September 13, 2017
Kaylie Riggleman – Director of Special Events and Communications, Chattanooga Chickadees
riggleke@dukes.jmu.edu
Game Recap
In week one of the NFL season, the Chattanooga Chickadees took on the Virginia Beach Neptunes. Though falling short, the Chickadees portrayed their fight, leaving the field with a score difference of 1 point. Chattanooga and Virginia Beach remained in sync for the first quarter, until the Chickadees began to gain speed in the second when running back Leonard Fournette pushed through defenders with a total of 6 yards for the first touchdown. The Neptunes found their footing and began to pull away from the Chickadees, but Chattanooga found a way to catch them with Fournette rushing 100 yards in this week’s game. Chickadees quarterback Sam Bradford contributed to the team with 346 passing yards, and not to mention the rest of the team’s 16 received passes over a total of 207 yards with no fumbles. Chattanooga experienced a bit of a flop with their defensive line, which was their main fault for this game. But, their offense sure is looking strong for the beginning of this football season.
Matchup Preview
- Quarterbacks Sam Bradford and Aaron Rodgers are both starting off the season in a trustworthy light
- Devin McCourty and LeSean McCoy are returning from injuries, but both are still in question for continued play
- Stephen Gostkowski connected both field goal attempts from 25 yards and 32 yards, though Dustin Hopkins cleared his one attempted field goal from 33 yards as well as clearing his extra point attempts
- Bradford and Amari Cooper were both limited at their Wednesday practices, both due to knee injuries
- Watkins and Pryor are expected to break out with even more potential as wide receivers as the season continues
- Olsen is leading into his 11th season, while recent 2016 rookie Hunter Henry is trying to find his footing after being considered a “non-factor” for the first game this season
Chattanooga Chickadees Season Notes
- Bradford is continuing to tend to a knee injury
- McCourty is being listed as questionable for play as he continues to treat a groin injury
- TE Zach Ertz was added to the Chickadees in place of Greg Olsen
- K Will Lutz was added to the Chickadees in place of Dustin Hopkins
- WR Adam Thielen was added to the Chickadees in place of Jamison Crowder
- As high crime rates continue in Chattanooga, a local man is being sent to the grand jury for a negligent homicide trial
- Hurricane Irma ran through Chattanooga, leaving falling trees, a lot of debris, and homes without power
- Nolan Elementary School recently teamed with Erlanger Health System to collect cleaning supplies, bottled water, hygiene items, and clothing items to send to a hospital in Houston that was hit by Hurricane Harvey