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Birmingham Steeldogs Game Notes

July 26, 2005 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Alabama Steeldogs News Release


#1 FLORIDA TO CLOSE OUT STEELDOGS SIXTH SEASON
The Steeldogs' historic sixth season comes to a close on Saturday night as the af2's defending champion and No. 1-ranked team, the Florida Firecats, march into the BJCC Arena. Having already secured a first-round bye in the 2005 postseason, the 13-2 ‘Cats have the league's best record. Inversely, the 2-13 Steeldogs can only hope to put a positive end to what has been a dismal season. A Birmingham win would give the Steeldogs a 4-3 lead in the series, which dates back to May 3, 2002.

COACHES
BOBBY HUMPHREY, BIRMINGHAM STEELDOGS
YEARS IN THE AF2: 6 YEARS AT BIR: 6
OVERALL RECORD: 51-49 (.510) RECORD AT BIR: 51-49
REGULAR SEASON: 49-46 (.516)
POSTSEASON: 2-3 (.400)
RECORD VS FLORIDA: 3-3 (.500)

Coach Humphrey returns for his sixth season as the head coach of the Birmingham Steeldogs. He is the longest-tenured coach in af2 football, as well as the all-time winningest. In 2004, Humphrey surpassed friend and long-time rival Kevin Porter as the league's most victorious head man with his 46th win.

Bobby is a 2004 inductee into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. He currently resides in Birmingham with his wife Barbara and their five children.

KEVIN BOUIS, FLORIDA FIRECATS
YEARS IN THE AF2: 1 YEARS AT FLA: 1
OVERALL RECORD: 13-2 (.867) RECORD AT FLA: 13-2
REGULAR SEASON: 13-2 (.867)
POSTSEASON: 0-0 (.000)
RECORD VS STEELDOGS: 1-0 (1.000)

Kevin Bouis is set to embark on his first year as head coach for the Florida Firecats. Kevin is in his fourth year with this team. As the defensive coordinator for the Firecats last season, Bouis helped coach the team to an Arena Cup Championship in
2004.

Last year Kevin's Defense was ranked #1 in total defense, #1 in pass defense & #2 in scoring defense. He has served as the defensive coordinator for the Firecats for the past three years


2005 STEELDOGS SCHEDULE
REGULAR SEASON: 2-13
DATE OPPONENT TIME SERIES/RES.
4/9 San Diego 7:00 L, 57-58
4/14 at Macon 6:30 L, 50-67
4/23 Memphis 7:00 L, 24-60
4/30 at Louisville 6:30 L, 46-48
5/7 South Georgia 7:00 L, 49-69
5/14 at San Diego 9:00 L, 44-77
5/21 at Arkansas 7:00 L, 60-61
5/28 Green Bay 7:00 W, 55-26
6/4 at Florida 6:30 L, 40-56
6/11 Louisville 7:00 L, 61-69
6/18 at Memphis 7:00 L, 32-62
6/24 at Green Bay 7:00 L, 41-69
7/9 Macon 7:00 L, 51-68
7/16 at South Georgia 6:30 W, 23-20
7/23 Arkansas 7:00 L, 42-55
7/30 Florida 7:00 Series Tied 3-3

GAME INFORMATION:
Date: Saturday, July 30
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m.
Arena: BJCC Arena
Capacity: 16,000
Television: None
Steeldogs Radio Network:
Flagship: WJOX AM-690
Play-By-Play: Matt Coulter
Color: Roger Shultz
Series Records: Series Tied 3-3
Officials: (R), (U),
(HL), (LJ), (BJ)

STEELDOGS-FIRECATS SERIES
The Steeldogs and Firecats have faced off six times since the Fort Myers-based franchise began af2 play in 2001.

May 3, 2002: Birmingham 49 Florida 31
At the TECO Arena in Estero, the Steeldogs knocked the Firecats from the ranks of the unbeaten behind solid performances from QB Montressa Kirby (13 of 23, 242 yards, 7 TDs, 2 INTs) and OS Wayne Thomas (6 catches, 82 yards, 3 TDs). Florida's Anthony Dixon caught 13 passes for 110 yards and 1 TD, and was one of only three Firecats to catch a pass.

May 3, 2003: Birmingham 38 Florida 35, OT
At the TECO Arena, Rhett Gallego's 35-yard field goal in overtime sealed Birmingham's second consecutive victory over the Florida Firecats. Gallego nailed a 47-yard boot at the end of regulation to send the game into an extra frame. OS Aryvia Holmes caught 10 passes for 112 yards and one TD to lead the Steeldogs, while Cainon Lamb caught 12 passes for 152 yards and one score.

July 19, 2003: Florida 57 Birmingham 35
At the BJCC Arena, Florida picked up their first series victory on their first trip to The Magic City. Led by Ken Mastrole (22 of 32, 264 yards, 6 TDs) and Magic Benton (8 catches, 101 yards) the Firecats jumped out to a 23-0 first quarter lead and never looked back.

May 14, 2004: Birmingham 55 Florida 34
At the BJCC Arena, the Steeldogs used a 35-point second quarter burst to defeat the Firecats for the first time in Birmingham. Florida committed turnovers in the game, while accruing 10 penalties. Steeldogs QBs Jeff Aaron and Kenton Evans combined for 172 yards on 11 of 26 passing to pace the offense.

July 10, 2004: Florida 55 Birmingham 28
At the Germain Arena, Florida repaid an early-season blowout loss with a late-season romp at the newly-renamed Germain Arena in Estero. Florida's Steve Gorrie ran for 35 yards and QB Ken Mastrole finished 13 of 23 for 169 yards to lead the Firecats.

June 4, 2005: Florida 56 Birmingham 40
At the Germain Arena, Magic Benton's seven catches for 141 yards and five touchdowns proved the difference as the Steeldogs fell in South Florida in the front-end of a two-game series. Steeldogs' QB Roger Linn completed 20 of 38 passes for 255 yards while OS Detronn Harris pulled in 12 catches for 169 yards and scored three touchdowns.

SERIES BY THE NUMBERS
Record vs. Florida: 3-3
Last regular season game: Florida, 56-40 at FLA (6/4/05)
Steeldogs' largest margin of victory: 21 (55-34 at BIR (5/14/04))
Florida's largest margin of victory: 27 (55-28 at FLA (7/10/04))
Current streak: Florida has won the last two meetings
Steeldogs' longest win streak vs. Florida: 2 (5/3/02 to 7/19/03)
Florida's longest win streak vs Steeldogs: 2 (7/10/04 to present)
Most points, Steeldogs: 55 (55-34 at BIR (5/14/04))
Most points, Florida: 57 (57-35 at BIR (7/19/03))
Most points, both teams: 96 (FLA, 56-40 at BIR (6/4/05))
Fewest points, Steeldogs: 28 (28-55 at FLA (7/10/04))
Fewest points, Florida: 31 (31-49 at BIR (5/3/02))
Fewest points, both teams: 73 (BIR, 38-35 at FLA (5/3/03))
STEELDOGS BESTS VS. FLORIDA
Most rushing yards: 29, Dontae Walker (5/14/04 at BIR)
Most receiving yards: 169, Detronn Harris (6/4/05 at BIR)
Most passing yards: 255, Roger Linn (6/4/05 at BIR)


LAST SERIES GAME

6/4/2005 - Steeldogs Fall at No. 3 Florida
ESTERO, Fla. - Detronn Harris caught 12 passes for 169 yards and two touchdowns, but it was not enough to overcome the defending af2 champion Florida Firecats, who defeated the Steeldogs, 56-40, at the Germain Arena in Estero, Fla.

With the loss, the Steeldogs fall to 1-8 on the season, while Florida improves to 8-1. Birmingham has not won a road game since July 31, 2004, when they defeated the Macon Knights, 50-31, at the Macon Coliseum.

Birmingham began the second half with an eight play, 31-yard touchdown drive. Herman Bell's one-yard touchdown plunge tied the game at 28-28. The Firecats responded on their next possession as QB Chris Wallace connected with OS Magic Benton on a 14-yard touchdown pass, Benton's first of the evening, to give the Firecats a 55-38 lead.

On the ensuing kickoff, Detronn Harris raced 54 yards down the right sideline to pull Birmingham to within one point. But Alex Walls' missed point-after try kept Florida on top. They would never look back.

Magic Benton put the game away with three late touchdown catches of 32, 5 and 45 yards.

Wallace completed 18 of 32 passes for 230 yards, eight touchdowns and one interception. Benton caught six passes for 106 yards and four touchdowns, all of which were scored in the second half.

Linn finished 20 of 38 for 255 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. He was also the Steeldogs leading rusher with nine yards on four carries and a touchdown.



LAST WEEK: BIRMINGHAM

7/23/2005 - Twisters Upend Steeldogs
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Byran Douzart's five-yard fumble return with 1:28 remaining in the second half sealed an Arkansas victory over the Birmingham Steeldogs, 55-42, in front of 6,081 fans at the BJCC Arena.

The win improves the Twisters record to 4-11 on the season, while the Steeldogs fall to 2-13.

Douzart's scoring scamper was his third of the night and capped off a 19-8 Arkansas fourth quarter. His three-yard run with 11:26 remaining in the first quarter opened the game's scoring.

Trailing 19-0 after the first frame, the Steeldogs clawed back into the game in the second period, as QB Thomas Ricks called his own number on a three-yard sneak to pull the Steeldogs to within 12 points at 33-21. On the Twisters' ensuing possession, WR/LB Dre Fulgham snagged Kevin Feterik's errant throw with one arm and raced 37 yards for a touchdown. Alex Walls' point-after put the Steeldogs within five at the break, 33-28.

After a low scoring third quarter, Arkansas' Kevin Williams hauled in a seven-yard toss from Feterik to put the Twisters up 43-34. Birmingham answered minutes later as Milas Randle scored on an 11-yard catch and run. Detronn Harris' two-point conversion run pulled Birmingham within a single point at 43-42.

But Arkansas closed the scoring with a Williams touchdown reception and Douzart's return.

Feterik finished 23 of 32 for 222 yards and five scores. Robert Kilow caught eight passes for 99 yards and two touchdowns.

Ricks settled in after a rough start to complete 15 of 27 passes for 149 yards and three touchdowns. Harris caught five passes for 50 yards and two scores while also completing a 15-yard touchdown pass to Randle. Randle caught seven passes for 64 yards and two touchdowns.

The Offensive Player of the Game was Kevin Feterik. The U.S. Army Ironman of the Game was Byran Douzart and the ADT Defensive Player of the Game was Steve Watson.


LAST WEEK: FLORIDA (from af2.com)

7/23/05 - Firecats Squeeze By Blizzard
GREEN BAY, Wis. - Magic Benton barely caught the Chris Wallace pass in the end zone for the game-winning 2-point conversion with no time remaining, vaulting the Florida Firecats ahead of the Green Bay Blizzard 48-47.

The Blizzard had the lead with 23 seconds remaining because of a Matt Huebner 3-yard touchdown run. Huebner had the chance to fall down on the 1-yard line in a chance to let the clock run down, but elected to get the score.

The Firecats used the time wisely, using short dump passes to move the ball to Green Bay 4-yard line. The Blizzard questionably accepted a delay-of-game penalty with 4.7 seconds remaining, giving the Firecats' receivers more room to get open, which Cainon Lamb did in the back corner of the end zone, putting the Firecats within one and no time remaining.

Green Bay outscored the Firecats 17-15 in the fourth quarter on two running touchdowns and a Henrik Juul-Nielsen 23-yard field goal. Juul-Nielsen missed a PAT in the third quarter after the Blizzard was penalized for delaying the game for a ball that was spiked into the stands.

Firecats' kicker Brandon Kornblue also missed a PAT, had a field goal blocked and had a bad snap turn into an interception for a second PAT.
Johnny Turman had a relatively clean game, and was named the Offensive Player of the Game, going 22-for34 for 213 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions. Brent Holmes was his favorite target, catching eight passes for 117 yards and a touchdown.

Lance Taylor hauled in six passes for 42 yards and a touchdown and added three tackles on his way to being named the U.S. Army Ironman of the game. Leo Fenceroy was named ADT Defensive Player of the Game, having a key interception at the end of the first half, ending a Firecats scoring chance.


COMPARISON STATS AND AWARDS
HOOP'S STAT O' THE WEEK: Steeldogs in the Top 10...
Player Category Stat (Rank)
Detronn Harris All-purpose Yards 168.9 p/gm (4)
Detronn Harris Receptions 100 (9)
Detronn Harris Kick Return Yds. 1235 (5)
Detronn Harris Kick Return TDs 4 (t-3)
Detronn Harris Kick Returns 67-1235-4 (1)
George Williams Int. Return Yds. 103 (4)
George Williams Int. Return Tds. 1 (t-6)
Eldrick Hill Int. Return Tds. 1 (t-6)
Thomas Ricks Yards Per Rush 14.0 (7)
Thomas Ricks Yards Per Comp. 12.7 (8)
Alex Walls Field Goals 7-17 (9)
Alex Walls Field Goals Made 7 (9)


TALE OF THE TAPE: Here's how the Firecats and Steeldogs match-up statistically...
Statistical BIRMINGHAM FLORIDA
Category Stat Rank Stat Rank
Scoring Offense 45.0 16th 46.3 15th
Scoring Defense 57.7 20th 40.7 2nd
Total Offense 258.1 12th 255.5 13th
Total Defense 257.4 7th 265.7 12th
Pass Offense 228.5 16th 218.8 17th
Pass Defense 240.7 7th 253.2 14th
Rushing Offense 29.5 4th 36.4 1st
Rushing Defense 16.7 t-6th 12.5 2nd
Scoring (Kicking) 5.7 t-12th 5.2 t-17th
Pass Rating 78.5 20th 111.4 7th
Pass Def. Rating 109.2 16th 95.0 5th
Kickoff Returns 97-1687 18th 76-1346 16th
MFG Returns 4-85 4th 7-54 20th
Turnover Margin -19 20th +1 t-9th
Field Goals 8-24 t-8th 2-19 19th
PAT Kicking 61-81 14th 72-90 9th
Sacks By 14 16th 13 17th
Sacks Against 35 20th 11 3rd
First Downs 271 14th 282 8th
Opp. First Downs 269 7th 272 10th
Penalties 127-806 10th 109-660 1st
Opp. Penalties 141-921 4th 127-868 9th


OFFENSIVE MVP AWARD (selected by media)
Game Opp. Player
1 San Diego Anthony Buich (San Diego)
2 Macon Chris Johnson (Macon)
3 Memphis Kevin Prentiss (Memphis)
4 Louisville James Scott (Louisville)
5 South Georgia Matt Burstein (S. Georgia)
6 San Diego Kane Claunch (San Diego)
7 Arkansas Robert Kilow (Arkansas)
8 Green Bay Detronn Harris (Birmingham)
9 Florida Magic Benton (Florida)
10 Louisville Rob Mager (Louisville)
11 Memphis Kevin Prentiss (Memphis)
12 Green Bay Brent Holmes (Green Bay)
13 Macon Lionel Hayes (Macon)
14 South Georgia Antwone Savage (South Georgia)
15 Arkansas Kevin Feterik (Arkansas)
16 Florida

ADT DEFENSIVE MVP AWARD (selected by media)
Game Opp. Player
1 San Diego Eldrick Hill (Birmingham)
2 Macon Anthony Collins (Macon)
3 Memphis Dahnel Singfield (Memphis)
4 Louisville Terrance Harris (Birmingham)
5 South Georgia Ron Keefe (S. Georgia)
6 San Diego George Williams (Bham)
7 Arkansas George Williams (Bham)
8 Green Bay Keon Mainor (Birmingham)
9 Florida Kelly Snell (Florida)
10 Louisville George Williams (Bham)
11 Memphis Dahnel Singfield (Memphis)
12 Green Bay David Crocker (Green Bay)
13 Macon Matt Jackson (Macon)
14 South Georgia N/A
15 Arkansas Steve Watson (Arkansas)
16 Florida

U.S. ARMY IRONMAN AWARD (selected by media)
Game Opp. Player
1 San Diego Anthony Griffin (San Diego)
2 Macon Matt Jackson (Macon)
3 Memphis Scott Cunningham (Memphis)
4 Louisville Demetrius Forney (Louisville)
5 South Georgia Herman Bell (Birmingham)
6 San Diego Nian Taylor (San Diego)
7 Arkansas Robert Kilow (Arkansas)
8 Green Bay Herman Bell (Birmingham)
9 Florida Comone Fisher (Florida)
10 Louisville Dennis Fryzel (Louisville)
11 Memphis Deon Giddens (Memphis)
12 Green Bay Lance Taylor (Green Bay)
13 Macon Kamau Jackson (Birmingham)
14 South Georgia Montrail Pittman (South Georgia)
15 Arkansas Byron Douzart (Arkansas)
16 Florida

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