Colorado Crush game notes
May 23, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Colorado Crush News Release
QUICK FACTS:
Colorado Crush (11-5) vs. Chicago Rush (8-9)
Date: May 28, 2006
Kickoff: 1:30 p.m. MT
Site: Pepsi Center (18,093)
Television: NBC (Tom Hammond: play-by-play, Pat Haden: analyst, Lewis Johnson, sidelines)
Radio: KHOW 630 AM (Marc Stout: play-by-play, Andy Lindahl: analyst)
Coaches: Mike Dailey, Colorado (99-63, 10th Year)
Mike Hohensee, Chi. (103-93, 13th Year)
Officials: Referee: Tom McCabe
Umpire: Jeff Carr
Head Linesman: Mike McCabe
Line Judge: Darrel Leftwich
Back Judge: Jim Buchanan
Alternate: Art Lucky
Supervisor: Bob Mantooth
Series Record: Series is tied 4-4
@ Colorado 58, Chicago 76 (4/13/03)
Colorado 35, @ Chicago 65 (2/22/04)
@ Colorado 56, Chicago 47 (5/30/04)
@ Colorado 48, Chicago 51 (2/13/05)
Colorado 51, @ Chicago 75 (4/17/05)
@ Colorado 49, Chicago 43 OT* (6/5/05)
@ Colorado 65, Chicago 56 (1/29/06)
Colorado 49, @ Chicago 42 (3/10/06)
* indicates postseason game
THE GAME:
The 2006 Central Division Champion Colorado Crush open defense of their 2005 AFL Championship against the Chicago Rush on Sunday, May 28th at 1:30 p.m. at Pepsi Center.
For the second consecutive year, Colorado is the top seed in the American Conference. Chicago is the fifth seed and advanced into the Divisional Round last weekend with a 55-47 victory over the fourth seed Nashville Kats. The Crush earned a bye in the Wild Card Round by virtue of winning the Central Division.
Colorado is 4-1 all-time in postseason play and 1-0 versus Chicago in the playoffs. Last year, these teams met in the American Conference Championship game with the Crush pulling out a 49-43 overtime victory in what is known as "The Confetti Game". Colorado has won the last three meetings over the Rush, sweeping the regular season series this year for the first time with 65-56 and 49-42 victories at home and away respectively.
With a win over Chicago on Sunday, Crush head coach Mike Dailey would earn his 100th career AFL head coaching victory. Dailey would join only three other AFL head coaches with 100 or more career wins (Tim Marcum- Tampa Bay, Danny White- Utah and Mike Hohensee- Chicago).
The Chicago Rush are riding a three-game winning streak that includes victories over Utah and Grand Rapids to end the regular season and a playoff victory over Nashville. An experienced playoff team, the Rush are one
of only three teams to have
qualified for the postseason in each of the past six seasons. In addition, Chicago has advanced to the AFL semifinals three times during that span- 2002, 2004 and 2005.
Since their two earlier match-ups this season, the Rush have added offensive specialist Bobby Sippio to their arsenal. In his six games since joining Chicago, Sippio has amassed 44 receptions for 754 yards and 18 touchdowns.
PRACTICE SCHEDULE:
Tues, May 23- 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Practice at Pepsi Center
Wed, May 24- 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Practice at Pepsi Center
Thurs, May 25- 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Practice at Pepsi Center
Fri, May 26- 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Practice at Pepsi Center
Sat, May 27- Walk-Through
Sun, May 28- Crush vs. Chicago Rush, 1:30 p.m.
THE SCHEDULE:
COLORADO CRUSH (11-5)
Date OPPONENT RESULT SCORE
Jan. 29 CHICAGO W 65-56
Feb. 5 at Georgia W 61-59
Feb. 12 LAS VEGAS W 65-55
Feb. 18 at Nashville L 36-58
Feb. 26 at Philadelphia W 48-38
March 5 GRAND RAPIDS W 66-54
March 10 at Chicago W 49-42
March 19 at Los Angeles L 57-60
March 25 COLUMBUS L 21-65
April 1 NASHVILLE W 77-47
April 8 at Grand Rapids W 73-48
April 16 at Kansas City W 55-49
April 21 UTAH L 40-52
April 28 ORLANDO W 75-54
May 6 at San Jose L 56-61
May 12 ARIZONA W 59-35
AFL PLAYOFFS
May 28 CHICAGO
CRUSH NEXT WEEK:
If the Crush win their Divisional Round game against Chicago, Colorado would advance to the American Conference Championship game on either Saturday. June 3 or Sunday, June 4. The Crush would face the winner of the Arizona Rattlers at San Jose SaberCats game.
STATISTICS:
A look at how Colorado and Chicago match-up on both sides of the ball based on final 2006 regular season statistics:
Statistical COLORADO CHICAGO
Category Rank Stat Rank Stat
Scoring Offense 2nd 56.4 7th 51.6
Scoring Defense 9th 52.1 10th 52.1
Total Offense (yds/g) 5th 290.8 8th 285.4
Total Defense (yds/g) 4th 270.8 11th 286.4
Pass Offense 5th 276.4 11th 261.3
Pass Defense 5th 250.6 6th 258.9
Rushing Offense 14th 14.4 6th 24.1
Rushing Defense 9th 20.2 17th 27.6
Passer Rating 8th 113.0 4th 119.6
Def. Passer Rating 10th 109.1 13th 111.9
Kickoff Returns (y/rtn) T-6th 17.9 T-6th 17.9
MFG Returns 6th 18.4 2nd 28.6
Turnover Margin T-14th -6 3rd +10
Field Goals 4th 8-14 8th 15-31
PATs 3rd 115-124 8th 80-91
First Downs T-4th 337 12th 303
Opp. First Downs 9th 316 16th 333
Penalties (yds/g) 10th 42.7 16th 46.2
Sacks By 7th 18-78 4th 21-129
Sacks Against 6th 11-73 15th 24-115
Time of Possession 9th 30:21 4th 31:03
Red Zone Offense 5th 74-90 10th 61-78
Red Zone Defense 15th 67-79 16th 69-81
CONNECTIONS:
Crush Head Coach Mike Dailey and Rush Head Coach Mike Hohensee are best friends, having spent a great deal of time on the same coaching staffs. Dailey was Hohensee's best man in his wedding and is the godfather to his children. They both began as assistants at Montgomery Junior College in Rockville, Md ... Crush OS Damian Harrell played two seasons under Hohensee in New England ... Colorado QB Todd Hammel went to training camp with the Rush in 2006 ... Chicago WR/DB Marcus Moore attended the University of Colorado ... Rush WR/DB Brian Sump went to the Colorado School of Mines.
THE CRUSH THIS SEASON ARE:
O H R
Overall Record 11-5 6-2 5-3
Overtime Games 0-0 0-0 0-0
Score first 7-2 4-1 3-1
Opponent scores first 4-3 2-1 2-2
Score 40+ points 11-3 6-1 5-2
Score less than 40 points 0-1 0-0 0-1
Games decided by 10+ pts 7-3 5-2 2-1
Games decided by 7 pts or less 2-0 1-0 1-0
Games decided by 3 pts or less 1-2 1-0 0-2
Lead at halftime 8-1 4-0 4-1
Trail at halftime 2-4 1-2 1-2
Are tied at halftime 1-0 1-0 0-0
Lead after 3rd quarter 10-1 6-0 4-1
Trail after 3rd quarter 0-4 0-2 0-2
Are tied after 3rd quarter 1-0 0-0 1-0
Lead time of possession 6-2 3-1 3-1
Trail time of possession 5-3 3-1 2-2
Positive turnover margin 7-0 4-0 3-0
Negative turnover margin 2-5 1-2 1-3
Even turnover margin 2-0 1-0 1-0
More total yards offense 7-4 2-1 5-3
Less total yards offense 4-1 4-1 0-0
On Fridays 2-1 1-1 1-0
On Saturdays 2-3 1-1 1-2
On Sundays 7-1 4-0 3-1
vs. American Conference 7-4 5-1 2-3
vs. Central Division 5-1 3-0 2-1
vs. Western Division 2-3 2-1 0-2
vs. National Conference 4-1 1-0 2-0
vs. Eastern Division 1-1 0-1 1-0
vs. Southern Division 3-0 1-0 2-0
RECENT TRANSACTIONS:
March 5, 2006- Placed on Emergency Hold K Clay Rush. Signed Emergency Kicker K Jason Ball.
March 6, 2006- Activated from Emergency Kicker K Jason Ball. Placed on Injured Reserve K Clay Rush.
March 9, 2006- Activated from Injured Reserve OL/DL Aaron Johnson. Placed on Injured Reserve OL/DL Craig Heimburger.
March 13, 2006 Waived K Jason Ball.
March 18, 2006- Re-Signed FB/LB Rich Young. Activated from Injured Reserve K Clay Rush, FB/LB Rich Young. Placed on Injured Reserve OL/DL Chris Watton.
March 24, 2006- Re-Signed OL/DL Chris Berg. Activated from Injured Reserve OL/DL Craig Heimburger. Placed on Injured Reserve OL/DL Chris Berg.
March 31, 2006- Re-Signed OL/DL Seante Williams. Activated from Injured Reserve OL/DL Chris Watton, OL/DL Seante Williams. Placed on Injured Reserve OL/DL Craig Heimburger, FB/LB Rich Young.
April 7, 2006- Re-Signed WR/DB Evan Hlavacek. Activated from Injured Reserve WR/DB Evan Hlavacek. Placed on Injured Reserve OL/DL Seante Williams.
April 29, 2006- Activated from Injured Reserve OL/DL Craig Heimburger. Placed on Injured Reserve WR/DB Evan Hlavacek. Signed to Practice Squad DS Tony Scott.
May 2, 2006- Re-Signed FB/LB Anthony Dunn.
May 5, 2006- Signed from the Practice Squad DS Tony Scott. Activated from Injured Reserve OL/DL Chris Berg, FB/LB Rich Young. Placed on Injured Reserve FB/LB Saul Patu.
May 10, 2006- Signed OL/DL Chris Snyder. Placed on Injured Reserve OL/DL Chris Berg.
May 11, 2006- Re-Signed FB/LB Rich Young. Activated from Injured Reserve OL/DL Seante Williams. Placed on Injured Reserve OL/DL Aaron Johnson.
HEAD COACHES:
MIKE DAILIEY, Colorado (99-63, 10th Year): Dailey enters his third season in Colorado and tenth 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.
One of the most successful and well-respected coaches in AFL history, his teams have made seven postseason appearances and he has won four division titles and two championships.
Last season under Dailey's guidance, the Crush captured their first Central Division title en route to claiming a 51-48 victory in ArenaBowl XIX giving Colorado their first AFL championship in only their third year of existence. With the team's win over Chicago in the American Conference championship game on June 5th, Dailey became the fourth winningest coach in AFL history surpassing Perry Moss.
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.
In 1999, Dailey led the Firebirds to their only ArenaBowl championship and was named AFL Coach of the Year. Before being named head coach of the Firebirds in 1997,
Dailey served as an assistant in Albany for five seasons.
Dailey began his AFL coaching career with the Washington Commandos where he served as offensive/defensive line coach in 1990. He joined the Firebirds organization in the same capacity in 1991.
Prior to the AFL, Dailey worked as an assistant coach at Towson State University and was the offensive coordinator at Montgomery College-Rockville (Md.). Dailey got his start in coaching in 1981 as a 22-year-old assistant at Georgetown Prep High School in Rockville, Md. The move to coaching followed a semi-pro football career in the Washington D.C. area.
All-Time Winningest AFL Coaches
Including Postseason
Rank Name-Team Wins
1. Tim Marcum- Tampa Bay 183
2. Danny White- Utah 148
3. Mike Hohensee- Chicago 103
4. Mike Dailey- Colorado 99
5. Darren Arbet- San Jose 92
6. Perry Moss- not active 86
7. Michael Trigg- not active 80
8. Jay Gruden- Orlando 74
9. John Gregory- not active 73
MIKE HOHENSEE, Chicago (103-93, 13th Year): With Chicago's 51-48 win in Colorado February 13th, Rush head coach Mike Hohensee moved into sole possession of third place on the AFL's all-time wins list. Hohensee, in his 13th season as a head coach in the AFL, was hired as the first coach in Rush history on September 26, 2000. He has a regular season record of 95-84 (including a 44-33 mark with the Rush). He has a career 7-9 mark in the postseason. He has led the Rush to five-consecutive playoff berths and two Central Division titles (2002 and 2004). Hohensee is 4-2 all-time when taking on the Crush.
Hohensee joined the Rush after spending the previous two seasons as head coach and director of player personnel for the New England Sea Wolves. He has spent a total of 12 seasons coaching in the Arena Football League, including prior head coaching stints with the Washington Commandos (1990), the Albany Firebirds (1994-96), the Anaheim Piranhas (1997) and the New England Sea Wolves (1999-2000).
He began his coaching career as an assistant for the Chicago Bruisers in 1989 before becoming the youngest head coach in league history for the Washington Commandos in 1990.
Hohensee played professional football for the Washington Federals of the USFL, the CFL's Ottawa Rough Riders and Toronto Argonauts and the Pittsburgh Gladiators of the AFL- where he is credited with throwing the first touchdown pass in AFL history. He also saw action with the Chicago Bears during the 1987 season.
Hohensee was an all-America quarterback at San Antonio Junior College before transferring to the University of Minnesota.
LAST TIME THESE TEAMS MET:
ROSEMONT, IL (3/10/06) - Colorado turned back three years of frustration in trips to Chicago, defeating the Rush 49-42 to earn the Crush's first-ever road win over the Rush and earn the team's first season sweep of its division rivals.
Offensive specialist Damian Harrell scored three touchdowns and quarterback John Dutton fired six touchdown passes for the Crush, which has now won three consecutive games over Chicago after losing both regular-season contests in 2005.
In pulling off the win, the Crush rallied from first-half deficits of 13-0 and 20-7. However, the Crush claimed the advantage for good with six seconds left in the first half on John Dutton's 23-yard touchdown pass to Andy McCullough, and a series of defensive stops helped Colorado preserve the win and move to 6-1, giving the team its best seven-game start in franchise history.
The game couldn't have started much worse for the Crush, though, as a Dutton fumble and a turnover on downs allowed Chicago to sprint to a quick 13-0 lead. Colorado finally got on the board when Dutton hit Harrell for a 4-yard touchdown early in the second quarter, but the Rush responded with a scoring drive to re-take a 13-point lead.
The game turned on the ensuing possession when Chicago's Charlie Cook fumbled at the Crush 3-yard-line. Colorado's Anthony Dunn recovered and the Crush capitalized, driving to a 4-yard Dutton-to-Ahmad Hawkins touchdown that gave Colorado its first lead at 21-20.
Colorado and Chicago exchanged touchdowns to close the second half, but the Crush defense responded to the challenge in the second half, forcing Chicago to settle for a field-goal attempt on its first drive out of the locker room and a turnover on downs early in the fourth quarter.
Colorado, meanwhile, scored on three consecutive second-half drives and had its last possession ended by the final gun as Colorado ran out the clock to clinch the win.
DENVER (1/29/06) - Damian Harrell snared four touchdown receptions, including a tiebreaking score with one second left, to help give the Colorado Crush a 65-56 win over the Chicago Rush in a season-opening rematch of the 2005 American Conference championship game in front of 14,832 at Pepsi Center on Sunday afternoon.
Harrell's score capped a tit-for-tat duel between the Central Division rivals that saw just one defensive stop between the two teams, who spent most of the afternoon exchanging touchdowns.
The streak of scores finally ceased when Colorado's Saul Patu jarred the football loose from Chicago's Henry Douglas late in the third quarter, allowing the Crush to recover and gain possession at the Chicago 8-yard-line. Three plays later, Harrell scored his third touchdown of the third quarter to give the Crush a 49-36 lead, its largest to that point in the game.
Colorado would increase its lead to 14 points at 56-42 before the Rush rallied with back-to-back touchdown drives sandwiched around a Russell Shaw interception at the Chicago 1-yard-line.
Chicago played without injured kicker Keith Gispert, forcing Todd Howard and Michael Bishop into emergency kicking duties. The duo split work on kickoffs, while Howard attempted an extra point that missed wide left. The absence of a full-time kicker forced Chicago to go for it on four fourth downs -- all of which they converted.
John Dutton completed 22-of-34 passes for 291 yards and eight touchdowns with one interception for the Crush; he also ran for another score. Chicago quarterback Matt D'Orazio made his starting debut for the Rush and completed 22-of-32 passes for 265 yards and five scores. He also ran for three touchdowns and finished as the game's leading rusher with 23 yards on 10 carries.
Colorado featured a pair of 100-yard receivers: Harrell, with 111 yards on seven receptions, and wide receiver/linebacker Andy McCullough, who grabbed seven passes for 115 yards and two touchdowns.
THINGS TO WATCH:
HARDER THE SECOND TIME AROUND:
This season, Colorado was the only team to repeat as a Division Champion. The Crush are also vying to be just the third team in AFL history to win back-to-back league championships (Tampa Bay 1995 & 1996, Detroit 1988 & 1989 & 1990).
2006 2005
Central Division Colorado Colorado
Western Division Los Angeles San Jose
Southern Division Georgia Orlando
Eastern Division New York Dallas
ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH:
After finishing their inaugural season 0-8 at home, the Crush are now 21-5 under Mike Dailey (2-0 in the postseason) at Pepsi Center. Two of the five losses consist of an overtime field goal by Indiana's kicker Clay Rush (now with Colorado) in 2004, and a 51-48 Chicago win in 2005 on a field goal with three seconds remaining.
BUILDING A WINNING TRADITION:
The Crush are the winningest team in the AFL regular season since head coach Mike Dailey's arrival, having tied for the league's best record in 2004 (11-5) and finishing with the American Conference's top seed in 2005 (10-6) and 2006 (11-5).
Team 2004 2005 2006 Total
Colorado 11 10 11 32
Orlando 10 10 10 30
San Jose 11 9 10 30
New York 9 10 10 29
Chicago 11 9 7 27
Tampa Bay 9 10 7 26
Los Angeles 9 10 5 24
TACKLING MACHINE:
For the second time in the last three years, defensive specialist Rashad Floyd had broke the AFL single-season record for tackles.
Floyd finished the 2006 season with 136.5 besting Damon Mason's record of 133.5 set just last season.
After setting an AFL record with 122.0 tackles in 2004, Floyd smashed his record while recording the second most tackles in the league, 129.5, for the 2005 regular season. This despite missing almost the entire game vs. Columbus on (3/20) and being inactive in the game at Grand Rapids (4/30).
AFL Record - Most Tackle in a Season
Player Team Year Total Gms Avg.
Rashad Floyd Colorado 2006 136.5 16 8.53
Damon Mason Orl/GRR 2005 133.5* 17 7.85
Rashad Floyd Colorado 2005 129.5 15 8.63
Chris Brown Georgia 2006 124.0 16 7.75
Rashad Floyd Colorado 2004 122.0 16 7.63
Cornelius Coe Indiana 2001 121.5 14 8.68
Damon Mason Orlando 2000 108.0 14 7.7
Eddie Moten Phila. 2006 104.0 16 6.50
Damon Mason Orlando 1999 103.0 14 7.36
Damon Mason Orlando 2001 101.0 14 7.21
* After being released by Orlando at the midway of the point of the season, Mason joined Grand Rapids for the team's final nine games. Mason missed both teams' bye week, therefore, he played in 17 games. Typically, regular season statistics are based on a 16-game season.
HARRELL-DED RECEIVER:
Colorado Crush offensive specialist and reigning AFL Offensive Player of the Year Damian Harrell did his best to make the 20th AFL season a historical one. Harrell finished the regular season leading the league in scoring, scoring TDs, receptions and receiving touchdowns, while rewriting the league's record books along the way.
Versus Orlando (4/30), Harrell hauled in a career-high 15 receptions and a career-high tying five touchdowns. As part of his five-TD performance against the Predators, he set a new AFL single-season record for most receiving touchdowns (previously 46) and tied the AFL mark for most single-season total touchdown of 51.
With his 172 receiving yards on the night vs. Orlando, he became only the sixth player in AFL history to surpass the 10,000 career receiving yard mark.
Harrell also led the AFL with 366 points scored, which broke the league's single-season record of 310 set by San Jose WR/DB Barry Wagner in 1997, while Wagner was playing for the Orlando Predators.
HARRELL REC YARDS TDS Points
2006 152 1,920 61 366
AFL Rank 1st 1st 1st 1st
AFL Record 154 1,982 46 310
STEEL CURTAIN:
After allowing 14 sacks in 2003 (12 on Dutton), the Crush pass protection has been stellar under head coach Mike Dailey. The team allowed just four sacks in 2004, and none after Week 6 at San Jose (3/14/04). Colorado did not allow a sack in their final 446 offensive plays of the 2004 regular season (10+ games).
The Crush allowed just six sacks in 2005, which includes an unforced fumble by QB John Dutton that the Crush recovered, on the opening play vs. Los Angele (2/27/05). On the 2005 season, Colorado held 10 opponents sackless.
The Crush have now allowed just 16 sacks in their last 40 regular season games (total of 1,878 plays).
A BROKEN RECORD:
Damian Harrell has caught a touchdown pass in an AFL record 65 straight regular season games, including all 61 games as a member of the Crush. That streak is also the longest active streak of consecutive games scoring a TD. He broke the record for consecutive games with a receiving touchdown on 4/3/05 in the win over Las Vegas. It also ties the 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) --- 65
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
Damian Harrell (Tor/Col) 2002 (Wk 12) --- 65
Eddie Brown (Alb/Ind) 1997 (Wk 3) 2002 (Wk 3) 65
Chris Jackson (LA) 2000 (Wk 1) 2003 (Wk 14) 47
Barry Wagner (Orlando) 1992 (Wk 10) 1996 (Wk 11) 43
Eddie Brown (Albany) 1994 (Wk 1) 1996 (Wk 14) 33
ALL-PURPOSE MARSHALL:
Following his selection to the All-Ironman team last season, Willis Marshall is making a case to make it two years in a row.
Against Grand Rapids (3/5), Marshall amassed 275 all-purpose yards, the second highest single-game total in team history (291- Willis Marshall, vs. San Jose 4/22/05).
His 198 kickoff return yards vs. the Rampage were also second all-time in club history (227- Willis Marshall, vs. San Jose 4/22/05).
Marshall finished the 2006 season ranked third in the AFL in all-purpose yards with 2,688 on the season (72 rushing, 992 receiving and 1,614 return).
IS THAT THE SAME TEAM:
Just one week after scoring a franchise-low 21 points vs. Columbus (3/25), the Crush came back and tied their franchise-high scoring 77 points against Nashville (4/1).
In addition to the team record for points, Colorado also set a club-record for total touchdowns with 11 and set season highs for margin of victory (30), penalties (13) and penalty yardage (74).
The defeat handed Nashville their worst loss ever while, the Kats allowed more points than they ever have -- a history that includes the team's previous incarnation from 1997-2001.
Individually, a few Crush players had career nights against Nashville.
- WR/DB Ahmad Hawkins' two touchdown receptions were a career-high.
- Kicker Clay Rush tied his franchise record of making 11 extra points without a miss, matching the mark he set last year against the Philadelphia Soul, the only other time the Crush has scored 77 points.
- QB John Dutton threw a career-high tying nine touchdown passes.
- OS Damian Harrell tied his career-high with five touchdown receptions.
OH WHAT A NIGHT:
In a 65-21 loss to the Columbus Destroyers on March 25th, the Crush set several new club records- some good and some not so good.
Colorado committed a record seven turnovers on the night (four fumbles and three interceptions). The previous mark was six turnovers at San Jose (2/22/03).
The Crush's 21-point output was the club's lowest in their four-year history (previous 28 points @ New York 5/21/05).
The 44-point defeat was the second worse in team history only behind a 48-point loss to San Jose (41-89 on 4/22/05).
The lone bright spot on the night was the Crush defense was able to limit the Destroyers to just 173 yards of total offense setting a new team-record (188 @ New York, 4/18/04).
IT'S NOT OVER TILL IT'S OVER:
Since head coach Mike Dailey has arrived in Colorado in 2004, the Crush have claimed victory in the final minute of the game in six contests. Both of the Crush wins in 2006 have come down to the final 60 seconds of play.
2004
- vs. Las Vegas (2/6)- QB John Dutton tosses two touchdown passes to OS Damian Harrell in the final 12 seconds to give Colorado a stunning 43-42 victory.
- at Detroit (5/23)- QB John Dutton found WR/DB Willis Marshall for a 10-yard touchdown pass with one second on the clock as the Crush won 45-42.
2005
- vs. Nashville (5/13)- K Clay Rush splits the uprights on a 31-yard field goal as time expires to give Colorado a 52-49 win.
- vs. Georgia (6/12)- K Clay Rush connects on a 20-yard field goal as time expires to give the Crush a 56-48 victory in ArenaBowl XIX.
2006
- vs. Chicago (1/29)- QB John Dutton hits OS Damian Harrell for a touchdown with one second remaining as the Crush go on to win 65-56.
- at Georgia (2/5)- QB John Dutton finds OS Damian Harrell for a 13-yard touchdown with 45 seconds left to lift Colorado to a 61-59 victory.
TACKING ON ONE:
While Damian Harrell and Kyle Moore-Brown continued their AFL record streaks in 2006, kicker Clay Rush quietly posted a record streak of his own.
Rush connected on 49 straight PAT attempts, the longest streak in the AFL since 2004 when Jay Taylor of Orlando made 45 consecutive PATs.
Rush's streak spanned over two months from the third quarter at Philadelphia (2/26) to second quarter of vs. Orlando (4/30).
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 is tied for fourth for field goals made.
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. Utah 1,385
3. Remy Hamilton 1998-pres. L.A. 1,224
4. Clay Rush 1999-pres. Colorado 1,040
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. Utah 167
3. Remy Hamilton 1998-pres. L.A. 160
T-4. Clay Rush 1999-pres. Colorado 118
T-4. Kenny Stucker 1994-99, 2003 n/a 118
6. Daron Alcorn 1997-04 n/a 100
MAN OF STEEL:
A true AFL Ironman, Kyle Moore-Brown is in his 12th season in the league and has never missed a game. ArenaBowl XIX marked his AFL record 176th 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 OL/DL Otis Moore missing two games in 2005, Moore-Brown now stands alone in the record books with 174 straight regular season games. Each had appeared in every game since 1995, with Moore-Brown having the overall edge with more playoff appearances.
AFL Record for Consecutive Games
Player (current team) Reg. Season Playoffs Total
Kyle Moore-Brown (Col.)* 174 18 192
Otis Moore (Gra.) 153 1 155
*streak current
THE STREAK STOPS HERE:
In Week 2, with the Crush's 61-59 victory over Georgia, Colorado snapped the Force's 11-game regular season home winning streak. Georgia's steak was tied for the third longest in AFL history. The Force had also won two playoff games in Philips Arena pushing their mark to 13 straight home games before the lost to Colorado.
Three weeks later, the Crush ended the Philadelphia Soul's perfect mark at home for the 2006 season. The Soul had started the year a perfect 3-0 at the Wachovia Center before Colorado captured a 48-38 victory on 2/26/06.
In a Week 7 contest at Chicago (3/10), the Crush broke through for their first-ever victory in Allstate Arena in three times with a 49-42 win. The victory also gave Colorado their first-ever season sweep over the Rush.
Last week, Colorado ended the Orlando Predators five-game win streak with a 75-54 victory at Pepsi Center. During their run, the Predators had only been allowing 30.8 points per game before the Crush posted 75 points.
AMONG THE BEST:
Here is a break-down on where some of the Crush players rank in the AFL in various categories this season:
PLAYER CATEGORY AFL RANK
OL/DL- Dustin Barno
Sacks T-4th
QB- John Dutton
Completions 3rd
Attempts 2nd
Passing TDs 2nd
Passing Yards 4th
Total Offense 4th
Interceptions T-3rd
DS- Rashad Floyd
Tackles 1st
Interceptions 3rd
OS- Damian Harrell
Scoring 1st
Scoring (TDs) 1st Receptions 1st
Receiving Yards 2nd
Receiving TDs 1st
WR/DB- Ahmad Hawkins
MFG Returns 3rd
MFG Return Yards 4th
WR/LB- Willis Marshall
All-Purpose Yards 3rd
Kick Returns 1st
Kick Return Yards 2nd
K- Clay Rush
PAT Kicking Pct. 3rd
PAT Kicks Made 3rd
AND THE AWARD GOES TO:
AFL All-Arena First Team
Damian Harrell
AFL All-Arena Second Team
Rashad Floyd
Clay Rush
AFL All-Ironman Team
Hugh Hunter
Willis Marshall
Kyle Moore-Brown
AFL All-Rookie Team
Anthony Dunn
AFLWA Schutt Top 12 Poll
# 1 ranking- Week 1
# 1 ranking- Week 2
# 1 ranking- Week 3
# 1 ranking- Week 4
# 1 ranking- Week 7
# 1 ranking- Week 8
AFL Offensive Player of the Week
John Dutton- Week 1
Damian Harrell- Week 12
Damian Harrell- Week 14
AFL ADT Defensive Player of the Week
Rashad Floyd- Week 10
Rashad Floyd- Week 11
Beckett.com Player of the Week
John Dutton- Week 1
Damian Harrell- Week 12
AFLWA Player of the Week
Damian Harrell- Week 1
AFLWA Player of the Week
John Dutton- Week 10
ArenaFan Offensive Player of the Week
Damian Harrell- Week 1
Damian Harrell- Week 6
ArenaFan Defensive Player of the Week
Rashad Floyd- Week 3
Rashad Floyd- Week 10
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 23, 2006
- Arizona Rattlers game notes - Arizona Rattlers
- Chicago Rush game notes - Chicago Rush
- Georgia Force game notes - Georgia Force
- Gaines Named "Defensive Player of the Week" - Arizona Rattlers
- Desperados Colston Weatherington Named AFL's Lineman of the Year - Dallas Desperados
- Dallas' Colston Weatherington named AFL Lineman of the Year - AFL I
- Philadelphia Soul game notes - Philadelphia Soul
- San Jose SaberCats game notes - San Jose SaberCats
- Orlando Predators game notes - Orlando Predators
- Colorado Crush game notes - Colorado Crush
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