San Jose SaberCats vs. Portland Thunder Game Preview 5/30
Tuesday May 26, 2015
(San Jose, Calif.)- The San Jose SaberCats (9-0, 2-0) will travel to take on the Portland Thunder (3-5, 1-1) at the Moda Center on Saturday, May 30th.
In a rematch from week five, where the SaberCats defeated the Thunder 64-45 at home, the Pacific Division rivals will meet for the second of three regular season games. The SaberCats are reeling, after a 70-58 comeback victory over the Cleveland Gladiators last week, to remain unbeaten. On the contrary, Portland has lost three of its last four games, including a 69-43 defeat at the hands of the Orlando Predators last week, after starting the season 2-1.
After missing two games, SaberCats’ quarterback Erik Meyer returned to the starting lineup and put on a gem against the Gladiators. Meyer completed 71.4-percent of his passes for 406 yards and set a season-high with nine touchdowns, leading San Jose to a second half comeback win. Meyer has been stellar in his first season with San Jose and despite missing two games; he is still ranked in the top five statistically among quarterbacks in the league. Meyer has been aided by some of the best receivers, who have propelled the SaberCats to the top of the league in scoring (61.2 points per game).
Reggie Gray, the team’s leading receiver is coming off of a season-high performance in the win last week, over the Gladiators. “Big Play” had 14 receptions for 201 yards and five touchdowns to lead all receivers in the game. This season Gray has 767 receiving yards and 19 touchdowns, while also making a tremendous impact on special teams with three kick returns for a touchdown. Meanwhile, Adron Tennell has also been a focal point for the offense. With his already established rapport with Meyer from their years as teammates with the Spokane Shock, Tennell has 15 touchdowns in eight games, including five in the past two weeks.
Portland’s defense is led by the young defensive back duo of Okechu Okoroha and Osagie Odiase is ranked first and second on the team in total tackles. Odiase, a rookie out of Sacramento State, has 39.0 tackles as well as 10 pass breakups and two fumble recoveries. Alongside him, Okoroha has also recovered two fumbles and has 29.0 total tackles. The secondary of Portland will have its hands full with the full array of talent San Jose has at receiver.
Ranking first in the league in almost every defensive category, the SaberCats stout defense is led by defensive back Ken Fontenette. Fontenette leads the AFL with seven interceptions, including three against the Spokane Sock in week eight. He is also tied with teammate David Hyland with 63.5 total tackles to lead the league. As a unit, the four man rotation of the San Jose defensive line, along with linebacker Francis Maka, has totaled 25 sacks to lead the AFL. Luis Vasquez, Jason Stewart, Donte Paige-Moss and Rodney Fritz all have four or more sacks, while Maka is second in the AFL with six. The defensive unit for the SaberCats has been a menace for opposing offensive lines and their ability to get pressure on the quarterback has allowed the secondary to capitalize on turnovers. Working as a cohesive unit, the SaberCats defense will look to remain the best in the league under the guidance of defensive coordinator Cedric Walker.
Portland’s leading receiver V’Keon Lacey has had six touchdowns over the past two weeks and 13 total on the season. With Jamar Howard out, Jared Perry and Duane Brooks have stepped up in the other receiving roles for the Thunder. Perry, the 2011 AFL Rookie of the Year, has totaled 322 yards and seven touchdowns in four games this season. Meanwhile, Brooks is coming off a his best performance of the season last week against the Orlando Predators, where he led the Thunder with 12 receptions for 101 yards and two touchdowns. Similar to the matchup against the Cleveland Gladiators last week, the SaberCats will have a trio of receivers to keep tabs on in the secondary.
Portland quarterback Kyle Rowley has had some high and low spots this season; while Darron Thomas, the former Oregon Duck, has started the past couple of weeks. Thomas went out with an injury in last week’s game against Orlando and it is still uncertain who will start under center for Portland. Regardless of who is taking the snaps, they will be tasked with facing the league’s top ranked defensive unit.
This Pacific Division game will also feature two of the top head coaches as well. SaberCats Head Coach Darren Arbet is ranked second all-time in regular season wins (161), while Thunder Head Coach Mike Hohensee ranks third (156).
The SaberCats are 4-0 all-time in games against the Thunder and with a win Saturday; they could pull ahead by 6.5 games in the Pacific Division.
The game can be found on ESPN3 or by radio on 1220AM KDOW with David Lewis and Ben Nelson on the call.
ABOUT THE SAN JOSE SABERCATS
The ArenaBowl XVI, XVIII and XXI champion San Jose SaberCats finished their 19th season in the AFL with a Pacific Division Title after making their return in 2011. Fans and sponsors can go to sanjosesabercats.com or call 408-673-3400 to sign up to receive the latest news and updates about the SaberCats, as well as to purchase 2015 season tickets. Make sure to follow the SaberCats on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest news on the team.