Post by fwp on Jun 18, 2009 21:26:28 GMT -5
www.gazette.net/stories/06182009/landspo162256_32522.shtml
After allowing the visiting Muskegon Thunder to convert on a third-and-23 in the second quarter, and then score five plays later, Maryland Maniacs' defensive back Atcheson Conway knew what to expect when the team headed into the locker room at halftime.
The Maniacs held the lead at the break, though it was by just three points (20-17) against one of the Indoor Football League's worst teams. Maryland (10-2) would go on to a 40-23 victory Saturday at Show Place Arena.
"We got a good tongue lashing at halftime from the coach [Matt Steeple] for the way we played in the first half," said Conway, a Bowie State alum. "You could literally see the paint coming off the walls in the locker room. But we made the adjustments in the second half. Our defensive line is amazing. We have the best d-line in the league. Just look at our stats. Numbers don't lie. This team is all about playing defense. Teams can't run on us, so they come in here trying to throw the ball."
Maryland won its 10th in a row, but the victory was hardly emphatic. The Thunder (1-11) have struggled all season and rank last in the league in scoring offense (18.2 points per game) and 17th of 19 teams in scoring defense (52.2).
The Maniacs, who have earned a first-round bye for the IFL playoffs, will be tested on Saturday night when they travel to face the Bloomington (Ill.) Extreme. Bloomington averages two more points per game (43.4-41.4) than the Maniacs, and allows fewer points (29.7 per game, compared to 32.8 allowed by the Maniacs). Maryland owns the league's top- rated overall defense (148.2 ypg).......article continues in link.
After allowing the visiting Muskegon Thunder to convert on a third-and-23 in the second quarter, and then score five plays later, Maryland Maniacs' defensive back Atcheson Conway knew what to expect when the team headed into the locker room at halftime.
The Maniacs held the lead at the break, though it was by just three points (20-17) against one of the Indoor Football League's worst teams. Maryland (10-2) would go on to a 40-23 victory Saturday at Show Place Arena.
"We got a good tongue lashing at halftime from the coach [Matt Steeple] for the way we played in the first half," said Conway, a Bowie State alum. "You could literally see the paint coming off the walls in the locker room. But we made the adjustments in the second half. Our defensive line is amazing. We have the best d-line in the league. Just look at our stats. Numbers don't lie. This team is all about playing defense. Teams can't run on us, so they come in here trying to throw the ball."
Maryland won its 10th in a row, but the victory was hardly emphatic. The Thunder (1-11) have struggled all season and rank last in the league in scoring offense (18.2 points per game) and 17th of 19 teams in scoring defense (52.2).
The Maniacs, who have earned a first-round bye for the IFL playoffs, will be tested on Saturday night when they travel to face the Bloomington (Ill.) Extreme. Bloomington averages two more points per game (43.4-41.4) than the Maniacs, and allows fewer points (29.7 per game, compared to 32.8 allowed by the Maniacs). Maryland owns the league's top- rated overall defense (148.2 ypg).......article continues in link.