Arizona and Orlando look strong as Atlanta looks for offense.
Salt Lake Stallions vs. Birmingham Iron
The Iron got the best of the Stallions on Saturday. Trent Richardson did what he did last week–score the team’s only touchdowns. But it was a team effort, too, starting with stout defense as the Iron held the Stallions to nine points. The final, 12-9, moves the Iron to 2-0 on the season. Luis Perez threw 24/38 for 184 yards. Trent Richardson rushed 19 times for just 41 yards but did his damage in the receiving game with six catches for 50 yards.
Arizona Hotshots Vs Memphis Express
The primetime game Saturday night was a roller coaster ride. The Express led at half 12-0, but could they keep it up? The Hotshots scored in the third quarter with just under two minutes to cut the deficit to 12-6. The Express led 18-6 with 13:49 left in the game, but AZ went on a scoring terror in the 4th quarter, taking the lead 20-18 with 7:13 left in the game. It came down to Christian Hackenberg trying to come back late. The Express offense couldn’t answer as the Hotshots defense stepped up big when it mattered most.
Orlando Apollos Vs San Antonio Commanders
In this battle of undefeated squads, the Commanders jumped out to a 12-0 lead. It was the Apollos turn in the second quarter, as they outscored the Commanders, 17-6. The Garrett Gilbert-to-Charles Johnson connection was on point as the Apollos’ offense thrived on deep balls. Gilbert had 218 first-half passing yards, and his team took an 18-17 lead into the locker room. The Apollos’ air attack got the best of the Commanders in the second half as they scored 20-straight points on their way to a 37-29 win. The Commander’s secondary couldn’t stop the Apollos’ fade routes. Gilbert led the way throwing 19/28 for 393 yards and two touchdowns, and Johnson caught seven balls for a league record 192 yards and one touchdown. For the Commanders, Logan Woodside threw 223 yards and had one TD.
Atlanta Legends Vs San Diego Fleet
The primetime game Sunday night saw the Fleet host the Legends in soggy conditions. It was all Atlanta early, as the Legends raced out to a 9-0 lead. But the Fleet came back to make it 9-6 at the half. Tied 9-9 going into the fourth quarter, the game changed dramatically. The Fleet took over the game scoring 15 points and won, 24-12. The Fleet’s Ja’Quan Gardner rushed 15 times for 104 yards and two touchdowns. But it was more of the same–no offense–for Atlanta’s OC Mike Vick. He needs to figure out something quickly! His next chance will be against the Iron next week in Atlanta.
