9/14/17
Antonio Diz
Sr. Director of Marketing and Community Relations
dizal@dukes.jmu.edu @dizheem
Game Recap
The Fresno Fuegos got off to a hot start, thanks to Kareem Hunt exploding out of the gate. His 3 TD’s put the Fuegos out to a 50-point lead, but Tom Brady’s subpar 7-point performance meant a troubling remainder for Fresno. As the day progressed, Fresno’s stars disappeared. The Las Vegas Spades capitalized on these poor performances with Antonio Brown and Todd Gurley combining for 50 and closed the score gap heading into Sunday night. In a highly anticipated matchup, Fresno’s Jordy Nelson caught a huge TD pass with :20 left in the quarter to give them much needed points. Unfortunately, Fresno suffered a huge blow Sunday night as Odell Beckham’s injury kept him out of the contest which resulted in 0 points. This huge blow would later prove costly to the team. Heading into the Monday night games, Fresno was clinging on to a 20-point lead. This didn’t last long; Drew Brees was an passing machine and completed 27/37 passes for 17 extra points. He added a TD to bring his total to 33 which turned the once 20-point deficit into a 12-point Las Vegas lead. This lead was enough to hold off Fresno, as CJ Anderson’s red zone TD carry was called back due to an illegal shift and the Fresno defense allowed 14 fourth quarter points. If not for this tough luck, Fresno would have saw an extra 10 points and brought the matchup to a single point, and potentially the win.
With week 1 in the books, the Fuegos defiantly need to buckle down and improve their lack luster on-field performances. Be sure to stay tuned next week, as favorable matchups look to get Fresno into the win column.
Matchup Preview
- The second highest scoring team last week, Fresno looks to take this success into their second home game against the lowest scoring week 1 team, the Madison Moose
- Odell Beckham Jr. looks to suit up as he recovers from an ankle injury. The defense is nothing special and Beckham looks to prove why Fresno need him in the lineup
- One of the most interesting matchups of the week include Marcus Mariota and Tom Brady vs. Russell Wilson and Ben Roethlisberger; each team has one of the best throwers and best runners in the game, so defenses need to adjust to this mixed offensive style
- Madison’s RB, Mike Gillislee, had an impressive week 1, but it will be interesting to see if Tom Brady can start hitting targets which will limit Gillislee’s productivity; this bodes well for Fresno
- A late addition to the injury report, Madison’s Jordan Howard will be questionable heading into the weekend. It will be interesting to see if Madison will closely monitor this or if it turns into a situation similar to Fresno’s last second scratch of Odell Beckham in week 1
- When all is said and done, Madison will be struggling to fill the gap left by #1 RB David Johnson and his injury to his left wrist. Out 8-12 weeks, Madison will likely be facing serious tests in the RB options
- Finally, Madison recently moved Jared Cook to their #1 TE. Fresno will have to evaluate their defensive scheme to account for a new offensive weapon
- Fresno is projected to win, 125.68-118.39
Fresno Fuegos Season Notes
- Odell Beckham Jr. DNP week 1; Questionable week 2
- Doug Martin begins his 4 game suspension this week and will return week 5
- No trade news
- No add/drop news
- Daylight savings time survives one more year in the California state legislature, but future votes may result in scheduling and other conflicts
- California Board of Equalization in under scrutiny after reports that 1 in 5 employees are related. This is a serious acquisition and will force audits for many organizations and their hiring process
- A rare summer storm ravaged through Fresno, affecting many in the farming community. A Fresno Fuego spokesperson said the team is looking into ways to help those affected