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Thunder Head South to Face 2014 Playoff Foe

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


PORTLAND - The Portland Thunder will hit the road for the first time in 2015, as they travel to Arizona to take on the three-time defending champion Rattlers on April 18th, from the Talking Stick Resort Arena. Kickoff is set for 6:00pm PDT, and fans can listen to the game on 750 THE GAME, or watch live on the WatchESPN app.

The Thunder will open their 2015 away campaign in the city where their 2014 season ended, with the last time these two sides met being in the National Conference Semifinals. A 52-48 victory for the eventual champion Arizona Rattlers was anything but straightforward. Trailing by 15 early in the third quarter, the Thunder rallied through four second half scores, two from former wide-out Douglas McNeil III, along with a defensive half-stop, and an interception returned for a touchdown by QB turned DB Darron Thomas. The teams traded TD's in the final minute, leading to a final possession for QB Kyle Rowley and the Thunder offense. The comeback was not completed, however, with an interception from Arizona's Marquis Floyd dashing the playoff debutants hopes.

This will be the fifth meeting between the clubs, with the Rattlers holding a 4-0 record over the Thunder. Portland was outmatched by a veteran laden Arizona side in their first meeting last season, but shown better against the champs in their following games.

Following a three week home-stand that opened the 2015 season, the Thunder embark on the first of three straight road trips. 2-1 for the first time in team history, the Thunder head to Arizona following an impressive defensive display against the Spokane Shock, with more of the same potentially on offer this weekend.

JLB Bryce Peila earned AFL Defensive Player of the Week honors for his two third quarter touchdowns against Spokane, while the defensive front tallied three sacks. The Thunder defense struggled against QB Danny Southwick and the Shock's passing game throughout the first half, giving up 173 yards through the air. Second half corrections were made, and the Portland defensive backfield only allowed 103 passing yards in the final two frames, including just 40 yards in the fourth.

QB Kyle Rowley is feeling his way through the Thunder's receiving corps, and found connections with five different receivers his last time out. While the partnership with WR Jamar Howard continued to be fruitful in Week 3, it was WR V'Keon Lacey's contribution that kept the offense rolling throughout the game. Lacey's 10 catches for 108 yards against Spokane showcased the veteran receiver's ability to use his strength in the passing game. No doubt that contrasting outlet will serve Rowley well, and open up more opportunities for Howard.

For Arizona, the start of 2015 season has been a mixed bag. A comfortable victory over Spokane in Week 1 was followed up by a lackluster performance against the expansion Las Vegas Outlaws. In the surprise 70-53 Week 2 loss, the Rattler defense gave up 70 points for just the third time in since 2013. The veteran side responded in Week 3, however, with a hard fought 49-41 win over their ArenaBowl XXVII rivals, the Cleveland Gladiators. QB Nick Davila seems to be up to his old tricks early in 2015. The sixth year man has completed 66% of his passes through three games, for 862 yards and 17 scores.

Transactions: The Thunder were assigned K Michael Braunstein last Wednesday after the team was not able to keep a hold on K Zach Ramirez due to conflicting contract obligations. Braunstein went 5 of 7 on PAT in an emergency role. Ramirez played in the Week 2 loss to Tampa Bay, hitting six of seven extra point attempts, and setting up DB Osagie Odiase's net recovery touchdown.

Also happening over the weekend was the acquisition of former Arizona DE Sione Tuihalamaka. The Hawthorne, CA native played in 50 games over four years with the Wildcats, tallying 40 tackles and five sacks in his senior season in 2013. His addition follows DL/LB Robert Hayes' move to the injured reserve.



Arena Football League Stories from April 14, 2015


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