Week 10 Game Recaps
June 3, 2002 - arenafootball2 (af2) News Release
Tallahassee Thunder (6-2) 68, Mobile Wizards (0-9) 50
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Game MVP CAINON LAMB totaled eight receptions for 124 yards and five touchdowns as Tallahassee won its second straight game against Mobile and fifth consecutive contest overall, 68-50 Friday.
Lamb, who also had a fumble recovery on the defensive side of the ball, scored back-to-back touchdowns at the end of the third quarter and start of the fourth to push the Thunder's lead from 32-28 to 46-28. The Wizards never pulled closer than 10 points the rest of the way, despite the efforts of KENDRICK LEE, who caught touchdown passes of 28 and 40 yards and had a 56-yard kickoff return for TD in the final period. Lee totaled 248 all-purpose yards (166 returns, 82 receiving) in the game.
MESIAH PORTER picked up ADT Defensive Player of the Game credit after recording six tackles, one fumble recovery and one forced fumble. He also scored Tallahassee's last two touchdowns on a pair of short runs. Thunder QB CHRIS PERKINS passed for 310 yards and seven touchdowns. Former Baton Rouge QB MELVIN HILL, who made his debut for Mobile, finished the game 15-of-23 for 232 yards and four touchdowns in leading the Wizards to their highest point total ever. ANTOINE FLOWERS earned Ironman honors for Mobile after totaling 143 receiving yards and a touchdown, also finishing the game with two interceptions.
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Florida Firecats (4-4) 52, Charleston Swamp Foxes (3-5) 45
ESTERO, Fla. - The Florida Firecats used their best offensive effort of the season to get by the Charleston Swamp Foxes 52-45 Friday night before a crowd of 5,261 fans at TECO Arena.
The Firecats were led offensively by DEDRIC MAFFETT and JOHNNY FROST, who both ran for two touchdowns. QB BRYAN SPARACINO threw for Florida's other two touchdowns. Florida had a 23-0 lead at halftime, but saw it cut to seven points by the fourth quarter.
For Charleston, veteran QB RAY ISAAC started the game, but completed only 6-of-21 passes for 48 yards and an interception. Rookie QB MIKE BATH replaced Isaac in the third quarter and had an immediate impact, finishing 8-for-15 for 163 yards and three touchdowns. He also added two rushing scores in the loss.
BEN CHRISTOPHER led all receivers, pulling in seven passes for 92 yards and one touchdown for the Swamp Foxes. MICHAEL BROWN caught a pair of passes for 40 yards and a score. He also added to his team-leading six interceptions with one takeaway. For the Firecats, KENNY CAUSEY led the team with four catches for 46 yards.
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Jacksonville Tomcats (4-4) 64, Columbus Wardogs (2-6) 58
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Columbus Wardogs followed a team-high 46-point performance by scoring 58, but it wasn't enough to tame the Tomcats as Jacksonville defeated Columbus 64-58 Friday night before 5,742 fans at Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
MARCUS OUTZEN started the game for Jacksonville and shared time with RASHARD CASEY before leaving the game early in the third quarter with an injury. Outzen completed 10-of-14 for 136 yards and three scores. Casey tossed 10 completions for 123 yards and three second-half touchdowns. Jacksonville had five different players catch touchdown passes in the contest.
For Columbus, BILLY LUCKIE was 18-of-33 for a season-best 332 yards and eight touchdowns. PHIL TAYLOR led all receivers with 11 catches for 188 yards and five scores. CLIFTON ROBINSON had the other three touchdowns, catching six passes for 131 yards on the night. It was the second week in a row that Columbus had two receivers over 100 yards.
Jacksonville's LAWRENCE PULLEN had a 57-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and he was named the game's MVP. BRIAN LIVINGSTON (Jacksonville) registered a team-high seven tackles, two interceptions and four passes defended. ROBERT POLLARD earned the Ironman award, leading the Tomcats with four receptions for 82 yards and one score.
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Louisville Fire (1-7) 31, Carolina Rhinos (2-6) 28
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Louisville Fire ended its 10-game losing streak Friday, beating the Carolina Rhinos 31-28 in front of 10,944 fans at Freedom Hall. Louisville improved to 1-7 on the season while Carolina fell to 2-6.
The Fire led 14-7 entering the fourth quarter, but jumped to a 24-13 advantage on PAUL CZERNIAK's 29-yard field goal and an 11-yard touchdown pass from DAN ENGLISH to CHARLES SHEFFIELD, who led the Fire with five catches for 53 yards overall. The TD answered a 30-yard touchdown run by Carolina's RAMONE ROBINSON.
The Rhinos closed within three points on a 33-yard touchdown pass from CALEB SLOVER to MAL LAWYER and the two-point conversion by COREY SULLIVAN. But Louisville's ANTHONY PAYTON provided the winning points with a 26-yard touchdown catch that made it 31-21. Robinson added a late score on a three-yard quarterback keeper, but the Fire held on for its first win since June 30, 2001.
Louisville FB/LB ANTHONY STALLINGS, the game MVP, gave the Fire its early lead with an eight-yard touchdown run and a 42-yard TD reception. He had 15 rushing yards and 48 receiving yards overall. OL/DL JASON THORNE had one of three Louisville sacks on his way to the Ironman award. Fire OL/DL JAMES DAWSON blocked a field goal attempt to earn ADT Defensive Player of the Game honors. English passed for 109 yards and three touchdowns in relief of starter MATT PIKE. Carolina QBs Slover and Robinson combined for 185 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Lawyer led all receivers with 89 yards.
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Macon Knights (7-2) 60, Augusta Stallions (7-1) 57
MACON, Ga. - JOHN RAYBORN found MARTEZ WESLEY in the end zone with seven seconds remaining to lift the Macon Knights to a 60-57 win over the Augusta Stallions Friday night before a crowd of 3,584 people at the Macon Coliseum.
The teams traded scores the entire game, with no team putting up two or more consecutive tallies. Each team threw one interception, but it was missed field goals that hurt the Stallions. KIETH GISPERT missed a 37-yarder in the first quarter and was wide left with a 53-yard attempt as time expired in the final frame.
Game MVP TREMAINE NEAL led the Knights with nine receptions for 115 yards and two touchdowns. JOHN RAYBORN went 32-of-41 for 352 yards and five scores. BYRON DOUZART was named Ironman of the Game, contributing eight solo tackles (game high), one sack and one rushing touchdown. The ADT Defensive Player of the Game award went to RENOTTO SOLOMON.
GLEN GAUNTT went 23-of-43 for 335 yards and eight touchdowns for the Stallions. TIM DUMAS and UNDRE WILLIAMS caught five of those TD passes, registering seven catches for 84 yards and eight grabs for 73 yards, respectively. CHRIS JOHNSON led all receivers with 121 yards on five catches.
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New Haven Ninjas (3-5) 32, Mohegan Wolves (3-6) 29
NEW HAVEN, Conn. - The New Haven Ninjas claimed the Constitution Cup for the 2002 season by defeating the Mohegan Wolves 32-29 Friday night before a crowd of 4,356 fans at the Mohegan Sun Arena.
The Ninjas led 32-24 after three quarters and were shut out in the final frame. Mohegan attempted a comeback in the fourth stanza, scoring 15 unanswered, but it could not convert on its last drive in the final minute and turned the ball over to New Haven on downs.
QB JARROD ROUANZOIN led New Haven, passing for 201 yards and four touchdowns. His featured target again was ANTHONY COMER, who caught seven passes for 65 yards on the night. RYAN BLAND and CHRIS ORTIZ each added two touchdown receptions. Ortiz earned game MVP honors, totaling two receptions for 66 yards and the two scores. BRIAN WATSON was named ADT Defensive Player of the Game.
Mohegan QB CABLE DAVIS passed for 194 yards and three touchdowns. BRENT BURNSIDE led all Mohegan receivers with eight receptions for 101 yards and two scores. CARLOS McLAURIN led all tacklers with five on the night. BRANDON STOKER was named Ironman of the Game, contributing one sack and 3.5 tackles.
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Norfolk Nighthawks (3-5) 63, Greensboro Prowlers (2-7) 36
NORFOLK, Va. - Quarterback CHRIS WALLACE threw for 283 yards and seven touchdowns as the Norfolk Nighthawks defeated the Greensboro Prowlers 63-36 Saturday night before 2,362 fans at Norfolk Scope Arena.
The "Killer B's" of TRAVIS BURNS (four receptions for 88 yards, two touchdowns), GARY BRIGGS (seven receptions for 124 yards, three touchdowns) and DOMINIC BANKS (four receptions for 84 yards, two touchdowns) helped lead the Nighthawks to their highest scoring output of the season. Burns also had 34 yards rushing with one score and intercepted a pass in the fourth quarter to earn Ironman of the Game honors.
WR/LB JAY CLARKE was named the ADT Defensive Player of the Game after recording 6.5 tackles, two interceptions and two pass breakups. Game MVP Wallace had his best game as a Nighthawk, leading the offense to nine touchdowns on the night.
JASON GIBSON led the Prowlers receivers with 100 yards and two touchdowns. TRAVIS PENDER completed 18-of-36 for 251 yards but threw four interceptions.
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Albany Conquest (7-1) 33, Richmond Speed (7-1) 30
RICHMOND, Va. - The Albany Conquest used a 20-point fourth quarter rally to come-from behind and knock off the Richmond Speed 33-30 Saturday night before 5,245 fans at the Richmond Coliseum.
Albany trailed 30-13 heading into the final frame, but was able to hold the Speed scoreless in the fourth and mount the comeback, capped by CHRIS DRENNAN's game-winning 19-yard field goal as time expired. The Speed's 30 points was a season low and it was the first time this year Richmond was held scoreless in a quarter.
Game MVP QB JOHN KRUEGER totaled 162 yards on 13-of-21 passing with two touchdowns. Krueger replaced QB RYAN VENA at halftime after Vena completed just 9-of-21 passes for 86 yards and an interception. COREY HILL led all receivers with 126 yards on nine catches and two scores. DS BRANDON TINSON, the ADT Defensive Player of the Game, logged two tackles, three pass breakups and one interception.
Ironman of the Game WR/DB KEVIN HARVEY recorded eight catches for 75 yards and three touchdowns, and chipped in with five tackles and two pass breakups defensively. BOB BEES was 17-of-33 passing for 147 yards and four scores. The Speed had won 28 of its last 33 games, including 16 straight at Richmond Coliseum.
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Cape Fear Wildcats (6-2) 44, Roanoke Steam (4-5) 26
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - The Cape Fear Wildcats picked up their fourth straight win and earned a sweep of the season series with the Roanoke Steam, winning 44-26 Saturday night before a crowd of 5,940 fans at the Crown Coliseum.
The Wildcats led 21-3 at halftime and never trailed the entire night. Cape Fear's defense held the Steam to 132 total yards of offense and registered four sacks on the night. League sack leader E.J. BURT had two of the four sacks for Cape Fear and was named the ADT Defensive Player of the Game. He also tallied 3.5 tackles and he forced one fumble.
MIKE GLUSKI improved to 7-0 as a starter this season, completing 20-of-32 passes for 184 yards and five touchdowns. EDDIE MILLER was named game MVP with six receptions for 63 yards and two touchdowns. NORMAN MASON earned Ironman honors with two grabs for 16 yards and his 11th touchdown of the season. Mason also had 2.5 tackles, three passes defended and an interception return for a touchdown.
MIKE VOLARVICH and SEAN PETERSON both saw action under center for the Steam. Volarvich completed 9-of-21 passes for 66 yards and two scores while Peterson went 10-of-18 for 86 yards. TACOMA FONTAINE had six catches for 63 yards to lead the Steam.
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Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers (2-7) 52, Rochester Brigade (5-4) 35
WILKES-BARRE, Pa. - The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers snapped a three-game losing streak with a 52-35 win over the Rochester Brigade in front of 6,358 fans at the First Union Arena Saturday.
BRYAN SNYDER led the Pioneers' offense, completing 18-of-31 passes for 202 yards and six touchdowns. Four of those touchdowns went to game MVP JOHN KNUST, who totaled eight receptions for 90 yards on the night. WR/DB MATT JACKSON had the other two scores, totaling 78 yards from five catches.
The ADT Defensive Player of the Game award went to DS DARIUS ELLISON, who registered five tackles (four solo) and five passes defended to help shut down the Brigade offense in the second half. OL/DL EDDIE BYNES was named the Ironman of the Game. For Rochester, QB MATT D'ORAZIO completed 21-of-42 passes for 219 yards and four touchdowns. League reception leader MARTINO THEUS added eight more to his season total (96) while DEREK BAKER led all receivers with eight grabs for 114 yards and three scores.
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Peoria Pirates (7-2) 67, Quad City Steamwheelers (5-3) 43
MOLINE, Ill. -The Peoria Pirates handed the Quad City Steamwheelers their first home loss in team history, a 67-43 thumping in front of 6,325 fans at The Mark of the Quad Cities Saturday. The Steamwheelers had won 25 straight games on their home field.
Peoria, behind the two-touchdown, four-interception performance of Game MVP LINCOLN DUPREE, scored first and never looked back. The Pirates led by 20 points in the second quarter, 34-14, and were never threatened, improving to 7-2 overall increasing their lead in the Midwest Division over the 5-3 Steamwheelers.
The Pirates used two long plays by Dupree; a 56-yard kickoff return and a 52-yard interception return, along with a six-yard WALTER CHURCH-to-JERMAINE SHEFFIELD touchdown pass, to go up 20-8 at the end of the first quarter. Dupree also had a seven-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and intercepted three other passes for a total of 105 yards. His four interceptions set an af2 single-game record.
Church completed 29-of-43 passes for 269 yards and seven touchdowns, spreading the ball around to eight different receivers. He hit Sheffield with a second scoring strike of 17 yards and connected with CORNELL CRAIG for scores of six and 11 yards. Sheffield, who earned the Ironman award, led the Pirates in receiving with 103 yards on nine catches. He also intercepted a pass for 16 yards and forced a fumble. The ADT Defensive Player of the Game award went to Peoria defensive specialist FRANK WEST, who recovered two Steamwheelers' fumbles. The Steamwheelers committed eight turnovers in all, tying the league high on the season.
CHRIS ANTHONY led the Steamwheelers with 14 catches for 157 yards and two touchdowns. IRA GOOCH caught five passed for 116 yards and two scores, adding 98 yards on seven kickoff returns. DAN MCMULLEN, who replaced an injured TONY ZIMMERMAN in the second quarter, passed for 283 yards and four touchdowns, but also tossed three interceptions.
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Birmingham Steeldogs (6-2) 47, Bossier City Battle Wings (5-4) 35
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Bossier City reeled off 21 unanswered points to cut a 41-14 Birmingham lead to six points, but the Steeldogs overcame two consecutive turnovers late in the fourth quarter to hold on for a 47-35 win.
MONTRESSA KIRBY's 25-yard touchdown pass to game MVP HERMAN BELL with 10 seconds remaining in the game sealed the victory for Birmingham. Kirby ended the night with 183 yards passing and four touchdowns. Bell produced a solid all-around game, catching three touchdown passes and returning a kickoff for a TD. KEVIN STEVENSON caught two touchdown passes to lead the Battle Wings' offense.
Birmingham's defense held last week's af2 Offensive Player of The Week, SHERARD POTEETE, to just 125 yards passing and 23 yards rushing. KEVIN SIGLER and MICHAEL FEAGIN intercepted Poteete twice to lead the Steeldogs' defense. Sigler earned ADT Defensive Player of the Game accolades for his efforts. For Bossier City, CEDRIC ROBINSON recorded 5.5 tackles and one fumble recovery.
CEDRICK BUCHANNON led the Steeldogs in receiving, catching five passes for 100 yards. Buchannon also collected two tackles and was named the game's Ironman.
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Arkansas Twisters (5-3) 48, Memphis Xplorers (4-5) 18
SOUTHAVEN, Miss. - Arkansas broke open a 14-12 game by outscoring Memphis 34-6 in the second half to roll to its second straight win over the Xplorers, 48-18, on Saturday. The Twisters moved into second place in the Central Division with the victory.
Arkansas QB RICKY HEBERT, the game MVP, completed 17-of-22 passes for 213 yards and five touchdowns on the night, and the Twisters used a big special teams at the start of the third quarter to get the pendulum swinging in their favor. The opening kickoff of the second half took a tricky hop off the rebound net, eluding Memphis kick returner CARLOS McNEARY and allowing Arkansas to recover at the Xplorers three-yard line. DARNELL SMALL rumbled in for a three-yard rushing touchdown on the next play. After the teams traded touchdowns to make it 27-18 Arkansas, Hebert put the game away with a 12-yard touchdown pass to ANTHONY EUBANKS, a 33-yarder to WR/DB LENNIE JOHNSON and a 17-yard strike to Eubanks.
Johnson won Ironman honors with five receptions for 65 yards and three touchdowns, a 58-yard kickoff return for another score, and good coverage in the defensive secondary. The ADT Defensive Player of the Game was ED SQUARE, who had seven tackles and forced a fumble. For the Xplorers, TIM LESTER finished 19 of 34 for 209 yards and two touchdowns. McNeary was the leading receiver in the game, catching nine passes for 87 yards and a touchdown.
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Tennessee Valley Vipers (7-1) 40, Pensacola Barracudas (3-5) 39
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - WES COUNTS hit RONALD BONNER with a 12-yard touchdown pass with 4:04 remaining to lead Tennessee Valley (7-1) to a 40-39 win over Pensacola (3-5) in front of 5,375 fans Saturday. The Barracudas pulled within one point on a TD in the final minute, but missed the two-point conversion that could have given them a season sweep of the Vipers. Pensacola upset Tennessee Valley last week.
Pensacola took an early 14-0 lead when QB CHARLIE PETERSON threw touchdown passes of 24 yards to JERRIAN JAMES and 29 yards to JACK WALKER. But Tennessee Valley rallied to tie the game 20-20 at halftime behind REGGIE WORTHY's 29-yard touchdown catch, BRAD JEFFERSON's nine-yard interception return and two field goals by TODD LATOURETTE. The teams traded touchdowns in the second half after Worthy, the game MVP and Ironman, gave the Vipers their first lead at 27-20 with a nine-yard TD reception. But Pensacola missed a pair of two-point tries after its last two TDs, including the one after JOESPH KAROMA's 13-yard touchdown grab that made it 40-39 with 29 seconds remaining.
Vipers QB WES COUNTS passed for 204 yards and three touchdowns, also running for a score. Worthy caught 10 passes for 152 yards and his two TDs. Walker led the Barracudas with 82 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Peterson passed for six touchdowns, totaling 243 yards through the air. Tennessee Valley DS KENNY BAILEY (2.5 tackles, two pass breakups) was named the ADT Defensive Player of the Game.
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Tulsa Talons (7-1) 63, Wichita Stealth (2-7) 29
TULSA, Okla. - Game MVP MITCH ALLNER scored two of his four touchdowns on kickoff returns and the Tulsa Talons' defense posted a second-half shutout in a 63-29 victory over the Wichita Stealth before 5,213 fans on Saturday. For Tulsa, it was the third straight win over Wichita, the sixth straight overall and the 15th consecutive home triumph dating back to the 2000 season.
Wichita, behind four RON LOPEZ touchdown passes on its first four possessions, led most of the first half and took a 29-28 advantage into the locker room at halftime. But Allner, who scored Tulsa's first TD on a 56-yard kickoff return, put Tulsa ahead to stay 35-29 with his 55-yard return TD to open the second half. Allner had 220 all-purpose yards - three kickoff returns for 118 yards, a missed field goal return for 12 yards and five receptions for 90 yards and two TDs. After Allner's kick return, the Talons scored four more unanswered second-half touchdowns while the defense shot down the Stealth with three defensive stands. WR/DB BRANDON DANIELS recovered a goal-line fumble and had a goal-line interception. RAMONE RICHARDSON and HENRY STEPHENS then stopped a Lopez scramble on 4th-and-goal.
DS LARRY HOLLINQUEST, the ADT Defensive Player of the Game, led the Talons with nine stops, seven of those unassisted. Ironman of the Game KEVIN NICKERSON of Tulsa broke up five passes, made two solo tackles and scored his first professional touchdown, catching a 44-yard pass from ANTHONY BUICH in the first quarter. Buich was 5-of-9 for 125 yards and two touchdowns while fellow QB JOE PHEARS totaled 124 yards and four TDs on 9-of-14 passing. Lopez finished the game 22-of-45 passing for 277 yards with four TDs and one interception. He was sacked twice. WILLIE GRISSOM caught seven passes for 74 yards to lead the Stealth receivers.
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Bakersfield Blitz (6-2) 70, Fresno Frenzy (3-6) 16
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - Fresno jumped out to an early 10-0 lead, but Bakersfield responded with 70 unanswered points to win the "Battle of Highway 99" 70-16 in front of 5,793 fans at the Centennial Garden.
In the second quarter alone, Bakersfield scored 27 points, including two touchdown runs by STEVE WOFFORD, as the Blitz built a 34-10 halftime lead. Fresno could not recover from the setback and did not score again until just eight seconds remained in the game.
Bakersfield held Fresno to just 141 yards of total offense and created four turnovers. The Blitz's DELVIN MYLES was named the ADT Defensive Player of the Game with 8.5 tackles, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. KENNY ROSE struggled in his first start at quarterback for Fresno, passing for just 112 yards and no touchdowns.
CHAD ELLIOTT won MVP honors, completing 18-of-21 passes for 243 and six touchdowns. Wofford was the recipient of two of Elliott's touchdown strikes, catching six passes for 92 yards overall. WR/DB RYAN SLOTH was named the game's Ironman, making seven receptions for 54 yards and a touchdown on offense, and two tackles, a forced fumble and two pass deflections on defense.
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San Diego Riptide (4-5) 44, Hawaiian Islanders (1-8) 34
SAN DIEGO, Calif. - A 21 point third quarter by San Diego erased a 21-16 Hawaii lead as the Riptide earned a 44-34 victory in front of 5,838 fans at the San Diego Sports Arena.
Hawaii jumped out to a 21-16 halftime lead on the rushing efforts of DARNELL ARCENEAUX who scored twice, and DEREK ZOLLER, who crossed the goal line once. However, Riptide QB KANE CLAUNCH and the San Diego defense took over in the second half.
Claunch completed 14-of-21 passes for 227 yards and four touchdowns en route to being named the game's MVP. Three of his scoring strikes came from at least 30 yards out. ALTIE PARKER nabbed touchdowns of 32 and 16 yards while game Ironman AAZAAR ABDUL-RAHIM gathered in two from 30 yards away.
KENNY HASLIP, the ADT Defensive Player of the Game, pulled in two interceptions, one of which he took back for a touchdown, and broke up six passes to lead the Riptide defensive effort that stopped the Islanders inside the San Diego 10-yard line three times. RICO CURTIS recorded 9.5 tackles and three passes defended, while BRAD GREETIS recovered a fumble for a San Diego touchdown. In addition to his two rushing TDs, Arceneaux passed for 126 yards and a touchdown before giving way to former NFL QB ERIK WILHELM, who was 4-of-10 for 82 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.
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THIS WEEK IN af2 HISTORY
6/3/00: Jacksonville Tomcats' kicker JIM TARLE connects on a 58-yard field goal. Tarle went on to kick for the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars.
6/8/01: With three kickoff returns for touchdowns against Roanoke, Louisville WR/DB BRIAN McDONALD ties ADLAI TRONE's league record for most kickoff returns for touchdowns in a game. McDonald went on to sign with the Philadelphia Eagles.
arenafootball2 Stories from June 3, 2002
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