WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Alliance of American Football kicked of its inaugural season this past weekend with a handful of Boilermakers among the players taking part. The eight-team professional league will play a 10-game regular season, one round of playoffs and a championship game April 27.
In the opening weekend of play, the San Antonio Commanders, with Boilermakers Danny Ezechukwu (2014-17) and Austin Larkin (2016-17), defeated former Purdue teammate Gelen Robison's (2014-17) San Diego Fleet 15-6. Robinson recorded six assisted tackles for the Fleet, while Ezechukwu and Larkin had a solo tackle each for the Commanders.
The Orlando Apollos, with former Boilermaker running back Akeem Hunt (2011-14) rushing 10 times for 73 yards, knocked off the Atlanta Legends 40-6. Former defensive tackle Eddy Wilson (2015-17) was not active for the Salt Lake City Stallions' 38-22 loss to the Arizona Hotshots.
According to CBS' Cody Benjamin, the Alliance is a league that exists to both complement the NFL during the offseason and showcase local, developing talent. Its leadership board features former NFL players Jared Allen, Hines Ward and Troy Polamalu, and its mission is to provide "high-quality professional football fueled by a dynamic Alliance between players, fans and the game."
The league varies from the NFL in some of the rules, which include:
In the opening weekend of play, the San Antonio Commanders, with Boilermakers Danny Ezechukwu (2014-17) and Austin Larkin (2016-17), defeated former Purdue teammate Gelen Robison's (2014-17) San Diego Fleet 15-6. Robinson recorded six assisted tackles for the Fleet, while Ezechukwu and Larkin had a solo tackle each for the Commanders.
The Orlando Apollos, with former Boilermaker running back Akeem Hunt (2011-14) rushing 10 times for 73 yards, knocked off the Atlanta Legends 40-6. Former defensive tackle Eddy Wilson (2015-17) was not active for the Salt Lake City Stallions' 38-22 loss to the Arizona Hotshots.
According to CBS' Cody Benjamin, the Alliance is a league that exists to both complement the NFL during the offseason and showcase local, developing talent. Its leadership board features former NFL players Jared Allen, Hines Ward and Troy Polamalu, and its mission is to provide "high-quality professional football fueled by a dynamic Alliance between players, fans and the game."
The league varies from the NFL in some of the rules, which include:
- No kickoffs, the ball is placed at the 25-yard-line to begin play and after each score.
- No extra points. Each team has to attempt a two-point conversion after every touchdown.
- If a game goes to overtime, each team has four plays from the 10-yard line to score a touchdown and attempt a two-point conversion. No field goals are allowed in overtime.
- Teams are allowed to rush only five players and blitzes from the secondary are not allowed.