Xplorers Weekly Update

Published on July 7, 2003 under arenafootball2 (af2)
Memphis Xplorers News Release


SOUTHAVEN, Miss – The Tennessee Valley Vipers stayed unbeaten with a 51-36 victory over the Memphis Xplorers this past Saturday night. The loss ended the Xplorers' two-game winning streak and dropped them to 5-8 on the season. Memphis is still alive in the af2 playoff hunt, but now they need help to qualify for the first time in franchise history. The Xplorers are home this Saturday to battle the Arkansas Twisters at the DeSoto Civic Center, located just 15 minutes south of downtown Memphis. For tickets call (662) 280-3737 or go online at www.xplorersaf2.com.

NEXT UP

· The Xplorers host the Arkansas Twisters this Saturday night at the DCC in their final home game of the regular season. Memphis is 0-5 all-time against Arkansas.

RED HOT

· Xplorers QB Rod Robinson fired five TD passes on Saturday night against Tennessee Valley. Robinson, who has thrown 16 TD passes in his last three games, now has 49 total TD passes this year and is poised to become the second Xplorers QB in franchise history to top the 50 TD mark. Last year Memphis QB Tim Lester finished with 69 TD passes in 16 games played.

CLOSER THAN THE SCORE

· The Tennessee Valley Vipers stayed unbeaten with a 51-36 victory over the Memphis Xplorers this past Saturday in a game that was closer than it looked. The Vipers scored with no time remaining to provide the two-touchdown margin of victory. Memphis actually out gained the Vipers 233-232 yards in total offense.

WHAT IS THIS

· Going into the game on Saturday night Memphis and Tennessee Valley were ranked first and second in af2 in sacks with 30 and 28 respectively. Neither team was able to sack the opposing team's QB in the Vipers 51-36 victory over the Xplorers.

TIME OF POSSESSION

· Despite mustering just 16 yards of rushing the Vipers controlled the ball. Tennessee Valley mustered a 36:16 to 23:44 time of possession advantage in their 51-36 victory over the Xplorers. The 13-minute advantage almost equaled a full quarter more of possession time for the Vipers.

PLAYOFF CHASE

· The Xplorers playoff hopes are still alive despite a 51-36 loss to Tennessee Valley this past Saturday night. Going into the game the Xplorers had control of their own destiny, meaning if they won the rest of their games they were guaranteed a playoff spot. Despite losing Saturday the Xplorers can still make the playoffs, but they now need several of the teams ahead of them to lose in order to qualify.

TENNESSEE VALLEY 51, MEMPHIS 36, JULY 5th

The Tennessee Valley Vipers stayed unbeaten with a 51-36 victory over the Memphis Xplorers in front of 4,344 fans at the DeSoto Civic Center. The Vipers improved to 13-0 while the Xplorers dropped to 5-8. For tickets call (662) 280-3737 or go online at www.xplorersaf2.com and use the ticketmaster link. FIRST HALF-The Xplorers took the early lead when QB Rod Robinson found WR/DB Terrell Adams from 22 yards to make it 6-0 Memphis. The Vipers roared back with a couple of TD passes by QB Matt Sauk. The first was 21 yards to WR/DB Jerrian James, the second a 5 yard toss to WR/DB Reggie Worthy to make it 14-6 Vipers. The Xplorers marched the length of the field to connect on a Steven Green drop kick field goal that was worth four points and pulled the Xplorers to within 14-10. Tennessee Valley answered with a brilliant five play drive that covered 41 yards and was capped off by a Sauk to Worthy TD pass. SECOND HALF-In the second half the Vipers capitalized on the opening possession when FB/LB Marvin Strong powered in with a one yard run to make it 27-10. The Xplorers responded when WR/DB George Williams made a tremendous diving catch of a 33 yard TD pass by Robinson to pull within 27-16. The Vipers continued their strong play when Sauk found WR/DB Ronney Daniels with an 8 yard slant pass for a TD to increase Tennessee Valley's margin to 34-16. On the first play of the fourth quarter Robinson hit WR/DB Adrian Burnette with a hitch pass that turned into a 26 yard TD when Burnette spun free down the right side to get the Xplorers within 10 points. Tennessee Valley then kicked a 43 yard field goal by Mark Lewis to make it 37-24. Memphis refused to quit as Robinson found a sprawling WR/DB Terrell Adams in the end zone for a 33 yard TD strike to make it a seven point game. That was as close as Memphis would get as the Vipers scored twice more to seal the win. FINAL SCORE Tennessee Valley 51, Memphis 36.

Records

Memphis 5-8

Tennessee Valley 13-0

XPLORERS APPEARANCES

· Monday, July 7th, 1 p.m. - The Xplorers will be going to the Frayser Branch of the Memphis Library as part of their Summer Reading Club.

· Monday, July 7th, 3 p.m. - The Xplorers will be going to the Randolph Branch of the Memphis Library as part of their Summer Reading Club.

XPLORERS TICKETS

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

XPLORERS 2004 SEASON TICKETS

· Purchase or renew season tickets for the upcoming 2004 Memphis Xplorers season at the DeSoto Civic Center by calling (662) 280-3737.

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 night against the Arkansas Twisters on Y96.1 FM. The pre-game show will begin at 7 p.m. with the kickoff set for 7:15 p.m.

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