Getty Atlanta Legends QB Aaron Murray
As the Alliance of American Football gets Sunday’s Week 5 action underway, the opening matchup features two teams below the .500 mark, but both which have interesting storylines. The Memphis Express and Atlanta Legends are both 1-3 but have two quarterbacks who are fairly well-known across the football landscape.
For the Express, former Tennessee Titans quarterback Zach Mettenberger took over under center for Christian Hackenberg during Week 3 and has impressed in the past two games. During his first AAF action, Mettenberger completed 9-of-12 passes for 120 yards and two touchdowns while nearly knocking off the undefeated Orlando Apollos.
As for the Legends, it’s former Georgia Bulldogs standout Aaron Murray who entered the game in Week 4 and made an impact immediately. He completed 20-of-33 passes for 254 yards while leading Atlanta to a 14-11 upset over the Arizona Hotshots.
The two signal-callers will be the headliners in this matchup, setting up a potentially high-scoring matchup between two teams who rank near the bottom of the league in points allowed. On the season, Atlanta has allowed 103 points while Memphis has given up 90. Only the Salt Lake Stallions (112) have allowed more, and they’ve played one more game thus far.
We’re going provide updates on scores, stats and best highlights throughout the matchup between Memphis and Atlanta. The stats will be updated at halftime and then again after the game.
Updated Score & Highlights: Memphis Express vs. Atlanta Legends
Note: Highlights courtesy of the Alliance of American Football, The Athletic’s Arif Hasan and CBS Sports Network.
Zach Mettenberger Goes Down Early
Dylan Donahue sacks Zach Mettenberger on third down
Aaron Murray Moving the Sticks
And Again From Murray
Aaron Murray with a 21-yard strike to Seantavious Jones
Legends Score First on Younghoe Koo Field Goal: 3-0
.@AafLegends get on the board first.
Legends Turn It Over on Wildcat Fumble
Wildcat formation didn’t appear to work out here…
Mettenberger Hits Reece Horn for Big Gain
Huge play following that fumble; Zach Mettenberger hits Reece Horn for 33 yards to set up an eventual touchdown run
Zac Stacy Rumbles for Game’s First Touchdown: 6-3
Churn those legs!
Zac Stacy gets the @aafexpress the lead.
Tarean Folston Finds the End Zone for Atlanta: 11-6
Tarean Folston punches in the touchdown to complete the 75-yard drive for the Atlanta Legends
Sherman Badie With Huge Gainer for Express
Sherman Badie takes the HUGE gain inside the red zone for the Express.
Zac Stacy Finds the End Zone Again for Memphis: 12-11
Badie’s big gain sets up Zac Stacy for a second TD on the ground this afternoon.
A game of rushing scores thus far in the first half.
Bug Howard With Big Gain on Screen for Atlanta
Wild Tip Drill Catch for Seantavius Jones
Another third down connection between Aaron Murray and Seantavious Jones, this time off of a tipped pass
Memphis Grabs Lead With Mettenberger QB Sneak: 20-14
Zach Mettenberger with the ol’ QB sneak to punch it in for six.
Aaron Murray Hits Tarean Folston to Tie Things Up: 20-20
Mettenberger Hits Zac Stacy for Big Gain
Zach Mettenberger manages to dump off a screen pass while getting pummeled by Dylan Donahue. Zac Stacy takes it for 31 yards
Mettenberger Pass Picked Off Late in 4th Quarter
Pressure from KeShun Freeman forces Zach Mettenberger out of the pocket. He throws an off-target pass on the run, it gets tipped and Tyson Graham, Jr. intercepts it late in a tied game
Younghoe Koo Nails Game-Winning Field Goal: 23-20
Younghoe Koo sends the @AafLegends home with a victory.
Final score: Atlanta Legends 23, Memphis Express 20
Memphis Express vs. Atlanta Legends Notable Final Stats
*All stats and box scores from No Extra Points and will be updated at halftime and then after the game.
Quarterbacks
- MEM: Zach Mettenberger – 9/17, 181 yards, one interception
- ATL: Aaron Murray – 27/43, 306 yards, one touchdown
Running Backs
- MEM: Zac Stacy – 13 carries, 41 yards, two touchdowns, two catches, 45 receiving yards
- MEM: Sherman Badie – one catch, 56 receiving yards
- ATL: Tarean Folston – 11 carries, 83 yards, six catches, 23 yards, two combined TDs
- ATL: Brandon Radcliff – 11 carries, 31 yards, three catches, 16 yards
Wide Receivers
- MEM: Reece Horn – one catch, 29 yards
- ATL: Seantavius Jones – five catches, 89 yards
- ATL: Bug Howard – three catches, 59 yards
- ATL: Keith Towbridge – four catches, 56 yards
- ATL: Malachi Jones – two catches, 31 yards
- ATL: Ervin Philips – three catches, 23 yards
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