Mark Almond | AL.com
The Alliance of American Football hosted two tightly contested battles on Saturday. Both one-score games came down to the wire.
As in Week 1, the action was limited early on with late-game heroics adding drama to the closing moments of the two matchups.
On Sunday, the league hosted its first major shootout, as the Orlando Apollos and San Antonio Commanders combined for 66 points in a back-and-forth contest that was filled with big plays.
The final game of the weekend featured a must-see completion and a breakout performance from San Diego Fleet running back Ja'Quan Gardner.
Here is what you missed in Week 2 of the AAF season:
Saturday Game Results
Birmingham Iron (2-0) defeated Salt Lake Stallions (0-2), 12-9
Arizona Hotshots (2-0) defeated Memphis Express (0-2), 20-18
Sunday Results
Orlando Apollos (2-0) defeated San Antonio Commanders (1-1), 37-29
San Diego Fleet (1-1) defeated Atlanta Legends (0-2), 24-12
Bizarre completion highlights Fleet's win over Legends
Fleet quarterback Philip Nelson offered up an unusual highlight during an otherwise uneventful game. Nelson was nearly sacked by Atlanta linebacker Tyriq McCord when he decided to throw the ball behind his head down the field. Tight end Gavin Escobar was able to haul the ball in for a one-yard loss.
Despite the loss of yardage, the play was actually a "glass half full" positive for the Fleet. Instead of taking a bigger loss on a sack, Nelson was able to make up yardage with the completion. (Editor's Note: shoulder shrug.)
One play later, Nelson was sacked but an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty was called on the Legends. Sometimes, it's just your night. On Sunday, it was Nelson's night.
Well actually, Nelson had a pretty mediocre performance overall, despite the win. He completed just 14-of-30 passes for 142 yards and an interception.
Luckily for him, the Fleet's running game was on point.
Fleet running back sets an AAF record
Fleet running back Ja'Quan Gardner was on a roll on Sunday during San Diego's win over Atlanta. The talented tailback produced a league-record 104 rushing yards on just 15 carries. On top of averaging 6.9 yards per carry, Gardner also contributed two fourth-quarter touchdowns to help the Fleet pull away from the Legends.
Gardner played college football at Humboldt State University. The 5-foot-7, 205-pound back spent a week on the San Francisco 49ers' offseason roster last year. He appeared in one preseason game before being released.
Gardner is looking for a second chance at the NFL and Sunday's performance could go a long way in getting him back there.
Keith Reaser's Pick 6 caps Apollos' impressive comeback
The majority of the AAF's big moments have come from impressive defensive plays throughout the first two weeks of the season. During Sunday's shootout between the Apollos and Commanders, the game-deciding score reflected the league's short history.
As Commanders quarterback Logan Woodside looked to lead a game-winning drive, he was picked off by Apollos cornerback Keith Reaser. The defensive back was then able to return the ball to the end zone for the game's final score.
Reaser was a fifth-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers in 2014. The Florida Atlantic alum spent four seasons in the NFL, producing 38 tackles and seven pass breakups for the 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs.
Plays like his Pick 6 against the Commanders could get Reaser looks from the NFL.
The Apollos trailed throughout the majority of game and entered the fourth quarter with a nine-point hole. Orlando scored 17 unanswered points to record the win.
Garrett Gilbert continues to build his resume with comeback win
Former Carolina Panthers quarterback Garrett Gilbert continued to build his case to be named inaugural AAF MVP on Sunday. The SMU alum returned to Texas to produce a memorable comeback win for the Apollos. He completed 19-of-28 passes for 393 passing yards and two touchdowns in Orlando's 37-29 win over San Antonio.
Gilbert connected with eight different receivers during the Apollos' second win of the season. He also led six different scoring drives on the night.
The NFL is hurting for depth at the quarterback position and Gilbert is making it hard for the AAF to keep him for a second season.
Former Jets wide receivers emerge for Apollos
Former Jets wide receiver Charles Johnson put on a show on Sunday afternoon. The Apollos playmaker produced 192 receiving yards and a touchdown with his seven catches against the Commanders. In just two games, Johnson has put up 11 catches for 252 receiving yards and a touchdown.
Johnson has clearly developed a strong chemistry with Gilbert. That relationship could pay off for the duo as both players look to impress NFL scouts and get back to the big leagues.
Johnson was in Jets training camp this past offseason and couldn't earn a roster spot. A strong surge of plays during the AAF's inaugural season could boost his value to another NFL franchise.
Fellow former Jets wide receiver Jalin Marshall also had a strong game. He produced 84 receiving yards and a touchdown on three catches for the Apollos. His score was the final offensive touchdown for Orlando.
Through two weeks, Marshall has produced six catches for 135 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
Stallions lose because their kicker couldn't do his job
Stallions kicker Taylor Bertolet may not last much longer in the AAF. On Saturday, he missed three field goals in Salt Lake's three-point loss. He missed from 48, 50 and 55 yards. Those aren't chip shots but the misses were pretty bad, especially the 48-yard shank on the Stallions' final drive.
After the game, former Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis -- who was providing color commentary -- suggested he would move on from Bertolet if he was the head coach. Then again, Lewis is the guy who cut Jake Elliott after drafting him in the fifth round two years ago.
The Stallions had a 9-0 lead for the majority of the game and had opportunities to extend that lead with Bertolet multiple times. However, the kicker couldn't deliver on his main job function. Yikes!
Cameras in review booth capture the logic of "call stands"
The AAF's transparent approach to reviewing plays paid off in a big way on Saturday. Broadcasting the review process was helpful for the audience's understanding of a tough call in the Salt Lake-Birmingham game.
Stallions wide receiver De'Mornay Pierson-El was returning a punt when he had the ball ripped out of his hands by Iron defensive back Jamar Summers. The ball rolled back into the end zone as several players attempted to recover the loose pigskin. Ultimately, Iron linebacker Shaheed Salmon came up with the turnover in the end zone for a touchdown.
The AAF replay official attempted to review the play, as replays suggested Pierson-El's knee may have been down before the fumble. Due to a lack of camera angles and the unclear timing of Pierson-El's knee hitting the ground, the review official was forced to stick with the call on the field.
That type of transparency is unheard of in the NFL and allows fans to understand the difficulty and thought process of the review system. The feature has been universally praised throughout the first two weeks of the AAF.
Mark Almond | AL.com
Defense still ahead of offense on Saturday
For the second consecutive Saturday, defense reigned supreme for the AAF. The first two games were low-scoring affairs, as 59 total points were scored to open up Week 2.
The back-to-back defensive struggles featured eight turnovers and 11 sacks. Only eight touchdowns were scored and quarterbacks were hit 23 times.
That said, this is a developmental league, which offered only a month of preparation. The offenses are taking time to get situated, while the defenses are reading and reacting quickly. The offensive line play in particular has been awful, which has enabled opposing pass rushers to feast on the quarterbacks. While defensive showcases aren't going to drive ratings, the games have been very close and full of splash plays.
These 24 former Eagles players made Alliance of American Football rosters
Mark Almond | AL.com
Luis Perez is a social media darling ... but his receivers are bad
One of the clear fan favorites to emerge from the first two weeks of AAF action is Iron quarterback Luis Perez. Through Birmingham's first two games, Perez has shown off his accuracy, mobility and toughness. His performances have garnered praise from fans and analysts alike.
However, while Perez has played well independently, his passing targets have done little to help him in the box score. Against the Stallions, Perez completed 24-of-38 passes for 184 yards. While he had 14 incompletions, the majority of the failed plays were due to drops, some more heinous than others.
Despite the connection failures between Perez and his receiving options, the quarterback still played well enough to lead the Iron to their second consecutive victory with an impressive scoring drive that was capped by a rushing touchdown from Trent Richardson.
During the game, Perez was building buzz as a possible NFL addition down the road. In turn, his receivers were criticized for their failures.
Zac Stacy has a breakout game
Former Jets running back Zac Stacy had a strong night during Memphis' loss. He produced 101 rushing yards and a touchdown in the Week 2 matchup against the Hotshots. Stacy is the first running back to exceed 100 rushing yards in an AAF game.
Stacy spent three years in the NFL from 2013-15. He played two seasons for the then-St. Louis Rams before spending eight games with the Jets. He produced 1,355 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns during his initial run in the NFL.
Notable performances by former Jets players
- Trevor Reilly, LB, Stallions: 3 tackles and a forced fumble
- Joel Bouagnon, RB, Stallions: 11 carries for 70 rushing yards and a touchdown, a catch for 11 receiving yards
- Quinton Patton, WR, Iron: 3 catches for 44 receiving yards
- Christian Hackenberg, QB, Express: 14-of-25 passes for 102 passing yards, 7 carries for 39 rushing yards and a touchdown
- Dexter McDougle, CB, Hotshots: 2 tackles
- Zac Stacy, RB, Express: 19 carries for 101 rushing yards and a touchdown
- John Wolford, QB, Hotshots: 14-of-22 passes for 194 yards, 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions, 7 carries for 24 rushing yards
- Obum Gwacham, LB, Hotshots: 3 tackles, a sack and 2 QB hits
- Jalin Marshall, WR, Apollos: 3 catches for 84 receiving yards and a touchdown
- Charles Johnson, WR, Apollos: 7 catches for 192 receiving yards and a touchdown
- Nick Rose, K, Commanders: 3-of-3 on field goals
- Matt Simms, QB, Legends: 17-of-25 passes for 160 passing yards, a touchdown and an interception
- Jeff Luc, LB, Legends: 5 tackles
- Kendall James, CB, Fleet: 4 tackles
Notable performances by former Eagles players
- C.J. Smith, CB, Stallions: 4 tackles
- Christian Hackenberg, QB, Express: 14-of-25 passes for 102 passing yards, 7 carries for 39 rushing yards and a touchdown
- Josh Huff, WR, Hotshots: 2 catches for 84 receiving yards
- Dexter McDougle, CB, Hotshots: 2 tackles
- Brad Wing, P, Express: 7 punts for 297 yards (42.4 yards per punt)
- Jerome Couplin, S, Apollos: 3 tackles
- DeVante Bausby, CB, Commanders: 4 tackles and a pass breakup
- Winston Craig, DT, Commanders: A sack
- Ed Reynolds, S, Legends: 6 tackles, a sack and 2 pass breakups
- Terrell Watson, RB, Fleet: 14 carries for 49 rushing yards
Notable performances by former Giants players
- L'Damian Washington, WR, Iron: 3 catches for 27 receiving yards
- Austin Rehkow, P, Stallions: 5 punts for 205 yards (41 yards per punt)
- Jhurell Pressley, RB, Hotshots: 12 carries for 57 rushing yards
- Brad Wing, P, Express: 7 punts for 297 yards (42.4 yards per punt)
- Will Hill, S, Apollos: 4 tackles
- Terrell Watson, RB, Fleet: 14 carries for 49 rushing yards
- Eric Pinkins, LB, Fleet: 4 tackles
- Damontre Moore, DE, Fleet: 3 QB hits
NJ Advance Media
PODCAST: Where does Nick Foles land?
How to Reach Me
Mike Kaye may be reached at mkaye@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@Mike_E_Kaye. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
Ad Choices