game time | Thunder vs. Lexington

Who: Thunder (1-5) vs. Lexington Horsemen (3-2)

When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Rupp Arena, Lexington, Ky. (23,500)

Radio: WBBW-AM 1240

Series history: Lexington leads 1-0, winning 41-35 at the Chevrolet Centre April 18.

Coaches: Mike Hold is 8-14 in his second season with the Thunder; Mike Harmon is 3-2 in his first season with the Horsemen.

Scouting report: Mahoning Valley has lost five straight games overall and five straight on the road. Lexington, which had a bye last week, is a half-game behind Green Bay and Louisville in the Midwest Division. … In the team’s first meeting, Lexington QB Eddie Eviston was 15 of 28 for 188 yards and 4 TDs. Chad Spencer had six catches and three TDs. … The Thunder outgained the Horsemen, 218-202, but committed five turnovers. … Shane Adler is expected to make his second straight start at QB for the Thunder. In Monday’s 77-47 loss to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Adler was 16-for-40 for 204 yards and a pair of TDs, but he was also picked off twice. … Through six games the Thunder has started three QBs. … Tim Murphy’s 94 yards rushing against W-B/Scranton was the second-highest total in one game in af2 history and just 2 yards off the record. … John Tackmann leads the Thunder with eight rushing TDs and, on defense, his 29 tackles leads all Thunder players. … Eviston has attempted every pass for Lexington this season, except two. He is 92-of-171 for 1,036 yards and 22 TDs, with 7 INTs. … Barry Lewis is Lexington’s leading receiver (28 catches, 332 yards, 6 TDs.)

Next: The Thunder goes on the road to Louisville, Ky., May 17.

Thunder, Vindicator staff report