Xplorers Weekly Update

June 9, 2003 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Memphis Xplorers News Release


SOUTHAVEN, Miss – The Memphis Xplorers suffered a setback in their surge towards the .500 mark as they were beaten 52-30 by the Florida Firecats this past Saturday night in Estero, Florida. The loss ended the Xplorers' two game win streak, and dropped them to 3-6 on the season. Memphis returns home on this Saturday night to host the Birmingham Steeldogs at the DeSoto Civic Center, located just 15 minutes south of downtown Memphis. The Xplorers will also be holding a football camp for children ages six to 12 starting at 1 p.m. on Saturday at the DCC. Cost is $25. Camp participants will also receive a ticket to the game against Birmingham. For tickets or to register for the camp call (662) 280-3737 or go online to www.xplorersaf2.com.

NEXT UP

· The Xplorers host the Birmingham Steeldogs this Saturday night at the DCC. The Xplorers are 0-1 all-time against the Steeldogs.

XPLORERS FOOTBALL CAMP · Children ages six to 12 who love football will have an opportunity to learn from the pros when the Memphis Xplorers host a football clinic this Saturday, June 14th, beginning at 1 p.m. at the DeSoto Civic Center. Cost is $25 and participants in the camp will receive a ticket to that night's Xplorers game against the Birmingham Steeldogs at the DCC included in the camp registration fee. Campers will also receive a T-shirt and have a chance for autographs from the Xplorers team. For more information call the Xplorers office at (662) 280-3737.

OUT OF RHYTHM

· The Xplorers were not able to get in sync offensively on Saturday night in their 52-30 loss at Florida. The 30 points scored was the second lowest of the season by Memphis, with the Xplorers' lowest output being 25 points in the season opener at Columbus. The Xplorers may have expected trouble as Florida has the number one scoring defense in af2 at 35.6 points per game.

MAGIC MARK

· Scoring 50 points almost automatically guarantees success in af2. Florida scored 50 points this past Saturday and beat Memphis 52-30. This past week in af2 teams that scored 50 or more points went 9-1. The only blemish was Peoria which scored 57 points, but lost 63-57 to Tulsa. This year teams are 72-19 when scoring 50 or more points. Memphis has scored 50 points four times, posting a 3-1 record when topping a half a century.

STRANGE STAT

· Florida and Memphis both threw for 185 yards through the air. The Xplorers attempted 38 passes (a season high for Memphis) while Florida tried 25.

ON THE GROUND

· The Xplorers allowed a season-high 77 yards rushing in their 52-30 loss at Florida. The Firecats averaged 6.4 yards per carry on 12 attempts. The 77 yards rushing was the second highest total allowed in af2 this year. The previous high for rushing yards allowed by Memphis this year was 58 on May 10th at Arkansas in a 50-42 loss. The most rushing yards allowed in a game this season in af2 is by Quad City on May 10th versus Wichita when the Steamwheelers gave up 114 yards rushing.

UNFORTUNATE SEASON HIGH

· The Xplorers set a season high with three turnovers in their 52-30 loss at Florida.

LACK OF PRESSURE

· The Xplorers came into the game with Florida ranked 2nd in af2 with 17 sacks. Eleven of those 17 sacks had come in the previous three games, but the Firecats' offensive line stood tall. Memphis only recorded one sack, by FB/LB Ed Smith, in their 52-30 loss at TECO Arena.

FLORIDA 53, MEMPHIS 30, JUNE 7th, TECO ARENA The Memphis Xplorers' two-game win streak came to an end with a 52-30 loss at TECO Arena in front of 4,719. With the victory Florida sweeps the season series with Memphis by winning both games. FIRST HALF - The Firecats were hot in the first half scoring on all four possessions. Florida QB Ken Mastrole went 8-13 and fired two TD passes. The Xplorers converted on three of four possessions, but were turned away in the final minute of the half. Xplorers QB Will Burch went 10-16 for 119 yards and two TDs. Adrian Burnette had both TD receptions for Memphis. Florida led 24-16 after one half. SECOND HALF- Memphis took the opening possession of the second half and scored on a 20 yard catch and run by Terrell Adams to pull within 24-22. The Firecats responded with a drive that Anthony Dixon capped with an 8 yard catch to make it 31-22. Once again Memphis mounted a challenge as Ed Smith scored on a two yard run to cut the deficit to 31-30. The Firecats answered with a five yard run by Frost to make it 38-30, and then capped the game with two late defensive TDs by Dixon and Quincy Sorrell to seal the victory. FINAL SCORE Florida 52, Memphis 30.

OFFENSIVE MVP – Ken Mastrole, Florida

ADT DEFENSIVE PLAYER – Rod Stabler, Florida

IRONMAN – Cainon Lamb, Florida

Records

Memphis 3-6

Florida 4-5

XPLORERS TICKETS

· For ticket information and purchases call (662) 280-3737 or go online to www.xplorersaf2.com .

XPLORERS PRACTICE TIMES

· The Xplorers will practice Tuesday-Thursday inside the DeSoto Civic Center this week. All practices begin at 8 p.m. and are open to the media.

ON THE AIR

· Catch the Xplorers on the air this Saturday against the Birmingham Steeldogs on Y96.1 FM. Pre-game begins at 7 p.m. with kickoff at 7:15 p.m.



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