Twisters Start Fast, End Slow Against Blitz
May 2, 2004 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Arkansas Diamonds News Release
(Bakersfield, CA) The Arkansas Twisters made changes at quarterback, offensive specialist, defensive specialist, and even got Lennie Johnson back from the injuried reserve list, but head coach Gary Anderson left the Centennial Garden scratching his head still searching for answers after a 49-21 loss at Bakersfield.
The game started out well for Arkansas when Bakersfield quarterback Chad Elliot's second pass of the game went into the arms of Larry Butler, starting ahead of Rodderick Jefferson at defensive specialist, and he ran the interception back for the touchdown to give the Twisters the early lead. Elliot recovered by finding Eric Mahanke for a 14 yards touchdown pass, but Bakersfield missed the point after, and the Twisters led 7-6.
Things turned for the worst for the Twisters when rookie quarterback Herny Young was sacked in his own endzone for a safety that gave Bakersfield the lead to stay. Elliot hit Player of the Game Rennard Reynolds with three first half touchdown passes and Bakersfield led 36-13 at halftime.
Arkansas mounted a small comeback in the second half when Young found Kevin Williams, who had moved over to offensive specialist, and Williams broke a tackle to go the distance for a 39 yard score to pull the Twisters to 36-21.
But Bakersfield squashed any hopes for a Twisters comeback by scoring on the next possession when Elliott found Mahanke for the second time that game to put the Blitz up 42-21. Bakersfield later added a late touchdown to finish the game 49-21.
Elliott finished 24 of 37 with 284 yards passing and 6 touchdowns. Reynolds led all receivers with 11 catches for 176 yards and 4 touchdowns. Young finished 11 of 26 for 136 yards passing, one touchdown, and two interceptions. Kevin Williams led Twisters receivers with 63 yards and a touchdown.
Lennie Johnson had 2 receptions for 8 yards in his first game back from ACL surgery.
The Twisters return to Alltel Arena this Saturday to face new Mid-South Divisional rival Tennessee Valley.
arenafootball2 Stories from May 2, 2004
- Twisters Start Fast, End Slow Against Blitz - Arkansas Diamonds
- Vipers take over first by beating Memphis, 43-33 - Tennessee Valley Raptors
- Blitz Trounce Twisters, 49-21 - Bakersfield Blitz
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