Xplorers blitz Bakersfield, 72-51
Published on May 23, 2004 under arenafootball2 (af2)
Memphis Xplorers News Release
BAKERSFIELD - Brian Jones threw for six touchdowns and ran for three more, and the Memphis Xplorers used a 30-point second quarter to push out to a lead they would never relinquish, defeating the Bakersfield Blitz 72-51 before 4,204 fans at Centennial Gardens.
Jones, who was benched last week yet brought Memphis back from a deficit for a late victory, was in form from the beginning of this contest. Jones completed 22 of 27 passes for 298 yards and six touchdowns, including three scoring strikes to OS Kevin Prentiss, who caught 11 balls in all for 125 yards. Jones also ran for three touchdowns, including a 27 yard scramble on a broken play late in the contest. Jones was named the Baby Ruth Real Deal Offensive Player of the Game.
The Xplorers were able to put constant pressure on Bakersfield QB Chad Elliott, who came into the game in the top 10 of af2 in several categories. Elliott had a subpar night, going 17 for 31 for 177 yards, four touchdowns and one interception.
Prentiss, who has six kickoff returns for touchdowns, was unable to find the endzone on special teams, but still found plenty of time to wreak havoc in that area, returning 5 kicks for 117 total yards.
Memphis DS LeJuan Edwards was voted the ADT Defensive Player of the game, thanks to several effective moments in coverage and a crucial interception towards the end of the third quarter that the Xplorers were able to convert into a touchdown on offense.
Bakersfield FB/LB Ahmad Bhatti was named the Army Ironman of the game after registering two sacks and 3.5 tackles.
The win moved the Xplorers to 4-3 on the season, and back to within a game of first place in the Mid-South Division. Memphis in in the midst of a two-game road trip, which they will complete next weekend as they travel to take on the Florida Firecats in Estero, FL. Memphis defeated the Firecats 54-51 earlier this year.
Bakersfield fell to 4-3 with the loss.
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