PORTLAND, Ore. (October 2, 2013)- After this week of gameplay, the Portland Lumberjacks have claimed the number three ranking in the league and the success can be largely attributed to replacement quarterback Phillip Rivers. Rivers contributed 59 points, the third highest total by any player on the season. Rivers filled in for starting quarterback Cam Newton who had a bye week. After his performance this week, Rivers has solidified more starts for himself.
Rivers showed promise early on, especially in weeks two and three when he started putting up larger numbers. Head coach Jess Voigt said of Rivers, “We were apprehensive about starting him at the beginning of the season but he has really shown consistency and proven himself as a strong leader on the field.” The quarterback threw for 401 yards with three touchdowns during Sunday’s 30-21 win over Dallas. Voigt said his chances of starting this week were clinched by his performance this past week and she’s looking for Rivers to keep it up. As for whether the change is permanent, coach says “nothing is set in stone. Newton gives us a better ground attack while Rivers gives us a higher completion percentage. We need to look at matchups and see which player gives us the best chance to win.”
Going into this week’s games the Lumberjacks feel confident as they face the East Coast Egrets. Philip Rivers is projected to score high numbers again and the hope is the team can build on the momentum he has created to power through the week. “I feel confident in the team going into the next week. We’ve really stepped up our game and are started to play as a unit,” said Rivers of his thoughts on the coming week. Tonight starts off another week of football and with that comes another chance for Rivers to carry the team and prove he is the leader they need to carry the Lumberjacks to the playoffs.
The Lumberjacks, founded in 2013, are a part of the NFL from Portland, Oregon. Jeld-Wen stadium is their home field. “We’re chopping down the competition!” Contact Public relations specialist Erica Scardelletti at scardeel@dukes.jmu.edu or 703-555-1236 or visit http://sites.jmu.edu/sportspr/category/portland-lumberjacks/ for more information.