SDCCU Stadium (02/24/2019) The San Diego Fleet improves to 2-1 and ties for 1st place in the West Division standings after putting away the San Antonio Commanders (1-2) 31-11.
Fleet running back Ja’Quan Gardner had another big game with 122 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries. His 83-yard burst to the end zone with 8:03 left in the third quarter is the longest scoring play in The Alliance this season.
Phillip Nelson threw two touchdown passes to Nelson Spruce, while linebacker AJ Tarpley scored off a 27-yard interception return.
SDCCU STADIUM (02/17/2019) The San Diego Fleet (1-0) opened its home schedule with a 24-12 come-from-behind victory over the Atlanta Legends (0-2) in front of over 20,000 fans who braved some heavy rain.
Ja'Quan Gardner put up 104 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries, but in the fourth quarter, he became the first player in Fleet history to find the end zone after his 8-yard run gave the team a 15-12 lead with 9:04 left to play.
Following a three-and-out by Atlanta, Gardner scored again from seven yards to all but seal the game.
“This is a huge win for us to get back on track,” Gardner said. “Football is back in San Diego and we couldn’t be happier.”
John Buckley earned his first win as head coach after the San Diego Enforcers (1-0) opened the season with a 21-0 triumph over the visiting Los Angeles Grizzlies (0-1).
In November 2018, the Indoor Football League (IFL) introduced the San Diego Strike Force as one of its newest franchises. Three months later, the team is set to play its inaugural game on the road against the Quad City Steamwheelers next Friday at 5:05 p.m. pacific time.
We spoke with head coach Burt Grossman, quarterback Derrick Bernard, and former USD running back Jereke Armstrong Jr. (San Pasqual) after the team's scrimmage.
Looking to bounce back from last week's season-opening loss to San Antonio, the San Diego Fleet (0-1) will host its first-ever home game this Sunday against the Atlanta Legends (0-1).
The first snap (no kickoffs in the AAF) is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. pacific time.
This will be the first professional football game played at SDCCU Stadium since January 1, 2017.
We spoke briefly with running back Ja'Quan Gardner about his game-high 55-yard rushing performance at San Antonio, and how the Fleet offense can improve.
Under the direction of first-year head coach John Buckley, the two-time NPSFL national champion San Diego Enforcers will host their season-opener this Saturday against the Los Angeles Grizzlies, who upset the Enforcers 17-13 in last year's season-finale.
Their shot at redemption will take place at Madison High School, with kickoff scheduled for 1:00 p.m. pacific time. This will be the be the third meeting between the teams, who are tied at 1-1 in the all-time series.
Buckley takes over for longtime leader Brian Salmon, who announced his retirement in November after a successful stint that dates back to 1999.
With big shoes to fill, Buckley will inherit a solid roster that features returning veterans on both sides of the ball. Quarterback JJ Carrell returns after missing the last few games of last season, while ball-hawking free safety Matt Steinbach will help anchor the "Darkside Defense".
SAN ANTONIO, TX (02/07/2019) The Alliance of American Football kicked off its inaugural season with a nationally televised contest between the San Diego Fleet and hosting San Antonio Commanders.
Two field goals (47 & 28 yards) by former San Diego State kicker Donny Hageman were the only points San Diego could get on the board, as the San Antonio defense kept the Fleet (0-1) from reaching the end zone, helping secure the win in front of 27,857 fans at the Alamodome.
Led by head coach Mike Martz, the San Diego Fleet will help kick off the Alliance of American Football inaugural season when they take on the San Antonio Commanders this Saturday, February 9th at the Alamodome.
The game will be televised live on CBS at 5:00 p.m. PT.
Seven of eight former San Diego State players on the Fleet roster were named starters for this match-up, including newly signed kicker Donny Hageman.
Starting quarterback Mike Bercovici (Arizona State) will be targeting Kameron Kelly, and tight end Gavin Escobar, who spent five seasons in the NFL after an outstanding career with the Aztecs.
Kelly entered Fleet Training Camp as a defensive back, but was moved to receiver, where he is now listed as a starter along side Brain Brown (Richmond).
With Bishop Sankey (Washington) on injured reserve, former Division II standouts Ja'Quan Gardner (Humboldt State) and Terrell Watson (Azusa Pacific) will see many opportunities at running back.
The tackle positions will also be anchored by SDSU alums, Terry Poole on the left and Valley Center High alum Daniel Brunskill on the right, while the defensive front seven will feature edge rusher Alex Barrett and linebacker Eric Pinkins.
San Antonio is led by former San Diego Chargers head coach Mike Riley. The last time Martz coached against Riley was back in 2000 when Martz’s St. Louis Rams defeated the Chargers 57-31.
During the morning of Super Bowl Sunday, the San Diego Rebellion held their signing day at Pitcher's Sports Bar. The Rebellion will go into their second season after finishing 7-3 and advancing to the second round of the WFA playoffs.
