NOTES
The Vegas Knight Hawks will travel to San Jose, California for a road game against the Bay Area Panthers. This will be the first of two contests against the Panthers this season. Vegas currently holds a 5-0 record and looks to continue the best start in franchise history. The Panthers, who are the reigning IFL National Champions, are also looking to protect their 5-0 start.
Vegas will likely rely on the receiving corps of
Quentin Randolph,
Caleb Holley, and
CJ Windham stepping up in order to secure a sixth Knight Hawks victory. Holley and Randolph rank sixth and eighth in the IFL in receiving touchdowns, respectively. Additionally, Bay Area ranks 10th in the league in pass defense.This crack in the armor is one that Vegas should be able to exploit.
Defensively, the Knight Hawks will need to slow down the league's fourth best rushing attack. The defensive front of
Lee Autry,
Jerry Garner, and
Maurice Jackson will be crucial in winning that trench battle. Preventing Bay Area's leading rusher, former Knight Hawks quarterback Daquan Neal, from utilizing his dual-threat ability will be paramount.
OPPOSITION UPDATE
Although the Panthers have started the 2024 IFL season undefeated, three of their five wins were by six points or fewer. These closely contested games rely on the contributions of a stout Panthers defense, which ranks second in the league overall. Defensive back Antwon Kincade is seventh in the league in tackles with 31. Defensive lineman Datona Jackson leads the team in sacks with three. The Knight Hawks will need both their run and pass game firing to find the endzone. Daquan Neal is Bay Area's biggest offensive weapon, with 12 total touchdowns and 656 all-purpose yards so far this season. Slowing him down will be a tall task. However, the Vegas defense feels well-prepared heading into the contest thanks to a quarter-season of practice against their own dual-threat quarterbacks,
Ja'Rome Johnson and
Jorge Reyna.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Fans are encouraged to stream the game on YouTube or listen to it on 1230 The Game. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. PT.
TICKETS
Tickets are still available for the Vegas Knight Hawks matchup with the San Diego Strike Force on Saturday, May 10 at 7 p.m. PT. The team will celebrate Henderson Heroes Knight and will additionally offer $2 beers and margaritas. Click here to purchase tickets.
