Express falls to Erie

[rkozak201]

From the Reading Eagle news staff

Rob Rutherford threw for four touchdowns and ran for two Saturday night to help the Erie RiverRats defeat the Reading Express 51-32 in a battle for first place in the American Indoor Football Association North Division.

The RiverRats (10-3) picked off four Rob Flowers passes as the Express (8-4) suffered back-to-back losses for the first time in the franchise’s three-year history.

Reading will host the RiverRats Saturday in the Sovereign Center and can still win the division title with a win over Erie and a victory at Baltimore June 23.

Trailing 23-16 at halftime, Reading was unable to pick up a first down on its first two possessions of the second half. Rutherford threw touchdown passes of 27 yards to Darnell Whitfield and 9 yards to Eugene Baker to give Erie a 38-16 lead.

Reading closed the gap to 44-30 on a 23-yard TD pass from Flowers to Yardon Brantley with 11:20 left. The Express had the ball inside the Erie 5 with six minutes left but Flowers was intercepted on fourth down from the 2.

Flowers ran for a touchdown and threw for three, one each to Brantley, Carmelo Ocasio and Shawn Foxworth.

[Gene]

A very piss poor performance and i must say not looking good if we have to go on the road for the playoffs. I believe we were picked off 4 times 1 of which was returned for a TD. We just didnt make plays and especially no big plays at all. Outplayed, Outcoached & the better team won, plain & simple. Congrats to Erie. As the season wears on it appears the train is running out of steam.

On a side note its great to finally be home. What a long a$$ ride, UGH!

[Free Agent Fan]

Yea, that long ride had to really suck. Being stuck in a van with 5 hot chicks. Sucks to be you.

[d'oh!]

Gene,
How did Matt Millard look? I worked with his girlfriend while she was in college. And basically been keeping my eye on him, his entire career. I didn't know he was released from Albany (AFL2) Another KU connection.

B.

[ThatRadioGuy]

Who was Matt Millard? I don't remember saying his name once in the game.

[Gene]

Jun 8, 2008 22:08:16 GMT -5 d'oh! said:

Gene,
How did Matt Millard look? I worked with his girlfriend while she was in college. And basically been keeping my eye on him, his entire career. I didn't know he was released from Albany (AFL2) Another KU connection.

B.

I did see him on the field and i said to myself "who the hell is that"? ;D Hard to say how he played as i didnt watch him much. I'd guess he just got a little playing time and didnt make any big plays.....

[Gene]

Jun 8, 2008 12:43:47 GMT -5 Free Agent Fan said:

Yea, that long ride had to really suck. Being stuck in a van with 5 hot chicks. Sucks to be you.

They relaxed/slept for most of the ride home. It was a quiet drive. But yes, i was in very good company and i aint complaining about that.

[Gene]

Jun 8, 2008 22:17:19 GMT -5 ThatRadioGuy said:

Who was Matt Millard? I don't remember saying his name once in the game.

Not sure but was he #21?

[d'oh!]

Matt Millard (who I think signed with the Express on Tuesday) Is their new LB. He started against Erie as a replacement for Rob Biernat. I couldn't tell from the webcast, but it appeared that Biernat is gone for the year due to work obligations.

Millard is The 6-0, 205 lbs, was most recently on the Roster of AFL2 Albany Conquest, as a DB. He played SS at Kutztown University from 2003-2005.

B.