AFL honors five players with monthly awards for March
Published on April 7, 2005 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release
NEW YORK â Philadelphia Soul wide receiver/linebacker MARCUS KNIGHT, San Jose SaberCats offensive specialist RASHIED DAVIS, Georgia Force defensive specialist KEVIN GAINES, San Jose SaberCats defensive specialist TREMAIN MACK and Dallas Desperados kicker CARLOS MARTINEZ have been named U.S. Army Ironman, Offensive Player, ADT Defensive Player, Rookie, and Kicker of the Month, respectively, for the month of March of the 2005 season.
U.S. ARMY IRONMAN: Knight (6-1, 192, Michigan), who is in his rookie season, hauled in 22 receptions for 328 yards and 10 touchdowns for the Soul, who went 2-2 in March. He added 7.5 tackles, forced two fumbles and recorded a fumble recovery on defense. In Week 9, Knight earned Ironman of the Week honors by hauling in 11 receptions for 142 yards and five receiving touchdowns, while recording 4.0 total tackles, a fumble recovery and forced a fumble against Grand Rapids. This marks the first time that the former Wolverine has earned an AFL monthly award.
OFFENSIVE: Davis (5-10, 180, San Jose State), a three-year veteran, accounted for 15 touchdowns (5 rushing, 7 receiving and 3 kickoff returns) and amassed 927 all-purpose yards for the SaberCats, who went 4-0 in March. On the receiving end, he hauled in 30 receptions for 441 yards. On March 28, he matched a team record and set a career high with seven touchdowns (3 rushing, 3 receiving, 1 KO return) at Las Vegas. Davis became the first player in team history with back-to-back 300-plus all-purpose yard games (341 on March 18 and 302 on March 28) and earned Offensive Player of the Week honors twice (Week 8 and Week 9). This marks the first time that the former Spartan has earned an AFL monthly award.
ADT DEFENSIVE: Gaines (6-1, 205, Louisville), now in his eighth AFL season, recorded 30.5 total tackles, two interceptions and two pass break-ups. He tied his career-high with 11.0 tackles at New York (March 12) and pulled in his fifth interception of the season against the Dragons. Gaines hauled in his AFL-leading sixth interception of the season vs. Orlando (March 19) and returned it 37 yards for a touchdown and added 2.0 tackles. He leads the Force in total tackles (65.0) and interceptions (6). The Force were 3-1 during March and are currently tied for the Southern Division lead. This marks the first time that the former Cardinal has earned an AFL monthly award.
ROOKIE: Mack (6-1, 195, Miami-FL) provided the defensive spark for the SaberCats, who went 4-0 during March. In four games, he recorded three interceptions, 20.5 tackles (including a tackle for loss), five pass breakups and a fumble recovery. Mack earned his first start on March 6 at Orlando and had 6.0 total tackles and three pass breakups en route to being named Defensive Player of the Game and, subsequently, AFL Defensive Player of the Week (Week 7). He posted 5.5 tackles in two quarters of play and did not play the second half due to a hamstring injury, but was still named Defensive Player of the Game for the fourth straight week, tying an AFL record. This marks the first time that the former Hurricane has earned an AFL award.
KICKER: Martinez (5-8, 180, Buena Vista) excelled in all special-team areas for the Desperados, who went 2-2 in March. He connected on 29-of-30 PATs while converting four-of-seven field goal attempts, including a long of 51 yards. During March, he recorded 15 touchbacks while also helping limit opponents starting field position inside the 10-yard line on 35 occasions. Through the four games, Martinez forced three net recoveries in three consecutive games with each resulting in touchdowns - two net recoveries returned for scores and one leading to an offensive score. This marks the first AFL monthly honor for the second-year kicker.
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