However, the Irish do have a loyal, though, small, fan base, and caught a break with the Albany Empire playing a matinee at Times-Union Center earlier in the day. The defending champions of the Northeastern Football Alliance, the Syracuse Strong, were in town, looking to extend their dominance over Troy.
The Strong won the opening coin toss. However, some initial confusion forced them to spend their first time out before an offensive play could be run, which is rather unusual. Still, it took just two plays for the Strong to take the lead. Zavon Watkins, in the Wildcat formation, burned the Troy defense for a 51 yard touchdown run. Kicker Tom Stadinski's extra point was blocked, and Syracuse took a 6-0 lead into the second quarter.
Then, Troy's Marcus Hepp, a Lansingburgh High alumnus, took over.
Hepp put the Irish on the board with a 7 yard run nearly four minutes into the second quarter, but the Irish also had some kicking issues, as David Fox's kick sailed off to the right, tying the game at 6-6. With time running out in the half, Hepp scored again, this time bulling his way in from two yards. Fox converted the extra point, and Troy went into the break leading, 13-6.
Alas, that lead didn't last, either. The second half was a showcase for Syracuse's Rashad Burns, who broke off a 41 yard touchdown run, just over three minutes into the third quarter. Skadinski converted the extra point to tie the game. Nearly seven minutes later, Burns ran it in from in close, and Syracuse took the lead again. However, Nico D'Aquino found Brandon Hill for a 4 yard TD toss to even the score. Unfortunately for Troy, that would be their last score of the night.
In the fourth quarter, Burns busted free for another long run, this one for 52 yards for what would be the game winner. Skadinski added a chip shot field goal, and Burns added one more touchdown for good measure with just over ninety seconds left to ice it. Syracuse stays undefeated, and hands the Irish their first loss, 37-20.
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Speaking of the Valleycats, they remain perfect at home, needing 11 innings to defeat Vermont for the second straight night, 6-5. However, because the game took nearly four hours to complete, the scheduled fireworks display after the game was postponed. Tri-City has now won three in a row, and will look for the sweep tonight. CJ Stubbs brought Deury Carrasco home with the game winner.
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The Albany Dutchmen split a doubleheader with the Mohawk Valley Diamond Dawgs at Siena. Albany won the opener, 6-4, but the Dawgs avoided the sweep, winning the nightcap, 7-2.
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The Empire needed some late magic to put away Atlantic City, 63-61. Taking a quick peek at the game on My-4 before leaving for the Irish-Strong game, they had barely started the fourth quarter, with Albany taking the lead. The Arena Football League's network was allotted two hours, per cable guide, but of course you know that doesn't always work that way. Anyone that has watched college football on ESPN for years knows that. They score in bunches, just like certain college teams, in the AFL, but usually with time to spare. A sustained drive in the Arena game is a foreign concept, what with teams tailored for quick strike offenses.
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