Once-struggling Swashbucklers back in postseason picture
Published 2:10 pm Saturday, May 4, 2013
Maybe that light at the end of the tunnel isn’t an oncoming freight train.
It could be the playoffs.
Suddenly, the once struggling Louisiana Swashbucklers have found themselves back in the postseason picture, even if it is a bit fuzzy.
The Bucs, winners of two straight after losing their first three games at home, are back on the road tonight against the Knoxville Nighthawks (2-5). It is the second of three meetings between the clubs with kickoff set for 7 p.m.
In the first meeting two weeks ago, the Bucs won for the first time this year, taking a 36-37 decision thanks to three turnovers, two of which went for touchdowns.
“I think we may have turned the corner,” Bucs coach Darnell Lee said that night.
He was right.
Last week Louisiana hit the road for the first time and scored 77 points in a 12-point win at Columbus.
However, Knoxville was also picking up a big win, upsetting league-leading Alabama 53-51.
“We got a huge win last week and we want to build on that success,” Nighthawks head coach Cosmo DeMatteo said. “Louisiana had a great win against Columbus and put 77 point on the board. Our defense will need to be ready and our offense has to continue to improve.
New quarterback Ryan Porter went 27 of 41 for 287 yards with four touchdowns to lead the way for Knoxville.
Bucs wide receiver Jordan Rideaux had his best game of the season last week, catching nine passes for 117 yards, and five touchdowns.
With a win tonight the Bucs playoff picture will be much more clear at the season’s midway point. They will also be one game back of first-place Alabama in the loss column.
(Rick Hickman / American Press)
