes in a season (86) and is tied with Bryan Snyder for touchdown passes in a game with 8. He ranks first on the Vipers all-time career list in attempts (574), touchdown passes (86), yards passing per game (261.6), and is second in completions (352).
He played one full season with the Los Angeles Avengers of the Arena Football League in 2002 and completed 5-9 passes for 61 yards and a touchdown. He also has stops with the Arizona Rattlers and Indiana Firebirds this season and spent part of the 2000 season with the Nashville Kats.
"Playing in the Arena League for a year-and-a-half helped me get thicker skin," Sauk said. "I played with three teams in three months. It helped me mature a little more and I learned three offenses. It can only help me as a quarterback this year."
He had a stellar career at Utah State where he is in the top five in career passing yards, completions, and passing attempts and ranks sixth in completion percentage, seventh in touchdown passes and fifth in total offense. As a senior in 1997, he had the third-best passing yardage in Aggie history, throwing for 2, 896 yards and was named to the second team All-Big West squad.
The Vipers report for camp on Monday and start practice on Wednesday. The season opener is set for Saturday, April 5 in Florida, while the home opener is set for Friday, April 11 at 7:30. Tickets to the home opener can be purchased at the Von Braun Center Box Office or by calling the Vipers front office at (256) 551-3240.
• Discuss this story on the United Indoor Football Association message board...
United Indoor Football Association Stories from March 14, 2003
- Hounds go to NASA - Ohio Valley Greyhounds
- Sauk is Back for Vipers - Tennessee Valley Raptors
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.
