Post by David on Mar 12, 2017 13:46:29 GMT -8
Spokane Empire at Salt Lake Screaming Eagles
What: Monday Night Football - IFL Style! Spokane visits Salt Lake in the first of four meetings this season.
When: Monday, March 13, 6 p.m. (PT)
Where: Maverik Center, West Valley City, Utah
Empire Media: Radio - ESPN 700 AM/105.3 FM
National Media: Stream - YouTube
Series History: First Meeting
Note: This is the first game for the Screaming Eagles under new Head Coach Matthew Sauk
HELPFUL LINKS
Indoor Football League Rules
Indoor Football League Schedule and Results - 2017 Season
2017 Spokane Empire Schedule
Spokane Empire - Vital Statistics
2017 Salt Lake Screaming Eagles Schedule
Salt Lake Screaming Eagles - Vital Statistics
IFL Franchise Index
The Empire are 1-1 overall, 0-1 on the road and 0-0 in conference play. Spokane is coming off a 56-57 double overtime road loss to the Wichita Falls Nighthawks on March 3. They are averaging 45.0 points per game (5th in IFL) and are allowing 44.0 points per game (3rd). The Empire are tied for second in the Intense Conference.
The Screaming Eagles are 1-1 overall, 0-1 at home and 1-1 in conference play. Salt Lake is coming off a 42-41 overtime road win over the Colorado Crush on February 26. They are averaging 44.5 points per game (6th) and are allowing 59.5 points per game (10th). The Screaming Eagles are tied for second in the Intense Conference.
BREAKDOWN
Total Yards per Game - Empire 246.0; Screaming Eagles 259.0
Pass Yards per Game - Empire 167.5; Screaming Eagles 182.5
Rush Yards per Game - Empire 78.5; Screaming Eagles 76.5
3rd Down Conversion - Empire 38.9%; Screaming Eagles 52.2%
4th Down Conversion - Empire 50.0%; Screaming Eagles 50.0%
Total Tackles - Empire 81; Screaming Eagles 65
Tackles for Loss - Empire 11; Screaming Eagles 3
Total Sacks - Empire 4.0; Screaming Eagles 0
Fumble Recoveries - Empire 0; Screaming Eagles 0
Interceptions - Empire 3; Screaming Eagles 3
SPOKANE EMPIRE
Empire RB Trevor Kennedy (image credit: Dan Pelle / The Spokesman-Review)
ROSTER
# - name (pos)
1 - Samuel Charles (WR)
2 - Bryan Pray (WR)
3 - Kyle Brotzman (K)
5 - Tyree Robinson (DB)
6 - Robert Brown (DB)
7 - Mulku Kalokoh (RB/KR)
8 - Andrew Jackson (LB)
10 - Devonn Brown (WR)
11 - Charles Dowdell (QB)
12 - Toby Jackson (DL)
13 - Pasquale Vacchio (LB)
16 - Aaron Wilmer (QB)
18 - Trevor Kennedy (OS)
22 - Adrian James (DB)
24 - Dejuan Miller (WR)
33 - John Hardy-Tuliau (DB)
41 - Toney Hurd Jr. (DB)
47 - Nick Haag (LB)
55 - Bill Vavau (OL)
63 - Junior Alexis (DL)
70 - Jonah Austin (OL)
72 - Kyle Fischer (OL)
74 - Darren Pinnock (OL)
93 - J.D. Griggs (DL)
99 - Harold Love III (DL)
Adam Shackleford - Head Coach
Cleveland Pratt - Assistant Head Coach/Special Teams
Anthony Payton - Assistant Coach
Marquise Liverpool - Assistant Coach
Marshall Hart - Line Coach
Joshua Artis - Assistant Coach
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Passing Yards - Charles Dowdell 340
Passing TDs - Charles Dowdell 7
Passing INTs - Charles Dowdell 4
Rushing Yards - Charles Dowdell 141
Rushing TDs - Charles Dowdell 2
Receptions - *Carl Sims 7
Receiving Yards - Bryan Pray 85
Receiving TDs - Trevor Kennedy/Dejuan Miller/Bryan Pray 2
Tackles (Solo) - Pasquale Vacchio 12
Sacks - Nick Haag 1.5
Interceptions - Robert Brown/Tyree Robinson/Pasquale Vacchio 1
KO Return Ave - Trevor Kennedy 19.3
KO Return TDs - N/A
*Not on Active Roster
Note: Roster information is subject to change and is presented here as a basic guide for following the game. Roster information is gathered from the IFL and the team's official websites.
SALT LAKE SCREAMING EAGLES
Screaming Eagles QB Verlon Reed (image credit: Colorado Crush / Facebook)
ROSTER
# - name (pos)
1 - Verlon Reed (QB/WR)
2 - Breon Allen (RB)
3 - Don Unamba (DB)
4 - Brock Lutes (WR/DB)
5 - Jesse Scroggins (QB)
6 - Ed Burns (DB)
8 - Zavier Steward (RB)
10 - Trent Andrus (K)
11 - James Calhoun (DB)
12 - Rashad Greene (DB)
13 - Cy Strahm (WR/K)
21 - Juwan Dotson (WR)
25 - Antion McBee (DB)
45 - L.T. Filiaga (LB)
51 - Alex Land (OL)
53 - Siale Hautau (DL)
55 - James Wilkes IV (OL)
56 - Steven Gurrola (OL)
59 - Visesio Salt Jr. (OL/DL)
84 - Devin Mahina (WR)
93 - Seante Williams (DL)
96 - Ben Compton (DL)
97 - Jerrod Black (DL)
?? - Michael Ward (DL)
Matthew Sauk - Head Coach
The Fans - Offensive Coordinator(s)
Sergio Gilliam - Co-Defensive Coordinator
Kevin Bello - Co-Defensive Coordinator/Special Teams Coach
Jaren Skinner - Offensive and Defensive Line Coach
Ron McBride - Special Assistant to the Head Coach
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Passing Yards - Verlon Reed 393
Passing TDs - Verlon Reed 11
Passing INTs - Verlon Reed 2
Rushing Yards - Verlon Reed 117
Rushing TDs - Verlon Reed/Zavier Steward 1
Receptions - Juwan Dotson/Devin Mahina 11
Receiving Yards - Devin Mahina 122
Receiving TDs - Juwan Dotson/*Derwyn Lauderdale/Devin Mahina 2
Tackles (Solo) - Ed Burns 10
Sacks - N/A
Interceptions - Don Unamba 2
KO Return Ave - Juwan Dotson 16.0
KO Return TDs - N/A
*Not on Active Roster
Note: Roster information is subject to change and is presented here as a basic guide for following the game. Roster information is gathered from the IFL and the team's official websites.
DAVID'S TAKE
SPOKANE:
In spite of the heartbreaking 56-57 double overtime loss to the Wichita Falls Nighthawks last week, there are encouraging things to take away from the game. For starters, the Empire's explosive passing offense came alive after a moderately slow start. The Empire defense, although giving up 57 points, came up big on critical drives to keep the game close for their offense to break out and turn the tide of the game. There are still issues that Head Coach Adam Shackleford must address, such as penalties and a more consistent running game, but the Empire are still the team to beat in the Intense Conference.
After a disappointing performance in the passing game in Week 2, Charles Dowdell had a nice rebound against Wichita Falls. Last week, Dowdell was 16 of 27 for 254 yards, 6 TDs and 2 INTs. The read option came into play once again as he led the Empire with 35 rushing yards, helping to move the chains and keep the Empire offense out on the field. So far this season, Dowdell leads the Empire with 141 total rushing yards and 2 rushing touchdowns. This week, he'll look to continue his offensive production against a Screaming Eagles defense that ranks 3rd in the IFL in pass defense and 9th in rushing defense. Based on the success of the read option through the first two games of the season, Dowdell's versatility could cause trouble for Salt Lake's rushing defense and open up ample opportunities for him to find success in the passing game.
RB Trevor Kennedy got his first taste of game action since June 4th, 2016. Despite some early positive runs, some miscommunication between Kennedy and Dowdell resulted in a result of -18 net yards rushing for the 2016 IFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. Despite the struggles running the football, Kennedy was outstanding in Spokane's passing game with 4 receptions for 74 yards and 2 touchdowns. His value was also tremendous in Spokane's kick returning game. Despite Devonn Brown starting the game as the team's kick returner, Kennedy came in the second half and was electric, returning 3 kicks for 58 yards, including a long of 20 yards. By passing the hurdle of playing his first full game in 9 months, Kennedy will get opportunities to establish his presence in the Empire's running game. The question this week is if the Empire decide to go for a 2-back look against the Screaming Eagles. RB/WR Mulku Kalokoh was inactive last week after rushing for 30 yards and a touchdown in the season opener against Green Bay. If the Empire decide to activate him for this week's game, the change-up of Kennedy and Kalokoh could help set up a lethal combination for the read-option, meaning a potentially long evening for Salt Lake's defensive line.
As predicted last week, the Empire's wide receivers came out hungry to make an impact against the Nighthawks. Ex-Fever WR Dejuan Miller broke out after a quiet season debut, leading all Empire receivers with 5 receptions for 78 yards and 2 touchdowns. Both of his touchdowns resulted in big big plays, including a 40 yard bomb from Dowdell midway through the 3rd Quarter and even a 20 yard reception on the first offensive possession in overtime. Veteran WRs Carl Sims (4 receptions, 55 yards) and Bryan Pray (2 receptions, 44 yards) each recorded big play touchdown receptions of 30 and 34 yards, respectively. Sims has since been released in favor of Samuel Charles, who was re-activated off the Short Term IR list on Friday, and will make his debut Monday night. Spokane's wide recievers look to grind it out against a tight Screaming Eagles secondary that's only giving up an average of 143 passing yards through two games this season.
On the other side of the ball, the Empire defensive unit take on one of the more unique tests it has ever faced: an offense run by the fans. The staple of Salt Lake's offense is that the offensive playcalling comes through the fans, set up by a unique mobile phone app created by Project FANchise. Fans are given a slate of plays and the play that's given the most votes is the play that the Screaming Eagles run. Despite skepticism of fans calling offensive plays, it's looked good through two games this season as Salt Lake ranks 4th overall in total offense, 5th in rushing offense and 3rd in passing offense. QB Verlon Reed is arguably the team's MVP, ranking near the top of the IFL with 393 passing yards (3rd in the IFL), 11 passing touchdowns (2nd), and a whopping completion percentage of 68.8% (2nd). He leads the Screaming Eagles with 2 rushing touchdowns and 117 rushing yards, which is second in the league next to Spokane's Charles Dowdell. Reed knows how to spread the football around, as seven different players have recorded a touchdown reception this season. This could present a challenge for Spokane's defensive backs, but they should be up to the task as they're coming off a game in which they kept pace with a high flying Wichita Falls offense. DBs Robert Brown (6 solo tackles, 2 pass breakups, INT) and Tyree Robinson (7 solo tackles, 2 pass breakups, INT), respective recipients of the IFL Defensive Player of the Week awards in Week 2 and 3, look to contain Salt Lake's diverse passing offense. Adrian James (6 solo tackles, 2 pass breakups) and rookie John Hardy-Tuliau (6 total tackles, 1 pass breakup) will have to step up to the task of covering their assignments and not allow Reed the ability to launch the deep ball.
Up front, Spokane's defense will look to keep Reed and RB Breon Allen in check. LB Pasquale Vacchio leads all Empire defenders with 15 total tackles (12 solo) and 3 pass breakups, while also recording his first interception of the season in last week's game. LB Nick Haag recorded 1.5 sacks last week and will look to not only stuff the line of scrimmage, but free up pressure by defensive linemen Toby Jackson (1.0 sacks, 3 tackles for loss), J.D. Griggs (2.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks) and run stuffer Harold Love III (2 tackles for loss, 1.0 sacks).
Player to Watch: Trevor Kennedy (RB)
HEIDI'S TAKE
SALT LAKE:
Two weeks ago, the Screaming Eagles were riding high off their first win in franchise history, a 42-41 overtime decision over the Colorado Crush. It was a remarkable back and forth between the two teams, both owned by Project FANchise. It culminated in a two-point conversion pass from Verlon Reed to Juwan Dotson, which was preceded by Reed's four-yard touchdown toss to Zavier Steward. The Screaming Eagles were down 41-34 after the Crush had gotten the ball on the first and scored on a 14-yard run by Sean Goldrich. Reed completed 73.4% of his passes for 211 yards, 5 touchdowns and no interceptions. He also rushed 12 times for 61 yards. Those numbers, in addition to his clutch play down the stretch, earned him IFL Offensive Player of the Week honors for Week 2.
Just days later, the unexpected occurred. From out of the blue, Project FANchise dismissed head coach William McCarthy after two games, citing "philosophical differences." On April 6, the Screaming Eagles announced they had hired veteran arena coach Matthew Sauk to helm the team. Sauk, the former head coach of the Portland Thunder of the Arena Football League, has a history of football in Utah. He played two seasons for the Utah St. Aggies, and spent three seasons as offensive coordinator of the AFL's Utah Blaze. In the latter role, he was named AFL Assistant Coach of the Year in 2011 and 2012. The prior season as offensive coordinator of the Spokane Shock, Sauk helped to guide the team to the AFL championship in ArenaBowl XXIII.
In his previous head coaching position with the Thunder, he led the expansion franchise to a 5-13 record and fourth place finish in the National Conference. His Thunder team went 0-5 to open the season, but swept a pair of games on a Florida road trip. Including those two wins, the team would go on to win five of its last eight games, which was good enough to earn the fourth seed in the conference playoffs. They would run into the eventual champion Arizona Rattlers before falling in a thriller, 52-48. Now, he enters his first tenure as an IFL coach.
QB Verlon Reed is an IFL star on the rise. In addition to being the Week 2 Offensive Player of the Week, and leading the Screaming Eagles to the overtime win over the Crush, he showed a knack for being able to make plays when they are needed to be made. He should benefit, if not in this game, but in the long term from Sauk's mentoring. There will be a new playbook, so which ever play is called, fans calling the plays at home will see something new.
Reed has completed 68.8% of his passes (44 of 64) for 393 yards. He also has 11 touchdowns against just two interceptions. Reed is also the leading rusher for the Screaming Eagles, having run the ball 22 times for 124 yards and a touchdown, and is the focal point of the Screaming Eagles' offense. Sauk, in an interview with SCtoC's Bannock , talked about improving Reed's progressions from one receiver to the next and the next. That will be part of Sauk's mentoring of Reed over these coming weeks and over the course of the season.
Reed has an array of targets. Devin Mahina, who played college ball at nearby Brigham Young, is averaging 10.1 yards per catch on 13 receptions for 11 yards and three touchdowns. Juwan Dotson has 11 receptions for 89 yards and two scores. Cy Strahm, who doubles as the team's kicker, has seven catches for 88 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
On defense, the Screaming Eagles have shown it can be opportunistic. Don Unamba has an interception in each of the first two games. Ed Burns, who leads the team in tackles, also has intercepted an opponent's pass. The Screaming Eagles are still looking for their first sack of the season. Salt Lake has three tackles for a loss this season.
This game will be a tough battle for the Screaming Eagles. Spokane is full of veterans and stocked with talent. The Screaming Eagles are the upstart with an innovative, fan-oriented group and a brand new coach. That brand new coach is one of the most experienced in the format of the indoor/arena football leagues. Battling the defending Intense Conference champions will be a tall order.
Player to Watch: Verlon Reed (QB)
For more analysis, check out SCtoC's John Gary: Screaming Eagles Face Tough Task Against Empire
QUOTABLE
Head Coach Matthew Sauk on being named the new head coach of Salt Lake.
"As a coach winning is a priority. At the same time, I want to assure the fans that the decisions we make moving forward with this football organization will be made in partnership with the Screaming Eagles Virtual Front Office and the global network of fans. Together we will continue to write a new chapter in professional sports history."
Empire OS Trevor Kennedy on recovering from his leg injury.
"I struggled with it for a while but I made it over the hump and am getting to the fun part now."
Kennedy on his football future.
"If being the best and working hard doesn’t take me to the NFL, then I will have fun while I am chasing it, because this is what I love to do and am most passionate about."
FEATURED SOCIAL MEDIA
IFL SCHEDULE THIS WEEK
March 11 - Colorado Crush (0-2) at Arizona Rattlers (0-2), 5 p.m.
March 11 - Wichita Falls Nighthawks (3-0) at Cedar Rapids Titans (0-2), 5:05 p.m.
March 11 - Sioux Falls Storm (2-0) at Nebraska Danger (2-1), 5:05 p.m.
March 12 - Iowa Barnstormers (1-1) at Green Bay Blizzard (1-1), 1:05 p.m.
EXTRA
Spokane vs Utah at the Maverik Center in 2010 (image credit: KSL / KSL.com)
The Maverik Center, the current home of the Salt Lake Screaming Eagles, has history when it comes to arena/indoor football. In fact, it used to be the home to the AFL's Utah Blaze for one season.
Prior to the 2010 season at the Maverik Center, the Blaze previously played its first three seasons at EnergySolutions Arena, home of the Utah Jazz. When the AFL announced it would suspend operations prior to the 2009 season, the Blaze did the same as well. Around this time, a new arena football team called the Utah Valley Thunder was formed. The Thunder, members of the American Indoor Football Association, were based out of Oren, Utah, and played their games at the McKay Events Center.
By September 2009, the AFL had folded and its developmental league, the af2, folded to form a new league called Arena Football 1. AF1 was intended as a two-tiered league, consisting of the AF1 and the af2, and would be comprised of former AFL teams and the successful af2 franchises. Upon the AF1's formation, the Thunder applied to be part of the af2. With a move to a higher tier league, the Thunder they announced announced their move to the Maverik Center (then known as the E Center) for 2010.
In December 2009, AF1 acquired the rights to the AFL's original assets at a bankruptcy court auction. Utah was given the option to adopt the Blaze name, but opted to keep its Thunder name instead. Blaze owner John Garff attempted to claim the Blaze logo as his own, but the rights were owned by AF1. Eventually, the Thunder would adopt the Blaze name, logo, and history in January of 2010, while the AF1 announced it would revive the Arena Football League name.
The return of the Blaze was a disaster, as the team finished the season with a league worst 2-14 regular season record. Their record at the Maverik Center was just as bad, tying the Dallas Vigilantes for the worst home record in the AFL (1-7 at home). Prior to the 2011 season, the Blaze announced they would move back to EnergySolutions Arena. Indoor/Arena football would not be played again until February 16, 2017, when the expansion Salt Lake Screaming Eagles of the Indoor Football League made their regular season debut.
Monday's game will also mark Spokane's return to the Maverik Center for the first time since 2010. The Empire, then known as the Spokane Shock, spoiled the Blaze's home opener with a dominating 68-34 win.
