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Birmingham Steeldogs game notes

June 14, 2005 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Alabama Steeldogs News Release


STEELDOGS HIT THE ROAD TO FACE THE XPLORERS
Through the first ten games of the season, the Steeldogs have already tied their franchise record for most losses with nine. Six games remain in the 2005 regular season and Head Coach Bobby Humphrey and his team are determined to make the best of what is quickly becoming a lost season.

Next up for Birmingham is a trip to Southaven, Miss., to face the second-ranked Memphis Xplorers. Memphis picked up their first win over the Steeldogs earlier this year, 60-24, at the BJCC Arena. It is the beginning of a two-game road swing for Birmingham.

COACHES
BOBBY HUMPHREY, BIRMINGHAM STEELDOGS
YEARS IN THE AF2: 6 YEARS AT BIR: 6
OVERALL RECORD: 50-45 (.526) RECORD AT BIR: 50-45
REGULAR SEASON: 48-42 (.534)
POSTSEASON: 2-3 (.400)
RECORD VS MEMPHIS: 3-1 (.750)

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.

DANTON BARTO, MEMPHIS XPLORERS
YEARS IN THE AF2: 4 YEARS AT MEM: 4
OVERALL RECORD: 30-29 (.508) RECORD AT MEM:30-29
REGULAR SEASON: 30-28 (.517)
POSTSEASON: 0-1 (.000)
RECORD VS STEELDOGS: 1-2 (.334)

This is Barto's fourth year as the Head Coach of the Memphis Xplorers. The Xplorers put together their most impressive season in franchise histoty in 2004 under Coach Barto. The Xplorers won ten games and earned their first trip to the playoffs, before falling to the eventual champions on a last second field goal miss.

Coach Barto is still considered a University of Memphis legend; he currently is the only player to be named to the All-American team three different years. He is still ranked number one in career tackles for the University of Memphis with 473 total tackles. Coach Barto also enjoyed a 5-year professional career in the CFL and AFL leagues. Coach Barto currently resides with his wife Rachel and his 6-year-old son Will in Bartlett, Tenn.

2005 STEELDOGS SCHEDULE
REGULAR SEASON: 1-9
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 BIR Leads 3-1
6/24 at Green Bay 7:00 BIR Leads 2-0
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 Series Tied 4-4
7/30 Florida 7:00 Series Tied 3-3

GAME INFORMATION:
Date: Saturday, June 18
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m.
Arena: Desoto C.C.
Capacity: 8,552
Television: None
Steeldogs Radio Network:
Flagship: WJOX AM-690
Play-By-Play: Matt Coulter
Color: Roger Shultz
Series Records: BIR leads 3-1
Officials: R: Marc Curles, U: Ben YOung, HL: Dick
Wittenberg, LJ: Chris Jamison, BJ: Brad Freeman

STEELDOGS-XPLORERS SERIES
The Birmingham and Memphis have faced off four times since the Xplorers franchise began af2 play in 2001.

July 21, 2001: Birmingham 67 Memphis 39
At the BJCC Arena, the Steeldogs were dominating in their first match-up with the Xplorers, just a week prior to the first playoff game in team history. QB Chris Windsor completed 16 of 33 passes for 176 yards. OS Wayne Thomas caught seven passes for 65 yards.

June 14, 2003: Birmingham 51 Memphis 36
At the Desoto Civic Center in Southhaven, Miss., it was a battle of receiving talent as the Steeldogs and Xplorers hooked up for the second time in series history. Birmingham's Aryvia Holmes caught 10 passes for 122 yards to pace the Steeldogs, while Memphis' Adrian Burnette caught seven passes for 103 yards and three touchdowns.

April 10, 2004: Birmingham 44 Memphis 27
At the BJCC Arena, the Steeldogs continued their domination in the series, as new starting QB Jeff Aaron torched the Xplorers with an efficient effort, completing 10 of 16 passes for 115 yards. OS Detronn Harris caught five passes for 73 yards. Birmingham's defense pitched a first half shut out, the first of two in 2004. The game was also the beginning of the team's longest winning streak, which ended at seven games in the first week of June.

April 23, 2005: Memphis 60 Birmingham 24
At the BJCC Arena, the Steeldogs were completely dominated by a resurgent Xplorers team who picked up their first victory in series history. Memphis owned a 46-10 lead at one point in the game, which saw Kevin Prentiss catch seven passes for 111 yards and four touchdowns.


SERIES BY THE NUMBERS
Record vs. Memphis: 3-1
Last regular season game: Memphis, 60-24 at BIR (4/23/05)
Steeldogs' largest margin of victory: 28 (67-39 at BIR (7/21/01))
Memphis's largest margin of victory: 36 (24-60 at BIR (4/23/05))
Current streak: Memphis won the last meeting
Steeldogs' longest win streak vs. Memphis: 3 (7/21/01 to 4/23/05)
Memphis's longest win streak vs. Steeldogs: 1 (4/23/05 to present)
Most points, Steeldogs: 67 (67-39 at BIR (7/21/01))
Most points, Memphis: 60 (24-60 at BIR (4/23/05))
Most points, both teams: 106 (BIR, 67-39 at BIR (7/21/01))
Fewest points, Steeldogs: 24 (24-60 at BIR (4/23/05))
Fewest points, Memphis: 27 (44-27 at BIR (4/10/04))
Fewest points, both teams: 71 (BIR, 44-27 at BIR (4/10/04))

STEELDOGS BESTS VS. MEMPHIS
Most rushing yards: 34, Demontray Carter (6/14/03 at MEM)
Most receiving yards: 122, Aryvia Holmes (6/14/03 at MEM)
Most passing yards: 176, Chris Windsor (7/21/01 at BIR)


LAST SERIES GAME

4/23/2005 – Memphis Collects First Series Win

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Kevin Prentiss caught seven passes for 111 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Memphis Xplorers to a 60-24 win over the Birmingham Steeldogs at the BJCC Arena on Saturday night.
With the loss, the Steeldogs fall to 0-3 for the first time in team history. The Xplorers, inversely, improve to 4-0, the best start in the team's five-year history.

The Xplorers revved up the league's top scoring machine early in the first quarter, as Brian Jones plunged past the pylons from one-yard out, giving Memphis a 7-0 lead. The Steeldogs countered on their next possession as new kicker Vinny Cirrincione drilled a 36-yard field goal to pull the ‘Dogs within four points with just over nine minutes remaining. It was the closest that the Steeldogs would come to the Xplorers for the rest of the contest.

Andrew Zow got his first start for Birmingham but did not see much action after a shaky first quarter. The former University of Alabama quarterback finished 8 of 14 for 76 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He was shaken up after a tough hit from a Memphis lineman. Ray Nelson came off the bench in the middle of the second quarter to finish the rest of the game. Nelson finished 13 of 34 for 167 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Dre Fulgham led the Steeldogs receiving corps with seven catches for 69 yards. Detronn Harris caught six passes for 70 yards and two scores.

Memphis quarterback Brian Jones completed 9 of 15 pass attempts for 131 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. Jones also ran three times for 31 yards and two touchdowns.

Memphis swept the post-game awards. The Offensive Player of the Game was Kevin Prentiss, the U.S. Army Ironman of the Game was Scott Cunningham and the ADT Defensive Player of the Game was Dahnel Singfield.

The game's attendance was 4,995.


LAST WEEK: BIRMINGHAM

6/11/2005 – Steeldogs Stumble At Home

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Matt Sauk completed 29 of 35 pass attempts for 336 yards and nine touchdowns as the Louisville Fire defeated the Birmingham Steeldogs, 69-61, in front of 5,027 fans at the BJCC Arena on Saturday night.

The loss drops the Steeldogs record to 1-9 on the season, the Fire improves to 6-4.

Birmingham trailed 34-20 at the halftime break following a Demetrious Forney touchdown run with six seconds remaining in the first half. The Steeldogs fought their way back into the game in the third quarter, following touchdown receptions by Dre Fulgham and Detronn Harris. Harris' score tied the game at 34-34 with just over six minutes remaining in the third quarter.

Louisville responded with two unanswered touchdowns, both by OS Rob Mager. Mager scored four second half touchdowns, finishing with 13 catches for 130 yards and five touchdowns.

Steeldogs QB Roger Linn completed 18 of 33 pass attempts for 290 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions. Steeldogs OS Detronn Harris caught nine passes for 135 yards and four scores. He also returned seven kickoffs for 108 yards.

The Offensive Player of the Game was Rob Mager, the U.S. Army Ironman of the Game was Louisville's Dennis Fryzel. Birmingham's George Williams was named the ADT Defensive Player of the Game.
The Steeldogs are on the road next week, traveling to Southaven, Miss., to take on the Memphis Xplorers. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at the Desoto Civic Center. The game can be heard locally on WJOX-AM 690.


LAST WEEK: MEMPHIS (from af2.com)

6/11/05 – Memphis Conquers Quad City

SOUTHAVEN, Miss. - The Memphis Xplorers of the af2 won an exciting come from behind overtime-game Saturday at the DeSoto Civic Center. The Xplorers avenged an earlier loss to Quad City, defeating the Steamwheelers 61-54 in overtime.

Memphis trailed by 13 points late in the fourth quarter, before closing the gap to six. A costly fumble by Quad City gave Memphis the ball back with a minute and a half to work with. Xplorers quarterback Brian Jones led his team downfield and ran in a touchdown to tie the game at 54. After a missed PAT, the Xplorers defense forced a long field
goal attempt that failed.

In overtime, Memphis won the coin toss and scored a touchdown on a pass to Kevin Prentiss. Kicker Nick Hayes then converted the PAT. Quad City took the ball down to the five-yard line, with a first and goal. On second down, Xplorers WR/DB Deon Giddens intercepted the ball, and the
Xplorers won the game.

Khreem Smith earned the ADT Defensive player of the Game with 1.5 sacks. Xplorers WR/DB Stephen Battle was the Offensive Player of the Game with a career high nine catches for 117 yards and three touchdowns. The Army Ironman of the Game went to Quad Cities, Tim Dodge, who caught 11 passes for 95 yards and two TDs.

The overtime game was the first at the DeSoto Civic Center in Xplorers history. With the win Memphis moved to 9-1, while Quad City dropped to 4-6.

Next Saturday the Xplorers will host the Birmingham Steeldogs. Game time is scheduled for 7:05. Single game tickets start at $7. For tickets call 662-342-1755, visit the DeSoto Civic Center box office, or log onto www.TicketMaster.com today. Memphis Xplorers Arena Football! Back in Black!


COMPARISON STATS AND AWARDS
HOOP'S STAT O' THE WEEK: Steeldogs in the Top 10...
Player Category Stat (Rank)
Detronn Harris Scoring 129 points (10)
Detronn Harris All-purpose Yards 186.3 p/gm (2)
Detronn Harris Receptions 71 (6)
Detronn Harris Kick Return Yds. 924 (2)
Detronn Harris Kick Return TDs 4 (1)
Detronn Harris Kick Returns 47-924-4 (1)
Dre Fulgham Yards Per Catch 15.0 (9)
Devlon Holmes Yards Per Catch 17.1 (4)
Roger Linn Yards Per Pass 13.0 (6)
Roger Linn Yards Per Att. 7.4 (8)
Andrew Zow Yards Per Pass 12.5 (10)
George Williams Int. Return TDs 1 (T-4)
George Williams Tackles For Loss 4.0 (T-3)

TALE OF THE TAPE: Here's how the Xplorers 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 Detronn Harris (Birmingham)
10 Florida Magic Benton (Florida)
11 Louisville Rob Mager (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 Keon Mainor (Birmingham)
10 Florida Kelly Snell (Florida)
11 Louisville George Williams (Bham)
12 Memphis
13 Green Bay
14 Macon
15 South Georgia
16 Florida

Statistical BIRMINGHAM MEMPHIS
Category Stat Rank Stat Rank
Scoring Offense 48.6 10th 54.9 3rd
Scoring Defense 59.1 20th 36.5 2nd
Total Offense 266.2 9th 265.0 10th
Total Defense 258.2 7th 234.9 5th
Pass Offense 238.5 12th 239.1 11th
Pass Defense 242.3 8th 211.4 4th
Rushing Offense 27.7 4th 25.9 5th
Rushing Defense 15.9 4th 23.5 15th
Scoring (Kicking) 5.2 t-16th 8.0 1st
Pass Rating 85.6 17th 121.5 3rd
Pass Def. Rating 112.0 17th 72.9 1st
Kickoff Returns 68-1192 15th 41-935 1st
MFG Returns 3-52 7th 6-63 17th
Turnover Margin -15 20th +21 1st
Field Goals 3-11 10th 9-18 t-2nd
PAT Kicking 43-62 18th 53-74 16th
Sacks By 12 9th 23 1st
Sacks Against 20 19th 13 t-11th
First Downs 190 8th 160 16th
Opp. First Downs 178 7th 175 5th
Penalties 79-545 9th 103-796 20th
Opp. Penalties 101-666 4th 74-620 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 Herman Bell (Birmingham)
10 Florida Comone Fisher (Florida)
11 Louisville Dennis Fryzel (Louisville)
12 Memphis
13 Green Bay
14 Macon
15 South Georgia
16 Florida



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