Xplorers Win Home Opener Over Bakersfield Blitz, 51-35
Published on April 12, 2003 under arenafootball2 (af2)
Memphis Xplorers News Release
Southaven, MS- In the home opener at the DeSoto Civic Center, the Xplorers exploded for 31 consecutive 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 and travel to Tulsa next Saturday before returning home on April 26th with a tilt against Florida. Get your tickets by thru xplorersaf2.com, ticketmaster or by calling the Xplorers office at 662-280-3737.
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 over two minutes later.
But the Xplorers, just before the end of the first quarter 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 from Robinson's 11 yard zip to Terrell Adams.
FINAL SCORE: Xplorers 51, Bakersfield 35.
Catch the broadcast live on Saturday on Y96.1FM from Tulsa at 7:30. Pre-game show begins at 7:15.
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