On the defensive side of the ball, San Jose has struggled all season long. However, the SaberCats were tied for the league lead in sacks after the first seven games of the season and in the last seven have barely gotten to the opposing quarterback. Through the first seven games, San Jose had 15 sacks and seven interceptions with returned for touchdowns. In the last seven contests, the SaberCats have just eight sacks and five picks (no INT TDs).
2010 AFL Defensive Player/Lineman of the Year Gabe Nyenhuis recorded sacks in the first two games of the season, but was placed on injured reserve by Week Four. Last year, he set league marks in sacks and forced fumbles. Nyenhuis has been back on the field the last two games, but has failed to reach the QB. Two other linemen (Francis Maka and George Hypolite) were tied for the team lead in sacks (5.0), but have missed time during the skid and are both now on injured reserve.
ORLANDO 35, MILWAUKEE 30
The Mustangs didn t score an offensive touchdown for the game s first 46 minutes and 40 seconds and the team was actually still in the game thanks to an INT returned for a score and three field goals.
Orlando didn t fare better as the Preds scored only on one of its first seven possessions.
Each team was flagged for 12 penalties in this low-scoring game and both starting QBs tossed three picks.
Predators DB Rayshaun Kizer added two more interceptions to his AFL lead and became the first player with back-to-back seasons with 10 or more interceptions since fellow Orlando teammate and AFL all-time INT king Kenny McEntyre did so in the 2003 and 2004 seasons (The Glove also had back-to-back 10+ INT seasons in 2001-02).