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Talons Open Season Tonight in Peoria

March 28, 2003 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Tulsa Talons News Release


TULSA, OK- The Tulsa Talons of the arenafootball2 League will begin their 2003 season tonight when they visit the defending ArenaCup champions, the Peoria Pirates at 7:00. The marquee match up between two of the af2's top teams last season will be the opening game of the af2's fourth season.

The Talons will be looking to build on a 2002 season that saw them post a team-record and league-best 14-2 regular season record and saw them clinch their first National Conference / Central Division title. They also qualified for the playoffs for the third-straight year and won their first-ever playoff game on August 3, 2002 when they defeated the Arkansas Twisters 34-32.

The Talons have put together a good blend of returning veterans and new talent on their 2003 roster. Nine players return from last year's squad, including af2 Offensive Player of the Year Mitch Allner and af2 Second-Team defensive specialist Larry Hollinquest. Two more players, quarterback Craig Strickland and fullback / linebacker Corky Martin, were with the Talons in previous seasons before missing last season with injuries.

Strickland, Tulsa's all-time leading passer, is back behind center for the Talons after missing last season with a shoulder injury he suffered in the Detroit Fury's (Arena Football League) pre-season last year. He brings a wealth of experience, as he was the Talons signal-caller for the 2000 and 2001 seasons. Strickland has thrown for 6,792 yards in the af2 (sixth-most all-time) and 129 touchdowns (fifth-most all-time).

Martin was a First-Team All-af2 selection following the 2001 season when he led the Talons with five fumble recoveries. He became know for his hard-hitting, big play capabilities and spent the early part of last season with the Dallas Desperados of the AFL before suffering a season ankle injury.

Three newcomers who are expected to make immediate contributions to the Talons and have good experience are defensive specialist Pee Wee Woods, wide receiver / linebacker Al Hunt, and lineman Greg Taylor.

After his collegiate career at the University of Oklahoma, Woods signed with the Chicago Enforcers of the Xtreme Football League in the spring of 2000 and spent that season on their roster. Then, in the spring of 2001, Woods signed with the Chicago Rush of the Arena Football League and spent half the season there. Last year, Woods played in 11 games for Quad City and ranked third on the team with 39 total tackles. He also intercepted three passes and totaled 11 pass breakups. For his af2 career, Woods has played in 15 regular season games and totaled 54.5 tackles, five interceptions, and 21 pass breakups.

Hunt Had stellar collegiate career at Northwest Oklahoma State University where he was 26-1 as the team's starting quarterback. He holds eight school records and was a Second-Team All-American as a senior in 2000. In 1999, he led NWOSU to a perfect record and a national championship. Hunt spent last season with the Detroit Fury of the AFL, where he was the team's leading tackler with 44.5 tackles in 10 games. He also caught 19 passes for 282 yards and four touchdowns.

Taylor is the af2's all-time leading sacker, having recorded 32.5 sacks from 2000-2002 while playing with the Arkansas Twisters. Last year, he posted a career-high 13.5 sacks and 34 tackles and earned Second-Team All-af2 honors. He also caught 13 passes for 153 yards and six touchdowns last year.

Tonight's game can be heard live on the radio at KTBZ AM 1430 "The Buzz" at 7:00. Broadcaster Mark Wedel returns for his third season as the voice of Talons. The game can also be heard on the Internet at www.tulsatalons.com.

The Talons home schedule begins on Saturday, April 12th when they host the Wichita Stealth at 7:30 p.m. at the Tulsa Convention Center. For season ticket information, contact the Talons office at (918) 664-4453.



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