Game Notes

Louisville, KY- Louisville continues their road game campaign, heading back to the Midwest this time to face the Peoria Pirates. This week’s contest is Saturday, June 7 at 8 PM in Carver Arena. The 2008 season marks the Pirates return to the af2 and Saturday’s match-up will be the first meeting between the resurrected franchise and the Fire. The previous version of the Pirates folded after the 2004 season. That series was tied at four games a piece.

The Fire are coming off a hard fought 61-31 win over in state rival Lexington Horsemen. Battling through the first half, Louisville led 26-24 at the break. PNC

Bank MVP of the Game, Ricardo Lenhart found his way into the end zone twice off 37- and 9- yard passes from Fire QB Aaron Marshall late in the 2nd and early in the third quarter, Lenhart record 12 receptions for 151 yards. Playing both sides of the ball, rookie receiver Tymere Zimmerman was voted JLS Ironman of the Game, finishing with 10 receptions for 74 yards and a touchdown. Marshall ended the match-up 26 of 33, throwing no interceptions and completing four touchdown passes for 264 yards.

Louisville veteran Matt Forbes led the Fire defense with two interceptions for 74 yards, completed 2.5 total tackles and broke up an intended Horsemen pass. Forbes has pulled down at least one interception in all, but two games this season and is one interception away from setting the single season interception record. He was voted ADT Defensive Player of the Game for his efforts in Lexington. Brandon Register rejoined the Fire defense after sustaining a hand injury early in the season and led the team with 3.5 total tackles.

Peoria has struggled in their inaugural season, holding a 3-6 overall record and 5th place in the Midwest division. The Pirates fell to Green Bay 33-51 last week in Wisconsin. Peoria quarterback, Justin Rascati, is no stranger to Louisville. He played for one season with the University of Louisville football team. Against Green Bay he finished with 14 of 24 for 142 yards and a touchdown. Pirate receiver Brock Phillph completed four rushing touchdowns off six carries.

The Fire enter this week’s play with a 6-3 record, in a three way tie for Midwest division leader with Lexington and Green Bay, both posting 6-3 records as well. Louisville was voted in at eighth place on this week’s af2 coach’s poll, with Green Bay leading in seventh and the Horsemen just behind in ninth place.

The Fire have won two games in a row and four of their last five games. Peoria on the other hand is coming off of their sixth lose of the season and have lost four of their last five. Visit www.louisvillefirefootball.com and click on the Nifty TV link to watch the game on-line.

GAME FACTS – Louisville Fire (6-3) vs. Peoria Pirates (3-6)
Date: Saturday, June 7
Time: 8:05
Site: Carver Arena
Online Broadcast: Game will be streamed online at www.louisvillefirefootball.com
Radio: The Ticket (93.9 FM) with Zack McCrite (play-by-play)
Series History: All-time series is tied 4-4 all-time (2-2 in Louisville, 2-2 in Peoria, IL)
Last Meeting: Louisville 50, Peoria Pirates 51 OT (June 19, 2004 – Carver Arena, Peoria, IL.)