Xplorers Weekly Update
April 14, 2003 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Memphis Xplorers News Release
SOUTHAVEN, Miss â The Xplorers broke a four-game losing streak that dated back to the 2002 season with a 51-35 win over the Bakersfield Blitz in the 2003 home opener at the DeSoto Civic Center. QB Rod Robinson tossed three TD passes in his Xplorers debut. The Xplorers travel to Tulsa to take on the Talons this Saturday night. The Xplorers return home on April 26th in a battle to tame the Florida Firecats. For tickets call (662) 280-3737 or go online to www.xplorersaf2.com.
NEXT UP
· The Xplorers take on the Tulsa Talons. Memphis is 0-4 all-time against the Talons.
ELECTRIFYING EFFORT CONTINUES
· After a terrific performance in the first game of the season on the road at Columbus, Kevin Prentiss made a big impact in the home opener against Bakersfield. Prentiss, a former Mississippi State Bulldog, had six catches for 93 yards and three TDs, returned a kickoff 53 yards for a TD and totaled 146 all purpose yards.
WELCOME ROD
· QB Rod Robinson fired three TD passes in his Xplorers debut against Bakersfield and led the team to 51 points and 226 yards of total offense. In the season opening loss to Columbus on April 5th, the Xplorers mustered only 136 yards of total offense and only 19 points.
DEFENSE CONTINUES TO PLAY TOUGH
· In the season opener the Xplorers held Columbus to 26 total points. This past Saturday against Bakersfield, Memphis held the Blitz to nine first half points while the offense ran away with the game. Currently the Xplorers are tied for 7th in scoring defense, allowing 30.5 points per game. The Xplorers have forced three turnovers in two games, all on interceptions.
GOOD START
· The Xplorers struggled last year at home, posting a 1-7 record. The team must improve on that mark as they look for the first winning season in the third year of the franchise in the Mid-South.
MEMPHIS 51 - BAKERSFIELD 35 - 4/12/03 - SATURDAY
In the home opener at the DeSoto Civic Center, the Xplorers exploded for 31consecutive points after trailing early and took care of the Bakersfield Blitz 51-35 in front of 3,159 at the DCC. The Xplorers improved to 1-1 on the season. Rod Robinson made his debut for the Xplorers at quarterback and was greeted with a shaky start after being sacked by Chris Smith on the first play from scrimmage for a safety and an early Blitz lead. It was followed by a Chad Elliot 16-yard pass to York Frierson just more than two minutes later. Just before the end of the first quarter the Xplorers struck for their first TD and followed it with momentum into the second. Kevin Prentiss caught his first of two TD passes, this a 34-yard dash to make it 9-7 at the end of the quarter. In the second, Wes Virgilio booted a 20-yard field goal just 45 seconds in to give the Xplorers a 10-9 lead that they would never relinquish. In the final five minutes of the first half, Terrell Adams caught a 29-yard strike from Robinson, Prentiss caught a 19-yard ball, and Keith Spann recovered a fumble in the end zone to finish the half 31-9 Xplorers. In the third quarter, the teams exchanged scores. Bakersfield's Gerrick Bivins caught a pair of TD passes, 34 and 20 yards respectively. But they were offset by a 17-yard catch from Prentiss for a score, and his 53-yard dash to the endzone off a Blitz kickoff. By the fourth, the Xplorers were in command and the teams traded just two scores over the final 15 minutes. Elliot threw another 21-yard TD pass, but it was cancelled by Robinson's 11-yard zip to Terrell Adams. FINAL SCORE: Xplorers 51, Bakersfield 35.
Score 1 2 3 4 F
Memphis 7 24 14 6 51
Bakersfield 9 0 19 7 35
Records
Memphis 1-1
Bakersfield 0-2
XPLORERS SEASON TICKET PACKAGES
· Season ticket packages are available right now starting as low as $84.95 for a pair of season tickets and two t-shirts. For ticket information and purchases call (662) 280-3737 or go online to www.xplorersaf2.com .
MARDI GRAS NIGHT
· Join the Xplorers for a wild night of Mardi Gras fun on Saturday, April 26th, when they host the Florida Firecats. The Xplorers will be giving away beads and will have a live remote with 94.1 The Buzz. Plus it is the first Xplorers tailgate of the year and the band FreeWorld will be in the parking lot starting at 5 p.m. prior to the game against Florida. Food and beverages will be available.
ON THE AIR
· The Memphis Xplorers will take on the Tulsa Talons this Saturday on Y96.1 FM WYYL. Catch the pre-game show at 7:15 p.m. with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m.
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