Colorado Crush game notes
February 23, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Colorado Crush News Release
QUICK FACTS:
Colorado Crush (2-2) vs. Los Angeles Avengers (3-1)
Date: February 27, 2005
Kickoff: 1 p.m. MT
Site: Frontier Field at Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado
Officials: Pat Garvey (Referee), Paul King (Umpire),
Bill Ward (Head Linesman), Wayne Mackey (Line Judge),
Dino Paganelli (Back Judge)
Television: NBC (KUSA 9News in Denver)
(Bob Papa â play-by-play, Ray Bentley â analyst,
Ryan Chiaverini â sideline reporter)
Radio: AM 850 KOA
(Marc Stout â play-by-play, David Diaz-Infante â analyst, Andy Lindahl â sideline reporter)
Series Record: Los Angeles leads 2-1
Last Meeting: Colorado won, 57-55, on 4/10/04 at Staples Center
Coaches: Mike Dailey (77-54 in 9th year, 14-8 w/ Colorado)
Ed Hodgkiss (31-21 in 4th year, 31-21 w/ Los Angeles)
ALL-TIME SERIES: This will be the fourth meeting between the Crush and the Avengers. This will be the second meeting at Pepsi Center. Los Angeles won the first two meetings by a combined 104-87 (59-53 in Denver 2/16/03, 45-34 in Los Angeles 5/10/03) before the Crush won 2004's only meeting in Los Angeles, 57-55.
RADIO/TV COVERAGE: The game will be nationally televised by NBC (KUSA 9News in Denver) with Bob Papa handling the play-by-play, ex-Buffalo Bills LB Ray Bentley providing analysis and Ryan Chiaverini on the sidelines. The game will also be broadcast on AM 850 KOA with Marc Stout handling play-by-play duties, ex-NFL lineman 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 L 48-51 1-2
Sat, 2/19 @ Arizona W 74-69 2-2
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 2 0 .500 206 207 1-0 1-2 1-0 1-0 L1
Colorado 2 2 0 .500 230 215 1-1 1-1 2-1 1-1 W1
Nashville 1 3 0 .250 178 218 0-1 1-2 0-0 0-0 L3
Gr. Rapids 0 3 0 .000 155 203 0-2 0-1 0-2 0-1 L3
THE STAKES: A Crush win would ...
· Move the Crush over .500 for the first time this season.
· Give the Crush a two-game winning streak in the series with Los Angeles and even the all-time series at 2-2.
· Give the Crush their ninth win in 11 home games under Coach Dailey.
· Give the Crush their first back-to-back wins of the season.
· Send the Crush into their bye week with a 3-2 record.
AFL ON NBC, (Sun, February 27):
1 p.m. (MT)
Los Angeles @ Colorado
Dallas @ Philadelphia
Arizona @ New York
Mike Dailey (77-54 in 9th year, 14-8 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 77-54 record, a winning percentage of .588, 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 New Orleans
2. Danny White 141
3. Mike Hohensee Chicago 87 vs. Orlando
4. Perry Moss 86
5. Michael Trigg Philadelphia 80 vs. Dallas
6. Mike Dailey Crush 77 vs. Los Angeles
7. Darren Arbet San Jose 74 Bye
8. John Gregory 73
Ed Hodgkiss (31-22 in 4th yr with Avengers):
Ed Hodgkiss is in his fourth season as the head coach of the Avengers. In his three previous seasons, he compiled a record of 28-21 (0-3 in postseason) and advanced to the AFL Playoffs each year. In his first two seasons at the helm, he directed the Avengers to a 19-11 record. No head coach in league history has won more games in his first two seasons than Hodgkiss. Last season, the Avengers went 9-7 and led the AFL in scoring, averaging 56.5 points per game. Prior to joining the Avengers, Hodgkiss was the Albany/Indiana Firebirds' offensive coordinator for three seasons (1999-2001) and the wide receivers and special teams coach in 1997 and 1998. The Firebirds won the ArenaBowl in 1999.
COLORADO CRUSH NEXT WEEK
The Crush have their bye in Week 6. They will return to action on Saturday, March 12 in their first-ever trip to Nashville to take on the Central Division rival Kats. That will be the first of two meetings this season between the Crush and Kats, with Nashville visiting Denver on May 13.
TOP 5 RANKINGS: 2005 League Leaders entering Week 5
Colorado Crush
Player Rank Category Stat
John Dutton 3rd4th4th5th5th5th Pass Attempts3rd Down QB RatingPassing TouchdownsPass CompletionsPassing YardsInterception Percentge 155118.822911,0431.9%
Rashad Floyd 1st1stT-1st Total TacklesSolo TacklesPass Breakups 34.0328
Damian Harrell 4th5th5th5thT-5thT-5thT-7th Receiving TouchdownsReceiving YardsYds from ScrimmageScoring (Non-kickers)First Downs3rd Down ReceptionsReceptions 114074076621530
Willis Marshall 1st4th8th9th MFG Return Avg.MFG Return YardsKO/MFG Return Avg.Kickoff Return Avg. 303022.421.6
Kevin McKenzie 2ndT-4th 3rd Down ReceptionsInterceptions 82
Saul Patu T-2ndT-2ndT-5th Forced FumblesTackles for LossSacks 22.02.0
Clay Rush 1stT-1st2nd2nd2ndT-2nd TouchbacksField Goal AttemptsScoring (Kickers)Field Goals MadePATs MadePATs Attempted 20144872730
Rich Young 2nd Sacks 4.0
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
OS Damian Harrell: Has 37 career games with 100+ receiving yards (3 in 2005) ... Also has 28 career games with 3+ TDs (3 in 2005) ... Named to the All-Arena Second Team in 2004 ... Now in his seventh AFL season, has amassed 7,335 receiving yards on 517 catches, an average of 14.19 yards/catch, along with 158 receiving touchdowns (161 total) ... Has second-most receptions and receiving yards in AFL since 2000 ... Has a TD catch in 37 straight games, including all 33 games as a member of the Crush (longest active streak in AFL)... Has reached 1,000 receiving yards in four straight seasons ... Leads the AFL in scoring 2004-present.
QB John Dutton: Now in his third year quarterbacking the Crush, has completed 91-155 passes (58.7%) for 22 TDs and 3 interceptions in 2005 ... Has 10 career 300+yard passing games (1 in 2005)... Has thrown for 11,803 yards, 223 touchdowns and 29 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 at Orlando (1/30) ... Most receptions in any AFL game this season ... Also had third career 100+ yard receiving game at Orlando ... 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 34.0, on pace (136.0) 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
2/21/05 Waived WR/DB Thal Woods from practice squad ... Activated WR/DB Touré Carter from injured reserve and placed him on waivers.
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.
INJURY REPORT
Colorado Crush
Player Pos. Injury Status
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)
CRUSH NOTABLES
THE TIES THAT BIND
The Crush and Avengers have seen a lot of each other over the last two seasons, meeting three times. Some players however are even more familiar:
· Avengers head coach Ed Hodgkiss served as wide receivers and special teams coach under Crush head coach Mike Dailey from 1997-98 with the Albany Firebirds. Hodgkiss then was promoted to offensive coordinator where he served from 1999-2001, winning an ArenaBowl under Dailey in 1999.
· Hodgkiss served as current Crush offensive coordinator's Brian Partlow's head coach when Partlow was a quarterback at Division III Randolph-Macon College in Virginia. Partlow later served as Hodgkiss' offensive coordinator at Randolph-Macon in 2001 and as quarterbacks and receivers coach with Albany and Indiana in 2000-01 on Hodgkiss' offense with Dailey at the helm.
· Avengers' defensive coordinator Mike Wilpolt also served as defensive coordinator under Dailey from 2000-03 after coaching special teams for the Firebirds' 1999 ArenaBowl.
· The game in Denver is also a homecoming for Wilpolt who is a native of nearby Broomfield, Colo. and earned both a football and wrestling scholarship to Mesa State College in Grand Junction, Colo. where he was a three-year starter at defensive back.
· Avenger WR/DB Brian Sump was born in Denver, played baseball and football at Thomas Jefferson H.S. in Denver, and played his college ball at the Colorado School of Mines in nearby Golden, Colo. where he holds 23 school records for receiving and punt/kick returns. Sump now resides in Henderson, Colo. He didn't play football in high school until his senior season at Thomas Jefferson.
· Avengers' DS Damen Wheeler was a four-year letterman at the University of Colorado (1996-99) where he played in 40 games, starting 31, and was named All-Big XII three times. Wheeler holds the CU school record for career pass breakups with 39.
· Crush WR/LB Kevin McKenzie is a native of Los Angeles and grew up in nearby Long Beach.
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. Here is how the three years of the Crush franchise compare:
Statistical Comparison 2003 2004 2005
Record 2-14 11-5 2-2
Points/Game 46.8 49.6 57.5
Points Allowed/Game 59.9 46.5 53.8
Turnover Margin -26 +14 +4
Fumbles Lost 22 10 2
Sacks 12 15 10
Sacks Allowed 14 4 1
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 162nd consecutive start. The first 139 all came with the Firebirds organization before he signed with the Crush prior to the 2004 season.
CONSECUTIVE STARTS:
161 Overall (146 regular season, 15 playoffs)
TACKLING MACHINE
After setting an AFL record with 123.0 tackles in 2004, Rashad Floyd has registered a league-leading 34.0 tackles in the first four 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 136.0*
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 (34.0 tackles through four games - 8.5/game)
ONE FOR THE AGES
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 70 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 31 1,181
Chad Dukes COL 0 1,111
STEEL CURTAIN
After allowing 14 sacks in 2003 (12 on Dutton), the Crush pass protection has been stellar under Coach Dailey. The team allowed just four sacks in 2004, and none after Week 6 at San Jose (3/14). The Crush did not allow a sack in their final 446 offensive plays of the 2004 regular season (10+ games). They have allowed just one sack in 2005 â a fourth quarter coverage sack by Orlando's E.J. Burt in the season opener on 1/30/05. After holding Grand Rapids, Chicago and Arizona sackless, the Crush have now just allowed that one sack in their last 14 games.
LONGEST ACTIVE SPAN IN LEAGUE:
Crush have allowed 1 sack in last 14 games
Las Vegas has allowed 1 sack in last 11 games
(The next closest total is 4)
SACK HAPPY
After totaling just 15 sacks in 16 games in 2004, the Crush pass rush has picked up the pressure and leads the league having already recorded 10 sacks, a safety and forced nine turnovers. Rich Young has led the way with 4.0 sacks, one in each game, including a safety in Orlando. He also pressured Joe Hamilton into a fumble for a Tank Reese touchdown at Orlando (1/30) and forced a fumble that Andy McCullough returned for a touchdown at Arizona (2/19).
Most Sacks By Team (2005)
Team Games Sacks
Colorado 4 10
Las Vegas 4 8
Orlando 4 8
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 by rebounding from both losses this season with a W. On the otherhand, the Crush won consecutive games five times last season, but have yet to win back-to-back in 2005 and have never won three straight games in franchise history.
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
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).
· Current Crush OL/DL Derrick Pickens also attended training camp with the Firebrids before signing to playing in the CFL.
· * Hughley and McCullough never played under Dailey with the Firebirds. Hughley was traded to Indiana as part of the deal that brought Dailey to Colorado.
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.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH
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 three games. Dutton completed 19 passes for 8 touchdowns, hitting five different receivers for TDs and with four players catching multiple balls vs. Grand Rapids on 2/5. 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. Six different players also caught passes at Arizona. On the season, eight different players have receptions and six different players have caught touchdown passes.
WALKING IN MEMPHIS, RUSHING 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.
WRONG END OF RECORDS
The Crush had allowed a franchise record for total yards each of the two weeks prior to the Arizona game, surrendering 374 total yards to Grand Rapids, including an AFL record 100 yards rushing by Michael Bishop and 122 Rampage rushing yards (second largest total in AFL history) in a Crush win on 2/5. They followed that up by allowing a franchise record 409 passing yards to Chicago's Raymond Philyaw and a total of 412 yards to the Rush offense. Entering the season, the highest amount of total yards allowed by the Crush was 370 by Detroit, 3/4/04, when Andy Kelly passed for an opponent high of 375 yards.
The Crush had allowed just five opposing quarterbacks to throw for 300+ yards in the team's first two regular seasons. It has now happened two straight weeks with Raymond Philyaw (409) of Chicago 2/13 and Joe Germaine (319) @ Arizona 2/19.
The Crush have allowed several of the biggest games in the league this year:
AFL SEASON HIGHS
· Most Passing Yards â 409 (30-45) by Raymond Philyaw, Chicago @ Colorado, 2/13
· Most Receiving Yards â 192 (13 rec.) by Henry Douglas, Chicago @ Colorado, 2/13
· Most Yards from Scrimmage - 192 (192 rec., 0 rush) by Henry Douglas, Chicago @ Colorado, 2/13
· Most Rushing Yards â 100 (6 rush) by Michael Bishop, Grand Rapids @ Colorado, 2/5 (AFL RECORD)
· Most Receptions â 14 (106 yds) by Kevin McKenzie, Colorado @ Orlando, 1/30
· Longest Field Goal â 55 yds by Clay Rush, Colorado @ Orlando, 1/30
LIGHTING UP THE SCOREBOARD
The Crush are averaging a league-high 57.5 points per game and have twice topped 70 points and set new franchise highs for scoring â 72 vs. Grand Rapids on 2.5, then 74 at Arizona on 2/19. In the Arizona game, the team exploded for a team-record 33 points in the second quarter (most ever in a quarter) and 50 points in the first half (most in any half).
Scoring Offense (2005)
Team G TD XP 2pt FG Saf Pts Avg.
Colorado 4 30 27 0 7 1 230 57.5
San Jose 4 34 25 0 0 0 229 57.2
Tampa Bay 3 23 20 1 3 1 171 57.0
New Orleans 4 31 28 0 4 0 226 56.5
Los Angeles 4 26 23 0 13 0 218 54.5
DAMIAN DYNO-MITE
CLOSING IN ON RECORD STREAK
Damian Harrell has caught a TD pass in 37 straight regular season games, including all 34 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) --- 37
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) --- 37
Eddie Brown (Ind) 1994 (Wk 1) 1996 (Wk 14) 33
DOMINANT DECADE:
Harrell also has the second-most receptions and receiving yards in the AFL since 2000 ... Grand Rapids OS Chris Jackson in first in both categories during that span.
AFL Receiving Leaders (2000-05)
Catches â Receiving Yards
Player (pres. team) 2000-04 2005 Total
Chris Jackson (Gra.) 480 â 6,795 24 â 298 504 â 7,093
Damian Harrell (Colo.) 462 â 6,566 30 â 407 492 â 6,973
Greg Hopkins (LA) 466 â 5,633 22 â 201 488 â 5,834
Mike Horacek (NY) 399 â 5,248 13 â 194 412 â 5,442
PLAYER OF THE YEAR AND A QUARTER?
Harrell has been especially dangerous since Coach Dailey took over the helm of the Crush. Since the start of the 2004 season, no player in the league has scored more points. He is also among the leaders in that span in receptions and long scores.
Total Touchdowns (2004-05)
Player (pres. team) 2004 2005 TDs (Pts)
Damian Harrell (Colo.) 43 11 54 (324)
Marcus Nash (LV) 49 4 53 (324)
Chris Jackson (Gra.) 45 5 50 (306)
Aaron Bailey (NO) 34 9 43 (258)
Etu Molden (Chi.) 32 10 42 (258)
Cory Fleming (Orl.) 35 7 42 (252)
James Roe (SJ) 29 13 42 (252)
Most Long Touchdown Receptions (25+ Yds) (2004-05)
Player (pres. team) Total
Chris Jackson (Gra.) 17
Markeith Cooper (NY) 12
Damian Harrell (Colo.) 11
Marcus Nash (LV) 11
Bobby Sippio (Dal.) 11
Most Receptions (2004-05)
Player (pres. team) Rec. Yds TD Yd/Catch
Marcus Nash (LV) 181 2,202 50 12.2
Thabiti Davis (NO) 158 1,807 33 11.4
Cory Fleming (Orl.) 155 1,853 40 12.0
Chris Jackson (Gra.) 149 2,101 49 14.1
Damian Harrell (Colo.) 144 2,122 54 14.7
Most Receiving Yards vs. Single Opponent (2004-05)
Receiver Rec. Yards Games Opponent
Marcus Nash (LV) 434 3 San Jose
Damian Harrell (Colo) 415 3 Gr. Rapids
Chris Jackson (Gra.) 342 2 Austin
Marcus Nash (LV) 337 2 Arizona
Damian Harrell (Colo) 332 2 Detroit
Dynamic Duo
In their first season together in 2004, Damian Harrell & Kevin McKenzie each had 1,000-yard seasons and were instrumental in the Crush turnaround. With the exception of New Orleans, no team's top two receivers have caught more passes, and the duo ranks fifth in receiving TDs and sixth in receiving yards.
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).
Here is how the Crush duo ranks with the rest of the league in 2005:
Top Tandems â Most Receptions (2005)
Receivers Team Games Recepts
Bailey & Davis New Orleans 4 67
Bailey & Rumph New Orleans 4 65
Harrell & McKenzie Colorado 4 60
Davis & Rumph New Orleans 4 60
Bergeron & Lee Georgia 4 58
Top Tandems â Most Receiving Touchdowns (2005)
Receivers Team Games Recepts
Smith & Scott Philadelphia 4 21
Burley & Gatewood Arizona 4 17
Bergeron & Lee Georgia 4 17
Roe & Schexnayder San Jose 4 17
Harrell & McKenzie Colorado 4 16
Top Tandems â Most Receiving Yards (2005)
Receivers Team Games Rec Yds
Bailey & Rumph New Orleans 4 838
Bailey & Davis New Orleans 4 756
Smith & Scott Philadelphia 4 743
Roe & Schexnayder San Jose 4 731
Burley & Gatewood Arizona 4 698
Shelley & Sippio Dallas 4 696
Harrell & McKenzie Colorado 4 677
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 14 regular season games.
· The Crush were 3-4 on Sundays and 8-1 on all other days in 2004. They are 0-2 on Sundays and 2-0 on Saturdays in 2005.
· The Crush have twice scored a franchise high for points this season, scoring 72 points vs. Grand Rapids on 2/5 before topping that with 74 at Arizona on 2/19. The previous franchise high was 69 scored vs. Grand Rapids on 4/23/04.
· In the Crush's record 74-point performance at Arizona, they also scored a franchise record 50 points in the first half thanks to a record 33 points in the second quarter. They followed that by being shutout for the first time ever in a third quarter.
· The Crush have allowed new franchise records in total yards two of the last three weeks, surrendering 374 total yards to Grand Rapids on 2/5 and then 412 yards to Chicago on 2/13. The previous franchise opponent high was 370 by Detroit, 3/4/04.
· The Crush allowed eight passing touchdowns to Joe Germaine at Arizona on 2./19. That was the most the team has allowed since Adrian McPherson threw for eight @ Indiana on 5/16/04.
· The Crush had allowed just five opposing quarterbacks to throw for 300+ yards in the team's first two regular seasons. It has now happened two straight weeks with Raymond Philyaw (409) of Chicago 2/13 and Joe Germaine (319) @ Arizona 2/19.
· The Crush had not allowed a 300-yard passer and 100-yard receiver in the same game since Adrian McPherson (332) and Anthony Hines (196) vs. Indiana (OT) on 4/3/04. It has now happened in consecutive weeks with Raymond Philyaw (409) and Henry Douglas (192) vs. Chicago on 2/13, and Joe Germaine (319) and Siaha Burley (108) at Arizona on 2/19.
· The Crush had not allowed a 300-yard passer, 100-yard receiver and 100-yard kickoff returner in the same game since Jay Gruden (324), Cory Fleming (132) and Travis McGriff (105), Orlando, 5/4/03 before Joe Germaine (319) and Siaha Burley (108, 113) accomplished the feat at Arizona on 2/19.
Individual
· The game vs. Los Angeles will mark the 162nd straight start for Kyle Moore-Brown â every game in his 11-year career.
· Damian Harrell has caught a TD pass in 37 straight games, including all 34 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). Should the streak continue, he would he would set a new AFL record for receiving TDs vs. Las Vegas on 4/3.
· 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). It is also the longest field goal in the AFL this season. Rush's six attempts at Orlando were also a Crush record. The Crush had not made two field goals in a game since 3/27/04 (Anthony Brenner). Rush then kicked the second longest field goal in Crush history with a 50-yarder at Arizona on 2/19. He made a franchise record four field goals in that game.
· Ahmad Hawkins' 53-yard kickoff return for a touchdown at Arizona (2/19) was the first by the Crush since Robert Redd (56 yds) @ Chicago, 2/22/04 in Week 3 of 2004.
RECORDS BROKEN OR TIED THIS SEASON
Crush
Team
Most points scored, game â 74 @ Arizona, 2/19 (72 vs. Grand Rapids, 2/5/05)
Most points scored, half â 50 @ Arizona, 2/19 (41, twice, last vs. Grand Rapids, 4/23/04)
Most points scored, first half â 50 @ Arizona, 2/19 (37, twice, last vs. Philadelphia, 5/1/04)
Most points scored, quarter â 33 @ Arizona, 2/19 (21 vs. Detroit, 3/4/04)
Most points scored, second quarter â 33 @ Arizona, 2/19 (28 @ San Jose, 2/22/03)
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)
Most field goals made, game â 4, Clay Rush at Arizona, 2/18 (2, five times, last Clay Rush at Orlando, 1/30)
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 412, Chicago, 2/13 (374, Grand Rapids, 2/5/05) â prior to season was 370, Detroit, 3/4/04
Individual
Most passing yards, game â 409, Raymond Philyaw, Chicago, 2/13 (375, Andy Kelly, Det., 3/4/04)
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 2.0 total tackles 250.0 in career 8.5 1
Willis Marshall 1 receiving touchdown 50 in career 0.25 4
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.
· Kevin McKenzie scored his 250th career point vs. Chicago on 2/13.
· John Dutton attempted the 1,500 pass of his career at Arizona on 2/19.
· Clay Rush scored the 800th point of his career and made the 500th extra-point of his career at Arizona on 2/19.
PLAYER OF GAME AWARDS
(selected by media)
Week Opp. Offensive Player Defensive Player Ironman of Game
1 @ Orlando Joe Hamilton (ORL) Damon Mason (ORL) Cory Fleming (ORL)
2 vs. Gr. Rapids John Dutton (COL) Rashad Floyd (COL) Kevin McKenzie (COL)
3 vs. Chicago Henry Douglas (CHI) Rashad Floyd (COL) Kevin McKenzie (COL)
4 @ Arizona Damian Harrell (COL) Rashad Floyd (COL) Saul Patu (COL)
LAST MEETING: COLORADO 57, LOS ANGELES 55
Sat, April 10, 2004 · STAPLES CENTER · LOS ANGELES, Calif. · Attendance: 11,816
Player of Game Awards: Offensive-Damian Harrell (COL) · Defensive-Rich Young (COL) · Ironman-Kevin McKenzie (COL)
Score by Quarters 1 2 3 4 Score
----------------- -- -- -- -- -----
Colorado Crush...... 14 23 7 13 - 57 Record: (7-3)
Los Angeles Avengers 7 21 8 19 - 55 Record: (5-4)
LOS ANGELES -- A successful onside kick, two fourth-and-goal stops and a turnover-free offensive effort allowed the Colorado Crush (7-3) to escape from Los Angeles with a 57-55 win over the Avengers in front of 11,816 at the STAPLES Center on Saturday night.
Colorado never trailed, but the game was much tighter than most in which a team holds the advantage from nearly start to finish. The Crush began building an advantage after Rashad Floyd recovered an onside kickoff, and managed to keep the Avengers in catch-up mode the rest of the way. Colorado scored following the onside kick via a 1-yard TD run by Rich Young to pull ahead 21-7, and kept Los Angeles at arm's length from there.
Colorado managed to build a 44-28 third-quarter lead, but the Avengers rallied, pulling within 2 points on three occasions. Los Angeles had two chances to tie the score on fourth-quarter two-point conversions. But the Crush defense stiffened on both occasions, forcing Avengers quarterback Tony Graziani into incompletions.
The Avengers whittled the Crush advantage to 2 points with 15 seconds left when Graziani and Chris Jackson connected on their 3rd touchdown of the game. Remy Hamilton's extra point narrowed the gap to a pair. But the Crush recovered the ensuing kickoff and ran out the clock with three Dutton passes into the stands.
Dutton completed 25 of 39 passes -- including his first 13 in a row -- for 274 yards and 7 touchdowns. Four of the scores went to Damian Harrell, who snagged seven passes for 147 yards. Two-way standout Kevin McKenzie grabbed seven more of Dutton's passes for 65 yards and three scores.
LAST GAME: GAME 4 â COLORADO 74, ARIZONA 69
February 19, 2005 · AMERICA WEST ARENA· PHOENIX, ARIZONA · Attendance: 11,840
AWARDS: OFF-DAMIAN HARRELL (COL) · DEF-RASHAD FLOYD (COL) · IRONMAN-SAUL PATU (COL)
Phoenix -- A 23-point Crush lead came and went, but the Crush regrouped and snatched a 74-69 win from the Rattlers at the America West Arena â the Crush's first win in three games there. Colorado evened its mark at 2-2, while Arizona dropped to 1-3.
The highest-scoring game in Colorado history and the 16th highest-scoring game in AFL annals looked as if it would be a runaway early, as the Crush stormed to a 44-21 second-quarter lead on the strength of two touchdowns off of Joe Germaine fumbles and another off a kickoff return by Ahmad Hawkins.
Arizona proceeded to score a touchdown on its first possession after the break to slice the Crush lead to 50-42, then whittled it to one point when Hawkins fumbled the ensuing kickoff. Arizona's Randy Gatewood fell on the loose ball for the touchdown that made the score 50-49. Another turnover followed on the Crush's next possession, as Terrance Joseph pushed Harrell and intercepted a Dutton pass in the end zone. Arizona proceeded to march 45 yds for the TD early in the 4th quarter to move back in front. But Colorado then went on a 24-7 run to reclaim the lead permanently.
Damian Harrell paced Crush pass-catchers with nine grabs for 144 yards and three scores, while quarterback John Dutton completed 23 of 40 passes for 241 yards and five touchdowns. Hawkins' kickoff return for a touchdown was also the franchise's first since Feb. 22, 2004 (Robert Redd at Chicago).
Score by Quarters 1 2 3 4 Score
----------------- -- -- -- -- -----
Colorado Crush...... 17 33 0 24 - 74 Record: (2-2)
Arizona Rattlers.... 14 21 14 20 - 69 Record: (1-3)
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