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Xplorers Weekly Update

July 15, 2003 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Memphis Xplorers News Release


SOUTHAVEN, Miss – With a 38-28 loss to the Arkansas Twisters this past week the Xplorers' playoff hopes suffered a blow. Despite a 5-9 record, however, Memphis can still qualify for the playoffs. The Xplorers need to win their final two games and receive help from two teams ahead of them to make the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. The Xplorers are on the road this Saturday to battle the Green Bay Blizzard. For 2004 season tickets call (662) 280-3737 or visit the Web at www.xplorersaf2.com.

NEXT UP

· The Xplorers travel to Green Bay to take on the Blizzard. This is the first ever meeting between the franchises. Green Bay is a member of the 2003 expansion class while Memphis debuted in 2001.

SEASON HIGH

· The Xplorers wrapped up the regular season home schedule with a season high crowd of 5,128 fans Saturday night.

MILESTONE

· Despite a tough night Xplorers QB Rod Robinson had one bright spot. When Robinson connected with Terrell Adams for a 37-yard TD strike in the first quarter, it was his 50th TD pass of the season. Robinson becomes the second Xplorers QB in franchise history to top the 50-TD mark. Last year Memphis QB Tim Lester finished with 69 TD passes.

SEASON LOW

· The Xplorers mustered a season low 110 net yards passing in this past Saturday's 38-28 loss to Arkansas. The previous low of 128 net yards passing came in a 26-25 loss to Columbus in the season opener.

TOUGH GAME

· Xplorers QBs struggled in the 38-28 loss to Arkansas. Rod Robinson and Matt Hicks combined to go 8-24 for 110 yards and four interceptions. Robinson was just 4-14 and tossed three of the picks.

TIME OF POSSESSION PART DEUX

· For the second straight game Memphis was dominated in the time of possession category. Two weeks ago, when the Xplorers lost 51-36 to Tennessee Valley, the Vipers held the ball for 13 more minutes than the Xplorers. This past Saturday, Arkansas had a 38:05 to 21:55 advantage in time of possession, more than 16 minutes of advantage.

MEMPHIS PLAYOFF CHASE

· The Xplorers playoff hopes are still alive despite a 38-28 loss to Tennessee Valley this past Saturday night. At 5-9 Memphis now needs help in order to qualify for the playoffs. The Xplorers need Bakersfield, currently 7-7, to lose their last two games. Cincinnati, currently 6-8, must lose one of their last two games. San Diego, currently 5-9, must lose one of their last two games.

ARKANSAS 38, MEMPHIS 28, JULY 12th

The Arkansas Twisters scored 20 fourth quarter points and rallied for a 38-28 win over the Memphis Xplorers. With the loss the Xplorers fall to 5-9. Memphis is 0-6 all-time against Arkansas. The Xplorers play their final two games of the year on the road. FIRST HALF-The Twisters struck first when Matt Norris connected on a 23 yard field goal for a 3-0 Arkansas lead. The Xplorers answered with a little help. Memphis QB Rod Robinson overthrew the ball deep over the middle intended for WR/DB Terrell Adams, Twisters' DS Kahlil Carter had the ball in his hands for the interception, but juggled it and deflected the ball right into the hands of Adams who went in for the score from 37 yards out to make it 6-0 Memphis. The Xplorers defense then stopped the Twisters on downs and the Memphis offense went back on the attack. Robinson capped a 10 play drive with a one yard quarterback sneak to make it 14-3. Arkansas responded with a two yard run by WR/DB Kevin Williams and a two point conversion pass from QB Rickey Hebert to Lonnie Johnson to pull within 14-11. The Xplorers then closed the half with a pair of field goals by Steven Green who connected from 33 and 23 yards to give Memphis a 20-11 lead at halftime. SECOND HALF-With the opening possession of the second half the Xplorers had a chance to blow the game open, but Carter picked off Robinson and the Twisters marched down and scored on an eight yard pass from WR/DB Kevin Williams to WR/DB Lonnie Johnson to pull within 20-18. Carter picked off Robinson again, but Xplorers WR/DB George Williams returned the favor by intercepting Hebert. Going to the fourth quarter Memphis was clinging to a two point lead. The Twisters quickly moved in front as Hebert snuck around the left end on a naked boot and into the end zone from one yard out to give Arkansas the lead 25-20. Then Robinson was hit as he threw the ball and Arkansas WR/DB Anthony Eubanks picked off the screen pass and returned it 35 yards for the TD to make it 31-20 Twisters. Memphis answered as backup QB Matt Hicks slipped the ball into the right flat to Williams who cut across the field picked up some blocks and went 37 yards for a TD to pull the Xplorers within 31-28. That was as close as the Xplorers would get as the Twisters iced the game with a 56 yard missed field goal return by Williams to close out the scoring. FINAL SCORE Arkansas 38, Memphis 28.

Records

Memphis 5-9

Arkansas 8-6

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 Green Bay Blizzard on Y96.1 FM. The pre-game show will begin at 7:15 p.m. with the kickoff set for 7:30 p.m.



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