Thunder vs. Conquest

Who: Thunder (1-3) vs. Albany Conquest (2-1) Where: Times Union Center (17,500), Albany, N.Y. When: 7 p.m. Saturday Radio: WBBW-AM (1240) Coaches: Mike Hold is 8-12 in his second season with the Thunder; Jeff Hoffman is 2-1 in his first season with the Conquest. Series history: The Thunder leads 3-0, including a 59-33 win in the season opener March 29 at the Chevrolet Centre.SFlbMatchups to watch: The Thunder have lost three straight overall and go on the road for the second time this season. Mahoning Valley has lost five straight games away from the Chevrolet Centre dating to last season. … The Thunder rank fourth in af2 in rushing offense, averaging 39 yards per game. John Tackmann leads the team with 62 yards on 13 carries. … In last week’s loss to Lexington four players made their Thunder debuts — defensive back Melvin Matlock had a team-high six tackles; wide receiver Clenton Rafe had two scoring catches, kicker Derek Schorejs was 5-for-5 on extra points and forced a fumble, and lineman Matt Zielisnki saw playing time. … The Thunder signed two more players Thursday, lineman Kinny Spotwood (5-foot-11, 237 pounds) from Tulsa and QB Bryan Kover (6-4, 230) from Baldwin-Wallace College. Both are first-year af2 players. … The Thunder forced three fumbles last week. Ray Williams and Schorejs recorded their first forced fumbles of the season and LB Kellen Driscoll had his third. Driscoll ranks first in af2 with 61‚Ñ2 tackles for loss, second with four sacks and fourth with three forced fumbles. … The Thunder is averaging 38.2 points per game, 25th in af2, and allowing 38 points per game, seventh-best in the league. … Albany defeated the Manchester Wolves, 64-54, last Friday. WR Antwun Williams had 10 receptions for 156 yards and two TDs. … QB Dan Cole is first in af2 in total offense (291.0 yards per game) and tied for first in passing yards per game (271.0). The Conquest are second in af2 in total offense. Cole is 69-of-122 pasisng this season for 813 yards and 14 TDs.SFlbNext: The Thunder return home May 5 to face the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers in a Monday night game at Cortland Banks Field at the Chevrolet Centre. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Inside: Stats/lineups, C6; af2 standings/schedule. C2