Sports stats

Colorado Crush game notes

February 4, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Colorado Crush News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Colorado Crush (0-1) vs. Grand Rapids Rampage (0-1)
Date: February 5, 2005
Kickoff: 12:00 p.m. MT
Site: Frontier Field at Pepsi Center, Denver, Colo.
Officials: Bill McCabe (Referee), Doug Wilson (Umpire), Royce Cooley (Head Linesman), Dirk Bell (Line Judge), Jimmy Buchanan (Back Judge)
Television: CET (Comcast 5) (Mitch Hyder – play-by-play, David Diaz-Infante – analyst, Josh Gross – sideline reporter)
Radio: 850 AM KOA (Marc Stout – play-by-play, Andy Lindahl – analyst, Cory Lopez – sideline reporter)
Series Record: Colorado leads 2-1
Last Meeting: Colorado won 69-30 on 4/23/04 in Denver
Coaches: Mike Dailey (75-53 in 9th year, 12-7 w/ Colorado)
Sparky McEwen (0-1 in 1st year, 0-1 w/ Grand Rapids)

ALL-TIME SERIES: This will be the fourth meeting between the Crush and Rampage. This will be the third meeting as Central Division rivals and the third in Denver. Grand Rapids won the first meeting, 57-55, at Pepsi Center during the Crush's inaugural season on 2/7/03. The Crush trounced the Rampage by a combined 124-67 in the two meetings last season. The 69-30 (+39) win at home on 4/23/04 is the biggest in Crush history, while the 55-37 (+18) win at Grand Rapids on 2/14/04 is tied for second (also won 58-40 vs. Philadelphia on 5/1/04).

RADIO/TV COVERAGE: The game will be televised in Denver by CET with Mitch Hyder handling the play-by-play, David Diaz- Infante providing analysis and Josh Gross on the sidelines. The game will also be broadcast on 850 AM KOA with Marc Stout handling play-by-play duties, Andy Lindahl as the analyst, and Cory Lopez roaming the sidelines.

Colorado Crush
Date Opponent Time/Score TV
Sun, 1/30 @ Orlando L 36-39 0-1
Sat, 2/5 GRAND RAPIDS 12:00 p.m. CET
Sun, 2/13 CHICAGO 1:00 p.m. NBC
Sat, 2/19 @ Arizona 7:30 p.m. FSN
Sun, 2/27 LOS ANGELES 1:00 p.m. NBC
Bye week
Sun, 3/13 @ Nashville 4:30 p.m. FSN
Sun, 3/20 COLUMBUS 1:00 p.m. CET
Fri, 3/25 @ Dallas 6:30 p.m. FSN
Sun, 4/3 LAS VEGAS 1:00 p.m. CET
Sun, 4/10 PHILADELPHIA 11:00 a.m. NBC
Sun, 4/17 @ Chicago 11:00 a.m. NBC
Fri, 4/22 SAN JOSE 7:00 p.m. CET
Sat, 4/30 @ Grand Rapids 5:30 p.m. FSN
Sun, 5/8 @ New Orleans 11:00 a.m. NBC
Fri, 5/13 NASHVILLE 7:00 p.m. CET
Sat, 5/21 @ New York 5:00 p.m. FSN
(All times Mountain)

THE STAKES: A Crush win would ...
• Give the Crush their first win of the 2005 season.
• Give the Crush a three-game winning streak in the series with Grand Rapids.
• Improve the team to 2-1 all-time in home openers.

AFL ON NBC, (Sun, February 6):
11 a.m. (MT)
Philadelphia at Chicago
Dallas at New York

Mike Dailey (75-53 in 9th year, 12-7 in 2nd w/ Colo.): Dailey enters his second season in Colorado and ninth as head coach in the AFL, after becoming the Crush's second head coach on June 26, 2003. Dailey joined the Crush following 13 seasons in the Albany/Indiana Firebirds organization, including the final seven as head coach.

In his first season in Colorado, Dailey helped guide the Crush to the largest turnaround in AFL history, inheriting a 2- 14 team and leading them to an 11-5 record in 2004, tied for the best in the league. He also led the Crush to their first playoff appearance and first win, advancing to the AFL Semifinals before falling nine yards short of up-ending topseeded Arizona and earning a trip to ArenaBowl XVIII.

One of the most successful and well-respected coaches in AFL history, Dailey's teams have compiled an overall record of 75-53 record, a winning percentage of .586, and he ranks sixth on the AFL's all-time list for coaching wins (regular season and playoffs). His teams have made six postseason appearances and he has won three division titles.

All-Time Winningest AFL Coaches Including Postseason
Rk Coach Team Wins This Week
1. Tim Marcum Tampa Bay 168 vs. Austin
2. Danny White 141
3. Perry Moss 86
4. Mike Hohensee Chicago 85 vs. Philadelphia
5. Michael Trigg Philadelphia 79 at Chicago
6. Mike Dailey Crush 75 vs. Gr. Rapids
7. John Gregory 73
8. Darren Arbet San Jose 73 vs. Las Vegas

Sparky McEwen (0-1 in 1st yr, 0-1 in 1st yr w/Gr. Rap.): McEwen became the Grand Rapids Rampage's fourth head coach in team history on August 13, 2004. He was the Rampage's offensive coordinator during the team's best three years on the field (2001-03), which included winning ArenaBowl XV in his first season. During those three years, the Rampage's offense scored more points and gained more yards and points than any other team in the AFL.

For 2004, McEwen was the assistant head coach/offensive coordinator for the Okalahoma City Yard Dawgz of arenafootball2. The Yard Dawgz (10-6) finished with the af2's second-best scoring team, the third-best offensive unit and third-ranked passing offense in the 25-team league. His starting quarterback led the af2 in passing touchdowns (84) and finished fifth in passing yards.

COLORADO CRUSH NEXT WEEK

The Crush return home to host division rival Chicago Rush. The teams split two meetings last season with the home team winning each game. They also finished with identical 11-5 records, tied for best in the league and each advanced to the AFL Semifinals.

INJURY REPORT

Colorado Crush
Player Pos. Injury Status
Touré Carter WR/DB Strained right quad on IR 1/20
Chad Dukes FB/LB Strained right groin on IR (1/20)
Delvin Hughley DS Sprained right ankle questionable
Darcey Levy WR/LB Strained lower back on IR (1/24)
Derrick Pickens OL/DL High left ankle sprain on IR (1/19)
Jabir Walker DS Strained right groin on IR (1/24)
Chris Watton OL/DL Sprained right knee on IR (1/28)

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

OS Damian Harrell: Has 34 career games with 100+ receiving yards (1 in 2005) ... Also has 26 career games with 3+ TDs (1 in 2005) ... Named to the All-Arena Second Team in 2004 ... Now in his seventh AFL season, has amassed 7,033 receiving yards on 494 catches, an average of 14.24 yards/catch, along with 150 receiving touchdowns (153 total) ... Has second-most receiving yards in the AFL since 2000 ... Has a TD catch in 34 straight games, including all 31 games as a member of the Crush (longest active streak in AFL)... Has reached 1,000 receiving yards in four straight seasons.

QB John Dutton: Now in his third year quarterbacking the Crush ... Has nine career 300+yard passing games ... Has thrown for 10,986 yards, 204 touchdowns and 27 interceptions in career ... Completed 342-of-536 passes (63.8%) for 4,195 yards, 76 touchdowns and just 8 interceptions in 2004 ... MVP of ArenaBoowl XVI while with San Jose.

WR/LB Kevin McKenzie: Set a new Crush single-game record and career high with 14 receptions in season opener at Orlando (1/30) ... Also had third career 100+ yard receiving game ... Named to the All-Ironman team in 2004 ... Twice named AFL Ironman of the Week in 2004 ... Crush's second leading receiver in 2004 with a career-high 1,023 yards and 14 TDs on 85 catches ... Scored six touchdowns in playoff game with San Jose in 2003.

DS Rashad Floyd: Has posted five career games with 10+ tackles (1 in 2005) ... Named to All-Arena Second Team in 2004 ... Set new AFL single-season record with 123.0 tackles ... Voted AFL Defensive Player of the Mid-Year by the AFLWA ... Named AFL Defensive Player of the Month for March of 2004 ... Also Defensive Player of the Week for Week 8.

NOTABLES

OL/DL Kyle Moore-Brown: A true AFL Ironman, he is in his 11th season in the league and has never missed a game. The game vs. Grand Rapids will mark his 159th consecutive start. The first 139 all came with the Firebirds organization before he signed with the Crush prior to the 2004 season.

CONSECUTIVE STARTS:

158 Overall (143 regular season, 15 playoffs)

DS Rashad Floyd: Set a new AFL single-season record for tackles in a 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
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 regular season games, including all 31 games as a member of the Crush ... That streak is the longest active streak of scoring a TD and of consecutive games with a TD reception ... The mark is the second longest streak of consecutive games with a TD reception in AFL history ... It is also fourth longest streak of consecutive 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 Year (Week)

Player (team) Stk began Stk ended # Ga
Eddie Brown (Alb/Ind) 1997 (Wk 3) 2000 (Wk 1) 41
Damian Harrell (Tor/Col) 2002 (Wk 12) --- 34
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 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) --- 34
Eddie Brown (Ind) 1994 (Wk 1) 1996 (Wk 14) 33

More Harrell Marks: Harrell also has the second-most receiving yards and third-most receptions in the AFL since 2000 ... Grand Rapids OS Chris Jackson in first in both receptions and receiving yards during that span.

AFL Receiving Leaders (2000-04)
Catches – Receiving Yards
Player (team) 2000-04 2005 Total
Chris Jackson (Gra.) 480 – 6,795 9 – 73 489 – 6,868
Damian Harrell (Colo.) 462 – 6,566 7 – 105 469 – 6,671
Greg Hopkins (LA) 466 – 5,633 11 – 110 477 – 5,743
Mike Horacek (NY) 399 – 5,248 – 399 – 5,248

Dynamic Duo

In their first season together in 2004, Damian Harrell and Kevin McKenzie were instrumental in the Crush turnaround as each topped the 1,000-yard receiving mark. As a threesome, Harrell, McKenzie and Willis Marshall ranked 2nd in the league in receiving yards (3,592) and receptions (285) and 4th in receiving touchdowns (70). McKenzie and Harrell are off to another quick start. Here is how the Crush duo ranks with the rest of the league:

Twin Threats – Most Receiving Yards (2005)
Receivers Team Games Rec Yds
Shelley & Pettis Dallas 1 246
Shelley & Sippio Dallas 1 233
Smith & Scott Philadelphia 1 230
Pettis & Sippio Dallas 1 229
McKenzie & Harrell Colorado 1 211
Twin Threats – Most Receptions (2005)
Receivers Team Games Recepts
McKenzie & Harrell Colorado 1 21
Solomon & Samuels Tampa Bay 1 19
Pettis & Shelley Dallas 1 17
Rumph & Davis New Orleans 1 17
Coleman & Hillery Nashville 1 16
Rumph & Moore New Orleans 1 16

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 2005 Career
Les Barley — — 1,382
Andre Bowden — — 1,241
Bo Kelly ARI 1 1,202
Bob McMillen CHI 21 1,171
Chad Dukes COL 0 1,111

FAMILIAR FACES

The Crush and Rampage see a lot of each other in the Central Division. Some players however are even more familiar:

• Crush WR/DB Willis Marshall played his first three seasons with Grand Rapids, where he was named second team All- AFL in 2002 and helped them to an ArenaBowl title in 2001.

• Crush WR/LB Kevin McKenzie and Rampage OS Chris Jackson were collegiate teammates at Washington State, leading the Cougars to their first Rose Bowl appearance in 67 years. The two most prolific members of the "Fab Five" receivers that teamed with QB Ryan Leaf, each broke the school record that had stood since 1960, with 11 receiving TDs apiece.

• Rampage OL/DL Otis Moore appeared in five games for the Crush during their inaugural 2003 campaign. Moore was released midway through that season by the Crush (3/5/03).

HISTORIC TURNAROUND

The Crush set a new record for the biggest turnaround in AFL history in 2004, winning nine more 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.

2003 Statistical Comparison 2004
2-14 Record 11-5
46.8 Points/Game 49.6
59.9 Points Allowed/Game 46.5
-26 Turnover Margin +14
22 Fumbles Lost 10
12 Sacks 15
14 Sacks Allowed 4

HANDS OFF

After allowing 14 sacks in 2003 (12 on Dutton), the Crush pass protection was stellar in 2004. The team allowed just four sacks, and none after Week 6 at San Jose (3/14). The Crush had not allowed a sack in 450 offensive plays before Orlando's E.J. Burt brought John Dutton down in the season opener.

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 (current 2-game win streak). The team has never won three straight games.

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, Maurice Anderson
Nevada – John Dutton & John Peaua

THEY'RE BACK

After 2004 saw a brand new coaching staff and only five returning players on the opening day roster from 2003, this year's Crush team strongly resembles the 2004 squad. In fact, the team lost no players to free agency, and features 16 of 20 players on the active roster from 2004. Another three returnees are currently on the injure list.

Third Year Crush Players
John Dutton Saul Patu Ahmad Hawkins
Damian Harrell Bryant Shaw (Thal Woods, Pr. squad)

NFL BOUND

The Crush lost four players to the NFL, including two key members of the 2004 team. OL/DL Aaron Johnson finished the 2004 NFL season on the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad while WR/DB recently signed with the Philadelphia Eagles. Two rookies also signed with NFL teams, af2 Ironman of the Year signed with the Carolina Panthers and OL/DL Delbert Cowsette signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

FLOCK OF FIREBIRDS

With Coach Dailey's move to the Crush came a flock of former Albany and Indiana Firebirds migrated west to Denver. The 2004 offseason only bolstered those totals with the addition of Andy McCullough, Delvin Hughley and Clay Rush, although Rush was the only one to play under Dailey (2003).

Former Firebirds (years with Firebirds)
Players Coaches
Jose Davis (2003) Mike Dailey (1992-2003)
Chad Dukes (1996-98) Ernesto Purnsley (1997-98, 2000-03)
Delvin Hughley (2004) Brian Partlow (2000-03)
Hugh Hunter (2002-03)
Andy McCullough (2004)
Kyle Moore-Brown (1995-03)
Clay Rush (2003-04)
Rich Young (2002-03)

Aaron Johnson (2001-03) is also a former Firebird who played for the Crush in 2004 and is currently on exempt NFL list (Kansas City Chiefs).

KEY ADDITIONS

While the Crush returns the core of last year's playoff team, they did add a few key parts in the offseason. Two-time kicker of the year Clay Rush signed as free agent to bolster kickoffs and add range on field goals. Former All-Rookie team member and 1,200- yard receiver WR/LB Andy McCullough and defensive specialist Delvin Hughley were added through the Dispersal Draft. Hughley was a member of the inaugural Crush team in 2003, leading the team in tackles before being included in a trade with Indiana that brought Coach Dailey to Denver. All three players were previously with Indiana. Four AFL rookies made the roster, with former Kansas City Chief Tank Reese the only one on the active roster.

HOME OPENERS

The Crush are 1-1 in home openers, losing their first franchise game to Georgia 44-40 on 2/2/03. In the 2004 home and season opener, John Dutton connected twice with Damian Harrell in the final 12 seconds of a miraculous 43-42 win over Las Vegas at Pepsi Center on 2/6/04. That game marked the first home win in Pepsi Center in franchise history. This will be the Crush's first road season opener.

2/2/03 44-40 L vs. Georgia
2/6/04 43-42 W vs. Las Vegas
2/5/05 ??? vs. Grand Rapids

CRUSH NOTABLES

Team
• The Crush had the biggest turnaround in AFL history in 2004 with +9 wins (11-5 in 2004, 2-14 in 2003): (+8 wins by Chicago Bruisers, 2-4 in 1987, 10-1-1 in 1988)
• The Crush had not allowed a sack in the regular season since Joe Jacobs in Week 6 of 2004 (@ San Jose 3/14) before E.J. Burt of Orlando registered a coverage sack of John Dutton in the fourth quarter. It was the first sack allowed by the Crush in over 450 offensive plays.
• The Crush were 3-4 on Sundays and 8-1 on all other days in 2004. They are 0-1 on Sundays in 2005.
• The Crush's 36-point output at Orlando was the fewest scored by the team since they scored 35 in a loss at San Jose on 3/14/04. It was the Crush's first time scoring under 40 points since that loss at San Jose.
• The Crush have now returned a fumble for a touchdown in their last two regular season games – Tank Reese (0 yds) at Orlando on 1/30 and Rich Young (2 yds) vs. Chicago on 5/30/04.

Individual
• The game vs. Grand Rapids will mark the 159th straight start for Kyle Moore-Brown – every game in his 11-year career.
• Damian Harrell has caught a TD pass in 34 straight games, including all 31 career games with the Crush, the 2nd longest streak of consecutive games with a TD reception and 4th longest streak of scoring a TD in consecutive games (any type).
• Clay Rush's 55-yard field goal at Orlando was the longest in Crush history by 10 yards (45 by A. Brenner vs. Ari., 3/27/04). His six attempts were also a Crush record. The Crush had not made two field goals in a game since 3/27/04 (Anthony Brenner).
• Rich Young's safety was the first in the regular season by the Crush since 4/13/03 vs. Chicago (QB Billy Dicken called for intentional grounding in endzone). • Kevin McKenzie's 14 catches at Orlando were a new career high and a new Crush single-game record.
• Kevin McKenzie (106) and Damian Harrell (105) were the first Crush teammates to top 100+ receiving yards in a game since Joe Douglass (165) and Charlie Davidson (100) at Los Angeles on 5/10/03.
• John Dutton's 43 pass attempts at Orlando were the most by the Crush since 4/18/04 at New York.

RECORDS BROKEN OR TIED THIS SEASON

Crush
Longest field goal made – 55 yards, Clay Rush at Orlando, 1/30 (45, Anthony Brenner vs. Arizona, 3/27/04)
Most field goals attempted, game – 6, Clay Rush at Orlando, 1/30 (4, Kris Heppner vs. Georgia, 2/2/03)
Most receptions, game – 14, Kevin McKenzie at Orlando, 1/30 (13 twice, last Damian Harrell @ Detroit, 5/23/04)
Tied
Most field goals made, game – 2, Clay Rush at Orlando, 1/30 (fifth time, last Anthony Brenner vs. Arizona, 3/27/04)

Opponent
Lowest field goal percentage, game – .268 (26-97) by San Antonio, 10/29
Tied
Most three-point field goals, game – 8, Tracy McGrady, Orlando, 11/14

APPROACHING MILESTONES

Player Needs For Season Avg. Est. Games
John Dutton 14 passing yards 11,000 in career 226.0 1
Damian Harrell 6 catches 500 in career 7.0 1
Willis Marshall 2 touchdown catches 50 in career -- --
Kevin McKenzie 47 receiving yards 2,000 in career 106.0 1
Clay Rush 1 made field goal 100 in career 2.0 1

MILESTONES REACHED

Damian Harrell caught his 150th career receiving touchdown at Orlando on 1/30.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 4, 2005


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.

Other Recent Colorado Crush Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central