Colorado Crush game notes

Published on April 7, 2004 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Colorado Crush News Release


QUICK FACTS:

Colorado Crush (6-3) at Los Angeles Avengers (5-3)
Date: April 10, 2004
Kickoff: 8:30 p.m. MT
Site: STAPLES Center (17,942)
Officials: Bill LeMonnier (Referee), Rick Podraza (Umpire), Tim Podraza (Head Linesman), Dana McKenzie (Line Judge), Billy Beckett (Back Judge)
Television: none
Radio: AM 760 The Zone
(Marc Stout – play-by-play, David Diaz-Infante – analyst)
Series Record: Los Angeles leads 2-0
Last Meeting: 5/10/03 – LOS ANGELES 45, Crush 34
Coaches: Mike Dailey (6-3 with Colo., 69-49 Overall)
Ed Hodgkiss (24-14 with L.A., 24-14 Overall)


ALL-TIME SERIES: This will be the third meeting between the Crush and the Avengers. Los Angeles won both meetings in 2003 as the Crush spent their inaugural season alongside the Avengers in the American Conference's Western Division. The Avengers won in Denver in Week 3, 59-53 in overtime on 2/16/03, and again in L.A., 45-34, in Week 15 on 5/10/03.

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 L 42-45 (OT) 6-3
Sat, 4/10 @ Los Angeles 8:30 p.m. --
Sun, 4/18 @ New York 1 p.m. NBC
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. NBC
Sun, 5/23 @ Detroit 1 p.m. NBC
Sun, 5/30 CHICAGO 2 p.m. NBC
(All times Mountain)

Central Division Standings
Team W L T PCT. PF PA H A Conf. Div. Strk
Chicago 6 2 0 .750 453 360 3-1 3-1 4-1 3-1 W1
Colorado 6 3 0 .667 403 419 4-1 2-2 5-2 2-2 L1
Detroit 4 4 0 .500 389 402 2-2 2-2 3-2 2-1 W2
Indiana 4 5 0 .444 424 389 2-2 2-3 2-2 2-2 W4
Gr. Rapids 0 8 0 .000 278 428 0-4 0-4 0-7 0-3 L8


RADIO/TV COVERAGE: This week's game will be
broadcast on AM 760 The Zone (KKZN), with Marc Stout handling the play-by-play duties and former Denver Broncos OL David Diaz-Infante serving as color commentator.

THE STAKES: A Crush win would ...
· Allow the Crush to avoid their first two-game losing streak of the season.
· Give the Crush the most wins in the Central Division
· Give the Crush their first-ever win over Los Angeles.
· Move the Crush's record over .500 on the road.



Practice Schedule
Tuesday, April 5
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Practice @ Crush Facility

Wednesday, April 6
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Practice @ Crush Facility

Thursday, April 7
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Practice @ Crush Facility

Friday, April 8
Depart for Los Angeles

Saturday, April 9
8:30 p.m. Crush at Los Angeles Avengers
@ STAPLES Center


Mike Dailey (1st season w/ Crush, 8th Overall):
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 69-49, a winning percentage of .585. 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 @ Chicago
Danny White Arizona 132 vs. Las Vegas
Perry Moss 86
Mike Hohensee Chicago 79 @ Tampa Bay
Michael Trigg Philadelphia 77 bye
John Gregory 72
Mike Dailey Crush 69 vs. Indiana
Darren Arbet San Jose 66 @ Dallas


Ed Hodgkiss (3rd season w/ LA, 3rd Overall):
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 4thT-7th Scoring (Kickers)Touchbacks 7315
Chad Dukes T-9th Rushing Yards 85
John Dutton 1st4th5th6th7thT-7th8th10th Fumble RecoveriesYards Passing Pass AttemptsPass Completions% INT/Pass AttemptInterceptionsTDs PassingPass Completion% 821962891791.753861.9
Rashad Floyd 1st1st InterceptionsTackles 575.5
Damian Harrell 1st2nd2nd2nd5thT-6th Scoring (non-Kick)First DownsReceiving YardsYds fr ScrimmageReceptions3rd Down Recepts 144549059056011
Kevin McKenzie T-3rd Interceptions 3
(Top 5 in bold)


TALE OF THE TAPE: Here's how the Crush and the Avengers stack up (through Week 9):
Statistical COLORADO LOS ANGELES
Category Rank Stat Rank Stat
Points per Game 17th 44.8 2nd 57.6
Points Allowed 6th 46.6 13th 50.4
Total Offense 10th 260.0 5th 270.4
Pass Offense 8th 241.0 5th 255.1
Rushing Offense 8th 19.0 14th 15.3
Total Defense 16th 267.3 17th 291.9
Pass Defense 16th 252.2 18th 281.3
Rushing Defense 5th 15.1 2nd 10.6
Kickoff Returns 19th 14.5 12th 16.9
KO Return Allowed 3rd 16.2 11th 18.0
Turnover Margin 4th +7 T-1st +11
Avg. Yds per Play 7th 6.4 5th 6.9
Opp. Avg Yds/Play 5th 5.9 17th 7.0
1st Downs/ Game 13th 18.1 7th 19.0
Opp. 1st Dwns/Game 12th 19.7 13th 19.8
3rd Down Efficiency 19th 35.3 7th 52.1
Opp. 3rd Down Eff. 14th 52.5 12th 52.0
4th Down Efficiency T-13th 40.0 3rd 77.8
Opp. 4th Down Eff. 11th 57.9 13TH 63.6
Field Goal % 11th 40.0% 5th 56.3%
TD% Inside the 10 18th 59.5 3rd 86.5
Opp. TD% Inside the 10 18th 83.3 13th 76.7
(Top 5 in bold)

COLORADO CRUSH NEXT WEEK
The Crush travel from one coast to the next as they travel to Long Island to face the New York Dragons on Sunday, April 18 at 1 p.m. MT. The Crush also traveled to NYC last season, falling 61-52 to the Dragons during Week 9 of last season. The game will be televised by NBC and broadcast on AM 760 The Zone.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:
OS Damian Harrell: Now in his sixth AFL season, Harrell has amassed 6,119 receiving yards on 433 catches, an average of 14.13 yards/catch, along with 129 career touchdowns (1 on return) ... Has more receiving yards than any other AFL receiver since 2000 ... Leads the AFL in scoring (non-kickers) with 144 points, on 24 touchdowns this season ... Leads the Crush with 60 catches for 905 yards this season ... Ranks 2nd in the league in first downs (54) and receiving yards, 5th in receptions, and tied for 6th in third-down receptions (11) ... He has caught 21 TDs in his last seven games ... Has a TD catch in all 23 games as a member of the Crush ... Has been named Offensive Player of the Game four times ... Had a Crush season-high 11 catches for 167 yards receiving vs. Indiana.

QB John Dutton: The former ArenaBowl MVP (XVI w/ SJ) has completed 179-of-289 passes (61.9%) for 2,196 yards, 38 touchdowns and just 5 interceptions... Twice he has been named Offensive Player of the Game ... Threw for a season-high 28 completions and 333 yards vs. Indiana ... Ranks 4th in the AFL in passing yards, 5th in pass attempts, 6th in completions and 8th in TD passes.

WR/DB Kevin McKenzie: Ranks second on the team in receiving yards with 48 catches for 597 yards ... Tied for third in the AFL in interceptions (3) ... Named the AFL's Ironman of the Week for Week 2 after scoring a TD rushing, receiving and on an interception return in a win at Grand Rapids ... He has been named Ironman of the Game in five of the Crush's first nine 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 Month for March ... Also 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 75.5 ... Has been named Defensive Player of the Game in five of nine games and each of the last three weeks ... 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)
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
4/6/04 Activated WR/DB Kamau Peterson from the injured reserve list (hamstring) and placed him on waivers.
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.

MILESTONES
FB/LB Chad Dukes ranks fourth on the AFL's all-time rushing list with 1,111 yards. Dukes is one of only four players in AFL history to rush for 1,000 yards in his career. He is currently 44 yards behind Arizona's Bo Kelly for third place.
AFL Career Rushing Yards
Player Team 2004 Career
Les Barley — — 1,382
Andre Bowden TAM 4 1,198
Bo Kelly ARI 92 1,155
Chad Dukes COL 85 1,111
Bob McMillen CHI 134 998
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 at Los Angeles will mark his 149th consecutive start. The first 140 all came with the Firebirds organization before he signed with the Crush this season.

OS Damian Harrell: Has the most receiving yards in the AFL since 2000 ... Needs 95 receiving yards to reach 1,000 for the fourth straight season.

AFL Receiving Leaders (2000-04)
Catches – Receiving Yards
Player (team) 2000-03 2004 Total
Damian Harrell (COL) 348 – 4,851 60 – 905 408 – 5,756
Chris Jackson (LA) 355 – 4,992 53 – 744 408 – 5,736
Greg Hopkins (LA) 400 – 4,888 36 – 407 436 – 5,295
Mike Horacek (IND) 363 – 4,735 36 – 513 399 – 5,248

FAMILIAR FACES
Colorado ties are aplenty with the Avengers.
Defensive specialists Ben Kelly and Damen Wheeler (injured reserve) were both defensive backs for the CU Buffs in college. Kelly is in his rookie season in the AFL, while Wheeler was named to the league All-Rookie team last season.
Avengers OL/DL Johnathan Taylor was born in Boulder and played at Manuel High School in Denver before moving on to Montana State.
WR/DB Brian Sump (injured reserve) played his high school ball at Thomas Jefferson High School and was a star at the Colorado School of Mines. He currently resides in Henderson.
WR/LB Joe Douglass caught 79 passes for 1031 yards and 15 touchdowns for the Crush during their inaugural season before being traded to L.A. during training camp.

THE NUMBERS GAME
Although the Crush are 6-3, they have been outscored 403-419 this season. They are one of only two AFL teams with winning records that have allowed more points than they have scored. Austin is 5-3 despite being outscored 442-451.

HOME COOKIN'
When you come to a Crush game don't plan on leaving early. While the team is off to a 4-1 start at Pepsi Center, the five games have been decided by a grand total of 15 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. They also staved 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. Their only loss was a 45-42 loss to Indiana in overtime. 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)

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.

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.

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 6-3, the Crush have already tripled their win total from their entire inaugural season
· The Crush finished 0-8 at home last season. They have the 2004 season 4-1 at Pepsi Center.
· The Crush's four home games have been decided by a combined 15 points.
· The Crush is 5-0 in games in which it has a positive turnover margin. They are 1-3 when they don't.
· The Crush scored a season-low 14 points in the second half of the overtime loss to Indiana. Their previous low was 20 vs. Austin, also at home.
· The team had a season-high 348 total yards (328 @ SJ, 3/14).
· Indiana was the first Crush opponent that did not commit a turnover

Individual
· Rashad Floyd leads the AFL in both interceptions (5) and tackles (75.5).
· Damian Harrell passed 6,000 receiving yards for his career vs. Indiana.
· Harrell had Crush season-highs of 11 catches for 167 yards receiving vs. Indiana.
· John Dutton had a season-high 333 yards passing on a season-high 28 completions vs. Indiana.
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)
9 vs. Indiana Anthony Hines (IND)

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)
9 vs. Indiana Rashad Floyd (COL)

U.S. 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)
9 vs. Indiana Kevin McKenzie (COL)

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

AFL MONTHY AWARD WINNERS:
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE MONTH: Rashad Floyd (March)





GAME 9 · INDIANA 45, COLORADO 42 (OT)
April 3, 2004 · PEPSI CENTER · DENVER, COLORADO · Attendance: 12,238
AWARDS: OFF-ANTHONY HINES (IND) · DEF-RASHAD FLOYD (CO) · IRONMAN-KEVIN McKENZIE (CO)

DENVER -- Clay Rush drilled a 20-yard field goal 7:31 into overtime to give the Indiana Firebirds (4-5) a 45-42 overtime win over the Colorado Crush (6-3) in front of 12,238 at the Pepsi Center on Saturday afternoon.

For Colorado, the defeat represented their first home setback in 2004, after opening the season 4-0 at home. The game was also Indiana's fourth consecutive triumph since promoting assistant coach Mike Wilpolt to the head coach's slot in March.

The Crush stormed out to a strong start, grabbing a 14-0 lead on the strength of two John Dutton-to-Damian Harrell touchdown connections and a fourth-down stop midway through the first quarter. Indiana did not manage to finally tie the game until the third quarter, and could not take the lead until Adrian McPherson threw a 40-yard touchdown pass to Anthony Hines with 1:38 remaining in regulation, giving the Firebirds a 42-35 lead. Colorado rallied to force overtime, tying the score with 36 seconds remaining in regulation on the third Dutton-to-Harrell touchdown of the day. The Firebirds and Crush exchanged missed field goals in the fourth quarter's final seconds.

Indiana won the coin toss in overtime and elected to defer. The Crush drove inside the Indiana 10-yard-line on their possession, but the drive ended when Indiana's Brett Bech forced Colorado's Willis Marshall to fumble following a reception. Firebirds fullback/linebacker Leroy Thompson recovered the fumble at the Indiana 6-yard-line, allowing the Firebirds to begin what would become the game-winning drive.

Both Dutton and McPherson posted 300 yard games, throwing for 333 and 332 yards, respectively. Each quarterback also tossed five touchdown passes. Hines paced Indiana with 13 catches for 196 yards and three touchdowns, while Harrell grabbed 11 passes for 167 yards and three scores to lead the Crush. (Andrew Mason, ColoradoCrush.com)

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