Daniel Ware, Director of Media Relations
Phone: 803-981-0982
Email: waredt@salamandersfootball.com
November 2, 2016
Week 8 Game Notes
10/27 – 10/30
Columbia Salamanders (W) vs. Las Vegas Rockets (L)
Final Score: 129.20 – 119.32
Recap: The Columbia Salamanders (6-2) stayed hot and won their fourth game in a row—the longest winning streak by a team this season—by defeating the Las Vegas Rockets (5-3) 129-119. Led by the quarterback-tight end combination of Matthew Stafford (26.6 points) and Rob Gronkowski (25.9), the Salamanders built an 88-point lead on Sunday afternoon, and held of a furious comeback by the Rockets. Rockets quarterback Carson Wentz led the comeback with 30 points of his own on Sunday, but wide receiver Alshon Jeffrey’s 16-point effort came up short in the end. Salamanders kicker Josh Lambo had a miserable afternoon, hurting the team with negative two points and being the only player in the league to score in the red.
Next Week Matchup Preview:
After starting the season 2-2, the Sacramento Sasquatches (2-6) have dropped four games in a row. The Sasquatches currently have five players projected to put up double-digit point totals, while the Salamanders have just three. The Salamanders (6-2) are the top team in the league, whereas the Sasquatches are dead last in the standings.
Some notes about the upcoming matchup:
- The Salamanders will rely on wide receiver Brandin Cooks and tight end Coby Fleener this week, as Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski are unavailable.
- Tight end Rob Gronkowski hauled in his 69th career touchdown this week.
- Quarterback Matthew Stafford looks to stay hot. He’s led the Salamanders in scoring in four of the last five weeks.
- Salamanders kicker Josh Lambo (-2 points) looks to rebound from his embarrassing week 8 performance.
- The Salamanders defense will have to slow down the running back duo of Le’Veon Bell and Todd Gurley to have a chance versus the Sasquatches.
- Salamanders running back Jay Ajayi returns to action this week after having the week off. He’s had two consecutive weeks over 30 points.
- This is the first and only meeting during the regular season between the Salamanders and Sasquatches.
Columbia Salamanders Week 8 Notes
- Running back Jamaal Charles (knee) was placed on injured reserve this week, making him unavailable for the next eight weeks.
- Running back Jacquizz Rodgers is out this week as he nurses a foot injury suffered against the Rockets.
- Due to lack of production, running back Knile Davis will be released.
- Salamanders will look to add depth at wide receiver this week.
- 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.
- The Salamanders on the only team in the league to score more than 190 points, and have done so on three separate occasions. They are the only team to reach the 200-point plateau.