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Thunder Face Tough Test on Heels of Big Win

July 14, 2015 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Portland Thunder News Release


PORTLAND - Fresh off their largest ever victory, the Portland Thunder (4-10, 1-3) travel to San Jose this Saturday, taking on the Pacific Division rival SaberCats (14-1, 5-0) for the third and final time in 2015. Kickoff is set for 7:30PM from the SAP Center. Fans can listen on Freedom 970 AM starting at 7:00pm, and also watch live on ESPN3, or the WatchESPN.com app.

Desperate for a win to stay in the National Conference playoff picture, the Thunder put together their most poised and complete performance of 2015 in a 72-48 victory over the Jacksonville Sharks last weekend. Veteran QB Kyle Rowley led the way for Portland in just their second ever tussle with the north Florida club, completing 22 of his 29 passes, for 235 yards, and six touchdowns. The Thunder defense and special teams also provided 4 total turnovers, their highest combined total of the season. The 72 points set a franchise record of points scored in a single game, as well as the franchise record for victory by margin, with 24.

"I love the way we won that game," head coach Mike Hohensee stated after the game. "It was a team effort, and it felt good to be in that locker room the right way, and get that break with these men."

The Thunder, buoyed by the record win, now face the No. 1 ranked San Jose SaberCats, who are fresh off setting some records of their own. Already crowned as the 2015 Pacific Division champions, San Jose set a franchise record for wins in a season, with 14, after defeating the New Orleans VooDoo 56-32 last Friday. The central California club has averaged a 20+ point margin of victory over each of its last three wins, and they don't look to be easing off the gas. Hohensee believes, however, that if the Thunder show the self-control on display against Jacksonville, the upward trend will continue.

"I thought we had composure tonight," Hohensee continued. "They looked to each other. They were close (to losing it) at times. You could see some of them wanted to, but they did a great job eliminating the penalties and extracurriculars. Hopefully they realize that if we don't get in our own way, we might be able to beat a few people some folks wouldn't think we could."

The Thunder, averaging 68 yards in penalties per game this season, cut that number by nearly 50 against the Sharks, tallying just 19 yards from infractions.

Also key to that continued success will be Rowley's veteran leadership, and the growing understanding the offense seems to be operating with. Despite short numbers on the offensive front, with DL Jake McDonough being deputized into a starting OL role, the Thunder allowed just one sack, while Rowley completed 75.9% of his passes and hit five different receivers against Jacksonville. The way to success in San Jose is playing sound offensively, limiting mistakes. The 'Cats lead the league in both sacks (40) and turnover margin (+22).

Thunder WR/KR Duane Brooks still sits on the verge of tying the single season kick return touchdown record. Kept out of the end-zone each of the last three games, Duane still leads the league in both return yardage and return touchdowns, with 1641 yards and six scores respectively.

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