Steeldogs Look to Recover Against Texas
May 1, 2007 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Alabama Steeldogs News Release
Birmingham, Ala. - The Alabama Steeldogs return home to the BJCC this Thursday to host the Texas Copperheads, after a difficult loss against the Tulsa Talons last Saturday, 57-33, in Tulsa.
Steeldogs Head Coach Ron Selesky will look to be correcting a number of mistakes on both sides of the ball as the team kicks off a two-game home stand at the BJCC.
Alabama (2-2) struggled to protect new starting quarterback Mitch Tanney in the loss to Tulsa (4-0), and could not keep the Talons out of the end zone.
"We didn't protect Mitch well at all," Selesky said. "That's disappointing more than anything, especially after pass protecting so well the past two games."
Tanney completed 13-of-18 passes for 208 yards, five touchdowns and one interception. And while the rookie quarterback didn't earn the win in his first start as a Steeldog, Selesky said that he was happy with Tanney's effort.
"I thought Mitch did fine," he said. "He was a little nervous at first, but he made some great throws. He will only get better."
The Copperheads (1-3) come into the BJCC after losing their third game of the season at to the Lubbock Renegades, 65-27, last Saturday. Texas has managed only one victory in their first season in the af2, and made history on April 14 when they became the second team in league history to be shut out in a game at Bossier Shreveport, 52-0.
"Texas has struggled this season," Selesky said. "But we have had our share of struggles as well. This is an important game for both teams and I'm sure they will come out swinging."
The Copperheads have found it difficult to put points on the board in 2007, especially inside the red zone. Texas is ranked last in the league in red zone offense, converting on only 6-of-11 trips inside the ten-yard line this season (86.7%).
On the other hand, the Steeldogs will look to continue their success inside the ten-yard line. Alabama is tied for second in the league in red zone offense, having reached the end zone on 12-of-13 trips (92.3%).
"We've been successful down near the goal line," Selesky said. "That's something we hope will continue throughout the season."
One bright spot in the Steeldogs' loss to Tulsa was the play of wide receiver Bradley Chavez in his first game of 2007. Chavez caught five passes for 108 and three touchdowns in his season debut.
"Bradley had a very good first game," Selesky said. "He played like I know he's capable of playing and I'm glad to have him back with us."
A Steeldogs win over Texas would give Alabama its first three-game winning streak at home since the 2004 season. That season was also the last time the Steeldogs reached the af2 playoffs.
The Steeldogs and Copperheads square off at the BJCC this Thursday at 7 p.m. Tickets are available by calling Ticketmaster at 715-6000 or by logging on to steeldogs.com.
The game can also be heard live on the Alabama Steeldogs Flagship station WSPZ 690 "The Animal" with veteran broadcasters Matt Coulter and Roger Shultz calling the action.
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