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AAF Alliance of American Football

The Alliance of American Football Closes Opening Weekend with Birmingham and Arizona Victories

February 10, 2019 - Alliance of American Football (AAF) News Release


SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - The Alliance of American Football wrapped its historic opening weekend with a pair of matchups in Arizona and Birmingham, airing on the NFL Network and CBS Sports Network respectively. The Arizona Hotshots, Birmingham Iron, San Antonio Commanders and Orlando Apollos each won their home debuts.

Former University of Alabama star running back Trent Richardson fittingly scored the first touchdown in Birmingham Iron history in his return to pro football. Behind his two touchdown runs, big pass plays from quarterback Luis Perez, a perfect night from kicker Nick Novak and a dominant defense, the Birmingham Iron shut out the Memphis Express 26-0. After serving as defensive coordinator for two NFL teams and a secondary coach for four others over more than two decades on the sidelines, Tim Lewis secured a win in his head coaching debut.

Arizona Hotshots QB John Wolford put on an aerial display in a 38-22 win over the Salt Lake Stallions, throwing for 275 yards and four touchdowns. Hotshots WR Rashad Ross made the most of his return to Sun Devil Stadium, where he played his collegiate football, making five catches for 103 yards and two touchdowns.

"This was an incredible opening weekend for The Alliance, in which the quality of play and fan support far exceeded my expectations," said Charlie Ebersol, co-founder & CEO, The Alliance. "We had the number one sports app on iTunes and Google Play, strong viewership on CBS, CBS Sports Network and NFL Network, 11 of the 20 top trending topics on Twitter in the U.S. on Saturday night...these are all accomplishments I couldn't have imagined when we first started this conversation three years ago. The narrative of The Alliance will be a growth story, so now it's back to work as we look to improve week to week."

"Our focus heading into this inaugural season was football, football, football," said Bill Polian, co-founder & head of football, The Alliance. "We wanted to put a quality product on the field, and I'm proud of what was on display this weekend. We saw big plays on both sides of the ball and I loved the intensity the players showed. There are areas that certainly need to be improved, but that's why we have high caliber coaches on the sidelines, to help our players learn, grow and improve on and off the field."

Key Opening Weekend Milestones:

Atlanta Legends K Younghoe Koo split the uprights on a 38-yard field goal, accounting for the first points in Alliance of American Football history

Orlando Apollos QB Garrett Gilbert's 26-yard strike to WR Jalin Marshall was the first touchdown in Alliance history

Orlando LB Terence Garvin scored the first defensive touchdown in Alliance history with a 51-yard interception return

Orlando RB De'Veon Smith scored the first two-point conversion in Alliance history

San Antonio K Nick Rose made a 29-yard FG for the first points in Commanders history.

San Antonio RB Kenneth Farrow II scored the first touchdown in Commanders history with his 4-yard rush

San Diego K Donny Hageman converted a 47-yard FG for the first points in Fleet history

The Birmingham Iron earned the first shutout in Alliance of American Football history

Birmingham Iron RB Trent Richardson scored the first touchdown in Iron history with a 4-yard run

Birmingham Iron K Nick Novak hit a 29-yard field goal for the first points in Iron history, going 4-4 on the night

Arizona Hotshots QB John Wolford threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Gerald Christian for the first touchdown in Hotshots history

Arizona Hotshots K Nick Folk's 53-yard FG was the longest in Alliance of American Football history

Salt Lake Stallions RB Matt Asiata 1-yard touchdown rush was the first touchdown in Stallions history

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Alliance of American Football Stories from February 10, 2019


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