game time Thunder vs. Louisville

Who: Thunder (1-6) vs. Louisville Fire (4-3)

When: Saturday, 705 p.m.

Where: Brown-Forman Field in Freedom Hall (14,500)

Radio: WBBW-AM 1240

Series history: Louisville leads 2-0. The Fire won 52-34 and 57-32 in the teams’ two meetings last season.

Coaches: Mike Hold is 8-15 in his second season with the Thunder; Tommy Johnson is 47-40 in his sixth season with the Fire.

Scouting report: Mahoning Valley has lost six straight games overall and six straight on the road. Louisville had its two-game winning streak snapped last week at Iowa, 48-39. … The Thunder roster continues to evolve; in fact, the team was still searching for a kicker Friday morning. Center Wally Sonnie, tackle Andre Bennett and FB/TE Mike Lane are the only offensive players to start every game for the Thunder. … QB Shane Adler, starting his second game against Lexington, threw for 155 yards and only one touchdown. He was picked off twice and the Thunder offense scored just six points in the second half. …Defensively the Thunder was led by LB Royce Morgan, who had four tackles, including two for losses. He had one sack and drew two offensive holding penalties. … Louisville backup QB Aaron Marshall is a Youngstown State graduate. … The Fire rank first in af2 in rushing offense (63.6; the Thunder is third at 43.7) and time of possession (34:22). … Starting QB Matt Bassuener leads af2 in rushing (273 yards). … DB Matt Forbes has 6 INTs, second-best in the league.

Coach says: “[Louisville has] played well enough to win every game on their schedule. They have a good amount of experience on the roster and Coach Johnson has been there awhile now, so they stay pretty consistent in what they try and run from year to year.” — Mike Hold

Next: The Thunder has a bye , then returns home to play the Albany Conquest May 31 at the Chevrolet Centre.

Thunder, Vindicator staff report