News
June 22, 2018Big Showdown on CBS Sports Network As First-Place Baltimore Hosts Albany
Empire Looking to Bounce Back from Two Straight Losses
The Albany Empire (5-4) travel to take on the first-place Baltimore Brigade (7-2) on Saturday, June 23 at 7:30 p.m. ET at Royal Farms Arena on CBS Sports Network and Alt 105.7. The Brigade can clinch the 1 seed this weekend with a win over Albany and a Philadelphia loss.
For complete official statistics and game notes, go to: www.afldigital.com.
| ALBANY EMPIRE (5-4) AT BALTIMORE BRIGADE (7-2) | ||
| Saturday, June 23 at 7:30 p.m. ET (CBS SPORTS NETWORK) | ||
| ALBANY | BALTIMORE | |
| REG. SEASON SERIES LEADER | Baltimore leads 2-1 | |
| STREAKS | L2 | W2 |
| LAST WEEK | L 75-74 vs Soul | W 72-42 vs Valor |
| LAST REG. SEASON MEETING | 6/9/18 Brigade 59 at Empire 56 | |
| TOTAL OFFENSE (RANK) | 261.0 (2) | 241.7 (3) |
| TOTAL DEFENSE (RANK) | 247.7 (1) | 258.9 (4) |
| POINTS SCORED (RANK) | 51.6 (2) | 52.6 (1) |
| POINTS ALLOWED (RANK) | 46.3 (2) | 46.1 (1) |
| TURNOVER MARGIN (RANK) | +9 (1) | +5 (2) |
WHAT TO LOOK FOR:
EMPIRE: Quarterback Tommy Grady completed 18-of-29 passes for 335 yards and 10 TDs last week. Grady has gone 62-of-91 passes for 779 yards, 21 touchdowns and two interceptions against Baltimore this season. The former Ute leads the League in passing yards (2,266) and passing touchdowns (59). Grady has two key receivers to target. Wide receiver Malachi Jones hauled in seven catches for 177 yards and five touchdowns, along with six rushing yards and one touchdown a week ago. The rookie ranks first in reception yards with 890. Wide receiver Joe Hills caught nine receptions for 143 yards and three touchdowns against the Soul in Week 10. The duo has combined for 50 receptions for 655 yards and 16 TDs in their previous three meetings against the Brigade. Linebacker Terence Moore leads the Empire defense with 57.5 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for-a-loss, 0.5 sacks, eight pass breakups, 12 passes defended, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble, and four interceptions. In the previous three games against the Brigade, the Empire defense has tallied 104 total tackles, three sacks, six forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, and two interceptions.
BRIGADE: Quarterback Randy Hippeard went 18-of-25 for 178 yards and five touchdowns last week. Against the Empire this season, Hippeard has completed 81-of-108 passes for 765 yards, 21 touchdowns and two interceptions. Wide receivers Quentin Sims and Milton Williams found the end zone two times each last week. Sims caught six passes for 38 yards and two scores. Williams hauled in three receptions for 38 yards and two touchdowns. The duo recorded 29 catches for 322 yards and 10 touchdowns against Albany this season. Fullback Rory Nixon rushed for four yards and three touchdowns in Week 10. Nixon leads the League in rushing touchdowns with seven. Defensive back Joe Powell earned Defensive Player of the Week honors with his 4.5 total tackles and a 46-yard interception return for a touchdown. Against the Empire, the Brigade defense has tallied 78 total tackles, 15 pass breakups, two fumble recoveries, and two interceptions.
