'Tide Still Looking For Win Number One
April 13, 2004 - arenafootball2 (af2)
San Diego Riptide News Release
The âTide kick off intra-division play desperately in need of a win. They are 0-2 on the season, but a win against the Blitz in week 3, combined with a Hawaii loss, would put them in a tie for first in the National West.
The Riptide had plenty of offense for their home opener against Green Bay last week, but still were trounced by the Blizzard, 67-49. The âTide totaled 52 more yards of total offense than Green Bay and dominated the time of possession, controlling the football for more than 2/3 of the game, but turnovers proved to be the difference in the game as San Diego lost two fumbles and their QB's threw three picks during the game while the Blizzard failed to turn the ball over once. For the year, the Riptide have committed 10 turnovers, while only recovering three from their opponents.
The other major bug-a-boo for San Diego has been its defense. The âTide, who were tormented by the multi-dimensional talent of Arkansas' scrambling QB Kevin Williams in their first game, were torched in week 2 by af2 offensive player of the week, Randall Lane. Lane scored six touchdowns against the San Diego secondary, setting a new record of âTide opponents. If Mouse Davis and company hope to come away from Week 3 with their first victory of the year, the defense will definitely need to tighten up.
The question marks at quarterback seem to have been settled, at least for the near future, however. Kevin Feterik, who came off the bench in week 1 and started last week, left the game early with a finger injury, giving way to Kane Claunch, who led the âTide to within four at the end of the third quarter, throwing five TD's in his 2+ quarters of work. Claunch will get the nod in Week 3, and Feterik's injury status is still up in the air.
The match up will be Bakersfield's home opener and will pit San Diego against 2003 af2 tackles leader and former âTide standout, Kenny Haslip. The Blitz are 1-1 this season, tied atop the National West Division under new head coach Rick Van Horne. Van Horne coached the first incarnation of the Blitz for the previous two seasons under James Fuller.
SHARK BITES: In week 3, the âTide will go up against 2003 af2 tackles leader and former Riptide stand-out Kenny Haslip, who now anchors the Blitz defense... WR Ryan Smith is just two TD's shy of his career high for a season... Dwight Carter set a new Riptide record with 10 catches in Week 2... Claunch's five TD's last week were his most in one game since throwing six on June 28, 2003 against Wichita... All âTide games can be heard live with Mark Rogandino calling the play by play on www.WorldTalkRadio.com...
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