Cobras Play at Pittsburgh Tonight; Cliff Branch Put on Injured Reserve

The Cobras, still looking for their first Arena Football League victory, will play the Pittsburgh Gladiators tonight at 5:30, PDT, at the Pittsburgh Civic Arena. The game will be on ESPN, tape-delayed, at 7:30 p.m., marking the third consecutive television appearance for the Cobras.

The Cobras will be without wide receiver/defensive back Cliff Branch, who was put on the two-week injured reserve list with a groin injury.

The Cobras signed Lou Green, a former Cal State Northridge defensive back, and offensive/defensive lineman Lou Sorrentino, who was recently waived by the New York Knights. The Cobras also placed linemen Eric Arrington and Patrick Cain on the three-man taxi squad.

The Cobras are coming off of a 46-35 loss to the Chicago Bruisers last Friday night. After leading, 29-27, at halftime, the Cobras gave up 16 straight points to the Bruisers. Quarterback Matt Stevens threw three interceptions to Bruiser safety Durwood Roquemore, while passing for only 195 yards.

The Cobra defense, which has given up 13 touchdowns and 619 yards passing, will again face a red-hot offense. Pittsburgh quarterback Mike Hohensee has passed for 13 touchdowns and 418 yards while leading the Gladiators to a 2-0 record. The Gladiators have outscored opponents, 139-77, and are coming off an 82-26 win over the New England Steamrollers.

Hohensee, a former Rowland High School star, has a pair of outstanding receivers in Julius Dawkins and Dan Burmeister.