AFL Quick Hitters

Published on March 20, 2003 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release

GARCIA 500: New York's AARON GARCIA needs three touchdown passes this Sunday to become only the second AFL passer to reach 500 career. Detroit Fury QB ANDY KELLY reached the 500-touchdown passing mark against Garcia and the Dragons last week. Also, Garcia is only 102 passing yards from 25,000 career. Kelly surpassed 25,000-yard milestone two weeks ago and remains atop that leader list (25,712). Garcia (24,898), Arizona's SHERDRICK BONNER (24,351) and Las Vegas' TODD HAMMEL (24,089) are the nearest active quarterbacks.

TOP 5 CAREER PASSING TOUCHDOWNS LEADERS
PLAYER TOTAL
Andy Kelly 500
Aaron Garcia 497
Sherdrick Bonner 474
Clint Dolezel 434
Jay Gruden 368

TOP 5 CAREER PASSING YARDS LEADERS
PLAYER TOTAL
Andy Kelly 25,712
Aaron Garcia 24,898
Sherdrick Bonner 24,351
Todd Hammel 24,089
Clint Dolezel 21,804

REMATCH IN SAN JOSE: The San Jose SaberCats are looking to continue their 16-game home winning streak as they face a rematch with their ArenaBowl XVI opponent -- the Arizona Rattlers. San Jose currently leads the League with 17 INTs and a pass defense rating of 88.8, while Arizona ranks second in both categories, 14 and 98.6, respectively.

MUCHO GARCIA: New York's AARON GARCIA leads the league in touchdowns (53) – of those, nearly half (26) have come on first downs. Garcia has passed for 300 or more yards in 34 of his 94 career games. He is the last quarterback to have thrown for over 300 yards against the Rush defense. If he throws for at least 300 yards this week against Chicago, Garcia will have thrown for 300 yards in nine consecutive games – tying a personal-best that he set in 2000.

CLIMBING CLINT: Grand Rapids QB CLINT DOLEZEL has thrown at least one touchdown pass in every game he's played in a Rampage uniform (35 regular-season games). Dolezel has completed 63 of 93 (67.7%) passes for 747 yards, 19 touchdowns and three interceptions in his last three games. The former East Texas State star needs two more touchdowns to pass former NFL QB WARREN MOON (435) for fourth place on the all-time professional football touchdown passing list.

PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL CAREER TOUCHDOWN PASSES
PLAYER LEAGUE TOTAL
Andy Kelly AFL, NFL Europe 517
Aaron Garcia AFL 497
Sherdrick Bonner AFL 474
Warren Moon NFL, CFL 435
Clint Dolezel AFL 434
Dan Marino NFL 420

DEFENSE! The Indiana Firebirds defense currently ranks No. 1 in rushing defense, giving up only 32 yards this season (4.6 YPG). The Firebirds have held five of their last seven opponents under their season rushing average. This week's opponent, Tampa Bay, averages 12.7 yards per game.

RUNNING WILD: The top five rushing teams have combined for an overall record of 24-11 (.646) through Week 7. The San Jose SaberCats lead the AFL with a 24.7 average and are currently tied with the Los Angeles Avengers for the lead position in the Western Division.

TOP 5 RUSHING LEADERS
TEAM YDS/GAME RECORD
San Jose 34.7 5-2
Georgia 29.7 5-2
Indiana 29.6 3-4
Grand Rapids 25.3 5-2
Orlando 20.4 6-1
Total 24-11 (.686)

HOLDING ON TO IT: The top five teams with the highest turnover margin have a combined overall record of 24-11 (.686). San Jose leads the League a +14 turnover margin, helping put them atop the list of Western Division leaders, tied with Los Angeles.

TOP 5 TURNOVER MARGIN LEADERS
TEAM MARGIN RECORD
San Jose +14 5-2
Buffalo +8 3-4
Dallas +8 4-3
Orlando +5 6-1
Tampa Bay +5 5-2
Total 23-12 (.657)

Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 20, 2003

• AFL's Must-See Matchups - AFL I
• Rampage's Next Home Game Officially Sold Out, WXSP to Televise Locally - Grand Rapids Rampage
• Firebirds' Bech out for Season - Albany/Indiana Firebirds
• AFL Quick Hitters - AFL I
• Rampage Sign Veteran Mark Ricks - Grand Rapids Rampage

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.