Written by Garin Turner
In another game that saw a comeback, the Arizona Hotshots (2-0) rallied from a 12-0 deficit at halftime to defeat the Memphis Express (0-2) 20-18 in Memphis. The win was the first for a road team this season in the league (1-5).
The Hotshots only managed 95 yards in the first half but turned it on in the second half with 288. The Express scored in the first quarter when Zac Stacy ran in from nine yards out. A pair of field goals of 35 and 38 yards from John Jasper gave the Express the 12-0 lead.
It wasn’t until 1:06 left in the third quarter before Arizona put points on the board when wide receiver Rashad Ross caught a 16-yard pass from John Wolford to close the gap to 9-6.
The Express answered when quarterback Christian Hackenberg scored on a 4-yard run to bring the score to 18-6. Justin Stockton took it to the house for the Hotshots, scoring on a 45-yard run. Arizona rand for 208 yards on 36 carries.
Tim Cook led all rushers for Arizona with 73 yards on 13 attempts. Jhurell Pressley added 57 yards on 12 attempts and Stockton had 54 yards on four carries. Arizona took the lead when Wolford found Cook for a 4-yard pass with 7:07 to play.
Wolford, who was named The Alliance Offensive Player of the Week in the season openers finished the day 14 of 22 for 194 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. In the second half he completed 6 of 7 passes for 137 yards.
For Memphis, Stacy is the first running back in the league to run for 100 yards or more in a game. He finished with 101 yards on 19 attempts, including a 49-yard run. Hackenberg finished the day 14 of 25 for 102 yards.
Arizona continues on the road next week as they look to go 3-0 on the season when they face the Salt Lake Stallions.
Memphis travels to Orlando next week looking for its first win as they take on the Orlando Apollos.
(Image Credit: MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE – FEBRUARY 16: Sterling Moore #25 of the Arizona Hotshots tackles Alton Howard #81 of the Memphis Express during the Alliance of American Football game at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium on February 16, 2019 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Joe Robbins/AAF/Getty Images)
