Xplorers Fall Again to Tulsa 44-41
July 9, 2005 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Memphis Xplorers News Release
Southaven, MS-The Memphis Xplorers of the af2 lost their second consecutive game tonight to the Tulsa Talons 44-41 at the DeSoto Civic Center.
Tulsa jumped out to an early 14-point lead before Memphis even got on the scoreboard. The Xplorers trailed by as many as 21 points in the first half, before rallying to take a four-point lead in the third quarter.
The Talons then jumped back on top in the closing minutes of the third quarter. Talons quarterback Josh Blankenship found Robert Reed in the end zone with less than two minutes to go in the quarter. The touchdown directly followed a delay of several minutes, after Tulsa WR/DB Shan Jordan was injured and left the field on a stretcher.
Tulsa extended the lead to ten points with eleven minutes left in the fourth, and Memphis closed the gap to three with 8:06 to go. The Xplorers had another chance, but Xplorers kicker Steven Azar missed a 32-yard field goal that would have tied the game. Azar was 0 for 3 on the evening in field goals attempts.
Memphis has now lost to Tulsa in all five meetings in af2 history. The loss was the Xplorers third three-point loss of the season.
The Offensive MVP was Terrell Adams, who had eight catches for 110 yards and two touchdowns. The Army Ironman went to Dahnel Singfield with seven total tackles and six pass deflections. Khreem Smith won the ADT Defensive Player of the Game with six tackles and one sack for a four-yard loss.
With the loss the Xplorers dropped to 10-3 on the season, but remain in first place in the Mid West Division of the National Conference. The next Xplorers game is next Saturday against the Manchester Wolves. Game time is scheduled for 7:00pm. Single game tickets start as low as $7 and can be purchased by calling 662-342-1755, visiting the DeSoto Civic Center box office, or by logging onto www.TicketMaster.com today! Memphis Xplorers Arena Football! Back in Black!
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