July 27, 2007

Former USC defensive lineman Bernard Riley, now a member of the Columbus Destroyers, will compete for the Arena Football League championship in ArenaBowl XXI in New Orleans this Sunday (July 29). The game will be televised live on ESPN at noon Pacific time.

The Destroyers (10-9), riding a 4-game winning streak, will face the San Jose SaberCats (15-3), who previously won ArenaBowl titles in 2002 and 2004. San Jose has won 12 games in a row.

Riley starts at nose tackle and tight end for the Destroyers. He has recorded 24 tackles, including 3 for a loss (with 2 sacks), plus 2 fumble recoveries and 2 pass deflections this season. This is his third season in the Arena League, after spending 2005 and 2006 with the Los Angeles Avengers.

Riley lettered 4 seasons (1999-2002) at USC. He started 19 games in his career, notching 76 tackles.