Week 3 AAF points, highlights, updates: Memphis rallies Mettenberger at QB, but the Apollos win



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The third week of AAF started Saturday with two of the best teams in the Alliance. Both were challenged, one undergoing his first loss of the season while the other had an unexpected fear.

The Arizona Hotshots suffered their first loss of the year against the Salt Lake Stallions 23-15. The Hotshots had to come back from behind in the second week to beat Memphis, but they could not achieve a similar feat this week without quarterback John Wolford.

Then the Memphis Express went to the Orlando Apollos for what Las Vegas thought was a huge imbalance. The line, by Westgate SuperBook, was opened at -15.5 for Orlando. Instead, a hell of a football game broke out with the Express accompanied by Zach Mettenberger in the second half.

CBS Sports has accompanied you every step of the way on Saturday. Be sure to check out the updates below for all the highlights and scenarios.

scores

Salt Lake Stallions 23, Arizona Hotshots 15 (Final)
Orlando Apollos 21, Memphis Express 17 (final)

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Zach Mettenberger dropped the coins, but not enough to win

What a difference Mettenberger has made for the Memphis offensive since the beginning of the third quarter. The substitute has launched for two touchdowns in a loss to the Apollos, his latest being a beautiful bomb on – wait – – 3rd and 19th for a crucial score. The problem? Mettenberger did not start sooner, otherwise the Express might be more likely to upset the Apollos. In this case, Orlando was able to do what he did last week against San Antonio and throw the ball in the fourth quarter when it was absolutely necessary to empty the clock.

As for Mettenberger, he did not take a lot of pictures during the practice. In fact, he missed Wednesday's practice because of an illness. However, he has shown good patience and a lot of movement in the pocket while obviously displaying a huge arm. . Frankly, the troubles of the Memphis quarterback should be over after tonight, whatever the outcome. No team has improved as much as Memphis from the first to the third week, and with Mettenberger in the fold, this first win could well come to fruition.

This is the advanced drill to put an end to all peak exercises

There are tipping exercises, and then the Apollo quarterback, Garrett Gilbert, completes Matt Weiser – who, it should be noted, was not the intended receiver. This quasi-capture-intercept-capture has touched four different players about to be caught for a positive gain. If football was a HORSE game, your opponent would be royally screwed.

Garrett Gilbert launches the incredible strike of TD

Apollos quarterback, Garrett Gilbert, was AAF's leading passer after two weeks and will likely still be the leader after three weeks. Of all her pieces so far, this could be her prettiest. Facing a fourth and eighth goal, and thanks to Memphis' reduction on the scoreboard, coach Steve Spurrier chose to keep his attack on the pitch. The result was a spectacular shot by Gilbert at Rannell Hall for a long bomb landing that would bring the Apollos back to 15-6. Just when you think Memphis has something to do, the Apollos show how easily they can do it.

Zach Mettenberger brings Memphis back to the match

After Christian Hackenberg launched his third interception of the season (and almost overturned the fourth), Memphis finally ended his activities. Coach Mike Singletary started the third quarter against the Apollos with quarterback Zach Mettenberger. Immediately, Mettenberger led the Express on the field and launched a magnificent penny to allow his team to bring his team back to three points of the Apollos, who were highly favored. With Hackenberg playing so badly, we had to wonder when we were going to see Mettenberger; on the other hand, what was preventing Mettenberger from starting? In any case, it's a good start and Memphis has suddenly made a game.

Early interception allows Apollos to roll over Express

The rear-defensive Apollos, Keith Reaser, was named Defensive Player of the Week by AAF during Week 2 for a decisive choice in a 37-29 win at the San Antonio Commanders . Reaser picks up where he stopped against the Express, picking up Christian Hackenberg's first pass. That led to a 31-yard placement to give Orlando a 9-0 lead. The Apollos moved the ball to the east to start, but Express's defense has tightened since. Yet another Apollos touchdown might be too difficult to overcome for Memphis.

A late touch ensures the first victory of the Stallions

Salt Lake City was about to upset Week 2, but finally got its first V of the season with a 23-15 win over Hotshots. The fact that Arizona lost quarterback John Wolford as a result of a back injury early in the third quarter did not help, but the Salt Lake defense deserved the maintenance of One of the best offensives of the AAF at 15 points while winning a victory with 14 games. A 75-yard touchdown that lasted more than eight minutes in the fourth quarter, punctuated by a rising score from Joel Bouagnon. Trevor Knight, who came into play after Wolford's injury, finished only five times in 14 attempts. The Hotshots made 2 conversions out of 10 on the third run and lost time in the possession battle, 36:03 to 23:43.

John Wolford absent while stallions take the lead

Arizona has beaten against Salt Lake City and quarterback John Wolford does not help. Wolford's first pass in the third quarter was retained and was almost brought down for a touchdown (scorer Branden Oliver scored later), but more importantly, Wolford took time to leave the field after being shaken to the past. rest of the game with an unspecified injury. Trevor Knight took over the next set, but missed his first six assists.

Hotshots equalize ground touchdown at end of second quarter

Although he was dominated for much of the first half, Arizona was able to level Salt Lake City 9-9 thanks to a touchdown by Rashad Ross. The former stud farm of Arizona State already has six shots in the game, as the Hotshots were able to parade the field with their mark. What is fascinating and sometimes frustrating about Arizona is that they can legitimately play from behind because of the explosiveness of their attack. Players like Ross and Josh Huff always seem to play big when the need actually feels.

The Salt Lake touchdown puts Arizona back in trouble

The Hotshots started slowly in Memphis in the second week, but were able to return for the 20-18 win. Well, Arizona finds itself once again playing from behind, but unlike Memphis, Salt Lake City is a more dangerous team – even though they came in the 0-2 day.

The Stallions sounded the bell early, and the main difference is in the conversions on the third run. Arizona has already been found in several thirds and a half while the Stallions have been able to convert third runs more manageable, including this touchdown pass to De Mornay Pierson-El.

Salt Lake QB Woodrum back after a thigh injury

Josh Woodrum of the Salt Lake City Stallions missed last week with a thigh injury he sustained in the Hotshot loss in the first week. Although he participated in training on Friday, he was still considered dubious for Saturday's match. But about 30 minutes before the start of the match against Arizona, the Stallions noted on their Twitter account that he was back and ready to play. Austin Allen, the starter of the second week, was designated quarterback of the third channel.

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