Wednesday, September 21, 2016
Kali Edsall
Director of Strategic Communication
edsallkr@dukes.jmu.edu
Game Recap
The Oklahoma City Orioles picked up their first win of the season defeating the Sacramento Sasquatches 134.78 to 122.68. Leading the Orioles was QB Russell Wilson with 254 passing yards and 14 rushing yards. WR Julio Jones had an impressive night for the Orioles racking in 106 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown. Across the ball, WR Kelvin Benjamin led the Sasquatches, putting up notable numbers with 108 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns. QB Marcus Mariota aided the Orioles win with 238 passing yards, two passing touchdowns and 11 rushing yards. The Orioles defense held tough bringing in two sacks, two interceptions, a fumble recovery and a touchdown on the night. Oklahoma City and Sacramento both move to 1-1 on the season. The Orioles sit at number six in the league after week two.
Matchup Preview
- The Oklahoma City Orioles and Honolulu Megalodons are fighting to start a win streak as both sit at 1-1 on the season.
- The Orioles sit just two spots above the Megalodons in the rankings after week two.
- Oklahoma City RB Mark Ingram had a below average game only rushing for 30 yards in week two compared to Honolulu RB Devonta Freeman with 93 rushing yards. Neither running back is projected to go over 100 rushing yards in week three, however, Ingram will need to find some open slots in the Megalodons defense to give the Orioles a chance to win.
- Honolulu QB Derrick Carr passed for 299 yards along with QB Joe Flacco with 302 out-doing Orioles QB Russell Wilson with 254 passing yards and QB Marcus Mariota with 238. The Megalodons QBs combined for five passing touchdowns, while the Orioles had two. The Orioles are going to have to step up in the pocket and make plays in the red zone to out-play the Megalodons offense.
- The defense matchup should make for a close game as the Orioles only allowed 27 points while Honolulu allowed for 24 against opponents in week two. The Orioles running backs will have to produce more yardage to come away with a win against the Megalodons defense.
- In week two, Orioles WR Julio Jones had 106 receiving yards, coming in slightly above Honolulu WR Dez Bryant with 102 receiving yards. The receiving game should be close with the two wide receivers aiding their respective offenses.
Oklahoma City Orioles Season Notes
- The Orioles are up two spots in the rankings after week two, currently sitting at 6th.
- The Orioles defense is leading the league along side of the Virginia Beach Sharks with four interceptions.
- Oklahoma City dropped WR Kamar Aiken and added WR Mike Wallace.
- The Orioles dropped RB Devontae Booker and added RB Fozzy Whittaker.
- WR Randall Cobb has been taken out of the starting lineup, replaced by WR Willie Snead.
- RB Thomas Rawls suffered a lower leg injury during the first half on Sunday. Rawls did not play the second half. The injury does not seem to be serious. Rawls has been taken out of the starting lineup.
- RB Giovani Bernard has been moved to the starting lineup for week three.
- Julius Thomas is third in the league among tight ends with 9 receptions, 135 receiving yards, and 1 receiving touchdown.
- Oklahoma was one of 21 states to sue the U.S. Department of Labor last week to block a new rule that would make high earning eligible for overtime pay.
- Oklahoma City has been using sewage sludge as fertilizer on agricultural land, increasing the likelihood of residents experiencing water contamination and illness.