With three of the four games undecided until the final few minutes, there were several exciting finishing in Week 5 of the Alliance of American Football over the weekend. The Salt Stallions and Memphis Express both lost their games because of last second field goals, while the San Antonio Commanders only just managed to hold on to a 26 point lead over the Arizona Hotshots in the face of a furious second half comeback.
For fans of the team with the strongest connection to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Week 5 saw the Birmingham Iron lose their second game in a row, this time to a convincing Orlando Apollos team who remain undefeated.
Week 5 results:
Orlando Apollos 31 @ Birmingham Iron 14
Salt Lake City 25 @ San Diego Fleet 27
Memphis Express 20 @ Atlanta Legends 23
San Antonio Commanders 29 @ Arizona Hotshots 25
A look at The Alliance standings midway through the season. pic.twitter.com/0pocTqt35L
— The Alliance (@TheAAF) March 11, 2019
Tight End Scott Orndoff only had a brief stay with the Steelers in 2017, but he had his best game of his short AAF career for the Apollos against the Iron on Saturday, recording three receptions for 61 yards and a touchdown.
First drive of the game, first points for the @aafapollos! #ORLvsBHM pic.twitter.com/7FnjJUFBtz
— The Alliance (@TheAAF) March 9, 2019
And while former Pittsburgh training camp participant Jamar Summers would give up his first touchdown of the season in that same game, he would also add another turnover to his tally on a muffed punt early in the contest.
Jamar Summers: Certified Beast.@jsum #ORLvsBHM #ForgeOn⚒ pic.twitter.com/8lAEouBSHy
— Birmingham Iron (@aafiron) March 9, 2019
Zach Mettenberger would start his second game under center for the Express, but could not lead them to a second win of the season, despite chipping in with a one-yard rushing touchdown on the day.
Zach Mettenberger with the ol' QB sneak to punch it in for six. pic.twitter.com/mHgX8NKren
— CBS Sports Network (@CBSSportsNet) March 10, 2019
His interception late in the fourth quarter effectively dooming Memphis to defeat.
Pressure from KeShun Freeman forces Zach Mettenberger out of the pocket. He throws an off-target pass on the run, it gets tipped and Tyson Graham, Jr. intercepts it late in a tied game pic.twitter.com/g8StZ2Xzpc
— Arif Hasan (@ArifHasanNFL) March 10, 2019
For former Steelers running backs in the AAF, Week 5 was one to forget with Terrell Watson limited to just 14 yards on five carries for San Diego and Trey Williams managing just 22 yards from his 10 attempts for San Antonio.
Highlights from all the weekend’s action can be found below.
Week 5 Highlights:
Orlando Apollos 31 @ Birmingham Iron 14
Salt Lake City 25 @ San Diego Fleet 27
Memphis Express 20 @ Atlanta Legends 23
San Antonio Commanders 29 @ Arizona Hotshots 25