Marquise Williams led the San Antonio Commanders to a 19-15 win over Salt Lake City in AAF week 7 play.

San Antonio, TX – Before an Alliance of American Football record crowd of 30,345, the San Antonio Commanders topped the Salt Lake City Stallions 19-15 at the Alamodome in the seventh game of the league’s inaugural season. The game was tied at 9 going into the final quarter, thanks to – according to both head coaches – stellar play by the defenses but both would admit that their teams offensive play was inconsistent. In the final period, both offensives gained some traction and combined for 16 points to set up an exciting finish.

With just over 10 and a half minutes to go in the game, Commanders head coach Mike Riley made a change at quarterback. He inserted Marquise Williams for Logan Woodside, who was hurt on the previous series. Williams used his legs to convert a third down early in the drive then on a third-and-16 at the Stallions 36-yard line, he threw a swing pass on the right side to running back Trey Williams, who received excellent downfield blocking from the San Antonio receivers and covered the 36 yards for the score.

“I just got Trey in the right position so I knew he would make a play,” said Marquise Williams, who played collegiately at North Carolina.” It was just like a play back at UNC, we called “40 Bling” and bling means touchdown for us. Just get the ball to the play maker and that guy is fast.”

Greg Ward caught the two-point conversion to extend the lead to 17-9.

On the ensuing possession, the Stallions matriculated the ball down the field with quarterback Josh Woodrum completing five of his seven passes. They were able to convert a third and a fourth down before Woodrum found running Terrell Newby in the far-right corner of the end zone. San Antonio cornerback De’Vante Bausby, part of a defense that led the Alliance with 12 interceptions through six games, jumped the route on the two-point try and took the interception the length of the field for two points for his side and it was 19-15.

Stallions head coach Dennis Erickson elected to give the ball to San Antonio instead of running the league’s onside kick play which is one offensive play from your own 28-yard line. If the offense (the team that just scored) gains 12 or more yards they keep the ball and the drive continues, if they don’t the defensive team gets the ball back.

Erickson’s strategy nearly worked, his team made stops and used their timeouts after the Commanders first two plays of the drive but Williams ran for a first down on a third-and-three play and San Antonio kneeled it out from there.

NOTES – At one point, many in the crowd of 30,345 were doing the Wave while the home team was on offense. It took the PA announcer and messages on the Jumbo Tron to get them to stop…Prior to the fourth quarter, the only touchdown in the game came on San Antonio’s first possession. Wide receiver Mekaie McKay made a nifty catch for a 21-yard touchdown…Bausby, a former Philadelphia Eagles, is tied for the leagues lead with four interceptions however since his interception in this game occurred on an extra point it’s not counted toward his total…Three former Temple players were in the game Leon Johnson played right tackle for Salt Lake while his teammate wide receiver Adonis Jennings had two catches for 18 yards (one was good for a first down) and a tackle on special teams (his former coach Geoff Collins said, “special teams will get you paid to play football”). Commanders tight end Evan Rodriguez had three catches for a game-high 71 yards…Reading born and Exeter High School graduate Taylor Bertolet kicked three field goals for Salt Lake his first was 32 yards then he had makes of 53 and 52 before missing form 54 yards.

Email Rock Hoffman at Rock@footballstories.com