The Commercial Appeal

Express falters late, loses 2nd straight

Arizona rallies from 18-6 fourth-quarter deficit for victory at Liberty Bowl

- Jason Munz Memphis Commercial Appeal USA TODAY NETWORK - TENNESSEE

The Memphis Express dominated its home opener. For three quarters. Mike Singletary’s team fell behind late and lost 20-18 to the Arizona Hotshots Saturday at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. In a matchup of teams many regarded as the best and worst the Alliance of American Football had to offer after just one week of existence, the Express (a week after getting shut out) dominated for three quarters and led 18-6 in the fourth quarter.

But the Hotshots (2-0) got a 45-yard touchdown run from Justin Stockton and a four-yard touchdown pass from John Wolford to Tim Cook to pull out the victory.

“(Memphis) gave us fits with their defense,” Arizona coach Rick Neuheisel said. “I’ve coached with (Express defensive coordinato­r) Dennis Thur-

man a long time and he’s very good. He had some tricks up his sleeve and basically stymied us.

“But I found out a little bit about my team. I kinda suspected we had that kind of grit and resolve and we came roaring back.”

Here are some key takeaways from Saturday’s game.

Hackenberg shows improvemen­t

Not much. But anything was better than the former Penn State star’s showing in his Express debut at Birmingham last week.

Hackenberg was 10of-23 for 87 yards and an intercepti­on against the Iron.

Against the Hotshots, the former second-round pick of the New York Jets completed 14 passes for 102 yards with no picks. He also made some contributi­ons with his feet, rushing seven times for 39 yards and a touchdown while exhibiting impressive toughness.

Singletary was impressed by Hackenberg’s resolve.

“The thing I saw tonight was courage,” he said. “He took some hits out there and made some decisions out there running the ball. I believe that tonight his teammates followed him. I’m very proud of his courage and his ability to take some big hits, bounce back and continue to play. Hopefully, we continue to build on that.”

The most pivotal rush attempt of Hackenberg’s night came on fourthand-1 at the Hotshots’ 46yard line with 3:35 to play. Arizona took a 20-18 lead less than four minutes earlier, and the Express let Hackenberg attempt a quarterbac­k sneak.

Despite a strong push, officials marked him short of the line to gain, and a Memphis challenge did nothing to change the ruling.

“I thought I had it,” Hackenberg said. “I moved pretty good forward. But the spot was the spot and the call was the call. We had to live with that.”

Zac Stacy’s still got it

Even at 27, without having played competitiv­e football before the season opener since Nov. 12, 2015.

The former St. Louis Rams back, who scored seven touchdowns as a rookie in 2013 but had just one game with more than 10 carries since Oct. 5, 2014, has been the best offensive player for the Express through two games by a country mile.

Stacy was effective despite being used sparingly in Memphis’ seasonopen­ing loss against the Birmingham Iron: 12 rushes for 58 yards and zero targets.

Stacy was elusive against the Hotshots, using strong burst and a quick twitch to rack up 51 yards on 14 carries in the first half. He made history in the first quarter, scoring the first touchdown in Express history on a 9yard run that put them up 9-0.

Perhaps making Stacy’s performanc­e even more impressive, it came against an Arizona defense that held the Salt Lake Stallions to just 88 rushing yards a week ago.

Stacy finished with 101 yards on 19 carries, becoming the first player in AAF history with a 100yard rushing game.

“We came up short tonight,” he said. “The only stat I worry about is wins and losses. Unfortunat­ely, we weren’t able to finish it out tonight. So it’s gut-check time for us. We’ve got eight more opportunit­ies left, so we’re going to see what we’re made of here.”

Neuheisel rides with Wolford

Wolford threw for just 194 yards and two touchdowns a week after torching the Salt Lake Stallions for 275 yards and four touchdowns.

The former Wake Forest star also threw the two intercepti­ons of his AAF career – one to Channing Stribling, the other to Jeremy Cutrer.

The first half, in particular, was a struggle for Wolford. He was sacked twice, threw both of his intercepti­ons and completed just 8 of 15 pass attempts for only 57 yards and no touchdowns before halftime.

Neuheisel said Wolford’s issues weren’t lost on him nor his coaching staff. And with former Texas A&M quarterbac­k Trevor Knight waiting in the wings, some began whispering in Neuheisel’s ear.

“There was nothing in his demeanor that showed any self pity,” Neuheisel said. “Or, lack of confidence. And I said, ‘I’m riding with this guy.’”

Defensive bright spots

Hey, Express fans: Enjoy Channing Stribling and Anthony Johnson while you can.

Because if their performanc­es in the first two games of their Express careers are any indication of what’s to come, the NFL will come calling sooner rather than later.

Stribling – a corner who, granted, seldom lined up against Arizona’s best receiver, Rashad Ross – totaled six tackles, defended three passes and intercepte­d one of John Wolford’s passes.

Johnson had four tackles from his defensive end spot, including a sack.

Up next

Memphis goes back on the road to face the Orlando Apollos at 7 p.m. Saturday.

 ??  ?? Express quarterbac­k Christian Hackenberg throws the ball against the Hotshots at the Liberty Bowl.
Express quarterbac­k Christian Hackenberg throws the ball against the Hotshots at the Liberty Bowl.
 ??  ?? Express running back Zac Stacy runs in for a touchdown against the Hotshots during their game on Saturday. PHOTOS BY JOE RONDONE/THE COMMERCIAL APPEAL
Express running back Zac Stacy runs in for a touchdown against the Hotshots during their game on Saturday. PHOTOS BY JOE RONDONE/THE COMMERCIAL APPEAL
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