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Colorado Crush game notes

April 21, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Colorado Crush News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Colorado Crush (8-3) vs. San Jose SaberCats (7-4)
Date: April 22, 2005
Kickoff: 7 p.m. MT
Site: Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado

Officials:
Referee: Riley Johnson (5th Year, Southern Conference)
Umpire: Rick Podraza (3rd Year, Great Plains Athletic)
Head Linesman: Neil Brunner (9th Year, C.C.I.W.)
Line Judge: Paul Engelberts (16th Year, Big 10)
Back Judge: Bud McCleskey (6th Year, Independent)

TV/Radio:
Television: CET (Comcast in Denver)
(Mitch Hyder – play-by-play, David Diaz-Infante – analyst,
Josh Gross - sidelines)
Radio: AM 630 KHOW
(Marc Stout – play-by-play, Andy Lindahl – analyst,
Corey Lopez - sidelines)

Series Record: Fourth meeting, San Jose leads 3-0
Last Meeting: San Jose won 55-35 on 3/14/04 at Compaq Center
Coaches: Mike Dailey (83-55 in 9th season, 20-9 w/ Colorado)
Darren Arbet (80-31 in 7th season, 80-31 w/ San Jose)

ALL-TIME SERIES: This will be San Jose's second trip to Pepsi Center. The Crush are looking for their first win over the SaberCats in franchise history. In Colorado's first year, they were part of the Western Division and fell to San Jose twice (40-80 on 2/22/03 at Compaq Center and 49-65 on 4/27/03 at Pepsi Center). The Crush met 2004's ArenaBowl Champions once last season. Colorado fell to San Jose 35-55 at Compaq Center on 3/14/04.

Practice Schedule
Tuesday, April 19
1:15 - 3 p.m. Crush facility at Wembley Park

Wednesday, April 20
10-11:30 a.m. Crush facility at Wembley Park
Thursday, April 21
10-10:30 a.m. Walk-thru at Crush facility

Friday, April 22
7 p.m. Game vs. San Jose
Pepsi Center


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 W 52-37 5-2
Fri, 3/25 @ Dallas W 66-58 6-2
Sun, 4/3 LAS VEGAS W 61-40 7-2
Sun, 4/10 PHILADELPHIA W 77-56 8-2
Sun, 4/17 @ Chicago L 51-75 8-3
Fri, 4/22 SAN JOSE 7:00 p.m. CET
Sat, 4/30 @ Grand Rapids 6:00 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 8 3 0 .727 637 556 5-1 3-2 5-2 2-2 L1
Chicago 7 4 0 .636 548 517 4-2 3-2 5-0 4-0 W3
Nashville 3 7 1 .318 450 509 1-4 2-3-1 2-4 1-2 W1
Gr. Rapids 1 10 0 .091 501 672 1-4 0-6 0-6 0-3 L7


THE STAKES: A Crush win would ...
· Give Colorado their first-ever win over the SaberCats.
· Maintain the best record in the AFL and keep them in line for the No. 1 seed in the American Conference.
· Help them maintain their lead in the Central Division.
· Improve their record to 7-2 vs. the American Conference
· Improve their record to 3-0 vs. the Western Division


AFL ON NBC, (Sun, April 24):

11 a.m. (MT)
Philadelphia @ New York
(airs in Denver)
Tampa Bay @ Nashville
(airs in select other regions)

Mike Dailey (83-55 in 9th year, 20-9 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 83-55 record, a winning percentage of .601, and he ranks fifth 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 173 @ Nashville
2. Danny White 141
3. Mike Hohensee* Chicago 92 @ Los Angeles
4. Perry Moss 86
5. Mike Dailey* Crush 83 San Jose
6. Michael Trigg 80
7. Darren Arbet* San Jose 80 @ Colorado
8. John Gregory 73
* indicates active coach

Darren Arbet (80-31 in 7th season, 80-31 w/ San Jose):
Now in his seventh season at the helm of the SaberCats, two-time Coach of the Year Darren Arbet surpassed John Gregory for sole possession of 7th place in career coaching victories when he won No. 74 on Feb. 5, 2005 and his career overall winning percentage of .725 (79-30) ranks as one of the best in AFL history. Last season Arbet led his club to its second league title in three years and the SaberCats tied a league record by winning 10 or more regular season games for the fifth consecutive season. Since the start of the 2000 season his teams have compiled a 64-19 (.771) regular season record and have set league records for most regular season wins (13 – 2002), most wins in a season (16- 2002), most consecutive wins in a regular season (12 – 2002), most wins to end a season (11 – 2000) and the longest regular season win streak (15 – 2000-01).


TOP 5 RANKINGS: 2005 League Leaders entering Week 13
Colorado Crush
Player Rank Category Stat
John Dutton 2nd3rdT-3rd5th5th 3rd down QB ratingPassing TouchdownsPass AttemptsInterceptions/AttemptPass Completions 107.6653972.3%241
Rashad Floyd 1st1stT-3rd Total TacklesSolo TacklesPass Breakups 94.58915
Damian Harrell 2nd3rd Receiving TouchdownsScoring (Non-kickers) 29174
Ahmad Hawkins T-4th Interceptions 5
Delvin Hughley 2nd Pass Breakups 18
Willis Marshall 3rd5th MFG Return Avg.Kickoff Return Avg. 20.021.1
Andy McCullough T-4th Fumble Recoveries 3
Kevin McKenzie T-4th Interceptions 5
Saul Patu T-1st Forced Fumbles 4
Clay Rush 1st2nd2ndT-2nd3rdT-3rd TouchbacksScoring (Kickers)PATs attemptedField Goals MadeField Goal AttemptsPATs made 4810985122573
Rich Young 5th Sacks 5.0

PLAYERS TO WATCH:
OS Damian Harrell: Set the AFL record for consecutive games with a touchdown catch (42) in win over Las Vegas on 4/3/05 ... Extended his consecutive games with a TD reception streak to 43 when he caught two TD passes in the win over Philadelphia ... Has 40 career games with 100+ receiving yards (6 in 2005) ... Also has 30 career games with 3+ TDs (5 in 2005) ... Named to the All-Arena Second Team in 2004 ... Now in his seventh AFL season, has amassed 7,941 receiving yards on 563 catches, an average of 14.1 yards/catch, along with 176 receiving TDs (179 total) ... Has second-most catches and receiving yards in AFL since 2000 ... 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 241-397 passes (60.7 %) for 65 TDs and 9 interceptions in 2005 ... Has 11 career 300+ yard passing games (2 in 2005)... Has thrown for 13,583 yards, 266 touchdowns and 35 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 ... Has three career
100+ yard receiving games ... 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 TDs 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 ... Named AFL Defensive Player of Week following Week 5 and Defensive Player of Month for February ... Has posted seven career games with 10+ tackles (4 in 2005) ... Leads AFL in tackles with 94.5, on pace (137.6) 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
4/16/05 Activated OL/DL Hugh Hunter from injured reserve ... Placed OL/DL Maurice Anderson (strained groin) on injured reserve.
4/9/05 Activated OL/DL Tank Reese from injured reserve.
4/7/05 Signed WR/DB Jabir Walker to practice squad.
4/6/05 Signed OL/DL Derrick Pickens to practice squad.
4/5/05 Waived WR/DB Jabir Walker and WR/DB Tim Dodge.
4/4/05 Waived OL/DL Derrick Pickens.
4/2/05 Activated OL/DLs Maurice Anderson and Derrick Pickens ... Placed OL/DL Hugh Hunter (strained left groin) on injured reserve.
4/1/05 Signed WR/DB Wendall Williams to the practice squad.
3/31/05 Waived WR/DB Herman Bell from practice squad
3/24/05 Activated WR/DB Jabir Walker from injured reserve ... Placed OL/DL Tank Reese (hamstring) on injured reserve.
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.


INJURY REPORT
Colorado Crush
Player Pos. Injury Status
Maurice Anderson OL/DL Strained groin on IR (4/16)
Chad Dukes FB/LB Strained right groin on IR (1/20)
Darcey Levy WR/DB Influenza on IR (3/11)


COLORADO CRUSH NEXT WEEK
Colorado travels to Grand Rapids to meet the Rampage for the second time this season. The Crush go into Van Andel Arena with an overall 3-1 record versus Grand Rapids. The Crush defeated the Rampage by the score 72-56 at Pepsi Center on February 5 to get their first win of the season.




CRUSH NOTABLES

THE TIES THAT BIND
The Crush and SaberCats see each other every season in the American Conference. Some players however are even more familiar:
· Crush QB John Dutton began his AFL career with San Jose, playing there from 2000-02, leading the SaberCats to the ArenaBowl XVI title where he was named the game's MVP.
· Crush WR/LB Kevin McKenzie played for San Jose in the 2003 season.
· San Jose defensive coordinator Michael Church served as defensive line coach under Craig Morton for the old Denver Gold of the United States Football League (USFL).


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 8-3
Points/Game 46.8 49.6 57.9
Points Allowed/Game 59.9 46.5 50.5
Turnover Margin -26 +14 +12
Fumbles Lost 22 10 4
Sacks 12 15 14
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 vs. San Jose will mark his AFL record 169th consecutive start. The first 139 all came with the Firebirds organization before he signed with the Crush prior to the 2004 season. With Grand Rapids (and former Crush) OL/DL Otis Moore missing a game this weekend, Moore-Brown will stand alone in the record books with 154 straight regular season games. Each had appeared in every game since 1995, with Moore-Brown having the overall edge with more playoff appearances.

CONSECUTIVE STARTS:
168 Overall (153 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 1,203
3. Remy Hamilton 1998-pres. L.A. 1,016
4. Clay Rush 1999-pres. Colorado 877
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 151
3. Remy Hamilton 1998-pres. L.A. 130
4. Kenny Stucker 1994-99, 2003 n/a 118
5. Clay Rush 1999-pres. Colorado 109
6. Daron Alcorn 1997-04 n/a 100

Rush's leg has been a big boost for the Crush this season. He leads the league in touchbacks with 48, 18 more than his closest competitor. Thus Crush opponents have been forced to go the length of the field to score much more often.

TOUCHBACKS ON KICKOFFS
Rank Player, Team TB
1) Rush, COL 48
2) Bironas, NYD 30
3) Garner, Geo. 29
4t) Dodson, Aus.-NAS 28
4t) Hamilton, LAA 28

KICKOFFS (Kicking Team)
Rank Team TotKO AdjKO TB OB I10 Avg.Start
1) Austin 98 84 36 2 57 9.7
2) Colorado 107 101 48 1 65 10.8
3) Chicago 93 88 26 6 53 11.1
4) Georgia 100 94 29 6 55 11.3
5) New York 96 87 30 14 50 11.4


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



TACKLING MACHINE
After setting an AFL record with 123.0 tackles in 2004, Rashad Floyd has registered a league-leading 94.5 tackles in the first 11 games, setting him on another record-breaking pace ... This despite missing almost the entire game vs. Columbus on 3/20 ... 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 137.5*
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 (94.5 tackles through 11 games – 8.6/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 Arizona's Bo Kelly by 131 yards for 4th place.
AFL Career Rushing Yards
Player Team 2005 Career
Les Barley — — 1,382
Andre Bowden — — 1,241
Bob McMillen CHI 126 1,276
Bo Kelly ARI 41 1,242
Chad Dukes COL 0 1,111



SACK HAPPY
After totaling just 15 sacks in 16 games in 2004, the Crush pass
rush has picked up the pressure and has already equaled that total in just 11 games, second best in the league. In addition, the D has also forced a safety and 25 turnovers (17 interceptions, 8 fumbles). Rich Young has led the way with 5.0 sacks, 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 Made (2005)
Team Games Sacks Attempts Sack/Play
1) Nashville 11 16 372 4.12
2t) Las Vegas 12 15 412 3.51
Colorado 11 15 439 3.30
Orlando 12 15 450 3.23
3) New Orleans 11 14 386 3.50

THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN
The Crush won consecutive games five times last season, but never three in a row. However, the team this year had a franchise record seven-game win streak (2/20-4/10), bookended by two losses to Chicago. The franchise had never won three straight before the seven-game streak.

STREAKFREE
On the other hand, 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 losses twice this season with a W, and will look to avoid consecutive losses vs. San Jose on Friday.

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 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. Dodge has since been released by the Panthers and the Crush.

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.

CRADLE OF COACHES
Strangely enough, little Montgomery Junior College in Rockville, Md., is the cradle of AFL coaches. Crush head coach Mike Dailey (offensive coordinator) and Chicago head coach Mike Hohensee (quarterbacks coach) were assistants on the same staff there. Los Angeles head coach Ed Hodgkiss also coached there. Seven future NFL players played at Montgomery as well as Los Angeles quarterback John Kaleo, who finished his collegiate career at Maryland after leading Montgomery to the national championship game. Sadly, despite all of these successes and an all-time record of 315-154-13, Montgomery JC discontinued the football program in 2002.
Former Mongomery Junior College Coaches
Mike Dailey (current Colorado head coach) Ernesto Purnsley (1997-98, 2000-03)
Mike Hohensee (current Chicago head coach)
Ed Hodgkiss (current Los Angeles head coach)
Brent Winter (current Los Angeles assistant head coach)
Earl Hoffman (former Albany Firebirds quarterback coach)

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.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH
After finishing their inaugural season 0-8 at home, the Crush are now 12-2 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.

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 6,988 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.

SPREAD THE WEALTH
After completing 21 of his 23 completions to just Kevin McKenzie (14) and Damian Harrell (7) in the season opener at Orlando (1/30), John Dutton has gotten almost everyone on the team involved in the last 10 games. On the season, ten different players have receptions and nine different players have caught touchdown passes, including Dustin Barno whose first career reception went for a TD in the win over Las Vegas on 4/3.

RECORD SETTERS
The Crush allowed a franchise record in total offense 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.
The Crush had allowed just five opposing quarterbacks to
throw for 300+ yards in the team's first two regular seasons. It has
happened five times already this season - Raymond Philyaw twice – (409), Chi., 2/13 and (321) @ Chi. on 4/17, Joe Germaine (319) @ Arizona 2/19, Ryan Vena (308) of Columbus 3/20 and Clint Dolezel (321) of Vegas 4/3.
The Crush have been involved in 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 Rushing Yards – 100 (6 rush) by Michael Bishop, Grand Rapids @ Colorado, 2/5 (AFL RECORD)
· Most Tackles – 17.5 by Rashad Floyd vs.Los Angeles, 2/27 (AFL RECORD)
· Longest Field Goal – 62 yds. by Clay Rush, vs. Los Angeles, 2/27


DOWNRIGHT OFFENSIVE

LIGHTING UP THE SCOREBOARD
The Crush are scoring 57.9 points per game, second in the league, and have topped the 70-point mark three times, setting a new franchise highs for points each time – 72 vs. Grand Rapids on 2/5, then 74 at Arizona on 2/19, then 77 vs. Philadelphia on 4/10. 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.
San Jose 11 96 77 0 2 1 661 60.1
Colorado 11 87 73 1 12 2 637 57.9
Dallas 11 81 74 3 11 3 605 55.0
Tampa Bay 11 79 71 2 12 2 589 53.5
New Orleans 11 80 70 1 10 1 584 53.1


MAKING A DIFFERENCE
In a league where parity reigns, the Crush own the best record in the American Conference and have won seven of their last eight games. What is almost just as impressive is the manner in which they are doing it. Their average point differential is second in the league at 7.36 points per game, this despite a 24-point loss at Chicago on 4/17

Combined / Points/Game Differential
Team Rank P/G-Diff Off Def
San Jose 1 8.55 60.1 51.5
Colorado 2 7.36 57.9 50.5
New Orleans 3 6.73 53.1 46.4
Dallas 4 5.64 55.0 49.4
Georgia 5 5.25 50.5 45.3



GETTING DEFENSIVE

AFL LEADERS: TAKE-AWAYS/GIVE-AWAYS
The Crush have intercepted at least one pass in every game this season and are one shy of the league lead in turnover margin, trailing only Los Angeles. Colorado and L.A. are the only two teams who are +10 or better. The Crush also lead the AFL in interceptions returned for touchdowns (5), with no one else in the league having more than two. They rank second in fumbles returned for touchdowns (4).

DAMIAN DYN-O-MITE

A BROKEN RECORD
Damian Harrell has caught a TD pass in 44 straight regular season games, including all 41 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 is now the longest streak of consecutive games with a TD reception in AFL history as he set a new record on 4/3 in the win over Las Vegas ... It is also third-longest streak of consecutive games with a TD ... Harrell's streak began with the Toronto Phantoms vs. Carolina on 7/4/02.

AFL Consecutive Games with a TD Reception
Year (Week)
Player (team) Stk began Stk ended # Games
Damian Harrell (Tor/Col) 2002 (Wk 12) --- 44
Eddie Brown (Albany) 1997 (Wk 3) 2000 (Wk 1) 41
Eddie Brown (Albany) 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
Damian Harrell (Tor/Col) 2002 (Wk 12) --- 44
Barry Wagner (Orlando) 1992 (Wk 10) 1996 (Wk 11) 43
Eddie Brown (Albany) 1994 (Wk 1) 1996 (Wk 14) 33



In comparison, the correlating NFL records are as follows:
NFL Consecutive Games with a TD Reception
Player (team) Team Year(s) # Games
Jerry Rice SF 49ers 1986-87 13
Buddy Dial Pitt. Steelers 1959-60 11
Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch LA Rams 1950-51 11
Carl Pickens Cin. Bengals 1994-95 10

NFL Consecutive Games Scoring a Touchdown
Player (team) Team Year(s) # Games
Lenny Moore Balt. Colts 1963-65 18
O.J. Simpson Buff. Bills 1975 14
Jerry Rice SF 49ers 1986-87 13
George Rogers Wash. Redskins 1985-86 13
John Riggins Wash. Redskins 1982-83 13



DOMINATING THE DECADE:
Harrell also has the second-most receiving yards and catches in the AFL since 2000 ... Georgia 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 (Geo.) 480 – 6,795 67 – 848 547 – 7,643
Damian Harrell (Colo.) 462 – 6,566 76 – 1,013 538 – 7,579
Greg Hopkins (LA) 466 – 5,633 58 – 621 524 – 6,254
Mike Horacek (NY) 399 – 5,248 61 – 839 460 – 6,087



OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR (AND A HALF)?
Harrell has been especially dangerous since Coach Dailey took over the helm of the Crush. Since the start of the 2004 season, he is the second-leading scorer in the league. He is also among the leaders in that span in receiving yards, receptions and long scores.

Total Touchdowns (2004-05)

Player (pres. team) 2004 2005 TDs (Pts)
Marcus Nash (LV) 46 (300) 30 (180) 76 (480)
Damian Harrell (Colo.) 43 (258) 29 (174) 72 (432)
Chris Jackson (Geo.) 45 (272) 21 (130) 66 (382)
Siaha Burley (Ari.) 28 (168) 31 (188) 59 (356)
Aaron Bailey (NO) 34 (204) 27 (162) 61 (366)
Cory Fleming (Orl.) 35 (210) 22 (132) 57 (342)
Etu Molden (Chi.) 32 (198) 26 (156) 58 (354)


Most Receiving Yards (2004-05)

Player (pres. team) Rec. Yds TD Yd/Catch
Marcus Nash (LV) 249 3,125 76 12.6
Damian Harrell (Colo.) 190 2,728 72 14.4
Chris Jackson (Geo.) 192 2,651 66 13.8
Aaron Bailey (N.O.) 187 2,545 61 13.6
Siaha Burley (Ari.) 195 2,425 59 12.4
Cory Fleming (Orl.) 198 2,362 57 12.0
Thabiti Davis (N.O.) 205 2,225 39 10.9
Jason Shelley (Dall.) 170 2,189 40 12.9



CRUSH NOTABLES

TEAM
· The Crush have topped 70+ points three times this season, setting a new franchise record each time. They scored 77 vs. Philadelphia on 4/10.
· The Crush have led in time of possession in only one game all season - a 66-58 win at Dallas on 3/25.
· The Crush have 11 returns for touchdowns this season – 5 interceptions, 4 fumbles, 1 net recovery, 1 kickoff return.
· The Crush held Las Vegas scoreless in the second quarter and only allowed seven points in the first half. This is the first time in the season Colorado has shut out an opponent in a quarter in the first half and was the lowest scoring half for an opponent in 10 games this season. Colorado outscored Las Vegas 27-7 in the first half. It was the third time in franchise history they held an opponent to just seven points in a half – Austin (1st) on 2/27/04 and Grand Rapids (2nd) on 4/23/04.
· The 42-35 Crush win at Nashville was the fifth-lowest scoring game in franchise history, falling five points shy of the 72 combined points by the Crush and Austin on 2/27/04. The Crush are now 4-1 in their five lowest scoring games (lost 39-36 at Orlando on 1/30/05).
· The Crush blocked their first-ever field goal in the win at Nashville when Saul Patu blocked a 31-yard attempt by Nashville's Gary Kral (3/12/2005).
· The Crush were 3-4 on Sundays and 8-1 on all other days in 2004. They are 4-3 on Sundays and 4-0 on Fridays and Saturdays in 2005.


INDIVIDUAL
· Damian Harrell reached the 1,000 receiving yard mark at Chicago on 4/17 (1,013 yards). This is the fifth straight season Harrell has reached 1,000 yards receiving.
· Damian Harrell extended his AFL record for consecutive games with a TD pass to 44. He broke the record earlier this season in the win over Las Vegas in 4/3/05. He broke the former record held by Albany's Eddie Brown (41) set 1997-2000.
· The game at Chicago will mark the 168th straight start for Kyle Moore-Brown – every game in his 11-year career.
· John Dutton tied a career-high with 8 touchdown passes vs. Philadelphia, the third time in his career and second time this season he accomplished the feat. He also threw for 8 TDs earlier this season vs. Grand Rapids (2/5/05) and in an overtime loss vs. LA on 2/16/03.
· Kevin McKenzie tied a career-high with three receiving touchdowns vs. Philadelphia. It is the second time this season he did it (vs. Grand Rapids, 2/5) and fourth time in his career. He also intercepted the first pass of the game and returned it for a TD.
· Rich Young tied a franchise record with two rushing touchdowns vs. Philadelphia. It was the fourth time a Crush player has done it, and the first since Chad Dukes had two in the 2004 season opener vs. Las Vegas on 2/6/04.
· Dustin Barno caught his first career TD in the fourth quarter on 4/3/05 (vs. Las Vegas).
· John Dutton threw three interceptions in the first half vs. Las Vegas. The three mark the second-most in a game in Crush history – Dutton threw four in an 80-40 loss @ San Jose 2/22/03. He had thrown just four all season prior to the Vegas game.
· Willis Marshall caught a career-high four TDs in Dallas on 3/25/05, all in the first half. He had caught three touchdown passes five times (last vs. Chicago, 5/30/04).
· 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.
· 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).
· 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 sacks, game – 4 @ Orlando, 1/30 (3 @ Detroit, 5/23/04)
Most interceptions, game – 3 vs. Columbus, 3/20 (2 eight times, last vs. Philadelphia, 5/1/04)
Most points scored, game – 77 vs. Philadelphia, 4/10 (74 @ Arizona, 2/19/05)
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
Consecutive games with a TD reception – 42 games, Damian Harrell vs. Las Vegas, 4/3/05 (41, Eddie Brown, 1997-2002 w/ Albany)
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)
Consecutive games with a TD reception – 42 games, Damian Harrell @ Dallas, 3/25/05 (41, Eddie Brown, 1997-2002 w/ Albany)

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)
Most TDs rushing, game – 2, Rich Young vs. Philadelphia, 4/10 (fourth time, last by Chad Dukes vs. Las Vegas, 4/10/04)


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

Tied
Fewest points, half – 7, Las Vegas, 4/3 (twice, last vs. Grand Rapids, 4/23/04)

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)
Most receiving touchdowns, game – 5, Etu Molden, @ Chicago, 4/17 (4 (4), last by Marcus Nash, Las Vegas, 4/3)

APPROACHING MILESTONES

Player Needs For Season Avg. Est. Games
Ahmad Hawkins 4 receiving yards 500 in career 21.8 1
Andy McCullough 7 receiving yards 3,000 in career 44.5 1
Rich Young 2 rushing yards 250 in career 4.2 1
Damian Harrell 59 receiving yards 8,000 in career 92.1 1
John Dutton 417 passing yards 14,000 in career 256.6 2
Kevin McKenzie 122 receiving yards 2,500 in career 48.0 3
Clay Rush 23 points 900 in career 9.9 3
Willis Marshall 199 return yards 3,000 in career 51.9 4
Willis Marshall 292 receiving yards 4,000 in career 53.7 6

MILESTONES REACHED
· Delvin Hughley made his 200th career tackle @ Chicago on 4/17
· Kevin McKenzie made his 200th career reception vs. Las Vegas on 4/3.
· John Dutton threw his 250th career TD pass vs. Las Vegas on 4/3.
· John Dutton reached 12,500 yards passing @ Dallas on 3/25.
· John Dutton completed his 1,000th pass @ Dallas on 3/25.
· 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)
8 vs. Columbus John Dutton (COL) Delvin Hughley (COL) Willis Marshall (COL)
9 @ Dallas Willis Marshall (COL) Delvin Hughley (COL) Will Pettis (DAL)
10 vs. Las Vegas Damian Harrell (COL) Ahmad Hawkins (COL) Willis Marshall (COL)
11 vs. Philadelphia John Dutton (COL) Rashad Floyd (COL) Kevin McKenzie (COL)
12 @ Chicago Etu Molden (CHI) Russell Shaw (CHI) Etu Molden (CHI)



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
WR/DB Ahmad Hawkins, Week 10 (vs. Las Vegas, 4/3) – 4.0 tackles, two interceptions (returned for 64 yards), 1 pass breakup


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


AFL WRITERS ASSOCIATION AWARDS

ALL-AFL TEAM (MID-SEASON)
FB/LB Rich Young

LAST MEETING: (2004 - GAME 6) · SAN JOSE 55, COLORADO 35
Sun, March 14, 2004 · HP PAVILION · SAN JOSE, Calif. · Attendance: 12,063
Player of Game Awards: Offensive – Mark Grieb (SJ) · Defensive – Joe Jacobs (SJ) · Ironman – Rashied Davis (SJ)

Score by Quarters 1 2 3 4 Score
----------------- -- -- -- -- -----
Colorado Crush...... 7 0 14 14 - 35 Record: (4-2)
San Jose SaberCats.. 13 14 14 14 - 55 Record: (4-1)

In retrospect, it was remarkable that the Colorado Crush stayed with the San Jose SaberCats as long as they did, remaining within striking distance and matching them score for score in the second half before succumbing 55-35 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose.

But a foe just as formidable -- if not more so -- than the powerful SaberCats was a flu virus that swept through the team. Two days before kickoff, the Crush placed wide receiver/defensive back Robert Redd on injured reserve due to the flu, but by game time Sunday, the virus spread. Kicker Anthony Brenner, lineman Aaron Johnson, defensive specialist Rashad Floyd and fullback/linebackers Rich Young and Chad Dukes all came down with the illness and received pre-game IVs. Head Coach Mike Dailey also had an IV, and wide receivers coach Scot Ruggles and offensive coordinator Brian Partlow coached in spite of battling the flu bug, which also felled John Elway.

In spite of the rampaging illness, the Crush actually outgained the SaberCats 328 yards to 292, had three more first downs (19 to 16) and committed four fewer penalties (just three against San Jose's seven). But the Crush was done in by three consecutive fruitless trips inside the San Jose 5-yard-line, drives that ended on downs, a fumbled snap and with the end of the half and the ball resting at the SaberCats 2-yard-line.

Damian Harrell paced the Crush with three touchdowns on five receptions. Kevin McKenzie led the team in receiving yardage (133 on six catches), while Willis Marshall posted a team-high 10 receptions. Kamau Peterson caught two passes for 23 yards in his Crush debut. Colorado dropped to 4-2 with the loss.

LAST GAME: GAME 11 –CHICAGO 75, COLORADO 51
APRIL 17, 2005 · ALLSTATE ARENA · ROSEMONT, IL · Attendance: 12,953
AWARDS: OFF-ETU MOLDEN (CHI) · DEF-RUSSELL SHAW (CHI) · IRONMAN-ETU MOLDEN (CHI)

ROSEMONT, Ill. -- The Colorado Crush trailed from start to finish, watching its seven-game winning streak evaporate in a 75-51 loss to the Chicago Rush in front of 12,953 at the Allstate Arena on Sunday afternoon. Chicago improved to 7-4 with the win. Colorado dropped to 8-3 with the loss but still holds a one-game lead in the Central Division standings over Chicago and a single-game edge in the American Conference ledger over the Rush and the San Jose SaberCats. The Crush meet San Jose in five days at Pepsi Center in Denver.

Colorado fell behind 14-0 to open the contest as the Rush sandwiched two touchdowns around a Russell Shaw end-zone interception. The Crush would pull within eight points on four occasions and actually narrowed the deficit to one point with 36 seconds left in the first half when quarterback John Dutton found offensive specialist Damian Harrell on the first of two touchdown connections.

But the moments that followed doomed the Crush. Chicago subsequently reclaimed an eight-point lead when Raymond Philyaw found Etu Molden for a 24-yard touchdown on a fourth-and-1 with 17 seconds left in the half. Three plays later, Chicago offensive specialist Henry Douglas sprinted 53 yards for a touchdown after a Clay Rush field-goal try hit off the right rebound net, putting the Crush in a 41-26 hole at halftime.

Chicago put the game away in the final two quarters, outscoring the Crush 34-19 to stretch its lead to 30 points before the Crush scored its final touchdown of the day with just one minute remaining in the game.

Chicago wide receiver/linebacker Etu Molden singed the Crush by snaring nine catches for 159 yards and five touchdowns. He added another touchdown on a 15-yard kickoff return in the final quarter, giving him six scores -- the most one player has ever recorded in a single game against Colorado.

Harrell paced the Crush with eight catches for 108 yards and two touchdowns, extending his AFL record of consecutive games with a touchdown to 44.

The loss was the Crush's worst since its last trip to Chicago on Feb. 22, 2004, when the Rush tagged the Crush with a 30-point defeat. Since that day, the Crush had won 17 of its next 23 regular-season games before being turned back by Chicago on Sunday.

Score by Quarters 1 2 3 4 Score
Colorado Crush...... 6 20 13 12 - 51 Record: (8-3)
Chicago Rush............. 14 27 14 20 - 75 Record: (7-4)



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 21, 2005


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