Portland Thunder vs. San Jose Sabercats game preview

PORTLAND THUNDER (0-4) VS. SAN JOSE SABERCATS (2-3)

When: 7 p.m. Friday

Where: Moda Center

On the air: TV on CSN; radio on KXTG (750)

Key players:

Portland — QB Kyle Rowley, WR Justin Monahan, WR Alvance Robinson, DB Eric Crocker, DB Bryce Peila, DL Donte Paige-Moss. San Jose — QB Russ Michna, WR Rod Harper, WR Jason Willis, DB Ken Fontenette, DB Clevan Thomas, DL Jason Stewart.

Briefly: Kyle Rowley makes his debut for the Thunder after he was acquired in a trade on Monday with the Orlando Predators in exchange for receiver Jeffrey Solomon. He will be the fourth quarterback to play for Portland in five games. Rowley won an AFL championship in 2010 with Portland coach Matthew Sauk when both were with the Spokane Shock. … Solomon had led the Thunder in receiving yards. His place in the starting lineup will be filled by Alvance Robinson, acquired in a trade two weeks ago with Pittsburgh. … San Jose defeated Portland 64-34 in the Thunder's franchise debut on March 17. … Portland rookie DL Donte Paige-Moss had two sacks in last week's loss to the Spokane Shock. He ranks second in the league in that category this year. … Fellow rookie Bryce Peila, formerly of Western Oregon, had an interception against the Shock, giving him three for the year. … San Jose has lost three in a row, including a 57-51 defeat last week to Arizona. … Sabercats receiver Reggie Gray, the league leader in touchdowns and receptions, is out with an injury.

-- Lars Steier, Special to The Oregonian

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