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Colorado Crush game notes

June 9, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Colorado Crush News Release


QUICK FACTS:
#5 Colorado Crush (12-5) at #1 Arizona Rattlers (12-5)
Date: June 13, 2004
Kickoff: 1:00 p.m. MT
Site: America West Arena (capacity 16,321)
Officials: Tom McCabe (Referee), Rick Nelson (Umpire),
Royce Cooley (Head Linesman), Gary Caveletto (Line Judge), David Cutaia (Back Judge)
Television: NBC (KUSA Ch.9 in Denver)
(Tom Hammond – play-by-play, Pat Haden – analyst,
Marty Snider – sideline)
Radio: AM 760 The Zone
(Marc Stout – play-by-play, David Diaz-Infante – analyst, Marty Cesario - sideline)
Series Record: Arizona leads 2-1 (first playoff meetings)
Last Meeting: March 27, 2004 - CRUSH 54, Arizona 46
Coaches: Mike Dailey (75-51 in 8th year, 6-4 in playoffs)
Danny White (140-64 in 13th year, 19-9 in playoffs.)

ALL-TIME SERIES: This will be the second meeting this season between these two teams and fourth overall. This will be the first playoff meeting. Arizona swept both games in 2003, while the Crush won the only meeting this year, 54-46, in Denver on March 27.

RADIO/TV COVERAGE: The game will be televised by NBC with Tom Hammond handling play-by-play, Pat Haden analysis, and Marty Snider sidelines. The game will be broadcast on AM 760 The Zone (KKZN) with Marc Stout calling the game, former NFL OL David Diaz-Infante serving as analyst and Marty Cesario doing sideline work..

Practice Schedule
Wednesday, June 9
9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Practice at Crush Facility

Thursday, June 10
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Practice at Pepsi Center

Friday, June 11
9:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. Practice at Pepsi Center

Saturday, June 12
TBA Depart for Phoenix
Sunday, June 13
1:00 p.m. Crush at Arizona

Colorado Crush
Date Opponent 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 W 57-55 7-3
Sun, 4/18 @ New York L 49-52 7-4
Fri, 4/23 GRAND RAPIDS W 69-30 8-4
Sat, 5/1 PHILADELPHIA W 58-40 9-4
5/8-5/9 Bye Week
Sun, 5/16 @ Indiana L 56-59 9-5
Sun, 5/23 @ Detroit W 45-42 10-5
Sun, 5/30 CHICAGO W 56-47 11-5
AFL Playoffs Time TV
Sun, 6/6 @ #4 New Orleans W 47-44 12-5
Sun, 6/13 @ #1 Arizona 1 p.m. MT
(All times Mountain)


DRIVE TO ARENABOWL XVIII:

AFL SEMIFINALS ON NBC, (Sat & Sun, June 12-13):

Saturday, June 5
Chicago at San Jose, 1pm

Sunday, June 6
Colorado @ Arizona, 1pm


FROM 2 TO 2 AWAY: After winning only 2 games all last season, the Crush now find themselves just 2 games away from an ArenaBowl title. With a win at Arizona on Sunday, the team will advance to the ArenaBowl on Sunday, June 27 at 2 p.m. MT. With a Crush win, the game will be played at the winner of the San Jose/Chicago game.

COLORADO CRUSH NEXT WEEK
With a win, the Crush will advance to their first ArenaBowl, and would play at the home of the San Jose/Chicago winner. The Crush lost at San Jose, 55-35, in Week 6 (3/14) and split the season series with Chicago, losing 65-35 at Allstate Arena in Week 3 (2/22), and beating the Rush, 56-47, in Denver to close out the regular season. All 3 teams finished 11-5.

COACHES
Mike Dailey (75-51 in 8th year, 6-4 in playoffs):
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 75-51, a winning percentage of .595. He is sixth on the AFL's all-time list for coaching wins (regular season and playoffs). 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/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
Rk Coach Team Wins This Week
1. Tim Marcum Tampa Bay 167 eliminated
2. Danny White Arizona 140 vs. Colorado
3. Perry Moss 86
4. Mike Hohensee Chicago 85 at San Jose
5. Michael Trigg Philadelphia 78 season over
6. Mike Dailey Crush 75 at Arizona
7. John Gregory 73
8. Darren Arbet San Jose 71 vs. Chicago

Danny White (140-64 in 13th year, 19-9 in playoffs):
Head Coach and General Manager Danny White (140-64 overall, 121-55 regular season) is in his 13th season with the Arizona Rattlers and is the only head coach and GM is the team's history. The 2002 Arena Football Hall of Fame inductee is second all-time in coaching victories, with 131 wins. White is only the second coach in AFL history to notch 100 wins. White's career-winning percentage of .686 ranks fifth all-time in AFL history. He is a two-time ArenaBowl Champion (1994, 1997). White quarterbacked Arizona State from 1971-73, leaving as both the school's and NCAA's all-time leading passer. White then played two seasons with the Memphis Southmen of the World Football League before joining the Dallas Cowboys, where he played from 1976-88 and had a Pro Bowl career.

FINAL TOP 10 RANKINGS: 2004 Regular Season
Colorado Crush (Top 5 Bold)
Player Rank Category Stat
Anthony Brenner T-4thT-9th Scoring (Kickers)Touchbacks 13128
John Dutton T-1st3rd4th4th5th6th6thT-7th7th8th Fumble RecoveriesPassing Yards% INT / Pass AttemptPass AttemptsPass CompletionsPassing TDsQB Pass RatingInterceptionsCompletion %Yards/Attempt 84,1951.553634276117.1863.87.83
Rashad Floyd 1st1st1st2ndT-3rdT-7th TacklesSolo TacklesTackles for LossPass BreakupsInterceptionsFumble Recoveries 123.01075.52464
Damian Harrell 3rd3rd3rd3rd3rd4th5th First DownsReceiving YardsYds fr ScrimmageReceiving TDsScoring (non-Kick)3rd Down ReceptionsReceptions 971,7151,7154325819114
Ahmad Hawkins T-7th9th Solo TacklesTotal Tackles 7177.5
Willis Marshall T-1st10th 3rd-and-1 rush %Missed FG Return Avg. 100.012.7
Kevin McKenzie T-8th Interceptions 4
Saul Patu T-10th Tackles for Loss 3.0

TALE OF THE TAPE: Crush/Rattlers regular season ranking:
Statistical COLORADO ARIZONA
Category Rank Stat Rank Stat
Points per Game 9th 49.6 6th 52.2
Points Allowed 6th 46.5 4th 46.1
Total Offense 5th 275.4 8th 266.2
Pass Offense 4th 260.8 8th 250.8
Rushing Offense 15th 14.6 T-13th 15.4
Total Defense 11th 264.6 7th 258.9
Pass Defense 15th 247.9 10th 240.7
Rushing Defense 6th 16.7 6th 18.2
Kickoff Return Avg. 16th 16.4 12th 17.6
Opp. KO Return Avg. 4th 17.0 T-6th 17.1
Field Goal % 16th .344 9th .471
Turnover Margin 4th +13 T-9th +4
Avg. Yds per Play 5th 6.7 T-11th 6.3
Opp. Avg Yds/Play 4th 6.0 11th 6.5
1st Downs/ Game 10th 18.7 T-5th 19.9
Opp. 1st Dwns/Game T-18th 20.1 3rd 18.5
3rd Down Efficiency T-17th 42.9 3rd 55.0
Opp. 3rd Down Eff. 15th 51.9 4th 44.4
4th Down Efficiency 11th 50.0 5th 59.1
Opp. 4th Down Eff. T-6th 50.0 14th 55.0
TD% Inside the 10 18th 66.7 3rd 81.0
Opp. TD% Inside the 10 11th 75.9 9th 74.0

PLAYERS TO WATCH:
OS Damian Harrell: Named to the All-Arena Second Team ... Now in his sixth AFL season, Harrell has amassed 6,931 receiving yards on 487 catches, an average of 14.23 yards/catch, along with 148 career touchdowns (1 on return) ... Has second-most receiving yards in the AFL since 2000 ... Finished 2004 season ranked 3rd in AFL in first downs (97), receiving yards (1,715), receiving TDs (43), scoring (non-kickers) with 258 points, 4th in third-down receptions (19), and 5th in receptions (114) ... Led the Crush in catches, receiving yds and scoring ... Has a TD catch in 33 straight games (34 with playoffs), including all 30 games as a member of the Crush (longest active streak in AFL)... Has been named Offensive Player of the Game 7 times in 16 games ... Reached 1,000 receiving yards for the fourth straight season ... Had eight 100-yd receiving games this season ... Caught 3+ touchdowns in a game 10 times this season ... 1st season with 100+ receptions.

QB John Dutton: The former ArenaBowl MVP (XVI w/ SJ) completed 342-of-536 passes (63.8%) for 4,195 yards, 76 touchdowns and just 8 interceptions during the regular season ... Three times named Offensive Player of the Game ... Threw for a season-high 333 yards vs. Indiana on 4/3... Surpassed 10,000 career passing yards at Indiana on 5/16 ... Finished season ranked 3rd in AFL in passing yards, 4th in pass attempts and interceptions per attempt, 5th in completions, 6th in TD passes and QB rating and 7th in completion percentage ... Has thrown for 300+ yards five times this season, including 3 of his last 5.

WR/LB Kevin McKenzie: Named to the All-Ironman team ... Twice named AFL Ironman of the Week (2, 10) ... Crush's second leading receiver with a career-high 1,023 yards and 14 TDs on 85 catches ... Tied for 8th in the AFL in interceptions (4), tied for 16th in receptions and 21st in receiving yards... Scored a TD rushing, receiving and on an interception return in a win @ GR (Ironman of the Week)... Named Ironman of the Game in 7 of 16 games ... Caught 6 passes for 133 yards vs. his former team at San Jose on 3/14 ... Has two interceptions returned for TDs (44, 9) ... Has two 100-yd receiving games ... Scored on a 4-yd net recovery on the opening kickoff vs. Philadelphia (5/1) ... Has scored TDs 4 different ways this season (rushing, receiving, Int. return and net recovery) ... 1 of only 22 receivers w/ 1,000+ receiving yds

DS Rashad Floyd: Named to All-Arena Second Team ... Set new AFL single-season record with 123.0 tackles (121.5, Cornelius Coe, Ind. 2001) ... Voted AFL Defensive Player of the Mid-Year by the AFLWA ... Named AFL Defensive Player of the Month for March ... Also Defensive Player of the Week for Week 8 after 11.5 tackles, a forced/recovered fumble, an INT and a 4-yd. net recovery for a TD vs. Ari. ... Led league in tackles 125.0, solo tackles (107), and tackles for a loss (5.5) ... 2nd in pass breakups (24), tied for 3rd in interceptions (6) and tied for 7th in fumble recoveries (4) ... Named Defensive Player of the Game in 7 of 16 games ... Made 2 interceptions in win at Phi. ... Returned a fumble 35 yds for a TD at NY on 4/18 ... Has two net recoveries for TDs.

INJURY REPORT
Colorado Crush
Player Pos. Injury Status
Maurice Anderson OL/DL Right Knee on IR (1/27)
Chad Dukes FB/LB Sprained left ankle on IR (4/8)
Nate Jacquet WR/DB Rt. Achilles' Rupture on IR (2/2)
Derrick Pickens OL/DL Right Shoulder on IR (1/30)
Tony Scott WR/DB Strained rt. quadriceps On IR (5/21)

RECENT CRUSH TRANSACTIONS
Date Transaction
5/29/04 Activated WR/DB Thal Woods (hamstring) from the injured reserve list.
5/21/04 Signed WR/DB Touré Carter to the active roster from the practice squad. Placed WR/DB Tony Scott (strained rt. quadriceps) on injured reserve.
5/19/04 Signed OL/DL Brian Creel to the practice squad.
5/14/04 Activated FB/LB Rich Young (sprained rt. shoulder) and WR/DB Tony Scott (strained rt. quadriceps) from injured reserve list; placed WR/DB Thal Woods on injured reserve (hamstring).
5/12/04 Signed WR/DB Touré Carter to the practice squad.
5/11/04 Placed OL/DL Patrick Downey on reserve/retired list
5/4/04 Grand Rapids signed OL/DL Tyshaun Whitson off of the Crush practice squad.
5/3/04 Waived QB Pete Gonzalez from the practice squad.
4/22/04 Placed FB/LB Rich Young on injured reserve (sprained rt. shoulder); Activated FB/LB Sunungura Rusununguko from injured reserve (sprained lt. shoulder); Signed OL/DL Tyshaun Whitson to the practice squad.
4/20/04 Placed OL/DL Tyshaun Whitson on recallable waivers.
4/16/04 Placed WR/DB Tony Scott (strained rt. Quadriceps) on injured reserve. Signed WR/DB Thal Woods and OL/DL Tyshaun Whitson from the practice squad to the active roster.
4/8/04 Placed FB/LB Sunungura Rusununguko (sprained lt. shoulder) and FB/LB Chad Dukes (sprained lt. ankle) on injured reserve. Activated FB/LB John Peaua (Lt. knee MCL sprain) and OL/DL Bryant Shaw (Lt. knee MCL sprain) from the injured reserve list.
4/6/04 Activated WR/DB Kamau Peterson from injured reserve (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 Quadriceps strain).

MILESTONES & RECORDS
Coach Mike Dailey: A win over Arizona would move Coach Dailey within 2 wins of Philadelphia head coach Michael Trigg for fifth on the AFL's all-time list. Including the playoffs, Dailey is currently 75-51.

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 New Orleans will mark his 157th consecutive start. The first 139 all came with the Firebirds organization before he signed with the Crush this past offseason.

DS Rashad Floyd: Set a new AFL single-season record for tackles in a season (regular season) with 123.0, breaking Cornelius Coe's previous mark of 121.5 with Indiana from 2001 ... Finished 30.0 tackles ahead of second place this season - Indiana's Anthony Derricks with 93.0 .

AFL Record - Most Tackle in a Season (Reg. season)
Player Team Year Total
Rashad Floyd COL 2004 123.0
Cornelius Coe IND 2001 121.5
Damon Mason ORL 2000 108.0
Damon Mason ORL 1999 103.0
Damon Mason ORL 2001 101.0


OS Damian Harrell: Has caught a TD pass in 34 straight games (33 regular season) , including all 31 games as a member of the Crush (1 playoff) ... That streak is the longest active streak of consecutive games scoring a TD and consecutive games with a TD reception ... The mark is tied for the second longest streak of consecutive regular season games with a TD reception in AFL history ... It is also tied for the fourth longest streak of consecutive regular season games with a TD ... Harrell's streak began with the Toronto Phantoms vs. Carolina on 7/4/02 ... Ironically, Chris Jackson's consecutive TD streak (2nd all-time), was snapped by the Crush, at LA during Week 15 of the Crush's inaugural season (5/10/03).
AFL Consecutive Games with a TD Reception
(Regular Season only)
Year (Week)
Player (team) Stk began Stk ended # Games
Eddie Brown (Alb/Ind) 1997 (Wk 3) 2000 (Wk 1) 41
Damian Harrell (Tor/Col) 2002 (Wk 12) --- 33
Eddie Brown (Ind) 1994 (Wk 1) 1996 (Wk 14) 33
Chris Jackson (LA) 2000 (Wk 1) 2002 (Wk 7) 28

AFL Consecutive Games Scoring a Touchdown
(Regular Season only)
Year (Week)
Player (team) Stk began Stk ended # Games
Eddie Brown (Alb/Ind) 1997 (Wk 3) 2002 (Wk 3) 65
Chris Jackson (LA) 2000 (Wk 1) 2003 (Wk 14) 47
Barry Wagner (Orl) 1992 (Wk 10) 1996 (Wk 11) 43
Damian Harrell (Tor/Col) 2002 (Wk 12) --- 33
Eddie Brown (Ind) 1994 (Wk 1) 1996 (Wk 14) 33

More Harrell Marks: Harrell also has the second-most receiving yards in the AFL since 2000 ... Made 450th career receptions during win over Grand Rapids on 4/23 ... Set Crush single-game records with 13 receptions for 208 receiving yds at Det., besting his own record of 176 set vs. Gr. Rapids on 4/23.

AFL Receiving Leaders (2000-04) – Regular Season
Catches – Receiving Yards
Player (team) 2000-03 2004 Total
Chris Jackson (LA) 355 – 4,992 125 – 1,803 480 – 6,795
Damian Harrell (COL) 348 – 4,851 114 – 1,715 462 – 6,566
Greg Hopkins (LA) 400 – 4,888 66 – 745 466 – 5,633
Mike Horacek (IND) 364 – 4,746 36 – 513 400 – 5,259


Three Amigos
In their first season together, Damian Harrell, Kevin McKenzie and Willis Marshall have been instrumental in the Crush turnaround and have quickly formed one of the most prolific receiving corps in the Arena Football League. As a threesome, Harrell, McKenzie and Marshall rank 2nd in the league in receiving yards (3,592) and receptions (285) and 4th in receiving touchdowns (70).
Here is how the Crush trio compares to the rest of the league:
Trio Leaders – Receiving Yards (regular season)
Receivers Team Games Rec Yds
Shelley, Pettis, Sippio DAL 16 3,598
Harrell, McKenzie, Marshall COL 16 3,592
Nash, Bonner, Blalock LV 16 3,452
Jackson, Ingram, Hopkins LA 16 3,396
Solomon, Samuels, Toliver TB 16 2,929

Trio Leaders - Receptions (regular season)
Receivers Team Games Recepts
Nash, Bonner, Blalock LV 16 290
Harrell, McKenzie, Marshall COL 16 285
Shelley, Pettis, Sippio DAL 16 273
Jackson, Ingram, Hopkins LA 16 258
Solomon, Samuels, Toliver TB 16 237

Trio Leaders – Receiving TDs (regular season)
Receivers Team Games Rec TDs
Shelley, Pettis, Sippio DAL 16 79
Jackson, Ingram, Hopkins LA 16 74
Nash, Bonner, Blalock LV 16 72
Harrell, McKenzie, Marshall COL 16 70
Hundon, Roe, Coleman SJ 16 65




FB/LB Chad Dukes ranks fifth on the AFL's all-time rushing list with 1,111 yards. Dukes was the fourth player in AFL history to rush for 1,000 yards in his career. Currently on IR, Dukes trails Chicago's Bob McMillen by 38 yards for 4th place.
AFL Career Rushing Yards
Player Team 2004 Career
Les Barley — — 1,382
Andre Bowden TAM 5 1,199
Bo Kelly ARI 148 1,211
Bob McMillen CHI 285 1,149
Chad Dukes COL 85 1,111


BIRDMAN FLYING HIGH
DS Ahmad Hawkins was named the AFL's Defensive Player of the Week following the four Quarterfinal games. Hawkins totaled a league-high 9.0 tackles, 2 pass breakups and returned an interception 14 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter to spark the Crush to their first playoff win, a 47-44, upset at New Orleans.

NO D FOR DAMIAN
All season long teams have been trying to find a way to stop OS Damian Harrell. Few have been successful. But as good as his numbers are during the regular season, Harrell has shown the ability to turn it up a notch come playoff time. In 3 career playoff games, 2 with the Toronto Phantoms in 2001, Harrell has averaged 122.3 receiving yards and 3.3 TDs per game. He has totaled 26 catches for 367 yards, an average of 14.1 yards per catch, and 10 TDs in those 3 games.

NFL FLAVOR
For the second straight week the Crush will tangle with a team with strong NFL ties. While the ties in New Orleans were those of ownership (Tom Benson also owns the Saints), Arizona's ties are those of head coach/GM Danny White. White was quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys from 1976-88, overlapping the career of Crush co-owner and CEO John Elway. Elway and White met only once on NFL turf, an Elway and Broncos regular-season victory at Mile High Stadium in 1986.

FAMILIAR FACES
· Crush kicker Anthony Brenner played for the Rattlers in 1997 and for three games in 1999. Arizona won ArenaBowl XI following the 1997 season with Brenner as kicker.
· Crush FB/LB John Peaua, played for Arizona from 2001-03.
· Crush FB/LB Rich Young, though born in Chicago, grew up in Phoenix.
· Crush DS Rashad Floyd (PSU '00) and Rattlers WR/DB Orshawante Bryant (PSU '01) were college teammates at Portland State University.

AFL ACCOLADES
A trio of Crush players received year-end AFL awards this week. OS Damian Harrell and DS Rashad Floyd each were named to the All-Arena Second Team, while WR/LB Kevin McKenzie was named to the All-Ironman team.
All-Arena (Second Team) – OS Damian Harrell
All-Arena (Second Team) – DS Rashad Floyd
All-Ironman Team – WR/LB Kevin McKenzie

MARSHALL LAW
WR/DB Willis Marshall was named the AFL's Ironman of the Week following the Week 17 regular season finale. Marshall scored four touchdowns in the game, catching a team-high nine passes for 98 yards and three TDs, and also added a rushing score. He also returned three kicks for 71 yards on special teams, and added 4.5 tackles and a forced fumble on the defensive end.

HISTORIC TURNAROUND
The Crush set a new record for the biggest turnaround in AFL history, winning nine more regular season games than the previous season. The 11-5 Crush finished 2-14 in their inaugural 2003 campaign. The Chicago Bruisers won +8 games in 1988, finishing 10-1-1, but played only 6 games the year before as they finished 2-4. The New Jersey Gladiators improved from 2-12 in 2001 to post a 9-5 mark in 2002 and the Detroit Fury turned a 1-13 season in 2002 into an 8-8 record in 2003.

HANDS OFF
After allowing 14 sacks last season (12 on Dutton), the Crush pass protection has been stellar this season. The team has allowed just five sacks, and none from Week 6 at San Jose (3/14) until the fourth quarter at New Orleans on (6/6). Before the VooDoo's B.J. Cohen sacked and stripped Dutton with 19 seconds remaining, the Crush had not allowed a sack in an astounding 487 offensive plays (includes FG attempts as Dutton is holder). Crush quarterbacks last season combined to throw 24 picks to 86 touchdowns. With the extra time, Dutton decreased his interception total from 19 last season, to just eight in the 2004 regular season, and the team has thrown 76 TDs (Robert Redd has 1). Last season, 4.1 % of Crush passes were intercepted. This season that percentage was down to just 1.5. Dutton, however, was picked off in the game at N. Orleans.

TAKEAWAY
The Crush defense has been active in forcing turnovers. The team finished 11-2 when they had a positive or even turnover margin (7-1 with a positive margin). Only three teams forced more turnovers than the Crush's 31 during the regular season. The Crush also ranked fourth in the league in turnover margin at +13 and only two teams forced more fumbles (18).

KEEPAWAY
The Crush also limited their own mistakes. They threw just 8 interceptions, fifth fewest in the AFL during the regular season. In fact, the Crush finished with the fourth fewest turnovers in the league (18). Last season the Crush committed 46 turnovers while forcing just 20. This season they committed 18 turnovers and forced 31, finishing +13, +39 better than the previous season.


ODDS NOT EVENS
Although the Crush have averaged more points in the second and fourth quarters than the first and third, it is the odd numbered quarters coming out of the locker room that have made the difference in the Crush turnaround this season. Including the playoff game, the Crush have held opponents to less than 9 points per quarter in the 1st (8.4) and 3rd (8.2), and have outscored them by a total of 87 points in those quarters. In the 3rd quarter alone, the Crush hold a 207-140 lead on the season. The Crush however, have been outscored in both the 2nd and 4th quarters by a total of 32 points.

STREAK FREE
After a 2-14 inaugural campaign, the Crush managed to make it through the entire 2004 season without losing consecutive games. On the otherhand, the Crush won consecutive games five times. They had never won three in-a-row, however, until closing the regular season with wins over Detroit and Chicago, and then winning at New Orleans in the AFL Quartefinals.

DON'T I KNOW YOU FROM SOMEWHERE?
A few current Crush players were also teammates in college. Here are some of those faces that are familiar to one another.

Virginia – Ahmad Hawkins, Dwayne Stukes, Maurice Anderson
Ball State – Sunungura Rusununguko & Aaron Johnson
Nevada – John Dutton & John Peaua


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 5 players from last year's inaugural team made the 2004 opening day roster, and six are currently on the team. WR/DB Thal Woods appeared in 2 games in 2003, and started the 2004 season on the practice squad before being signed to the active roster.
Returning 2003 Players
John Dutton Saul Patu Ahmad Hawkins
Damian Harrell Bryant Shaw Thal Woods


CALL TO THE HALL
Legendary Denver Broncos QB and Crush co-owner John Elway was among four players named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame's 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. He will be inducted to the Hall in Canton, Ohio on August 8, 2004.

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, Bailey. The Brenners accumulated more than $200,000 in medical bills trying to treat and diagnose Bailey's medical troubles. 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.


CRUSH NOTABLES

THE STAKES: A Crush win would ...
· Advance the Crush to their first ArenaBowl
· Give the Crush a four-game win streak.
· Improve the Crush record to 13-5, following a 2-14 season in 2003.
· Give the Crush their first win at Arizona.
· Even the overall series with Arizona at 2-2.

Team
· The Crush had the biggest turnaround in AFL history this season at +9 wins in the regular season (11-5 in 2004, 2-14 in 2003):
(+8 wins by Chicago Bruisers, 2-4 in 1987, 10-1-1 in 1988)
· 11 times the Crush have held their opponent without a sack. No Crush opponent has had multiple sacks.
· The Crush finished the regular season +13 in turnovers (committed 18, forced 31). They were -26 in 2003 (46 committed, 20 forced), for a turnaround of +39.
· The Crush finished 0-8 at home last season. They were 7-1 at Pepsi Center this season, with their only loss in overtime vs. Indiana.
· Strange but true – The Crush are 6-2 when they commit more penalties than their opponent and are also 6-1 when they have less total yards than their opponent.
· The Crush are 4-4 on Sundays and 8-1 on all other days.
· The Crush have been outscored in the 2nd and 4th quarters this season, but have outscored opponents by 77 points in the 1st and 3rd quarters.
· The Crush have allowed a kickoff return for a touchdown four times this season, and in two of the last three games.
· The Crush are now 7-1 when leading at halftime (3-0 on the road).
· The Crush win at New Orleans was the team's first this season with a negative turnover margin (1-3).
· The win over the VooDoo marked the team's first win on the road when trailing after the first quarter (1-3).
· The Crush were held scoreless in the first quarter at New Orleans, only the third time they were shutout in a quarter this season. All 3 times have been on the road and in the first half (1st Qtr @ NY 4/18, 2nd Qtr @ SJ 3/14).
· With 19 seconds remaining in the game, VooDoo's B.J. Cohen sacked and stripped Crush QB John Dutton. Prior to that, the Crush had not allowed a sack since Week 6 @ San Jose (3/14). The sackless streak spanned nearly three months, 10 entire games without a sack, and 487 offensive plays (includes FG attempts as Dutton is holder) between the sacks.
· The Crush rushed for two TDs at New Orleans, their sixth game this season with multiple rushing TDs.
· The Crush committed a season-high three turnovers at New Orleans (third time this season), the most since 2/22 at Chicago.
· The Crush held the VooDoo scoreless in the third quarter, the fifth time they have shutout out an opponent in a quarter.
· The Crush have won three games in-a-row for the first time in franchise history.
· The Crush have outscored their opponents by a combined 67 points in the third quarter this season.
· Colorado's defense stopped the New Orleans VooDoo three times in the first half and scored via an interception return. But a fumble and an interception kept the Crush from capitalizing on the scoreless possessions, allowing the VooDoo to keep the contest close.

Individual
· DS Ahmad Hawkins was named the AFL's Defensive Player of the Week for the AFL Quarterfinals following his 9.0 tackle, 2 pass breakup, 14 yard interception return for a TD performance at New Orleans.
· Rashad Floyd was named Defensive Player of the Week for Week 8 after 11.5 tackles, a forced/recovered fumble, an INT and a 4-yd. net recovery for a TD in the first meeting with Arizona on 3/27.
· Rashad Floyd broke the AFL's single-season tackle record this season, finishing with 123.0 (Cornelius Coe, Ind., 121.5, 2001).
· The game at Arizona will mark the 157th straight start for Kyle Moore-Brown – every game in his 10-year career.
· John Dutton has five 300-yd passing games this season, including three of his last six games.
· Kevin McKenzie surpassed 1,000 receiving yards for the season vs. Chicago, 1 of only 22 receivers to reach that mark in 2004.
· Damian Harrell set franchise records with 13 catches and 208 yards at Detroit on 5/23. The reception record was 11 (4 times). Harrell held the previous yardage mark - 176 vs. GR, 4/23)
· Damian Harrell has caught a TD pass in 33 straight regular season games, including all 30 career games with the Crush, tied for the 2nd longest streak of consecutive games with a TD reception at 33 (Eddie Brown, Ind. 1994-96), and for 4th longest streak of scoring a TD in consecutive games (any type). With 3 TDs at New Orleans last week, Harrell extending his overall streak to 34.
· Willis Marshall was named the AFL's Ironman of the Week after making nine catches for 98 yards and three TDs, rushing for a TD, returning three kicks for 71 yards, and making 4.5 tackles and forcing a fumble vs. Chicago in the regular season finale.
· WR/LB Kevin McKenzie was named to the AFL's All-Ironman team for 2004
· OS Damian Harrell and DS Rashad Floyd were named to the AFL's All-Arena Second Team.

Playoffs

· Colorado was the only lower seed to win in the quarterfinal round. This marks the fourth consecutive year that just one road team has triumphed in the quarterfinals. In 2001 -- the first year of that run -- the lone triumphant lower seed was Indiana, which clobbered the Tampa Bay Storm 68-31. Indiana's coach that day? Current Crush Head Coach Mike Dailey.
· The Crush-VooDoo game's attendance of 14,369 was the highest of the first round, and the most for an AFL quarterfinal since 1997 (15,641 for a game between the Milwaukee Mustangs and Arizona Rattlers at America West Arena).
· The VooDoo completed 29-of-51 passes in the game vs. Colorado. The 51 attempts were the 4th most in AFL Playoff history. 29 completions is tied for 5th most.
· The Crush were the last team to beat Arizona, 54-46, back in Week 8. The Rattlers have won 9 in a row since then.
· All four remaining teams finished the season 11-5. The Crush defeated both Arizona and Chicago during the regular season, but also lost to Chicago and at San Jose.

PLAYOFF LEADERS: Top 5 rankings after Quarterfinals
Colorado Crush
Player Rank Category Stat
Anthony Brenner 3rdT-2nd Scoring (Kickers)Touchbacks 92
John Dutton 2nd 3rd Down Pass Rating 110.0
Damian Harrell T-1stT-1stT-2nd3rd3rdT-4th Scoring3rd Down ReceptionsFirst DownsReceiving YardsYards from ScrimmageReceptions 182713413410
Rashad Floyd T-1stT-4th Pass BreakupsSolo Tackles 35.0
Ahmad Hawkins 1st1stT-1stT-3rd Total TacklesSolo TacklesInterceptionsPass Breakups 9.09.012


AWARDS

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)
10 @ Los Angeles Damian Harrell (COL)
11 @ New York Aaron Garcia (NY)
12 vs. Gr. Rapids Damian Harrell (COL)
13 vs Philadelphia John Dutton (COL)
15 @ Indiana Adrian McPherson (IND)
16 @ Detroit Damian Harrell (COL)
17 vs. Chicago Willis Marshall (COL)
Qtrfinals @ New Orleans Damian Harrell (COL)
S
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)
10 @ Los Angeles Rich Young (COL)
11 @ New York Donvetis Franklin (NY)
12 vs. Gr. Rapids Rashad Floyd (COL)
13 vs. Philadelphia Rashad Floyd (COL)
15 @ Indiana Delvin Hughley (IND)
16 @ Detroit Hugh Hunter (COL)
17 vs. Chicago Rich Young (COL)
Qtrfinals @ N. Orleans Ahmad Hawkins (COL)


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)
10 @ Los Angeles Kevin McKenzie (COL)
11 @ New York Lincoln DuPree (NY)
12 vs. Gr. Rapids Willis Marshall (COL)
13 vs. Philadelphia Kevin McKenzie (COL)
15 @ Indiana Jordan Younger (IND)
16 @ Detroit Ron Carpenter (DET)
17 vs. Chicago Willis Marshall (COL)
Qtrfinals @ New Orleans Lamont Moore (NO)


AFL WEEKLY AWARD WINNERS:

IRONMAN OF WEEK:
WR/LB Kevin McKenzie (Week 2)
WR/LB Kevin McKenzie (Week 10)
WR/DB Willis Marshall (Week 17)

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF WEEK:
DS Rashad Floyd (Wk 8)
DS Ahmad Hawkins (Quarterfinals)


AFL MONTHY AWARD WINNERS:

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF MONTH:
DS Rashad Floyd (March)


AFL SEASON ENDING AWARD WINNERS:

ALL-ARENA TEAM:
DS Rashad Floyd (Second Team)
OS Damian Harrell (Second Team)

ALL-IRONMAN TEAM:
WR/LB Kevin McKenzie


AFL QUARTERFINALS: · COLORADO 47, NEW ORLEANS 44
June 6, 2004 · NEW ORLEANS ARENA · NEW ORLEANS, La. · Attendance: 14,369
AWARDS: OFF –DAMIAN HARRELL (CO) · DEF –AHMAD HAWKINS (CO) · IRONMAN –LAMONT MOORE (CO)

NEW ORLEANS -- The Colorado Crush's defense scored nine points via an interception return and a safety and held the New Orleans VooDoo scoreless on four of their first eight possessions, allowing the Crush enough room to overcome three turnovers and escape with a 47-44 victory in the quarterfinal round of the Arena Football League playoffs at the New Orleans Arena on Sunday afternoon.

The defensive effort helped the Crush withstand a sluggish first half from the usually potent offense, which turned the football over on two of its first three possessions and accounted for just 10 points before halftime. The offense awoke following intermission, scoring touchdowns on four consecutive drives -- including three scoring passes from John Dutton to Damian Harrell -- to grab a 17-point lead.

New Orleans trimmed the Crush's lead to three points with two touchdowns in the last 48 seconds, but an on-side kick with six seconds left failed, allowing the Crush to drain the remaining time to clinch a win in their first-ever postseason game.

The VooDoo went 7-1 inside the New Orleans Arena in the regular season, and roused the crowd of 14,369 several times during the game, particularly late in the second quarter when they scored 10 points in a 39-second span of the last minute before halftime to take a 16-14 lead. But the advantage was short-lived, as Dutton completed passes of 20 and 17 yards to Kevin McKenzie and Harrell, respectively, to set up a 19-yard field goal by Anthony Brenner. The kick gave the Crush a 17-16 halftime lead, and they never trailed after that.

Harrell led the Crush receiving corps by snagging 10 of Dutton's passes for 134 yards. McKenzie added six grabs for 60 yards. Ahmad Hawkins led the defensive charge with nine unassisted tackles and scored on a 14-yard interception return 2:43 into the second quarter.

The victory puts the Crush in the AFL's semifinals just one year after finishing their inaugural season with a 2-14 record. Colorado moves on to face the No. 1 seed Arizona Rattlers next Sunday inside the America West Arena at 12 p.m. MST. Colorado was the only lower seed to win in the first round. (Andrew Mason, ColoradoCrush.com)

LAST MEETING - WEEK 8 · COLORADO 54, ARIZONA 46
March 27, 2004 · PEPSI CENTER · DENVER, COLORADO · Attendance: 14,514
AWARDS: OFF-DAMIAN HARRELL (CO) · DEF-RASHAD FLOYD (CO) · IRONMAN-KEVIN McKENZIE (CO)

DENVER -- The Colorado Crush opened the second half with a barrage of 20 consecutive points, turning an 11-point halftime deficit into a lead they never relinquished in defeating the Arizona Rattlers 54-46 in front of 14,514 at the Pepsi Center on Saturday night.

In the final 30 minutes, Colorado dominated the action, scoring touchdowns on their first four offensive possessions and adding two more scores on a rebound-net recovery by Rashad Floyd and a Kevin McKenzie interception return. Colorado quarterback John Dutton accounted for all of the second-half offensive TDs, flinging three scoring passes to Damian Harrell and running 2 yds for the Crush's final TD.

Dutton completed 20 of 32 passes for 222 yards and four touchdowns, including three to Harrell, who was selected as the Offensive Player of the Game based on his 7-catch, 109-yard performance. Rashad Floyd held up the defense for the Crush, intercepting a first-quarter pass and forcing a fumble. Floyd also scored the touchdown that put the Crush in front for good, recovering a kickoff that bounced off the rebound net and jaunting into the end zone 2:37 after halftime.

Arizona bolted to a 24-13 halftime lead thanks to a 17-0 run in the second quarter during which the Rattlers stopped the Crush twice on a Hamin Milligan interception and a failed 20-yard FG attempt by Brenner. But the Rattlers' offense floundered following intermission, as two of their first three second-half drives ended without a point.

The Rattlers' offense rallied for touchdowns on its final two possessions, but a failed on-side kickoff and an aborted chance at a rebound-net recovery allowed the Crush to escape with the win. Colorado improved to 6-2 with the win and maintained their pace in the playoff race. The Rattlers dropped to 3-5 with the loss; it is their worst record after eight games since their expansion season of 1992.
(Andrew Mason, ColoradoCrush.com)

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