Post by rkb on Apr 26, 2008 13:52:04 GMT -5
www.djournal.com/pages/story.asp?ID=272339&pub=1&div=Sports
MudCats, Colts put win streaks up tonight
4/26/2008 7:06:02 AM
Daily Journal
BY JOHN L. PITTS
Daily Journal
TUPELO - The Mississippi MudCats take to the BancorpSouth Arena turf tonight for the 13th home game in franchise history. The previous 12 times, they have walked off as winners.
Feeling superstitious?
"Each week gets harder and harder," MudCats coach Brian Brents said Friday. "Every team wants to be the one that knocks you off. They all want to be the first team to beat the MudCats in Tupelo."
The MudCats (5-0) looked vulnerable a week ago, when they trailed 33-24 with less than three minutes to play against the Carolina Speed. The visiting team couldn't work even half of the last 1:11 off the clock, though, and the MudCats escaped with a wild 37-33 victory.
Tonight's foe, American Indoor Football Association newcomer Augusta Colts (5-1), might not be as obliging.
"They're a good team, a well-coached team," Brents said. "They're a hungry team that's been showing it on the field. We're looking forward to the challenge."
His coaching rival, Bubba Diggs, returns the praise.
"I've looked at a couple of their games, and they have a very good team," Diggs said earlier this week. "It's going to be a challenge to face them in their place."
The Colts lost their first game of the season after being unable to practice on their own turf at all before the opener. Since then, they have put together a five-game winning streak, including an emotional 74-6 win against Florida, a week after the death of Diggs' mother.
"We've been pretty solid on the defensive side all season, but we're awfully banged up on offense right now," Diggs said.
One mystery that may not be solved until tonight is who'll play quarterback for the Colts. Former South Carolina QB Mike Rathe made his debut last week, passing for seven touchdowns. But he might not be available this week due to responsibilities he has as an assistant coach for Steve Spurrier's Gamecocks.
The other quarterbacks on the roster, Anthony Young and Brandon Satcher, have combined for 11 TDs against four interceptions.
"We'll be prepared for whoever runs out there to take the first snap," Brents said.
Another focus for the MudCats' defense will be Colts running back J.K. Sabb, who has rushed for 12 touchdowns. The home team is limiting opposing runners to 1.8 yards per carry and has given up only three TDs inside the 20 this season.
The MudCats' roster will get a boost this week with the return of running back Rico McDonald (5 rushing TDs) and defensive lineman Tim Love. Both missed last week's game as they rehabbed injuries.
"We'll have our running game back this week," Brents said.
But it's the air attack that makes the MudCats the most dangerous offense in the AIFA. Tommy Jones has thrown for 31 touchdowns against seven interceptions; Jones and Darryl Carter are the most productive duo at this level of indoor football, combining on 34 completions for 16.3 yards per catch and 14 touchdowns.
Augusta is giving up an average of 3.9 yards per play, best in the AIFA.
Appeared originally in the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, 4/26/2008, section D , page 1
MudCats, Colts put win streaks up tonight
4/26/2008 7:06:02 AM
Daily Journal
BY JOHN L. PITTS
Daily Journal
TUPELO - The Mississippi MudCats take to the BancorpSouth Arena turf tonight for the 13th home game in franchise history. The previous 12 times, they have walked off as winners.
Feeling superstitious?
"Each week gets harder and harder," MudCats coach Brian Brents said Friday. "Every team wants to be the one that knocks you off. They all want to be the first team to beat the MudCats in Tupelo."
The MudCats (5-0) looked vulnerable a week ago, when they trailed 33-24 with less than three minutes to play against the Carolina Speed. The visiting team couldn't work even half of the last 1:11 off the clock, though, and the MudCats escaped with a wild 37-33 victory.
Tonight's foe, American Indoor Football Association newcomer Augusta Colts (5-1), might not be as obliging.
"They're a good team, a well-coached team," Brents said. "They're a hungry team that's been showing it on the field. We're looking forward to the challenge."
His coaching rival, Bubba Diggs, returns the praise.
"I've looked at a couple of their games, and they have a very good team," Diggs said earlier this week. "It's going to be a challenge to face them in their place."
The Colts lost their first game of the season after being unable to practice on their own turf at all before the opener. Since then, they have put together a five-game winning streak, including an emotional 74-6 win against Florida, a week after the death of Diggs' mother.
"We've been pretty solid on the defensive side all season, but we're awfully banged up on offense right now," Diggs said.
One mystery that may not be solved until tonight is who'll play quarterback for the Colts. Former South Carolina QB Mike Rathe made his debut last week, passing for seven touchdowns. But he might not be available this week due to responsibilities he has as an assistant coach for Steve Spurrier's Gamecocks.
The other quarterbacks on the roster, Anthony Young and Brandon Satcher, have combined for 11 TDs against four interceptions.
"We'll be prepared for whoever runs out there to take the first snap," Brents said.
Another focus for the MudCats' defense will be Colts running back J.K. Sabb, who has rushed for 12 touchdowns. The home team is limiting opposing runners to 1.8 yards per carry and has given up only three TDs inside the 20 this season.
The MudCats' roster will get a boost this week with the return of running back Rico McDonald (5 rushing TDs) and defensive lineman Tim Love. Both missed last week's game as they rehabbed injuries.
"We'll have our running game back this week," Brents said.
But it's the air attack that makes the MudCats the most dangerous offense in the AIFA. Tommy Jones has thrown for 31 touchdowns against seven interceptions; Jones and Darryl Carter are the most productive duo at this level of indoor football, combining on 34 completions for 16.3 yards per catch and 14 touchdowns.
Augusta is giving up an average of 3.9 yards per play, best in the AIFA.
Appeared originally in the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, 4/26/2008, section D , page 1