Twisters Roll into Town
Published on May 28, 2004 under arenafootball2 (af2)
Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz News Release
Coming off the most "complete" game in franchise history, the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz play their fourth home game in five weeks Saturday night at 7:30pm at the luxurious Ford Center against the Arkansas Twisters.
The 1-6 Twisters come into town, losers of five straight, but continuingly improving having had chances to win late in their last two games against Memphis and Tulsa .
"Arkansas is a very athletic team," said Yard Dawgz head coach Gary Reasons, "don't look at their record,
(Arkansas ) is a team that is capable of making plays and we are going to have our work cut out for us."
The Twisters are led by the combination of quarterback Kevin Williams and former Langston University and B.C. Lions (Canadian Football League) wide receiver Ted Alford. Williams is completing 51% of his passes for over 1200 yards, and is a run/pass threat having rushed for five touchdowns in seven games this season. Alford has 41 catches for 515 yards and 11 touchdowns, and is a potent kick return man. Alford accounts for 37% of Arkansas total offense and 33% of the Twisters scoring.
Defensive back Bruce Bailey and linebacker Darnell Small lead a revolving door defense in which only four players have participated in all seven of Arkansas games. Bailey leads the team in tackles and interceptions, while Small leads in sacks and tackles for loss. The constant turnover of players has lead to shaky offensive line play as the Twisters have given up a next to last 22 sacks. Arkansas has a struggled with below average field goal kicking converting only three times on 19 attempts.
The Dawgz come in with a 5-2 record including a perfect 4-0 mark at home. Fresh off a 53-25 win over division rival Wichita , the Dawgz now are faced with a test of maintaining momentum with three of their next four on the road and are still looking for their first win outside the southwest division.
Quarterback Craig Strickland leads af2 in pass rating (119.46) and touchdown passes (43) and has a trio of talented receivers do throw to. Offensive specialist Kris Peters, wide receiver Timon Marshall, and according to offensive coordinator Sparky McEwen "the MVP of this team," wide receiver Al Hunt. Hunt's 19 touchdowns and 694 yards rank him in the top ten in af2, but it is his versatility that impresses Yard Dawgz coaches and fans the most.
"Al Hunt does so many things for us, we'll take him and put him in at defensive back, then move him into a linebacker spot and we'll move him down to a defensive end spot to give us a quick pass rush," said defensive coordinator Glen Hall, "he does it all for us." Hunt also leads Oklahoma City in tackles and is tied for the team lead in interceptions.
This game will be dictated by the big uglies. The Dawgz defense leads af2 in sacks with 28 and is quickly approaching the single season league record of 52 by the 2001 Carolina Rhinos. Arkansas offensive line has given up a next to last 22 sacks and if not for a mobile quarterback could have a lot more.
The Dawgz high powered offense has scored more points in their last four games than Arkansas has scored all season (247-246), but the last time OKC faced a mobile quarterback, Laredo 's Rocky Perez picked up 45 yards on only nine carries. Arkansas quarterback Kevin Williams is a much better runner than Perez and with the Yard Dawgz newly acquired defensive specialist Gana Joseph expected to blanket Ted Alford, and continued shaky offensive line play, Williams may be forced to try and beat OKC with his legs.
Written by Brandon Rush
Dawgz Notes: (go to www.okcyarddawgz.com for more info the newest Dawgz)
The Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz have announced that they have been assigned WR/DB Sidney Lewis and WR/DB Keonta Golson by the arenafootball2 league office.
The Dawgz have also placed WR/Shawn Mills and WR/LB Chris Archie on short-term injured reserve and put DS Daron Franklin on long-term injured reserve
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