Josh Connelly, General Manager
@conneljt@dukes.jmu.edu
Week 6 Game Notes
10/13 – 10/16
Columbia Salamanders (W) vs. Orlando Blooms (L)
Final Score: 200.90 – 131.32
Recap: Heading into the week, the Salamanders had come off of a seemingly routine win over the still-winless Memphis Monsters. In week 6, the Salamanders exploded for 200 points, easily their highest of the season thus far. Columbia was firing on all cylinders, with Matt Stafford and Brandin Cooks leading the way, with 43 and 34 points respectively. Collectively, the Salamanders had no real weak spot, with their lowest scorer John Brown still recording 10 points, and even kicker Josh Lambo joined the rout with 13 points. The 69 point margin of victory is the fourth-highest in the league this season.
Next Week Matchup Preview:
Vs. Harrisonburg Valley Bees
Facing the 4-2 Valley Bees, the Salamanders have a tough matchup in the upcoming week, although as of Wednesday night, the Salamanders are projected to easily beat the Valley Bees 130-86. The Harrisonburg Valley Bees hope to overcome that projection, and look to their star QBs Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady, who has been among league leaders in passing since his return from suspension.
Some notes about the upcoming matchup:
- TE Rob Gronkowski looks to build on his stellar 30 point performance last week against the Blooms.
- Valley Bees QB Tom Brady is among league leaders in passing yards since his return, averaging an impressive 49 points per game through the past 2 weeks.
- Coming off of two straight big games, Sharks RB David Johnson will be tough to stop in week 3.
- Salamanders have picked up RB Jacquizz Rodgers this week from free agency, hoping he will live up to his 24 point week 7 projection.
- Jameis Winston will get another start for the Salamanders in week 7 despite his relatively mediocre play through the first 6 weeks.
- The Salamanders defense scored 2 defensive TDs in week 6, but have a tough matchup playing Minnesota in week 7.
Columbia Salamanders Week 6 Notes
- TE Rob Gronkowski had his first big game of the season, registering 30 points after returning from injury
- WR Brandin Cooks continues his strong play for the Salamanders, putting up 34 points in week 6
- The city of Columbia continues to be one of the most violent in the country, with Columbia seeing more violence than 97% of U.S. cities.
- Despite a strong couple of weeks the Salamanders have seen stadium attendance drop by 10% since the beginning of the 2016 campaign