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Colorado Crush game notes

March 31, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Colorado Crush News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Colorado Crush (6-2) vs. Indiana Firebirds (3-5)
Date: April 3, 2004
Kickoff: 1:00 p.m. MT
Site: Pepsi Center (18,063)
Officials: Craig Wrolstad – Referee, Rick Lowe – Umpire, Gary Cavaletto – Head Linesman, Rusty Baynes – Line Judge, Scott Helverson – Back Judge
Television: Comcast Channel 5
(Mitch Hyder – play-by-play, Damon Bowers – analyst, David Briggs – sideline reporter)
Radio: AM 760 The Zone
(Cory Lopez – play-by-play, David Diaz-Infante – analyst)
Series Record: Colorado leads 1-0
Last Meeting: March 2, 2003 – Crush 38, @ Indiana 35
Coaches: Mike Dailey (6-2 with Colo., 69-48 Overall)
Mike Wilpolt (3-0 with Ind., 3-0 Overall)

ALL-TIME SERIES: This will be the second meeting between the second-year Crush and the Firebirds. The Crush earned their first win in franchise history win by defeating the Firebirds in Indianapolis, 38-35 in Week 5 of last season (3/2/03). Crush QB John Dutton was named the game's MVP thanks to a 25-37, 279 yard, five touchdown performance.

Colorado Crush
Date Opponent Time/Score Record
Fri, 2/6 LAS VEGAS W 43-42 1-0
Sat, 2/14 @ Grand Rapids W 55-37 2-0
Sun, 2/22 @ Chicago L 35-65 2-1
Fri, 2/27 AUSTIN W 37-35 3-1
Thu, 3/4 DETROIT W 62-61 4-1
Sun, 3/14 @ San Jose L 55-35 4-2
Sun, 3/21 @ Philadelphia W 40-33 5-2
Sat, 3/27 ARIZONA W 54-46 6-2
Sat, 4/3 INDIANA 1 p.m. Comcast 5
Sat, 4/10 @ Los Angeles 8:30 p.m. Comcast 5
Sun, 4/18 @ New York 1 p.m. --
Fri, 4/23 GRAND RAPIDS 7 p.m. Comcast 5
Sun, 5/2 PHILADELPHIA 1 p.m. NBC
Sun, 5/16 @ Indiana 1 p.m. --
Sun, 5/23 @ Detroit 1 p.m. --
Sun, 5/30 CHICAGO 2 p.m. NBC
(All times Mountain)

American Central Division
Team W L T PCT. PF PA H A Conf. Div. Strk
Colorado 6 2 0 .750 361 374 4-0 2-2 4-2 2-1 W2
Chicago 5 2 0 .714 396 305 3-1 2-1 3-1 3-1 L1
Detroit 3 4 0 .429 347 362 1-2 2-2 3-2 2-1 W1
Indiana 3 5 0 .375 379 347 2-2 1-3 1-2 1-2 W3
Gr. Rapids 0 7 0 .000 237 377 0-3 0-4 0-6 0-3 L7


RADIO/TV COVERAGE: This week's game will be
televised in the Denver metro area on Comcast Channel 5 with Mitch Hyder calling the play-by-play, former Crush player and Bachelorette contestant Damon Bowers providing analysis, and David Briggs working the sidelines. The game will broadcast on AM 760 The Zone (KKZN), with Cory Lopez handling the play-by-play duties and former Denver Broncos OL David Diaz-Infante serving as color commentator.

THE STAKES: A Crush win would ...
· Keep the Crush 1st place in the Central Division
· Improve the Crush to 2-0 all-time vs. Indiana
· Give Coach Dailey a win in his first meeting vs. his former team
· Keep the Crush's home record perfect in 2004
· Give the Crush their first ever three-game win streak


Practice Schedule
Tuesday, March 30
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Practice @ Crush Facility

Wednesday, March 31
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Practice @ Crush Facility

Thursday, April 1
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Practice @ Crush Facility

Friday, April 2
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Walkthrough @ Events Center

Saturday, April 3
1:00 p.m. Crush vs. Indiana Firebirds
@ Pepsi Center


Mike Dailey (Colorado Crush, 1st season):
Dailey became the Crush's second head coach on June 26, 2003. Dailey joined the Crush after seven seasons as head coach of the Indiana Firebirds, and his teams have compiled an overall record of 69-48, a winning percentage of .590. He ranks seventh on the AFL's all-time list for coaching wins. In 1999 Dailey led the Firebirds to their only ArenaBowl championship and a combined regular season/playoff record of 14-3, best in Firebirds history. He was named AFL Coach of the Year following that standout campaign. He joined the Firebirds prior to the 1992 season, spending five seasons as an assistant coach before being named head coach in 1997. Dailey began his Arena Football coaching career with the Washington Commandos where he served as offensive and defensive line coach. Prior to the AFL, Dailey worked as an Assistant Coach at Towson State University and was the Offensive Coordinator at Montgomery College-Rockville (MD).


All-Time Winningest AFL Coaches
Including Postseason
Coach Team Wins This Week
Tim Marcum Tampa Bay 158 vs. San Jose
Danny White Arizona 131 @ Grand Rapids
Perry Moss 86
Mike Hohensee Chicago 78 @ Las Vegas
Michael Trigg Philadelphia 76 vs. Dallas
John Gregory 72
Mike Dailey Crush 69 vs. Indiana
Darren Arbet San Jose 65 @ Tampa Bay


Mike Wilpolt (Indiana Firebirds, 1st season):
Mike Wilpolt was named head coach of the Firebirds on March 10, 2004, following the team's (0-5) start. He has been with the organization coaching defensive backs for the past six years, the last five he also served as the team's defensive coordinator. In his first season with the Firebirds, Wilpolt coached the special teams and helped them to a 1999 ArenaBowl Championship. In 2002, his defense had a breakthrough season, leading the league in red zone defense (74.4%) and ranking 2nd in points allowed (46.1) and interceptions (21). Wilpolt played four years in the AFL as a defensive specialist with the Charlotte Rage (1992), Las Vegas Sting (1994-95) and the Anaheim Piranhas (1996). During his time with Anaheim, Wilpolt held a then league record for tackles with 16 in one game. Wilpolt attended high school in Broomfield and played college ball at Mesa State in Grand Junction, Colo.



LEADERS OF THE PACK: Crush players who rank in the Top 10 in the AFL entering Week 8 (Top 5 in Bold):
Colorado Crush
Player Rank Category Stat
Anthony Brenner 2ndT-7th Scoring (Kickers)Touchbacks 6713
Chad Dukes T-8th Fumble Recoveries 2
John Dutton 1st6th6th6th7th8thT-8th10th Fumble RecoveriesYards Passing Pass Attempts% INT/Pass AttemptPass CompletionsInterceptionsTDs Passing4th Qtr Pass Rating 818632511.6151433104.0
Rashad Floyd 1st1st T-8th InterceptionsTacklesFumble Recoveries 563.52
Damian Harrell T-2nd3rd4th4thT-6th9th Scoring (non-Kick)First DownsReceiving YardsYds fr Scrimmage3rd Down ReceptsReceptions 126437387381049
Donny Klein T-8th Fumble Recoveries 2
Kevin McKenzie T-2ndT-8th InterceptionsFumble Recoveries 32
Saul Patu T-10th Sacks 2.5

TALE OF THE TAPE: Here's how the Crush and the Firebirds stack up (through Week 8): (Top 5 in bold)
Statistical COLORADO INDIANA
Category Rank Stat Rank Stat
Points per Game 17th 45.1 11th 47.4
Points Allowed 6th 46.8 2nd 43.4
Total Offense 13th 249.0 15th 244.5
Pass Offense 10th 229.5 17th 207.0
Rushing Offense 9th 19.5 1st 37.5
Total Defense 12th 259.4 6th 253.0
Pass Defense 13th 243.0 7th 228.8
Rushing Defense 5th 16.4 14th 24.3
Kickoff Returns 19th 14.5 10th 18.1
KO Return Allowed 5th 16.5 6th 17.0
Turnover Margin 3rd +9 T-4th +7
Avg. Yds per Play 13th 6.1 18th 5.6
Opp. Avg Yds/Play 7th 6.0 13th 6.5
1st Downs/ Game 18th 17.1 17th 17.6
Opp. 1st Dwns/Game 13th 19.5 2nd 16.9
3rd Down Efficiency 19th 35.4 15th 44.6
Opp. 3rd Down Eff. 13th 52.2 16th 55.6
4th Down Efficiency T-12th 44.4 8th 62.5
Opp. 4th Down Eff. 10th 53.3 5th 37.5
Field Goal % T-9th 44.4 11th 36.8
TD% Inside the 10 18th 58.1 10th 77.4
Opp. TD% Inside the 10 19th 86.0 T-13th 77.4

COLORADO CRUSH NEXT WEEK
The Crush return to the road and travel to Los Angeles to face the Avengers on Saturday, April 10 at 8:30 p.m. MT. The Crush are 2-2 on the road this season and will face L.A. for the only time this season.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:
OS Damian Harrell: Now in his sixth AFL season, Harrell has amassed 5,952 receiving yards on 422 catches, an average of 14.10 yards/catch, along with 126 career touchdowns (1 on return) ... Has more receiving yards than any other AFL receiver since 2000 ... Tied for 2nd in the AFL in scoring (non-kickers) with 126 points, on 21 touchdowns this season ... Leads the Crush with 49 catches for 738 yards this season ... Ranks 3rd in the league in first downs, 4th in the league in receiving yards ... Tied for 6th in third down receptions with 10 ... He has caught 18 TDs in his last six games ... He has been named Offensive Player of the Game four times this season and each of the last two weeks ... Had a Crush season-high 160 yards receiving at Philadelphia.

QB John Dutton: As Dutton goes, so go the Crush ... The former ArenaBowl MVP (XVI w/ SJ) has completed 151-of-251 passes (60.2%) for 1863 yards and 33 touchdowns ... Twice he has been named Offensive Player of the Game (@ Grand Rapids 2/14, vs. Austin 2/27) ... Threw for a season-high 329 yards at San Jose ... Ranks sixth in passing yards, pass attempts and interceptions per attempt, seventh in completions, tied for eighth in passing TDs, and ranks 10th in 4th quarter QB rating.

WR/DB Kevin McKenzie: Ranks second on the team in receiving yards with 40 catches for 515 yards ... Tied for second in the AFL in interceptions (3) and eighth in fumble recoveries (2) ... Named the AFL's Ironman of the Week after scoring a TD rushing, receiving and on an interception return in a win at Grand Rapids in Week 2 ... He has been named Ironman of the Game in four of the Crush's first eight games ... Caught six passes for 133 yards vs. his former team at San Jose on 3/14 ... One of only two players in the AFL with two interceptions returned for touchdowns (44, 9).

DS Rashad Floyd: Named AFL Defensive Player of the Week for Week 8 after 11.5 tackles, a forced and recovered fumble, an INT and a 4-yd. net recovery for a TD vs. Arizona ... Leads the league in interceptions with five and tackles with 63.5 ... Has been named Defensive Player of the Game in four of eight games ... Made two interceptions in win at Philadelphia.



INJURY REPORT
Colorado Crush
Player Pos. Injury Status
Maurice Anderson OL/DL Right Knee on IR (1/27)
Patrick Downey OL/DL Groin Strain on IR (3/12)
Windrell Hayes WR/DB Right Knee on IR (1/30)
Nate Jacquet WR/DB Rt. Achilles' Rupture on IR (2/2)
John Peaua FB/LB Lt. Knee MCL Sprain on IR (2/1)
Kamau Peterson WR/DB Hamstring on IR (3/26)
Derrick Pickens OL/DL Right Shoulder on IR (1/30)
Bryant Shaw OL/DL Lt. Knee MCL Sprain on IR (3/9)

RECENT CRUSH TRANSACTIONS
Date Transaction
3/26/04 Placed WR/DB Kamau Peterson on injured reserve (hamstring). Activated WR/DB Robert Redd from injured reserve (influenza).
3/16/04 Activated WR/DB Wade Davis from injured reserve and waived him.
3/12/04 Signed OL/DL Aaron Johnson. Placed OL/DL Patrick Downey (groin strain) and WR/DB Robert Redd (flu) on injured reserve. Activated WR/DB Kamau Peterson (left ribs) and WR/DB Tony Scott (foot sprain) from injured reserve.
3/10/04 Waived OL/DL Winfield Garnett.
3/9/04 Placed OL/DL Bryant Shaw on injured reserve (left knee MCL sprain). Activated OL/DL Winfield Garnett from the refused to report list.
2/26/04 Activated WR/DB Dwayne Stukes from the injured list (left uadriceps strain).
2/24/04 Placed WR/DB Ron Rogers on waivers.
2/10/04 Signed OL/DL Tyshaun Whitson to the practice squad.
2/4/04 Signed OL/DL Don Klein. Placed WR/DB Tony Scott on injured reserve (sprained foot).
2/2/04 Signed OL/DL Jerry Montgomery and WR/DB Thal Woods to the practice squad. Placed WR/DB Nate Jacquet on injured reserve (ruptured right Achilles' tendon).
2/1/04 Placed FB/LB John Peaua on injured reserve (left knee MCL sprain). Waived OL/DL Don Klein.
1/31/04 Placed WR/DB Wade Davis (strained left hamstring), WR/DB Kamau Peterson (left ribs) and WR/DB Dwayne Stukes (left quadriceps strain) on injured reserve. Waived WR/DB Thal Woods and WR/DB Sam Young. Released OL/DL Aaron Hamilton.
1/31/04 Traded WR/LB Joe Douglass to the LOS ANGELES AVENGERS for future considerations.
1/30/04 Placed WR/DB Windrell Hayes (right knee) and OL/DL Derrick Pickens (right shoulder) on injured reserve. Waived OL/DL Jerry Montgomery.
1/29/04 Placed QB Matt Lytle on waivers. Released QB Jay McDonagh.
1/27/04 Signed FB/LB Chad Dukes. Placed OL/DL Maurice Anderson on injured reserve (Rt. Knee).
1/16/04 Signed OL/DL Dustin Barno and OL/DL Jerry Montgomery.

MILESTONES
FB/LB Chad Dukes ranks fourth on the AFL's all-time rushing list with 1,097 yards. Dukes is one of only four players in AFL history to rush for 1,000 yards in his career. He is currently 42 yards behind Arizona's Bo Kelly for third place.
AFL Career Rushing Yards
Player Team 2004 Career
Les Barley — — 1,382
Andre Bowden TAM 5 1,199
Bo Kelly ARI 76 1,139
Chad Dukes COL 71 1,097
Bob McMillen CHI 130 994
Major Harris — — 832
Travis Pearson — — 829
Cedric McKinnon — — 793

OL/DL Kyle Moore-Brown: A true AFL Ironman, he is in his 10th season in the league and has never missed a game. The game vs. Indiana will mark his 148th consecutive start.

OS Damian Harrell: Has the most receiving yards in the AFL since 2000 ... Needs 48 receiving yards to reach 6,000 for his career.

AFL Receiving Leaders (2000-04)
Catches – Receiving Yards
Player (team) 2000-03 2004 Total
Damian Harrell (COL) 348 – 4,851 49 – 738 397 – 5,589
Chris Jackson (LA) 355 – 4,992 42 – 534 397 – 5,526
Greg Hopkins (LA) 400 – 4,888 33 – 360 433 – 5,248
Mike Horacek (IND) 363 – 4,735 36 – 513 399 – 5,248

FAMILIAR FACES
There will be plenty of family ties on opposite sides on Saturday. Seven Crush players and three coaches are former employees of the Firebirds organization. In addition, Indiana Coach Wilpolt not only served five seasons under Coach Dailey, Wilpolt is a native of Broomfield, Colo. and played college ball at Mesa State in Grand Junction. In addition, to the ex-Firebirds on the Crush, three current Firebirds played for the Crush last season. DS Delvin Hughley led the Crush in tackles last season with 71.5. Anthony Derricks made seven catches for 101 yards and a TD, and made 12 tackles for the Crush last season. Chris Janek also made 11.5 tackles in a Crush uniform. All three were traded to Indiana as part of the deal to bring in Dailey.

HOME COOKIN'
When you come to a Crush game don't plan on leaving early. While the team is off to a 4-0 start at Pepsi Center, the four games have been decided by a grand total of 12 points. In fact, the Crush scored two TDs in the final 12 seconds to escape with a 43-42 win in the season opener over Las Vegas. In contrast, they were the one staving off a late Detroit comeback when they stopped the Fury's potential game-winning two-point conversion attempt to eke out a 62-61 win. The Crush finished 0-8 at home a year ago.

FLOCK OF FIREBIRDS
With Coach Dailey's move to the Crush came a flock of former Albany and Indiana Firebirds migrated west to Denver. In all seven Crush players and three Crush coaches stopped in either Albany, Indiana or both before reaching the Rockies.

Former Firebirds (years with Firebirds)
Players Coaches
Jose Davis (2003) Mike Dailey (1992-2003)
Chad Dukes (1996-98) Ernesto Purnsley (1997-98, 2000-03)
Hugh Hunter (2002-03) Brian Partlow (2000-03)
Aaron Johnson (2001-03)
Kyle Moore-Brown (1995-03)
Sunungura Rusununguko (2002-03)
Rich Young (2002-03)

THE NUMBERS GAME
Although the Crush are 6-2, they have been outscored 361-374 this season. They are the only one of the eight AFL teams with winning records that has allowed more points than they have scored. Georgia is 4-4 despite being outscored 370-433.

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS
The Crush were named recipient of the Arena Football League's 2003 Commissioner's Award. The Award is presented annually to the AFL franchise that has the best business operations in the League.
"This is a tremendous and unique honor for our organization. The collective commitment to excellence displayed by dozens of individuals in our organization allowed us to experience a memorable inaugural season in the AFL," stated Ronald O. Sally, president of the Colorado Crush.

NEW BLOOD
In addition to a new coaching staff, the Crush features a revamped roster. Only five players from last year's inaugural season made the 2004 opening day roster, and with Bryant Shaw now on injured reserve, only four active players are in their second Crush season.

Returning 2003 Players
John Dutton Saul Patu Ahmad Hawkins
Damian Harrell Bryant Shaw (IR)



CALL TO THE HALL
Legendary Denver Broncos QB and Crush chief executive officer and co-owner John Elway was among four players named as the NFL Hall of Fame class of 2004. Elway is the winningest quarterback in NFL history (148-82-1) and led the Broncos to five Super Bowls, including championships in his final two seasons. He was named MVP of Super Bowl XXXIII.

BAILEY BRENNER FUND
Club Crush, the official fan club of the Crush, has established a fund to raise money for the medical expenses for kicker Anthony Brenner's special needs daughter. To contribute to the fund, make checks payable to Bailey Brenner and send to: Guaranty National Bank and Trust, Attn: Miracle Ford, 1331 17th St., Denver, CO 80202. For more information about Club Crush, log on to www.clubcrush.com.

CRUSH NOTABLES
Team
· At 6-2, the Crush has already tripled their win total from their entire inaugural season
· The Crush finished 0-8 at home last season. They have the 2004 season 4-0 at Pepsi Center.
· The Crush's three home wins are by a combined 12 points.
· Crush is only team in the AFL with a winning record that has been outscored on the season.
· Prior to this season the team had never been won consecutive games. The Crush has won back-to-back games three times this season.
· The Crush's 21-point 4th quarter vs. Arizona tied the team's season-high for points in a quarter (21 @ Grand Rapids (3rd), 2/14).
· The Crush had not allowed a 100-yd receiver this season prior to Arizona's Siaha Burley 143-yd performance.
· The Crush are 5-0 in games in which they have a positive turnover margin.

Individual
· Damian Harrell needs 48 yards to reach 6,000 receiving yards for his career.
· Harrell made his 400th career reception during the game vs. Detroit on 3/4.
· Harrell also made his 50th TD catch with the Crush during that game.
· Rashad Floyd leads the AFL in both interceptions (5) and tackles (63.5).


AWARDS

BABY RUTH REAL DEAL OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME (selected by media)
Week Opp. Player
1 vs. Las Vegas Damian Harrell (COL))
2 @ Gr. Rapids John Dutton (COL)
3 @ Chicago Raymond Philyaw (CHI)
4 vs. Austin John Dutton (COL)
5 vs. Detroit Damian Harrell (COL)
6 @ San Jose Mark Grieb (SJ)
7 @ Philadelphia Damian Harrell (COL)
8 vs. Arizona Damian Harrell (COL)

ADT DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME
(selected by media)
Week Opp. Player
1 vs. Las Vegas Ahmad Hawkins (COL)
2 @ Gr. Rapids Rashad Floyd (COL)
3 @ Chicago John Moyer (CHI)
4 vs. Austin Rashad Floyd (COL)
5 vs. Detroit Willis Marshall (COL)
6 @ San Jose Joe Jacobs (SJ)
7 @ Philadelphia Rashad Floyd (COL)
8 Vs. Arizona Rashad Floyd (COL)

ARMY IRONMAN OF THE GAME
(selected by media)
Week Opp. Player
1 vs. Las Vegas Kevin McKenzie (COL)
2 @ Gr. Rapids Kevin McKenzie (COL)
3 @ Chicago Jamie McGourty (CHI)
4 vs. Austin Kevin McKenzie (COL)
5 vs. Detroit Willis Marshall (COL)
6 @ San Jose Rashied Davis (SJ)
7 @ Philadelphia Chris Ryan (PHI)
8 vs. Arizona Kevin McKenzie (COL)

AFL WEEKLY AWARD WINNERS:
IRONMAN OF THE WEEK: Kevin McKenzie (Week 2)
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Rashad Floyd (Week 8)


WEEK 9 AFL ON NBC SCHEDULE, (Sun, April 4 at 10 a.m.):

San Jose at Tampa Bay
Dallas at Philadelphia
New York at Carolina

(all times are Mountain)

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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.

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