TUCSON - The Tucson Sugar Skulls are off to a franchise-best 3-0 start heading into the home opener at Tucson Arena. They will be hosting the San Diego Strike Force with kickoff time at 6:05 pm in the Boneyard.

Tucson has won three consecutive road games to begin the 2023 season, including a hard-fought comeback victory over the Bay Area Panthers last Sunday night. The Skulls trailed 16-0 early on but stormed back through the defensive pressure by getting stops and generating takeaways while the offense found its rhythm. After those 16 early points, Tucson held the Panthers to just 14 points for the remainder of the game to win 34-30 and remain perfect.

Striking With Force 

This will be the 9th matchup all-time between the two teams. The Sugar Skulls currently lead the all-time series 7-1. San Diego defeated the Skulls for the first time in franchise history last season by a score of 67-66 last April.

Tucson won their last meeting against the Strike Force to open the season on the road by a score of 35-16. Another win against San Diego would push the Skulls to a 4-0 start and put them in a prime position for another playoff push. 

Defensive Presence 

Last season, the Sugar Skulls' defense had trouble limiting opponents or generating stops on a nightly basis. This year's team to this point has looked like the polar opposite, as their presence on that side of the ball has been menacing. Tucson's defense currently ranks 2nd in the IFL in points allowed per game, holding opponents to just 31.3 points per game through their first three contests. 

Carlito Gonzalez led the way for the Sugar Skulls' defense last Sunday, recording thirteen total tackles, 7 solo, and 6 assisted. Gonzalez added .5 tackles for loss and a crucial forced fumble. Thanks to this defensive performance, the IFL awarded him with the honor of "IFL Defensive Player of the Week" for week five.

Home Sweet Home 

The team has already traveled to California (twice) and played in the Footprint Center along with an early bye week, pushing their home opener to late April. Quarterback Ramone Atkins and several other key contributors will be making their home debut on Saturday in the Boneyard. Tucson went 5-3 at home last season. 

The Sugar Skulls will be giving away Red Adult Jerseys to the first 1,000 fans that enter on Saturday evening. 

Stream:
Strike Force @ Sugar Skulls