Twisters Rally For 38-28 Win Over Xplorers

Published on July 12, 2003 under arenafootball2 (af2)
Memphis Xplorers News Release


SOUTHAVEN, Miss. – The Arkansas Twisters scored 20 fourth quarter points and rallied for a 38-28 win over the Memphis Xplorers. With the loss the Xplorers fall to 5-9. Memphis is 0-6 all-time against Arkansas. The Xplorers play their final two games of the year on the road. Next Saturday night Memphis travels to Green Bay to battle the Blizzard. For 2004 Xplorers season tickets call (662) 280-3737.

FIRST HALF

The Twisters struck first when Matt Norris connected on a 23 yard field goal for a 3-0 Arkansas lead. The Xplorers answered with a little help. Memphis QB Rod Robinson overthrew the ball deep over the middle intended for WR/DB Terrell Adams, Twisters' DS Kahlil Carter had the ball in his hands for the interception, but juggled it and deflected the ball right into the hands of Adams who went in for the score from 37 yards out to make it 6-0 Memphis. The Xplorers defense then stopped the Twisters on downs and the Memphis offense went back on the attack. Robinson capped a 10 play drive with a one yard quarterback sneak to make it 14-3. Arkansas responded with a two yard run by WR/DB Kevin Williams and a two point conversion pass from QB Rickey Hebert to Lonnie Johnson to pull within 14-11. The Xplorers then closed the half with a pair of field goals by Steven Green who connected from 33 and 23 yards to give Memphis a 20-11 lead at halftime.

SECOND HALF

With the opening possession of the second half the Xplorers had a chance to blow the game open, but Carter picked off Robinson and the Twisters marched down and scored on an eight yard pass from WR/DB Kevin Williams to WR/DB Lonnie Johnson to pull within 20-18. Carter picked off Robinson again, but Xplorers WR/DB George Williams returned the favor by intercepting Hebert. Going to the fourth quarter Memphis was clinging to a two point lead. The Twisters quickly moved in front as Hebert snuck around the left end on a naked boot and into the end zone from one yard out to give Arkansas the lead 25-20. Then Robinson was hit as he threw the ball and Arkansas WR/DB Anthony Eubanks picked off the screen pass and returned it 35 yards for the TD to make it 31-20 Twisters. Memphis answered as backup QB Matt Hicks slipped the ball into the right flat to Williams who cut across the field picked up some blocks and went 37 yards for a TD to pull the Xplorers within 31-28. That was as close as the Xplorers would get as the Twisters iced the game with a 56 yard missed field goal return by Williams to close out the scoring. FINAL SCORE Arkansas 38, Memphis 28.

Score 1 2 3 4 F

Memphis 6 14 0 8 28

Arkansas 3 8 7 20 38

Records

Memphis 5-9

Arkansas 8-6

XPLORERS TICKETS

For ticket information and purchases call (662) 280-3737 or go online to www.xplorersaf2.com .

ON THE AIR

Catch the Xplorers on the air next Saturday when they travel to Green Bay to take on the Blizzard on Y96.1 FM. Pre-game begins at 7:15 p.m. with the kickoff at 7:30 p.m.

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