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Birmingham Steeldogs game notes

May 24, 2005 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Alabama Steeldogs News Release


STEELDOGS RETURN HOME TO FACE THE BLIZZARD
The forecast calls for 81 degree temperatures in Birmingham on Saturday, May 28. You would think a blizzard wouldn't have a snowball's chance.

However, under Head Coach Bob Landsee, the Green Bay Blizzard has been anything but cold recently, having reeled off five consecutive victories since a stumble at Manchester in week 2.

The Steeldogs remained winless on the year following a 61-60 defeat at Arkansas this past weekend. However, with the returns of K Alex Walls and OL/DL David Daniel slated for this weekend, the Steeldogs are salting down the Dog Pound in hopes of thawing the Blizzard.

COACHES
BOBBY HUMPHREY, BIRMINGHAM STEELDOGS
YEARS IN THE AF2: 6 YEARS AT BIR: 6
OVERALL RECORD: 49-43 (.532) RECORD AT BIR: 49-43
REGULAR SEASON: 47-40 (.540)
POSTSEASON: 2-3 (.400)
RECORD VS BLIZZARD: 1-0 (1.000)

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. Humphrey's next win will be his 50th career victory, another af2 milestone.

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.

BOB LANDSEE, GREEN BAY BLIZZARD
YEARS IN THE AF2: 1 YEARS AT GB: 1
OVERALL RECORD: 6-1 (.857) RECORD AT GB: 6-1
REGULAR SEASON: 6-1 (.857)
POSTSEASON: 0-0 (.000)
RECORD VS STEELDOGS: 0-0 (.000)

Green Bay's Bob Landsee starts his first season in af2 with the Blizzard. Landsee had been an assistant coach in the AFL for five years, most recently with the Indiana Firebirds, last year. He has led the Blizzard to their best start ever.


2005 STEELDOGS SCHEDULE
REGULAR SEASON: 0-7
DATE OPPONANT 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 BIR Leads 1-0
6/4 at Florida 6:30 BIR Leads 3-2
6/11 Louisville 7:00 BIR Leads 3-2
6/18 at Memphis 7:00 BIR Leads 3-1
6/24 at Green Bay 7:00 BIR Leads 1-0
7/9 Macon 7:00 BIR Leads 4-3
7/16 at South Georgia 6:30 SGA Leads 2-0
7/23 Arkansas 7:00 Tied 4-4
7/30 Florida 7:00 BIR Leads 3-2

GAME INFORMATION:
Date: Saturday, May 28
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: BIR leads 1-0
Officials: R: Rod Holloway, U: Mark Baynes, HL: David
Smith, LJ: Victor Pettus, BJ: Rob Skelton

STEELDOGS-BLIZZARD SERIES

The Steeldogs and Blizzard squared off on June 6, 2004 at the BJCC Arena in the only meeting between the two teams. The Steeldogs were coming off their second defeat of the season, a 44-42 loss at Columbus. Prior to that game, Birmingham had rolled off eight straight victories following a season-opening loss at Bossier City.

Against the Blizzard, OS Carlos McNeary established himself as the team's go-to receiver following the departure of Detronn Harris to the NFL's Carolina Panthers. McNeary won the Offensive Player of the Game award after hauling in five passes for 136 yards and three touchdowns. He also retuned a kickoff for a score.

SERIES BY THE NUMBERS
Record vs. Green Bay: 1-0
Last regular season game: Steeldogs, 56-54 at BIR (6/12/04)
Steeldogs' largest margin of victory: 2 (56-54 at BIR (6/12/04))
Green Bay's largest margin of victory: N/A
Current streak: Birmingham won the last meeting
Steeldogs' longest win streak vs. Grn. Bay: 1 (6/12/04 to present)
Green Bay's longest win streak vs Steeldogs: N/A
Most points, Steeldogs: 56 (56-54 at BIR (6/12/04))
Most points, Green Bay: 54 (54-56 at BIR (6/12/04))
Most points, both teams: 110 (BIR, 56-54 at BIR (6/12/04))
Fewest points, Steeldogs: 56 (56-54 at BIR (6/12/04))
Fewest points, Green Bay: 54 (56-54 at BIR (6/12/04))
Fewest points, both teams: 110 (BIR, 56-54 at BIR (6/12/04))

STEELDOGS BESTS VS. GREEN BAY
Most rushing yards: 13, Dontae Walker (6/12/04 at BIR)
Most receiving yards: 136, Carlos McNeary (6/12/04 at BIR)
Most passing yards: 139, Kenton Evans (6/12/04 at BIR)


LAST SERIES GAME

6/12/2004 - Steeldogs Thaw Blizzard
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Carlos McNeary hauled in five passes for 136 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Steeldogs to a 56-54 win in their first ever meeting with the Green Bay Blizzard.

The win improves the Steeldogs' record to 8-2 on the season, while the Blizzard drop to 4-6. The win also ensures that Birmingham will retain the top spot in the American Conference's South Division for yet another week.

The game was fast-paced from the start as the Steeldogs took a 7-0 lead as Kenton Evans hooked up with McNeary from 46 yards out, capping off a one-play drive with 11:38 remaining in the first quarter. The Blizzard countered later in the period when Chris Greisen hit Robert Garth for an 8-yard score.

The game remained close through the first half as the Blizzard scored on the half's final play, following a Dontae Walker personal foul. However, a missed extra point gave the Steeldogs a 27-26 halftime lead.

The second half mirrored the first as both teams matched one another score for score. The Steeldogs snagged a 50-40 advantage midway through the fourth quarter, when Dontae Walker scored his third rushing touchdown of the night, a 2-yard scamper. Birmingham withheld a late Green Bay charge as Walker recovered the Blizzard's onsides kick attempt.

The Steeldogs once again employed the two-quarterback system with much success. Jeff Aaron finished 5 of 12 for 68 yards and one touchdown, with Kenton Evans completed 6 of 9 passes for 139 yards and two touchdowns. Neither quarterback threw an interception.

Quincy Jackson, playing in his first game for Birmingham, caught 4 passes for 51 yards and one score. Dontae Walker finished with 8 carries for 13 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Steeldogs' rushing attack.

Green Bay quarterback Chris Greisen completed 24 of 44 attempts for 375 yards and seven touchdowns to pace the Blizzard on offense.

The Baby Ruth Real Deal Offensive Player of the Game was Carlos McNeary, the ADT Defensive Player the Game was Jerry Turner and the U.S. Army Ironman of the Game was Dontae Walker.


LAST WEEK: BIRMINGHAM

5/21/2005 - Steeldogs Fall One Point Short
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - For the fourth time in eight meetings, the battle between two of the league's oldest teams was decided by a single point.

Brian Balazik's fumble on a fake field goal attempt with less than 30 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter secured a 61-60 victory for the previously winless Arkansas Twisters in front of 6,978 fans at the Alltel Arena in North Little Rock. The Steeldogs remain winless on the year.
Arkansas led 2-0 early after a safety, and jumped out to a 9-0 lead when Loren Jackson caught a short touchdown pass from Travis Motley. Birmingham instantly got back into the game after OS Detronn Harris ran back the ensuing kickoff 56 yards for a touchdown.

After a Coy Nance field goal put Arkansas up by six, the Twisters' Robert Kilow recovered a fumble and ran it back for the score. Kilow and Harris each added receiving touchdowns towards the end of the first half, and Arkansas had a 33-27 lead at halftime.

The teams traded touchdowns in the third, setting the stage for an explosive fourth frame. Harris caught a 17-yard touchdown from Roger Linn to tie the game at 40. Kilow then answered, like Harris in the first quarter, with a 58-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Harris caught another touchdown pass to pull the Steeldogs within one, but kicker Vinny Cirrincione missed the extra point.

After a long kickoff return that set the Twisters up deep inside the Birmingham red zone, the Steeldogs defense came up with the evening's most spectacular play. Motley zipped a bullet to a Twisters' receiver in the end-zone that bounced off the player's hands and into the arms of DS George Williams. Williams then outran the Twisters offense down the opposite sideline before diving between the pylons to put the Steeldogs up by six, following another missed point-after by Cirrincione. Arkansas took the lead back moments later as Motley found Kevin Williams for the second time on the evening.

But the Steeldogs refused to fold down the stretch. With Harris as a decoy, Linn found Devlon Holmes for a 35-yard strike that gave the Steeldogs the lead with just over a minute left in the game.

But Kilow found the end zone one more time, this time on a 43-yard pass from Motley over the outstretched hands of DS Eldrick Hill. Nance's extra point gave the Twisters the lead, and eventually, the win.

On fourth down and six yards to go, Birmingham lined up for a long field goal try with 22 seconds remaining. Cirrincione's 26 yard field goal attempt was good, but Arkansas was credited with calling a timeout.
As the two teams lined up once again on fourth down, Steeldogs head coach Bobby Humphrey decided to fake the field goal and let back-up quarterback Brian Balazik run for the first down. Balazik fumbled the ball while shifting it from his right arm to his left and the Twisters recovered and ran the clock out.

LAST WEEK: GREEN BAY (from af2.com)

5/21/05 – Green Bay Defeats Quad City
GREEN BAY, Wis. – Green Bay's Robert Garth hauled in a 10-yard touchdown pass from Johnny Turman with 14.0 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to defeat the Quad City Steamwheelers 56-49.

The game-winning drive looked like it was going to end short until the Quad City defense was called for holding on fourth down. Another penalty put the Blizzard within the 10-yard line, where Garth made the game-winning catch at the back of the end zone. Matt Huebner added a two-point conversion after the try was moved closer due to another penalty.

It was the first time in five tries that the Blizzard has been able to defeat the Steamwheelers, a team they have grown to dislike. The emotions showed during an altercation in the first half.

"They're a real tough organization and we knew we had to come out to play," said Turman.

Quad City didn't look like a 3-4 team during the game, pushing the Blizzard to their limits throughout the entire game, taking the lead twice in the fourth quarter, but failed to put the game away after recovering a Turman fumble.

"The turnovers scared us in this game, but we got it done when it counted," Blizzard Head Coach Bob Landsee said.

The teams combined for 10 turnovers, including four lost fumbles and three failed fourth-down conversions.

Quad City scored quickly after a Blizzard score in the third quarter. The Steamwheelers then recovered an onside kick and scored again on a Jack Walker, Jr. touchdown to tie the game at 35.


COMPARISON STATS AND AWARDS
HOOP'S STAT O' THE WEEK: Detronn Harris is dangerous. Although effectively bottled up by the San Diego Riptide a couple of weeks ago, the player whose accolades enticed a call from the NFL's Carolina Panthers nearly one year ago is back and he is out to make another run at the big leagues. Here's the science...
Game All-Purpose Yards Points Scored
San Diego 205 12
Macon 192 0
Memphis 102 12
Louisville 175 0
South Georgia 190 6
San Diego 38 6
Arkansas 314 30
TOTALS 1216 69

TALE OF THE TAPE: Here's how the Blizzard and Steeldogs match-up statistically...



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)
6 South Georgia Matt Burstein (S. Georgia)
7 San Diego Kane Claunch (San Diego)
8 Arkansas Robert Kilow (Arkansas)
9 Green Bay
10 Florida
11 Louisville
12 Memphis
13 Green Bay
14 Macon
15 South Georgia
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)
6 South Georgia Ron Keefe (S. Georgia)
7 San Diego George Williams (Bham)
8 Arkansas George Williams (Bham)
9 Green Bay
10 Florida
11 Louisville
12 Memphis
13 Green Bay
14 Macon
15 South Georgia
16 Florida

Statistical BIRMINGHAM GREEN BAY
Category Stat Rank Stat Rank
Scoring Offense 47.1 11th 47.9 9th
Scoring Defense 62.9 20th 41.6 5th
Total Offense 266.3 8th 239.0 17th
Total Defense 248.0 7th 287.0 20th
Pass Offense 235.4 11th 221.0 16th
Pass Defense 236.0 9th 271.7 18th
Rushing Offense 30.9 4th 18.0 12th
Rushing Defense 12.0 2nd 15.3 t-7th
Scoring (Kicking) 5.1 17th 6.4 9th
Pass Rating 100.7 14th 103.6 11th
Pass Def. Rating 104.5 13th 105.1 15th
Kickoff Returns 49-884 14th 36-697 11th
MFG Returns 2-24 15th 6-158 3rd
Turnover Margin -13 20th +12 2nd
Field Goals 3-9 10th 2-11 13th
PAT Kicking 27-40 19th 39-47 4th
Sacks By 8 t-12th 12 3rd
Sacks Against 16 20th 4 t-3rd
First Downs 134 t-6th 111 19th
Opp. First Downs 125 12th 151 19th
Penalties 61-432 11th 71-502 16th
Opp. Penalties 75-482 5th 58-440 7th

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)
6 South Georgia Herman Bell (Birmingham)
7 San Diego Nian Taylor (San Diego)
8 Arkansas Robert Kilow (Arkansas)
9 Green Bay
10 Florida
11 Louisville
12 Memphis
13 Green Bay
14 Macon
15 South Georgia
16 Florida

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