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Colorado Crush game notes

February 9, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Colorado Crush News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Colorado Crush (1-1) vs. Chicago Rush (1-1)
Date: February 13, 2005
Kickoff: 1:00 p.m. MT
Site: Frontier Field at Pepsi Center, Denver, Colo.
Officials: Bill Athan (Referee), Tim Morris (Umpire),
Tim Podraza (Head Linesman), Tom Symonette (Line Judge), Greg Wilson (Back Judge)
Television: NBC (KUSA in Denver)
(Tom Hammond – play-by-play, Pat Haden – analyst, Lewis Johnson – sideline reporter)
Radio: 850 AM KOA
(Marc Stout – play-by-play, David Diaz-Infante – analyst, Andy Lindahl – sideline reporter)
Series Record: Chicago leads 2-1
Last Meeting: Colorado won 56-47 on 5/30/04 in Denver
Coaches: Mike Dailey (76-53 in 9th year, 13-7 w/ Colorado)
Mike Hohensee (86-78 in 12th year, 39-30 w/ Chicago)

ALL-TIME SERIES: This will be the fourth meeting between the Crush and Rush. This will be the third meeting as Central Division rivals and the third in Denver. Chicago won the first two meetings by a combined 141-93, (76-58 at Colo. 4/13/03, 65-35 @ Chi. on 2/22/04) before the Crush won the 2004 regular season finale in Denver, 56-47, to tie Chicago with an 11-5 record.

RADIO/TV COVERAGE: The game will be televised regionally by NBC (KUSA in Denver) with Tom Hammond handling the play-by-play, Pat Haden providing analysis and Lewis Johnson on the sidelines. The game will also be broadcast on 850 AM KOA with Marc Stout handling play-by-play duties, David Diaz-Infante as the analyst, and Andy Lindahl roaming the sidelines.

Colorado Crush
Date Opponent Time/Score TV
Sun, 1/30 @ Orlando L 36-39 0-1
Sat, 2/5 GRAND RAPIDS W 72-56 1-1
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)

American Central Division
Team W L T PCT. PF PA H A Conf. Div. Strk
Chicago 1 1 0 .500 116 107 1-0 0-1 0-0 0-0 W1
Colorado 1 1 0 .500 108 95 1-0 0-1 1-0 1-0 W1
Nashville 1 1 0 .500 81 97 0-1 1-0 0-0 0-0 L1
Gr. Rapids 0 2 0 .000 94 130 0-1 0-1 0-2 0-1 L2


THE STAKES: A Crush win would ...
· Keep the Crush in no worse than a tie for the Central Division lead.
· Move the Crush over .500 for the first time this season.
· Give the Crush a two-game winning streak in the series with Chicago and even the all-time series at 2-2.
· Give the Crush their ninth win in their last 10 home games.
· Give the Crush their fifth straight win at home.

AFL ON NBC, (Sun, February 13):

1 p.m. (MT)
Chicago at Colorado
Nashville at Philadelphia
Columbus at Dallas
San Jose at New Orleans

Mike Dailey (76-53 in 9th year, 13-7 in 2nd w/ Colo.):
Dailey is now in 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 top-seeded 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 76-53 record, a winning percentage of .589, 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.
In 1999, Dailey led the Albany Firebirds to an ArenaBowl title and was named the AFL's Coach of the Year.

All-Time Winningest AFL Coaches
Including Postseason
Rk Coach Team Wins This Week
1. Tim Marcum Tampa Bay 169 at Orlando
2. Danny White 141
3. Mike Hohensee Chicago 86 at Colorado
Perry Moss 86
5. Michael Trigg Philadelphia 79 vs. Nashville
6. Mike Dailey Crush 76 vs. Chicago
7. Darren Arbet San Jose 74 at New Orleans
8. John Gregory 73

Mike Hohensee (86-78 in 12th yr, 39-30 in 5th yr w/Chi.):
Rush head coach Mike Hohensee is tied with Perry Moss for third place on the AFL's all-time wins list. Hohensee, in his 12th season as a head coach in the AFL, was hired as the first coach in Rush history on September 26, 2000. He
À has a regular season record of 80-70 (including a 36-26 mark with the Rush).
À has a career 6-8 mark in the postseason.
À has led the Rush to four-consecutive playoff berths and two Central Division titles (2002 and 2004).
À is 2-1 all-time vs. Colorado


COLORADO CRUSH NEXT WEEK
The Crush return to the site where their season ended in 2004, traveling to Arizona to face the Rattlers on Saturday, Feb. 19 at 7:30 p.m. The Crush won the only regular season meeting last year, 54-46, on 3/27/04 at Pepsi Center. But the Rattlers got the last laugh in the AFL Semfinals as the Crush had the ball at the Rattler nine-yard line with one play remaining before John Dutton's pass to Kevin McKenzie fell incomplete and Arizona advanced to ArenaBowl XVIII with a 45-41 win. Arizona also took both meetings during the Crush's inaugural 2003 season and lead the all-time regular season series 2-1.


TOP 5 RANKINGS: 2005 League Leaders entering Week 3
Colorado Crush
Player Rank Category Stat
John Dutton 3rd4th4thT-4th Pass AttemptsInterception Ratio3rd Down QB RatingPassing Touchdowns 761.3125.211
Rashad Floyd 1st1st Solo TacklesTotal Tackles 20.020.0
Damian Harrell T-6th5th5th Scoring (Non-kickers)Receiving YardsYds from Scrimmage 30210210
Willis Marshall 1st3rd5th MFG Return Avg.KO/MFG Return Avg.Kickoff Return Avg. 3022.721.5
Kevin McKenzie 1st Receptions 18
Clay Rush 1st2nd TouchbacksScoring (Kickers) 1122
Rich Young T-1st Sacks 2.0

PLAYERS TO WATCH:
OS Damian Harrell: Has 35 career games with 100+ receiving yards (2 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 7,138 receiving yards on 502 catches, an average of 14.22 yards/catch, along with 152 receiving touchdowns (155 total) ... Has second-most receiving yards in the AFL since 2000 ... Has a TD catch in 35 straight games, including all 32 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 10 career 300+yard passing games (1 in 2005)... Has thrown for 11,295 yards, 212 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 ArenaBowl 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 ... Tied a career-high with 3 TDs vs. Gr. Rapids ... 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 six career games with 10+ tackles (2 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.

RECENT CRUSH TRANSACTIONS
Date Transaction
2/8/05 Signed WR/DB Herman Bell to practice squad.
1/28/05 Recalled OL/DL Chris Watton from waivers and placed him on injured reserve (sprained rt. knee).
1/26/05 Recalled OL/DL Maurice Anderson from waivers ... Placed OL/DL Chris Watton on recallable waivers.
1/25/05 Signed WR/DB Thal Woods to practice squad.
1/24/05 Placed DS Jabir Walker (strained right groin) and WR/LB Darcey Levy (left lower back) on injured reserve ... Placed OL/DL Maurice Anderson on recallable waivers.
1/22/05 Waived WR/DB Thal Woods and OL/DL Marcus Adams.
1/20/05 Traded FB/LB Sunungura Rusununguko to Las Vegas Gladiators for future considerations ... Waived OL/DL Matt Norwood and QB James MacPherson ... Placed WR/DB Touré Carter (strained right quadriceps) and FB/LB Chad Dukes (strained right groin) on injured reserve.
1/19/05 Waived FB/LB Dennis Dottin-Carter, WR/DBs Ron Israel, Andre Rone and Lance Taylor, and OL/DL Paul White Jr..
1/19/05 Placed OL/DL Derrick Pickens on injured reserve with a high ankle sprain.
1/16/05 Signed WR/DB Lance Taylor and OL/DL Paul White Jr..
1/15/05 Signed OL/DL Tank Reese.
1/14/05 Waived WR/DBs Ben Kelly and Frank Rice and OL/DL Nate Bolling.
1/11/05 Signed WR/DB Ben Kelly.
1/10/05 Waived WR/DB Nashville Dyer.
12/13/04 Signed OL/DL Nate Bolling ... Placed OL/DL Aaron Johnson on Reserve/Exempt List (NFL).
12/7/04 Released K Anthony Brenner.
12/1/04 Signed OL/DL Marcus Adams ... Waived WR/DB Nate Jacquet.
11/15/04 Signed OL/DLs LaWaylon Brown, Delbert Cowsette and Chris Watton ... Waived OL/DL Herb Coleman and WR/DBs Dwayne Stukes and Windrell Hayes.
11/9/04 Claimed WR/LB Darcey Levy off waivers (from Nashville)
10/22/04 Signed DS Jabir Walker.
10/19/04 Signed OL/DL Matt Norwood.
10/14/04 Selected WR/LB Andy McCullough (3rd) (via Philadelphia), DS Delvin Hughley (9th) (via Los Angeles), OL/DL Tom Burke (12th) and WR/DB Jon Pendergrass (29th) in the 2005 Dispersal Draft.
10/1/04 Sign free agent K Clay Rush from Indiana.
9/29/04 DS Tony Scott (7th) and WR/LB Darcey Levy (11th) selected by NASHVILLE in 2004 Expansion Draft.
8/2/04 Activated WR/DB Darcey Levy from Reserve/Exempt list.
6/14/04 Released OL/DL Brian Creel from practice squad


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)
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)

NOTABLES

MAN OF STEEL
A true AFL Ironman, Kyle Moore-Brown is in his 11th season in the league and has never missed a game. The game vs. Chicago will mark his 160th consecutive start. The first 139 all came with the Firebirds organization before he signed with the Crush prior to the 2004 season.

CONSECUTIVE STARTS:
159 Overall (144 regular season, 15 playoffs)

TACKLING MACHINE
After setting an AFL record with 123.0 tackles in 2004, Rashad Floyd has registered 10 tackles in the first two games, setting him on another record breaking pace ... He finished 30.0 tackles ahead of second place in 2004 - Indiana's Anthony Derricks with 93.0 .
AFL Record - Most Tackle in a Season
Player Team Year Total
Rashad Floyd Colorado 2005 160.0*
Rashad Floyd Colorado. 2004 123.0
Cornelius Coe Indiana 2001 121.5
Damon Mason Orlando 2000 108.0
Damon Mason Orlando 1999 103.0
Damon Mason Orlando 2001 101.0

* Based on current pace (20.0 tackles through two games)


MR. CONSISTENT
Damian Harrell caught a TD pass in 35 straight regular season games, including all 32 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 # Games
Eddie Brown (Alb/Ind) 1997 (Wk 3) 2000 (Wk 1) 41
Damian Harrell (Tor/Col) 2002 (Wk 12) --- 35
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) --- 35
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 17 – 166 497 – 6,961
Damian Harrell (Colo.) 462 – 6,566 15 – 210 477 – 6,776
Greg Hopkins (LA) 466 – 5,633 17 – 152 483 – 5,785
Mike Horacek (NY) 399 – 5,248 5 – 97 404 – 5,345

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 2 391
Bergeron & Lee Georgia 2 389
McKenzie & Harrell Colorado 2 386
Shelley & Sippio Dallas 2 385
Bailey & Rumph New Orleans 2 357

Twin Threats – Most Receptions (2005)
Receivers Team Games Recepts
McKenzie & Harrell Colorado 2 33
Rumph & Davis New Orleans 2 31
Pettis & Shelley Dallas 2 30
Davis & Bailey New Orleans 2 29
Jackson & Bush Grand Rapids 2 29



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 69 yards for 4th place.
AFL Career Rushing Yards
Player Team 2005 Career
Les Barley — — 1,382
Andre Bowden — — 1,241
Bo Kelly ARI 14 1,215
Bob McMillen CHI 30 1,180
Chad Dukes COL 0 1,111


FAMILIAR FACES
The Crush and Rush see a lot of each other in the Central Division. Some players however are even more familiar:
· Mike Dailey and Mike Hohensee are best friends, having spent a great deal of time on the same coaching staffs. Dailey was Hohensee's best man in his wedding.
· Crush OS played two seasons under Mike Hohensee in New England.

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. After holding firm against Grand rapids, the Crush have now just allowed that one sack in their last 12 games.

SACK HAPPY
After totaling just 15 sacks in 16 games in 2005, the Crush pass rush has picked up the pressure and has already recorded six sacks, a safety and forced a fumble in the endzone for a touchdown. Rich Young has led the way and the league with 2.0 sacks, including the safety in Orlando.

STREAK FREE
The Crush have never lost consecutive games under Mike Dailey.
After a 2-14 inaugural campaign, the Crush managed to make it through the entire 2004 season without losing consecutive games. They kept that streak alive with the win over Grand Rapids. On the otherhand, the Crush won consecutive games five times last season, but have 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. Ahmad Hawkins is the only player to appear in every Crush game in franchise history.

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 COOKING
After finishing their inaugural season 0-8 at home, the Crush are now 8-1 under Mike Dailey at the Pepsi Center, with the lone loss coming in overtime to Indiana last season. The kicker who booted the winning field goal in that game was Clay Rush, now a member of the Crush. The Crush have won four straight home games and are aiming for their first five game home win streak.

SPREAD THE WEALTH
After completing 21 of his 23 completions at Orlando to just Kevin McKenzie (14) and Damian Harrell (7), the Crush got almost everyone on the team involved in the passing game vs. Grand Rapids. Dutton completed 19 passes for 8 touchdowns, hitting five different receivers for TDs and with four players catching multiple balls. McKenzie tied a career-high with three TDs, while Harrell had two and Willis Marshall, Andy McCullough and Saul Patu each caught a score.

WALKING IN MEMPHIS, RUNNING IN DENVER
Grand Rapids quarterback Michael Bishop rushed for an AFL record 100 yards on just six carries vs. the Crush on 2/5. Among Bishop's electrifying runs were TD runs of 34 and 31 yards, the two longest runs ever vs. the Crush. The Rampage finished the game with 122 rushing yards, the second highest total in AFL history. Bishop broke former West Virginia quarterback Major Harris' record of 95 yards, set with the Columbus Thunderbolts also in Denver, vs. the Denver Dynamite on 7/6/91. The team record is 128 from that same game. Bishop's game was the first 100-yard game in AFL history.

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. They have now allowed one sack in their last 12 regular season games.
· 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 followed that up with the highest scoring game in franchise history with 72 points vs. Grand Rapids, topping the 69 scored vs. Grand Rapids on 4/23/04.
· The Crush allowed a franchise record 374 total yards to Grand Rapids (370 by Detroit, 3/4/04), including an AFL record 100 yards rushing by Michael Bishop and 122 Rampage rushing yards (second largest total in AFL history).

Individual
· The game vs. Chicago will mark the 160th straight start for Kyle Moore-Brown – every game in his 11-year career.
· Damian Harrell has caught a TD pass in 35 straight games, including all 32 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).
· Kevin McKenzie's 14 catches at Orlando were a new career high, a new Crush single-game record and the most in the AFL this season.
· Kevin McKenzie (106) and Damian Harrell (105) at Orlando 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 tied a career-high with 8 touchdown passes vs. Grand Rapids, a feat he also accomplished in an overtime loss vs. LA on 2/16/03. The game was also his 10th career 300-yard game, his ninth with the Crush.
· Rich Young's safety at Orlando 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).
· 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).

RECORDS BROKEN OR TIED THIS SEASON
Crush
Team
Most points scored, game – 72 vs. Grand Rapids, 2/5 (69 vs. Grand Rapids, 4/23/04)

Individual
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
Team
Most rushing yards, game – 122, Grand Rapids, 2/5 (86, San Jose, 4/27/03)
Most total yards, game – 374, Grand Rapids, 2/5 (370, Detroit, 3/4/04

Individual
Most rushing yards, game – 100, Michael Bishop, Grand Rapids, 2/5 (36 twice, last Chris Avery, Grand Rapids, 4/23/04)

APPROACHING MILESTONES

Player Needs For Season Avg. Est. Games
Rashad Floyd 15.5 total tackles 250.0 in career 10.0 2
Willis Marshall 1 receiving touchdown 50 in career 0.5 2
Kevin McKenzie 6 points 250 in career 9.0 1
Kyle Moore-Brown 1 game 160 in career 1.0 1
Clay Rush 10 points 800 in career 10.0 1
Clay Rush 10 made extra-points 500 in career 5.5 2

MILESTONES REACHED
Damian Harrell caught his 150th career receiving touchdown at Orlando on 1/30.
John Dutton passed 11,000 career passing yards vs. Grand Rapids on 2/5.
Damian Harrell caught his 500th career pass vs. Grand Rapids on 2/5.
Kevin McKenzie reached 2,000 career receiving yards vs. Grand Rapids on 2/5.
Clay Rush made his 100th career field goal vs. Grand Rapids on 2/5.

LAST MEETING: COLORADO 56, CHICAGO 47
Sun, May 30, 2004 · PEPSI CENTER · DENVER, Colo. · Attendance: 13,670
Player of Game Awards: Offensive–Willis Marshall (COL) · Defensive–Rich Young (COL) · Ironman–Willis Marshall (COL)

Score by Quarters 1 2 3 4 Score
----------------- -- -- -- -- -----
Chicago Rush........ 7 21 6 13 - 47 Record: (11-5)
Colorado Crush...... 7 21 14 14 - 56 Record: (11-5)

DENVER -- A season-ending win over the Chicago Rush allowed the Colorado Crush to share the league's best regular-season record at 11-5. But it did not allow the Crush to host a first-round playoff game.

Colorado turned back the Rush 56-47 in front of a boisterous throng of 13,670 at the Pepsi Center, but was left with the No. 5 seed for the playoffs after New Orleans VooDoo and Arizona Rattlers both triumphed in their regular-season finales. Those results forced a five-way logjam of teams with 11-5 records, which was sorted out by a series of common-opponent tiebreakers.

To get to 11-5, the Crush turned in one of its most complete performances of the season. The game was tied four times, but the Crush never trailed, as the teams answered each other score for score during the first three quarters.

Colorado took control following a 57-yd kickoff return by Chicago's Etu Molden that left the Crush up 42-41. First, Crush FB/LB Rich Young recovered a fumble and rolled 2 yds for a TD, increasing the Colorado lead to 8 points with 10:21 remaining. Less than 7 minutes later, John Dutton and Damian Harrell connected on a 45-yd TD that put the Crush in front by 15 points at 56-41.

Willis Marshall led the way for Colorado with a sterling all-around game. He grabbed 9 passes for 98 yds and 3 TDs, ran for another score, averaged 31.0 yards on 2 kick returns, forced a fumble and made 4.5 tackles. Crush OS Damian Harrell caught 4 passes for 80 yds and 2 TDs, giving him 43 receiving TDs on the season. WR/LB Kevin McKenzie snared 3 passes for 41 yds and a TD; the yardage pushed him over the 1,000-yard mark for the season with 1,023 on 85 receptions.

GAME 2 · COLORADO 72, GRAND RAPIDS 56
February 5, 2005 · FRONTIER FIELD AT PEPSI CENTER · DENVER, COLORADO · Attendance: 15,043
AWARDS: OFF-JOHN DUTTON (COL) · DEF-RASHAD FLOYD (COL) · IRONMAN-KEVIN McKENZIE (COL)

DENVER -- John Dutton tied a franchise-record with 8 touchdown passes as the Crush mauled the Grand Rapids Rampage 72-56 at Pepsi Center.

Kevin McKenzie led the Crush with three touchdowns, while offensive specialist Damian Harrell scored twice. Andy McCullough, Saul Patu and Willis Marshall also found the end zone for touchdown receptions.

The 72 points were a franchise record for the Crush, which evened its record at 1-1. Grand Rapids dropped to 0-2, but made some AFL history as quarterback Michael Bishop became the first player to run for 100 yards in an Arena Football League game.

Bishop, making just his third AFL start, ran for 100 yards on just six carries, scoring on runs of 34 and 31 yds. The 31-yarder came with 17 seconds left in the third period and pushed him over the century mark. He lost 3 yds on one carry in the 4th quarter to place him at his final total, which broke Major Harris' previous record of 95 yds for the Columbus Thunderbolts during a 1991 game vs. the Denver Dynamite.

But Bishop's runs were not enough to overcome an overpowering effort from the Crush offense, which scored on nine of its first 10 possessions, allowing Colorado to open up a lead that swelled to 29 points early in the fourth quarter. Four different Crush receivers had at least 50 yards receiving, led by Harrell, who snared eight of Dutton's passes for 105 yards.

Score by Quarters 1 2 3 4 Score
----------------- -- -- -- -- -----
COLORADO............ 14 21 20 17 - 72
GRAND RAPIDS........ 6 17 10 17 - 56

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