55-48 final sets new home victory record in front of record crowd
March 7, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Georgia Force News Release
The Georgia Force (5-1) kept their perfect mark at home, now at 3-0, with a 55-48 victory over the Columbus Destroyers (1-4). The victory takes the Force's home winning streak to a team-record five games dating back to last season and keeps Georgia atop the AFL standings with a League best-tying 5-1 record. In addition, the Force set a new attendance mark for the third consecutive home game with a record 14,104 at Philips Arena.
Georgia OS Troy Bergeron keep his record setting pace with four receiving touchdowns on 10 receptions and establishing a new Force single-game high with 169 yards receiving. Force QB Matt Nagy earned his first win as a Force starter, completing 24-of-37 passes for 275 yards and six touchdowns with one interception. For Columbus, WR/LB Cornelius White led the way with a game-high 11 catches for 95 yards and two scores.
Georgia was able to take a 28-21 advantage into the half on the strength of some defensive stops and quick strike offensive plays. Columbus was held scoreless on three possessions through the first two quarters with missed field goals by K Steve Videtich. Both teams traded touchdowns throughout the first quarter, as the Destroyers were able to tie the score as the quarter closed with the help of a Sedrick Robinson 54-yard kickoff return. Georgia responded with 14 straight points on two receiving touchdowns from Bergeron, a 38-yard one-play strike from Nagy followed by a 22-yard touchdown reception in a two-play drive. Columbus added a touchdown from WR/LB Cornelius White on a 10-yard catch from D'Orazio to cut the Force lead to seven at the break.
In the third period, Bergeron caught is third touchdown of the game on a 19-yard pass to push the score and Georgia led to 35-21. Following a fourth missed field goal by Videtich, the Columbus defense stepped up on the Force's next drive as DS Brandon Hefflin intercepted Nagy and returned it 47-yards for a touchdown.
The Destroyers were able to cut the Georgia lead to one point, at 35-34, with White's second scoring reception from four yards out, but that is as close a Columbus would come. The Force scored another 14 straight points on Bergeron's career-high fourth touchdown catch of the game and a net recovery on the ensuing kickoff by FB/LB Chris Demaree in the end zone. Both teams added a touchdown in the final two minutes of play as the Force held on for the win.
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