Colorado Crush game notes

Published on March 17, 2005 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Colorado Crush News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Colorado Crush (4-2) vs. Columbus Destroyers (1-5)
Date: March 20, 2005
Kickoff: 1 p.m. MT
Site: Frontier Field at Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado
Officials: Perry Havener (Referee), Tom Laverty (Umpire), Kelly Saalfeld (Head Linesman), David Meslow (Line Judge), Barry Anderson (Back Judge)
Television: CET (Comcast)
(Mitch Hyder – play-by-play, David Diaz-Infante– analyst,
Josh Gross– sideline reporter)
Radio: AM 630 KHOW
(Marc Stout – play-by-play, Andy Lindahl – analyst,
John Turk –sideline reporter)
Series Record: First meeting
Last Meeting: N/A
Coaches: Mike Dailey (79-54 in 9th year, 16-8 w/ Colorado)
Chris Spielman (1-5 overall, 1-5 in year w/ Columbus)

ALL-TIME SERIES: This will be the first ever meeting between the Colorado Crush and the Columbus Destroyers.

RADIO/TV COVERAGE: The game will be locally televised by CET (Comcast Entertainment Television) with Mitch Hyder handling the play-by-play, David Diaz-Infante providing analysis and Josh Gross on the sidelines. The game will also be broadcast on AM 630 KHOW with Marc Stout handling play-by-play duties and Andy Lindahl as the analyst.

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 W 58-40 3-2
Bye week
Sat, 3/12 @ Nashville W 42-35 4-2
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 Conference - Central Division
Team W L T PCT. PF PA H A Conf. Div. Strk
Colorado 4 2 0 .667 330 290 2-1 2-1 4-1 2-1 W3
Chicago 4 3 0 .571 334 338 2-1 2-2 3-0 3-0 W2
Gr. Rapids 1 5 0 .167 316 378 1-3 0-2 0-3 0-2 L2
Nashville 1 6 0 .143 283 345 0-3 1-3 0-3 0-2 L6


THE STAKES: A Crush win would ...
· Give the Crush their first four-game win streak in franchise history
· Help them maintain their lead in the Central Division.
· Give the Crush in a win in their first ever meeting with Columbus.
· Give the Crush their second straight home win and improve their home record to 3-1 on the season and 10-2 under Coach Dailey.
· Even their record at 1-1 vs. the National Conference

AFL ON NBC, (Sun, March 20):

10 a.m. (MT)
New Orleans @ Chicago
(in Denver)
Tampa Bay @ Philadelphia
(in other regions)

Mike Dailey (79-54 in 9th year, 16-8 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 79-54 record, a winning percentage of .594, 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 171 @ Philadelphia
2. Danny White 141
3. Mike Hohensee Chicago 89 vs. New Orleans
4. Perry Moss 86
5. Michael Trigg Philadelphia 80 vs. Tampa Bay
6. Mike Dailey Crush 79 vs. Columbus
7. Darren Arbet San Jose 76 vs. Grand Rapids
8. John Gregory 73

Chris Spielman (1-5 in 1st yr, 1-5 in 1st year w/ Columbus):

Spielman is in his second season with the Destroyers and first as the club's head coach and general manager. Spielman was named Columbus' second head coach in team history on August 4, 2004, succeeding legendary coach and current Destroyers VP of Football Operations, Earle Bruce.

Spielman was a standout on the football field, starring at Ohio State after a stellar high school career at Massillon Washington High School. Spielman was a two-time All-American (1986 & 1987), two-time Big Ten champion (1984 & 1986) and three-time All-Big Ten selection (1985, 1986 & 1987) at linebacker for the Buckeyes under Bruce.

Spielman was the 29th overall selection (2nd round) in the 1988 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions. During the following eight seasons, he earned Pro Bowl honors four times (1989, 1990, 1991 & 1994) and was the first player to lead the Lions in tackles seven straight seasons. In 1996, Spielman joined the Buffalo Bills where he eclipsed the 100 tackle plateau for third time in his career. But in 1997, Spielman suffered a broken neck to end his 114 consecutive game streak. He had surgery to fuse vertebrae in his neck, which put his football career in jeopardy.

After retiring from the NFL in 1999, Spielman stepped into the broadcast booth. He currently hosts "Spielman on Sports" on 1460 The Fan in Columbus.



TOP 5 RANKINGS: 2005 League Leaders entering Week 5
Colorado Crush
Player Rank Category Stat
John Dutton 2ndT-4th 3rd down QB ratingPassing Touchdowns 112.128
Rashad Floyd 1st1st1st Total TacklesSolo TacklesPass Breakups 51.549.011
Damian Harrell 3rd3rdT-3rd Receiving TouchdownsScoring (Non-kickers)3rd Down Receptions 16966
Willis Marshall T-4th6th6th MFG Return Avg.KO/MFG Return Avg.Kickoff Return Avg. 3022.421.6
Kevin McKenzie T-3rdT-3rd 3rd Down ReceptionsInterceptions 83
Saul Patu T-2ndT-1st Forced FumblesTackles for Loss 25.0
Clay Rush 1st2nd2nd2nd5th TouchbacksField Goal AttemptsScoring (Kickers)Field Goals MadePATs Made 241558834
Rich Young 3rdT-5th SacksTackles for Loss 4.04.0
Delvin Hughley T-4th Pass Breakups 7

PLAYERS TO WATCH:
OS Damian Harrell: Has 38 career games with 100+ receiving yards (4 in 2005) ... Also has 29 career games with 3+ TDs (4 in 2005) ... Named to the All-Arena Second Team in 2004 ... Now in his seventh AFL season, has amassed 7,470 receiving yards on 527 catches, an average of 14.17 yards/catch, along with 163 receiving touchdowns (161 total) ... Has second-most receiving yards and third-most catches in AFL since 2000 ... Has a TD catch in 38 straight games, including all 34 games as a member of the Crush (longest active streak in AFL) ... Has reached 1,000 receiving yards in four straight seasons entering 2005.

QB John Dutton: Now in his third year quarterbacking the Crush, has completed 114-185 passes (61.6%) for 28 TDs and 4 interceptions in 2005 ... Has 10 career 300+yard passing games (1 in 2005)... Has thrown for 12,082 yards, 229 touchdowns and 30 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 ... 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: Set an AFL record with 17.5 tackles against Los Angeles on 2/27/05 ... Was named AFL Defensive Player of the Week following Week 5 and Defensive Player of the Month for February ... Has posted six career games with 10+ tackles (3 in 2005) ... Leads AFL in tackles with 51.5, on pace (164.8) to break his own AFL single-season record of 123.0 tackles set in 2004... Named to All-Arena Second Team in 2004.

RECENT CRUSH TRANSACTIONS
Date Transaction
3/11/05 Activated WR/DB Willis Marshall and OL/DL Tank Reese from injured reserve ... Placed WR/LB Darcey Levy (influenza) and WR/DB Jabir Walker (hamstring) on injured reserve.
3/9/05 Placed OL/DL Maurice Anderson on injured reserve (finger).
2/26/05 Placed WR/DB Willis Marshall on injured reserve (influenza) ... Activated WR/DB Jabir Walker and WR/LB Darcey Levy from injured reserve.
2/23/05 Signed WR/DB Touré Carter to practice squad.
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
Maurice Anderson OL/DL Finger on IR (3/11)
Chad Dukes FB/LB Strained right groin on IR (1/20)
Darcey Levy WR/DB Influenza on IR (3/11)
Derrick Pickens OL/DL High left ankle sprain on IR (1/19)
Jabir Walker WR/DB Hamstring on IR (3/11)

COLORADO CRUSH NEXT WEEK
For the second straight week, the Crush will face an opponent for the first time ever, this time it is Chris Spielman and the Columbus Destroyers. The Crush will play host to the Destroyers (1-4) at Pepsi Center at 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 20.


CRUSH NOTABLES

THE TIES THAT BIND
Even though the Crush and Kats have never met, there are still some connections:
· Crush eight-year veteran OL/DL Hugh Hunter played his first two seasons for the original Nashville Kats (1998-99).
· Hunter and Kats' OL/DL James Baron were teammates on the original Nashville team, are best friends, and run a real estate company, H&B Development, together in the offseason
· Kats' defensive specialist Tony Scott played with the Crush in 2004 before being selected by Nashville with the seventh pick in the Expansion Draft. Scott totaled 12.0 tackles in six games for the Crush as a rookie.
· Crush OL/DL Dustin Barno and Kats FB/LB Kevin Nagle were collegiate teammates at East Stroudsburg State in Pa.
· Kats OS Travis McGriff is a former third round draft pick of the Denver Broncos (93rd overall in 1999) and played for the Broncos 1999-2001. He already faced the Crush earlier this season while with Orlando, totaling four catches for 48 yards and a TD.
· Crush WR/LB Darcey Levy was selected 11th by Nashville in the Expansion Draft from Colorado. Was waived by the Kats and claimed off waivers by Crush on 11/9/04.

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 3-2
Points/Game 46.8 49.6 57.6
Points Allowed/Game 59.9 46.5 51.0
Turnover Margin -26 +14 +4
Fumbles Lost 22 10 2
Sacks 12 15 11
Sacks Allowed 14 4 2


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 Nashville will mark his 163rd consecutive start. The first 139 all came with the Firebirds organization before he signed with the Crush prior to the 2004 season.

CONSECUTIVE STARTS:
162 Overall (147 regular season, 15 playoffs)

JUST FOR KICKS
Crush kicker Clay Rush is among the all-time great AFL kickers. A two-time AFL Kicker of the Year, Rush currently ranks fourth on the all-time scoring list by kickers and fifth for field goals made. In 2005, Rush leads the league in touchbacks and booted a league-long and Crush record 62-yard field goal (2/27 vs. LA).

AFL All-Time Leading Scorers (Kickers)
Rk Player Years Pres. Tm Points
1. Mike Black 1993-04 n/a 1,240
2. Steve Videtich 1996-pres. Columbus 1,170
3. Remy Hamilton 1998-pres. L.A. 965
4. Clay Rush 1999-pres. Colorado 826
5. Daron Alcorn 1997-04 n/a 771
6. Kenny Stucker 1994-99, 2003 n/a 754

AFL Most All-Time Field Goals Made
Rk Player Years Pres. Tm FGM
1. Mike Black 1993-04 n/a 175
2. Steve Videtich 1996-pres. Columbus 149
3. Kenny Stucker 1994-99, 2003 n/a 118
4. Remy Hamilton 1998-pres. L.A. 121
5. Clay Rush 1999-pres. Colorado 105
6. Daron Alcorn 1997-04 n/a 100


TACKLING MACHINE
After setting an AFL record with 123.0 tackles in 2004, Rashad Floyd has registered a league-leading 51.5 tackles in the first five games, setting him on another record-breaking pace ... Floyd set an AFL record with 17.5 tackles vs. Los Angeles on 2/27, besting the previous record of 17.0 set by L.A.'s Kevin Cobb at Houston on 6/23/00 ... Floyd finished 30.0 tackles ahead of second place in 2004 - Indiana's Anthony Derricks (93.0).

AFL Record - Most Tackle in a Season
Player Team Year Total
Rashad Floyd Colorado 2005 164.8*
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 (51.5 tackles through five games – 10.3/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 — — 1,382
Andre Bowden — — 1,241
Bo Kelly ARI 20 1,221
Bob McMillen CHI 63 1,213
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 two sacks in 2005 – a fourth quarter coverage sack by Orlando's E.J Burt in the season opener on 1/30/05 and a first quarter unforced fumble by QB John Dutton that the Crush recovered on the opening play vs. Los Angeles on 2/27/05. After holding Grand Rapids, Chicago and Arizona sackless, the Crush have now allowed just those two sacks in their last 15 games.

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 11 sacks, a safety and forced ten turnovers. Rich Young has led the way with 4.0 sacks, one each in the first four games of the season, 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 5 11
Las Vegas 6 11
Arizona 6 10

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 other hand, the Crush won consecutive games five times last season, but have never won three straight games in franchise history.

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 Robert Redd recently signed with the Philadelphia Eagles. Two rookies also signed with NFL teams, af2 Ironman of the Year Tim Dodge 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 9-2 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, while four players had receptions versus Los Angeles. On the season, eight different players have receptions and six different players have caught touchdown passes.


WRONG END OF RECORDS
The Crush had allowed a franchise record in consecutive weeks earlier this season, 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 – 409 (30-45) by Raymond Philyaw, Chicago @ Colorado, 2/13
· Most Receiving Yards – 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 – 100 (6 rush) by Michael Bishop, Grand Rapids @ Colorado, 2/5 (AFL RECORD)

· Most Receptions – 14 (106 yds) by Kevin McKenzie, @ Orlando, 1/30
· Most Tackles – 17.5 by Rashad Floyd vs.Los Angeles, 2/27
· Longest Field Goal – 62 yds. by Clay Rush, vs. Los Angeles, 2/27


LIGHTING UP THE SCOREBOARD
The Crush are averaging a league-high 57.6 points per game and have twice topped 70 points and set new franchise highs for scoring – 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 5 38 34 0 8 1 288 57.6
San Jose 5 42 31 0 1 0 286 57.2
Tampa Bay 5 38 32 2 5 2 283 56.6
New York 5 40 33 0 1 0 276 55.2
New Orleans 6 45 40 1 5 0 327 54.5

FREQUENT FLYER MILES
The Crush are co-owned by the Denver Broncos, and they travel like them too. The Crush will travel 16,896 miles on trips this season, an average of 1,056 miles each way. The Broncos traveled 16,988 miles on regular-season trips this past season, an average of 1,061.8 miles each way. The difference between the two teams? A mere 5.8 miles.

DAMIAN DYN-O-MITE

CLOSING IN ON RECORD STREAK
Damian Harrell has caught a TD pass in 38 straight regular season games, including all 35 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) --- 38
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) --- 38
Eddie Brown (Ind) 1994 (Wk 1) 1996 (Wk 14) 33


DOMINANT DECADE:
Harrell also has the second-most receiving yards and has the third-most catches in the AFL since 2000 ... Grand Rapids OS Chris Jackson in first in both categories during that span.

AFL Receiving Leaders (2000-05)
Catches – Receiving Yards

Player (pres. team) 2000-04 2005 Total
Chris Jackson (Gra.) 480 – 6,795 35 – 483 551 – 7,278
Damian Harrell (Colo.) 462 – 6,566 40 – 542 502 –7,108
Greg Hopkins (LA) 466 – 5,633 40 – 410 506 – 6,043
Mike Horacek (NY) 399 – 5,248 27 – 375 426 – 5,623


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 16 59 (354)
Marcus Nash (LV) 49 7 56 (336)
Chris Jackson (Gra.) 45 9 54 (324)
Aaron Bailey (NO) 34 14 48 (288)
Etu Molden (Chi.) 32 13 45 (270)
James Roe (SJ) 29 14 43 (258)
Cory Fleming (Orl.) 35 7 42 (252)

Most Receptions (2004-05)

Player (pres. team) Rec. Yds TD Yd/Catch
Marcus Nash (LV) 197 2,366 53 12.0
Thabiti Davis (NO) 178 2,002 36 11.2
Chris Jackson (Gra.) 160 2,286 53 14.3
Cory Fleming (Orl.) 155 1,853 40 12.0
Damian Harrell (Colo.) 154 2,257 59 14.7


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 – Most Receptions (2005)
Receivers Team Games Recepts
Bailey & Davis New Orleans 6 101
Bergeron & Lee Georgia 6 93
Davis & Rumph New Orleans 6 90
Bailey & Rumph New Orleans 6 89
Burley & Gatewood Arizona 6 83
Smith & Scott Philadelphia 6 75
Chiaverini & Nickerson Austin 6 73
Shelley & Pettis Dallas 6 73
Harrell & McKenzie Colorado 5 72

Top Tandems – Most Receiving Touchdowns (2005)
Receivers Team Games Recepts
Bergeron & Lee Georgia 6 30
Smith & Scott Philadelphia 6 29
Burley & Gatewood Arizona 6 20
Bailey & Davis New Orleans 6 23
Bailey & Rumph New Orleans 6 22
Harrell & McKenzie Colorado 5 21

Top Tandems – Most Receiving Yards (2005)
Receivers Team Games Rec Yds
Bergeron & Lee Georgia 6 1.177
Bailey & Rumph New Orleans 6 1,121
Bailey & Davis New Orleans 6 1,127
Burley & Gatewood Arizona 6 1,114
Smith & Scott Philadelphia 6 1,002
Shelley & Sippio Dallas 6 994
Davis & Rumph New Orleans 6 884
Nash & Blalock Las Vegas 6 864
White & Groce Columbus 5 859
Chiaverini & Nickerson Austin 6 850
Harrell & McKenzie Colorado 4 843






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
· Clay Rush's 62-yard field goal at the end of the first half against Los Angeles on 2/27/05 is the second longest FG in AFL history and set a new franchise record. The record (63 yards on 5/18/96) was set by San Jose's Aaron Mills at Florida. Rush has kicked the longest two field goals in the AFL this season (also 55 @ Orlando 1/30).
· Rashad Floyd made 17.5 tackles, a new AFL record, on 2/27/05 against Los Angeles. The previous record of 17.0 tackles was set by Los Angeles's Kevin Cobb on 6/23/00 vs. Houston.
· The game vs. Nashville will mark the 163rd straight start for Kyle Moore-Brown – every game in his 11-year career.
· Damian Harrell has caught a TD pass in 38 straight games, including all 35 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.
· Ahmad Hawkins tied a career-high with 5 receptions vs. Los Angeles (4th time, last @ LA 5/10/03) for a career-high 78 yards (71 vs. Chi., 4/13/03)
· 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.
· 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.
· 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.
· 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 at the time by 10 yards (45 by A. Brenner vs. Ari., 3/27/04). It is also the second-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.


RECORDS BROKEN OR TIED THIS SEASON
Crush
Team
Most points scored, game – 74 @ Arizona, 2/19 (72 vs. Grand Rapids, 2/5/05)
Most points scored, half – 50 @ Arizona, 2/19 (41, twice, last vs. Grand Rapids, 4/23/04)
Most points scored, first half – 50 @ Arizona, 2/19 (37, twice, last vs. Philadelphia, 5/1/04)
Most points scored, quarter – 33 @ Arizona, 2/19 (21 vs. Detroit, 3/4/04)
Most points scored, second quarter – 33 @ Arizona, 2/19 (28 @ San Jose, 2/22/03)

Individual
Longest field goal made – 62 yards, Clay Rush vs. Los Angeles, 2/27 (55, Clay Rush @ Orlando, 1/30/05)
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)
Most field goals made, game – 4, Clay Rush at Arizona, 2/18 (2, five times, last Clay Rush at Orlando, 1/30)
Most tackles, game – 17.5, Rashad Floyd vs. Los Angeles, 2/27 (12.0 Rashad Floyd vs. Indiana (OT), 4/3/04)

Tied
Most TD receptions, game – 5, Damian Harrell vs. Los Angeles, 2/27 (fourth time, last by Damian Harrell vs. Grand Rapids, 4/23/04)

Opponent
Team
Most rushing yards, game – 122, Grand Rapids, 2/5 (86, San Jose, 4/27/03)
Most total yards, game – 412, Chicago, 2/13 (374, Grand Rapids, 2/5/05) – prior to season was 370, Detroit, 3/4/04

Individual
Most passing yards, game – 409, Raymond Philyaw, Chicago, 2/13 (375, Andy Kelly, Det., 3/4/04)
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
John Dutton 24 completions 1000 in career 22.8 2

MILESTONES REACHED
· Clay Rush attempted his 200th FG vs. Los Angeles on 2/27.
· Rashad Floyd recorded his 250th career tackle vs. Los Angeles on 2/27.
· 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.
· Willis Marshall caught the 50th touchdown of his career at Nashville on 3/12.




AWARDS

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)
5 vs. Los Angeles Damian Harrell (COL) Rashad Floyd (COL) Kevin McKenzie (COL)
7 @ Nashville John Dutton (COL) Ahmad Hawkins (COL) Ahmad Hawkins (COL)


AFL AWARDS

AFL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF WEEK
DS Rashad Floyd, Week 5 (vs. Los Angeles, 2/27) – 17.5 tackles (17 solo), 1.0 tackle for loss, 3 pass breakups


AFL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF MONTH
DS Rashad Floyd, February – 51.5 tackles, 11 pass breakups, interception, forced fumble

LAST GAME: GAME 7 – COLORADO 42, LOS ANGELES 35
March 12, 2005 · GAYLORD ENTERTAINMENT CENTER · NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE · Attendance: 11,628
AWARDS: OFF-JOHN DUTTON (COL) · DEF-AHMAD HAWKINS (COL) · IRONMAN-AHMAD HAWKINS (COL)

Nashville -- Rich Young's 8-yard touchdown reception with 56 seconds remaining gave the Colorado Crush what turned out to be the game-clinching points as they snagged a 42-35 win over the Nashville Kats at the Gaylord Entertainment Center on Saturday evening.

The touchdown proved to be the difference in a game that saw the Crush struggle at points against the Kats, actually trailing the reborn expansion team at halftime by a 21-20 score before rallying after intermission.

Wide receiver/defensive back Ahmad Hawkins had perhaps the best two-way performance of any Crush player so far this season, intercepting a Tony Zimmerman pass in the second half and grabbing a touchdown pass. Hawkins was both the Ironman of the Game and the Defensive Player of the Game for his efforts.

The Crush played turnover-free football as John Dutton completed 23 of 34 passes for 232 yards, flinging six touchdown passess against no interceptions.

Colorado extended its winning streak to a franchise-record three games with the triumph, which pushed its record to 4-2. The Kats -- playing in their first season back in the AFL after three dormant seasons -- dropped to 1-6.

Score by Quarters 1 2 3 4 Score
----------------- -- -- -- -- -----
Colorado Crush...... 7 13 14 8 - 42 Record: (4-2)
Nashville Kats .... 7 14 7 7 - 35 Record: (1-6)

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 17, 2005


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