Colorado Crush game notes
February 16, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Colorado Crush News Release
QUICK FACTS:
Colorado Crush (1-2) vs. Arizona Rattlers (1-2)
Date: February 19, 2005
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. MT
Site: America West Arena, Phoenix, Arizona
Officials: Dennis Lipski (Referee), Richard Brown (Umpire),
Tim Podraza (Head Linesman), Art Lucky (Line Judge),
Joe Duncan (Back Judge)
Television: FSN-Rocky Mountain
(Kent Derdivanis â play-by-play, Ron Wolfley â analyst,
Kevin McCabe â sideline reporter)
Radio: 630 AM KHOW
(Marc Stout â play-by-play, David Diaz-Infante â analyst, Andy Lindahl â sideline reporter)
Series Record: Arizona leads 3-1 (2-1 in regular season)
Last Meeting: Arizona won on 6/13/05 in Phoenix
Coaches: Mike Dailey (76-54 in 9th year, 13-8 w/ Colorado)
Todd Shell (48-42 in 7th year, 1-2 w/ Arizona)
ALL-TIME SERIES: This will be the fifth meeting between the Crush and Rattlers, including one post season game. This will be the third meeting at America West Arena. Arizona won the first two meetings by a combined 131-93 (72-45 at Ariz. 3/16/03, 59-48 in Denver 5/18/03) before the Crush won 2004's only meeting in Denver, 54-46. The Rattlers defeated the Crush in last year's AFL Semifinals 45-41 at America West Arena.
RADIO/TV COVERAGE: The game will be televised regionally in both Arizona and Denver by Fox Sports Net (FSN Rocky Mountain in Denver) with Kent Derdivanis handling the play-by-play, Ron Wolfley providing analysis and Kevin McCabe on the sidelines. The game will also be broadcast on 630 KHOW with Marc Stout handling play-by-play duties, David Diaz-Infante as the analyst, and Andy Lindahl roaming the sidelines.
Practice Schedule
Wednesday, February 16
10-11:45 a.m. Practice
at South Suburban Sports Dome
Thursday, February 16
10-11:45 a.m. Practice
at South Suburban Sports Dome
Friday, February 17
1:40 p.m. Depart for Phoenix
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 L 48-51 1-2
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 2 1 0 .667 167 155 1-0 1-1 1-0 1-0 W2
Colorado 1 2 0 .333 156 146 1-1 0-1 1-1 1-1 L1
Nashville 1 2 0 .333 129 156 0-1 1-1 0-0 0-0 L2
Gr. Rapids 0 2 0 .000 94 130 0-1 0-1 0-2 0-1 L2
THE STAKES: A Crush win would ...
· Move the Crush back to .500 on the season.
· Give the Crush a two-game winning streak in the series with Arizona and even the all-time regular season series at 2-2.
· Give the Crush their first road win of the season.
· Help avoid the first back-to-back losses since 2003.
AFL ON NBC, (Sun, February 20):
10 a.m. (MT)
Philadelphia @ New Orleans
4 p.m. (MT)
San Jose @ Los Angeles
Mike Dailey (76-54 in 9th year, 13-8 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 76-54 record, a winning percentage of .585, 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 Bye
2. Danny White 141
3. Mike Hohensee Chicago 87 at Columbus
4. Perry Moss 86
5. Michael Trigg Philadelphia 80 at New Orleans
6. Mike Dailey Crush 76 at Arizona
7. Darren Arbet San Jose 74 at Los Angeles
8. John Gregory 73
Todd Shell (48-42 in 7th yr, 1-2 in 1st yr w/Ariz.):
B 5Todd Shell is in his first season as Head Coach of the Rattlers. The 2003 AFL Coach of the Year has a regular season record of 47-36 (.566), with stints in San Jose and New York. Shell has won three division titles, including back-to-back Eastern Divisions with New York in 2003 and 2004. Shell was the team's original Defensive Coordinator, helping lead the team to the 1994 ArenaBowl Title.
COLORADO CRUSH NEXT WEEK
The Crush return to Pepsi Center to take on the American Conference Los Angeles Avengers. The Avengers are 2-1 going into their game with San Jose. The Crush won the only meeting last season in a 57-55 thriller in L.A. Los Angeles leads the all-time regular season series 2-1, after winning both games during the Crush's inaugural season. Colorado will be looking for its first home win against Los Angeles and for their second home win of the season after losing in week three to Chicago, 49-48.
TOP 5 RANKINGS: 2005 League Leaders entering Week 4
Colorado Crush
Player Rank Category Stat
John Dutton 3rd4thT-3rd Pass Attempts3rd Down QB RatingPassing Touchdowns 115125.817
Rashad Floyd 1stT-1stT-2nd Total TacklesSolo TacklesPass Breakups 28.5275
Damian Harrell T-5thT-6th Receiving TouchdownsScoring (Non-kickers) 848
Willis Marshall 1st3rd5thT-6th5th MFG Return Avg.MFG Return YardsKO/MFG Return Avg.Kickoff Return Avg.Yards/Catch 303022.721.517.2
Kevin McKenzie 1stT-3rdT-4th 3rd Down ReceptionsInterceptionsReceptions 8225
Clay Rush T-1st1st4th4th5th Field Goal AttemptsTouchbacksScoring (Kickers)PATs MadePATs Attempted 1018281921
Rich Young T-2nd Sacks 3.0
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
OS Damian Harrell: Has 36 career games with 100+ receiving yards (2 in 2005) ... Also has 27 career games with 3+ TDs (2 in 2005) ... Named to the All-Arena Second Team in 2004 ... Now in his seventh AFL season, has amassed 7,191 receiving yards on 508 catches, an average of 14.16 yards/catch, along with 155 receiving touchdowns (158 total) ... Has second-most receiving yards and is tied for second-most receptions in AFL since 2000 ... Has a TD catch in 36 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 11,562 yards, 218 touchdowns and 28 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 on 2/5 ... 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 ... Once scored six touchdowns in playoff game while with San Jose in 2003.
DS Rashad Floyd: Has posted six career games with 10+ tackles (2 in 2005) ... Leads AFL in tackles with 28.5, on pace to break his own AFL single-season record which he set with 123.0 tackles in 2004... Named to All-Arena Second Team in 2004 ... 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
2/12/05 Placed OL/DL Tank Reese on injured reserve (influenza) and activated OL/DL Chris Watton.
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)
Tank Reese OL/DL Influenza on IR (2/12)
Jabir Walker DS Strained right groin on IR (1/24)
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 at Arizona will mark his 161st consecutive start. The first 139 all came with the Firebirds organization before he signed with the Crush prior to the 2004 season.
CONSECUTIVE STARTS:
160 Overall (145 regular season, 15 playoffs)
TACKLING MACHINE
After setting an AFL record with 123.0 tackles in 2004, Rashad Floyd has registered a league-leading 28.5 tackles in the first three 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 152.0*
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 (28.5 tackles through three games)
MR. CONSISTENT
Damian Harrell has caught a TD pass in 36 straight regular season games, including all 33 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 and if the streak continues, he would set a new AFL record vs. Las Vegas on 4/3 ... 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 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) --- 36
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) --- 36
Eddie Brown (Ind) 1994 (Wk 1) 1996 (Wk 14) 33
More Harrell Marks: Harrell also has the second-most receiving yards and is tied for second-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 â Receiving Yards
Player (team) 2000-04 2005 Total
Chris Jackson (Gra.) 480 â 6,795 17 â 166 497 â 6,961
Damian Harrell (Colo.) 462 â 6,566 21 â 263 483 â 6,829
Greg Hopkins (LA) 466 â 5,633 17 â 152 483 â 5,785
Mike Horacek (NY) 399 â 5,248 8 â 137 407 â 5,385
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 â 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 â 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 â â 1,382
Andre Bowden â â 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 Rattlers have seen a lot of each other over the last two seasons, meeting four times. Some players however are even more familiar:
· New Rattlers kicker Anthony Brenner spent the entire 2004 season kicking for the Crush. He also previously played for Arizona in the late 1990s.
· Crush FB/LB John Peaua started his AFL career with Arizona, playing his first three seasons in the desert.
· Although born in Chicago, Crush FB/LB Rich Young grew up in Phoenix and still resides there in the offseason.
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
STEEL CURTAIN
After allowing 14 sacks in 2003 (12 on Dutton), the Crush pass protection has been stellar in 2004 and 2005. The team allowed just four sacks in 2004, 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 on 1/30. After holding both Grand Rapids and Chicago sackless, the Crush have now just allowed that one sack in their last 13 games.
SACK HAPPY
After totaling just 15 sacks in 16 games in 2004, the Crush pass rush has picked up the pressure and has already recorded seven sacks, a safety and forced a fumble in the endzone for a touchdown. Rich Young has led the way with 3.0 sacks, including the safety in Orlando and pressuring quarterback Hamilton into fumbling in the endzone, resulting in a Tank Reese touchdown for the Crush.
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 a win over Grand Rapids following a season-opening loss in Orlando. 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 â Ahmad Hawkins, Maurice Anderson
Nevada â 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 injured 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 to start the season on the active roster. Now that Reese is on injured reserve, OL/DL Chris Watton is the only active rookie.
HOME COOKING
After finishing their inaugural season 0-8 at home, the Crush are now 8-2 under Mike Dailey at the Pepsi Center, with the two losses consisting of an overtime field goal by Indiana's kicker Clay Rush (now with Colorado) last season, and a 51-48 Chicago win this season on a Keith Gispert field goal with 3 seconds remaining.
SPREAD THE WEALTH
After completing 21 of his 23 completions at Orlando (1/30) to just Kevin McKenzie (14) and Damian Harrell (7), John Dutton has gotten almost everyone on the team involved in the last two games. Dutton completed 19 passes for 8 touchdowns, hitting five different receivers for TDs and with four players catching multiple balls vs. Grand Rapids. McKenzie tied a career-high with three TDs, while Harrell had two and Willis Marshall, Andy McCullough and Saul Patu each caught a score. Six receivers caught passes vs. Chicago, with four different players catching touchdowns. On the season, seven different receivers have made receptions and six of them have scored.
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 â 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 â 72 vs. Grand Rapids, 2/5 (69 vs. Grand Rapids, 4/23/04)
Individual
Longest field goal made â 55 yards, Clay Rush at Orlando, 1/30 (45, Anthony Brenner vs. Arizona, 3/27/04)
Most field goals attempted, game â 6, Clay Rush at Orlando, 1/30 (4, Kris Heppner vs. Georgia, 2/2/03)
Most receptions, game â 14, Kevin McKenzie at Orlando, 1/30 (13 twice, last Damian Harrell @ Detroit, 5/23/04)
Tied
Most field goals made, game â 2, Clay Rush at Orlando, 1/30 (fifth time, last Anthony Brenner vs. Arizona, 3/27/04)
Opponent
Team
Most rushing yards, game â 122, Grand Rapids, 2/5 (86, San Jose, 4/27/03)
Most total yards, game â 374, Grand Rapids, 2/5 (370, Detroit, 3/4/04
Individual
Most rushing yards, game â 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: AFL SEMIFINALS - ARIZONA 45, COLORADO 41
Sun, June 13, 2004 · AMERICA WEST ARENA · PHOENIX, AZ · Attendance: 13,151
Player of Game Awards: Offensive â Tom Pace (ARI) · Defensive â Kelvin Hunter (ARI) · Ironman â Hunkie Cooper (ARI)
Score by Quarters 1 2 3 4 Score
----------------- -- -- -- -- -----
Colorado Crush...... 0 10 21 10 - 41 Record: (12-6)
Arizona Rattlers.... 14 3 14 14 - 45 Record: (13-5)
PHOENIX -- The Crush rallied from a 17-point deficit to take a last-minute lead, but the team's comeback fell short when Siaha Burley caught a 13-yard touchdown pass from Sherdrick Bonner with 17 seconds remaining, allowing the Arizona Rattlers to defeat the Crush 45-41 in front of 13,151 at the America West Arena.
Colorado's season ends one game shy of ArenaBowl XVIII with a 12-6 record. Arizona moves on to its third consecutive ArenaBowl with a 13-5 mark.
The Crush had a chance to win the game on the final play, as three consecutive passes from John Dutton to Kevin McKenzie allowed the team to advance from its 5-yard-line to the Rattlers' 9-yard-line in just 13 seconds. But a final end-zone pass from Dutton flew out of play, sealing the team's first-ever playoff defeat.
The loss nullified a stirring comeback necessitated when the team fell behind 17-0 early in the second quarter. The Crush went scoreless on its first three possessions while Arizona notched two touchdowns and a field goal on its first three drives, allowing the Rattlers to build a commanding edge.
Matters began to turn when Colorado defensive specialist Rashad Floyd intercepted a pass in the end zone with 4:11 left in the first half. The Crush promptly drove 45 yards in seven plays for its first touchdown of the game, then tacked on a field goal at the end of the first half after Floyd successfully recovered an on-side kick 51 seconds before intermission.
The Crush opened the second half's scoring with a 1-yard John Peaua TD run that tied the game at 17-apiece, beginning a run of 7 consecutive TD drives for both teams. The Crush finally broke the run by stopping Arizona on downs with 5:28 remaining, but could only respond with a 26-yd field goal by Anthony Brenner, setting the stage for the last-minute Bonner-to-Burley score.
LAST GAME: GAME 3 - CHICAGO 51, COLORADO 48
February 13, 2005 · FRONTIER FIELD AT PEPSI CENTER · DENVER, COLORADO · Attendance: 16,620
AWARDS: OFF-HENRY DOUGLAS (CHI) · 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............ 7 20 14 7 - 48
CHICAGO ............. 10 17 7 17 - 51
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