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Columbus Destroyers game notes

March 15, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Columbus Destroyers News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Columbus Destroyers (1-5) at
Colorado Crush (4-2)
Date: Sunday, March 20, 2005
Kickoff: 3:00 p.m. (ET)
Site: Pepsi Center (18,093)
Officials: Perry Havener, Referee; Tom Laverty, Umpire; Kelly Saalfeld, Head Linesman; David Meslow, Line Judge; Barry Anderson, Back Judge
Radio: Columbus' flagship station WAZU-107.1 FM "The Big Wazoo" will broadcast the game live with Rob Blackman and Greg Frey.
Television: None
Series Record: Sunday's contest will be the first-ever meeting between the Destroyers and Crush. Colorado was an expansion team in 2003.
Series Streaks: Though the Crush are in their third season in the AFL, the Destroyers and Crush have yet to meet in a regular season or postseason game.
Coaches: Columbus, Chris Spielman, 1st season (1-5 in 2005, 1-5 overall). Colorado, Mike Dailey, 9thseason (4-2 in 2005, 73-49 overall).

OVERVIEW: Through seven weeks of play, the Destroyers now find themselves in a similar position to where they stood a year ago. After winning the season-opener during their inaugural season, the Destroyers dropped six consecutive games. This season, following a big win over the Chicago Rush, the Destroyers are now in the midst of a three-game losing streak as the club travels to Colorado to face the Central Division-leading Crush at the Pepsi Center. The Destroyers struggled to put points on the board in last week's 63-34 loss to the Las Vegas Gladiators. The club's only score in the second and third quarters came on a 41-yard kick return by Cornelius White as time expired in the third quarter. Following Sunday's game in Colorado, the Destroyers return to Columbus for consecutive home games versus New York and Philadelphia.

After starting the season at 1-2, Colorado enters this week's game riding a three-game winning streak, including a 7-point victory over the Nashville Kats last week in Nashville. Crush FB/LB Rich Young scored with 56 seconds left in the game to lift Colorado to a 42-35 win to keep the Crush atop the Central Division heading into week eight of the regular season.

COLUMBUS DESTROYERS (1-5)
Date Opponent Time Result Record
1/28 NASHVILLE 7:00 L (47-38) 0-1
2/13 @Dallas 3:00 L (35-31) 0-2
2/19 CHICAGO 7:00 W (52-39) 1-2
2/27 @Grand Rapids 3:00 L (66-57) 1-3
3/06 @Georgia 2:00 L (55-48) 1-4
3/12 LAS VEGAS 7:00 L (63-34) 1-5
3/20 @Colorado 3:00 - -
3/26 NEW YORK 7:00 - -
4/03 PHILADELPHIA 12:00 - -
4/08 @Arizona 10:00 - -
4/16 @New Orleans 8:00 - -
4/22 DALLAS 7:00 - -
4/30 AUSTIN 7:00 - -
5/07 @New York 7:00 - -
5/15 @Philadelphia 1:00 - -
5/22 TAMPA BAY 3:00 - -
*All Times Eastern

COLORADO CRUSH (4-2)
Date Opponent Time Result Record
1/30 @Orlando 12:00 L (39-36) 0-1
2/05 GRAND RAPIDS 3:00 W (72-56) 1-1
2/13 CHICAGO 3:00 L (51-48) 1-2
2/19 @Arizona 9:30 W (74-69) 2-2
2/27 LOS ANGELES 3:00 W (58-40) 3-2
3/13 @Nashville 6:30 W (42-35) 4-2
3/20 COLUMBUS 3:00
3/25 @Dallas 8:30
4/03 LAS VEGAS 3:00
4/10 PHILADELPHIA 1:00
4/17 @Chicago 1:00
4/22 SAN JOSE 9:00
4/30 @Grand Rapids 8:00
5/08 @New Orleans 1:00
5/13 NASHVILLE 9:00
5/21 @New York 7:00
*All Times Eastern

A COLUMBUS WIN OVER COLORADO WOULD...

· Give the Destroyers their second win of the season
· Give the Destroyers their first road win of the season
· End the Destroyers' three-game losing streak
· Prevent the Destroyers from falling to 1-6 for the second consecutive season
· Give the Destroyers their first win over the Crush franchise

DESTROYERS Last Week:
Clint Dolezel hit Marcus Nash on a 13-yard touchdown pass with 4:45 remaining in the first half and then connected with Nash again on a 15-yard strike with:09 left before halftime to break open a tight game and propel the Las Vegas Gladiators to a 63-34 win over the Columbus Destroyers last Saturday night. Nash pulled in five touchdown passes for the Gladiators and added one rushing touchdown. Dolezel finished 21 of 29 for 273 yards with five touchdowns in his first action since returning from a finger injury in week two of the season. Columbus was led by Sedrick Robinson, who made 11 catches for 103 yards with three touchdowns. Robinson also had seven kick returns for 136 yards and threw a 4-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter. Cornelius White added five catches for 56 yards with one touchdown. Two potential touchdown plays were wiped out in the first half for the Destroyers because of penalties. They committed 16 penalties for 106 yards. The Destroyers scored first when quarterback Matt D'Orazio hooked up with Robinson on a 12-yard touchdown play with 11:23 left in the first quarter. Las Vegas quickly answered with Nash's 2-yard run. Columbus scored next with a trick play, as Robinson took the pitch from D'Orazio and lofted a 4-yard pass to White. Las Vegas opened the second quarter when Nash caught a 6-yard touchdown pass from Dolezel to even the score at 14-14. Columbus scored as time expired before halftime when Robinson scooped up a squib kick and returned it 41-yards to make the score 26-21 at halftime. The second half began with the Gladiators scoring on their first two possessions. The first was a 4-yard plunge into the end zone by fullback Frank Carter, and the second, a 2-yard run by their other fullback, Rodney Filer. The Destroyers failed to score in the third quarter and would eventually drop their fifth game of the season.
THIS WEEK's OPPONENT:
The Destroyers travel to Colorado to face the Crush at the Pepsi Center Sunday afternoon. This weekend's game will be the first time the Destroyers have faced the Crush in franchise history. The Crush, led by head coach Mike Dailey, enters this week atop the Central Division on the strength of three consecutive wins over Arizona, Los Angeles and Nashville. Colorado sports the third-best scoring offense in the league (55.0 points per game) led by quarterback John Dutton who has established himself as one of the top passers in the game. In six games, Dutton has completed 137 passes (T-4th in AFL) for 1,554 yards (7th in AFL) and 34 touchdowns (4th in AFL) and is the fifth-highest rated passer in the league (115.0). Dutton's primary target is offensive specialist Damian Harrell, who is the club's leading receiver with 44 catches for 588 yards and 18 touchdowns this season. Defensively, Colorado is led by DS Rashad Floyd who is the AFL's leading tackler with 57.5 stops entering Sunday's game. Fullback/linebacker Rich Young has also been a strong contributor on both sides of the ball for Colorado, recording 32 yards rushing, a rushing touchdown and a receiving touchdown, while also registering a team-high four sacks, which is tied for third in the AFL.
DESTROYERS NOTABLES:

RETURN TO SENDER
The Destroyers enter this week's game with Colorado ranked first in the league in kick return yards gained (880), second in average yards gained per return (22.0) and second in returns for a touchdown (5). The club added its fifth kick return for a TD last week versus Las Vegas on a 41-yard return courtesy of Cornelius White. It was the fifth consecutive game the Destroyers returned a kick for a touchdown.

TWO-HEADED MONSTER
Damien Groce and Sedrick Robinson have quickly emerged as one of the top offensive tandems in the Arena Football League, early on doing most of their damage on special teams. Both Groce and Robinson are in the top 10 in virtually all kick return categories. Entering week 8, Groce has returned 19 kicks (T-8th) for 445 yards (6th) and two touchdowns (T-2nd) while averaging 23.4 yards per return (2nd). Robinson has returned 18 kicks (10th) for 380 yards (7th) and two touchdowns (T-2nd) while averaging 21.1 yards per return (T-7th).

DOING IT ALL
After being hampered by injuries in recent weeks, wide receiver/linebacker/defensive back/offensive specialist/quarterback/kick return specialist/place kick holder Sedrick Robinson was his usual self once again last Saturday night versus Las Vegas. Robinson, who was the club's MVP last season, moved to OS a week ago and would go on to have his best game of the season. He finished with a season-high 11 catches for 103 yards and three touchdowns. He also returned seven kicks for 136 yards and threw a four-yard touchdown pass to Cornelius White in the first quarter. It was the first time Robinson went over 100 yards receiving and over 100 yards on returns since week 16 of last season.

PROVIDING A SPARK
Destroyers backup quarterback Ryan Vena saw his first action of the season last week after spending the past three weeks as a back up to Matt D'Orazio. Vena was put in the game to open the fourth quarter and immediately paid dividends. His first pass attempt of the season went for a 24-yard touchdown to Sedrick Robinson. Vena finished the game having completed 8-of-13 passes for 116 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.

ON AN ISLAND
Late in the game last week, the Destroyers went with press coverage in an attempt to make something happen after falling behind. Covering the man in high motion, DS Brandon Hefflin found himself alone and asked to slow down Vegas OS Marcus Nash. Hefflin showed tremendous make up speed, finishing with four pass deflections in the game. His four breakups was the second most in a single game in franchise history (5-Dwaine Carpenter).

TAPERING OFF
The Destroyers have played well in the first quarter of ever game this season. The club has outscored their opponents 83-49 in the first quarter of play. However, on the season, the Destroyers have been outscored by their opponents in each successive quarter, being outscored 177-256 in the second, third and fourth quarters combined.

REWRITING THE RECORD BOOKS
Wide receiver/linebacker Cornelius White became the Destroyers' all-time leading receiver in week one and continues to build on his mark in his third season with the team. He is currently 6 catches behind OS Bobby Olive, who is also still playing, to become the club's all-time leader in every major receiving category. He is currently the team's all-time leader in receiving yards (2,404), touchdowns scored (47), receiving touchdowns (46) and points scored (292). Olive currently is the club's all-time leader in career receptions (189), single-season receptions (106) and single-season receiving yards (1,184).

DESTROYERS CAREER RECEIVING LEADERS
Player Career Receptions
Bobby Olive 189 (1999-2002, 2005)
Cornelius White 183 (2003-2005)

Player Career Receiving Yards
Cornelius White 2,404 (2003-2005)
Bobby Olive 1,971 (1999-2002, 2005)

Player Career Receiving Touchdowns
Cornelius White 46 (2003-2005)
Darrick Branch 29 (1999-2001)

DESTROYERS SELL OUT AGAIN
The Destroyers sold out four of eight home games during their inaugural season, eventually averaging over 16,000 fans in attendance per home game in 2004. The club has picked up where they left off last season, having recorded sellout crowds of 17,171 in each of their first three home games this season. Nationwide Arena was sold out once again last week when the Destroyers hosted Las Vegas. The sellout was the seventh out of 11 home games in Columbus dating back to the club's inaugural season.

DESTROYERS TACKLE HUNGER
When the Columbus Destroyers kicked off the 2005 AFL season, the team also kicked off a new community initiative in conjunction with the Mid-Ohio FoodBank to "Tackle Hunger" in Central Ohio. Beginning with the home opener and continuing throughout the 2005 season, fans are asked to bring non-perishable food items to each home game at Nationwide Arena for donation to the Mid-Ohio FoodBank. In turn, fans will receive one raffle ticket per donated food item for a chance to win a team-autographed, authentic AFL football. One winner will be announced during the fourth quarter of each game. In addition to the eight-game collection drive, members of the Columbus Destroyers plan to further support the "Tackle Hunger" initiative with visits to the Mid-Ohio FoodBank to help pack boxes for distribution to local food pantries. Players and team personnel will also lend a hand at Faith Mission to serve meals and spend time with residents during several trips scheduled throughout the season.

TALE OF THE TAPE: Here's how the Destroyers and Crush match up after seven weeks of play.

2005 LEAGUE TEAM RANKINGS
Category (RANK) Columbus Colorado
Scoring Offense 43.3 (15th) 55.0 (3rd)
Scoring Defense 50.8 (13th) 48.3 (7th)
Total Offense 242.5 (15th) 266.8 (12th0
Total Defense 273.2 (8th) 315.0 (15th)
Touchdowns Scored 35 (T-16th) 44 (12th)
Pass Offense 222.5 (15th) 256.8 (9th)
Pass Defense 236.8 (4th) 284.3 (15th)
Rushing Offense 20.0 (9th) 10.0 (16th)
Rushing Defense 36.3 (16th) 30.7 (T-13th)
Field Goals Made 5-11 (T-8th) 8-15 (2nd)
Field Goal Percentage .455 (8th) .533 (6th)
Kick Return Yards 880 (1st) 550 (12th)
Kickoff Return Average 22.0 (2nd) 16.7 (10th)
Kick Return Touchdowns 5 (2nd) 1 (T-4th)
Kickoff Coverage 12.7 (2nd) 16.2 (3rd)
3rd Down Efficiency 19-49 (12th) 21-36 (1st)
4th Down Efficiency 3-6 (T-5th) 0-1 (17th)
Red Zone Offense 18-25 (15th) 24-28 (5th)
Red Zone Defense 25-27 (16th) 31-36 (14th)
Avg. Time of Possession 28:26 (13th) 26:38 (17th)
Turnover Margin -7 (17th) +5 (4th)

NEXT WEEK
Following Sunday's game with Colorado, the Destroyers return home for consecutive home games with the club first taking on an Eastern Division rival in the New York Dragons on Saturday, March 26 at Nationwide Arena. The Dragons, led by former Destroyers defensive coordinator Weylan Harding, enter week eight of the regular season with a division-leading record of 5-1.

DESTROYERS RECENT Transactions:

3/3/05: Activated linemen Troy Pelshak and Bryan Ray off injured reserve; placed fullback/linebacker Chris Pope and lineman LaKendrick Jones on injured reserve

3/1/05: Signed wide receiver/linebacker Chris Curd to the practice squad

2/24/05: Signed offensive specialist Randall Lane off the practice squad

2/17/05: Activated fullback/linebacker Juan Long off injured reserve

2/15/05: Released quarterback Chad Salisbury

2/15/05: Waived wide receiver/linebacker D.J. Humphries

2/15/05: Signed quarterback Ryan Vena

2/15/05: Traded lineman Carey Clayton to Nashville for defensive specialist Art Smith (Other League Exempt: NFL-Green Bay)

1/26/05: Signed quarterback Scott McMullen to practice squad

1/26/05: Signed offensive specialist Randall Lane to practice squad

1/26/05: Signed defensive specialist Justin Isom to practice squad

1/26/05: Signed defensive specialist Bobby Britton to practice squad

1/25/05: Waived lineman Tyronn Johnson

1/25/05: Released wide receiver/linebacker Sir Mawn Wilson

1/25/05: Placed fullback/linebacker Juan Long on injured reserve

COLUMBUS DESTROYERS 2005 RECORD WHEN...
HOME 1-2
AWAY 0-3
FRIDAY 0-1
SATURDAY 1-1
SUNDAY 0-3
VS EASTERN 0-1
VS CENTRAL 1-2
VS WESTERN 0-1
VS SOUTHERN 0-1
JANUARY 0-1
FEBRUARY 1-2
MARCH 0-2
APRIL 0-0
MAY 0-0
SCORE FIRST 1-4
OPPONENT SCORE FIRST 0-1
AHEAD AT HALF 1-2
BEHIND AT HALF 0-3
TIED AT HALF 0-0
AHEAD AFTER 3RD QTR 1-1
BEHIND AFTER 3RD QTR 0-4
TIED AFTER 3RD QTR 0-0
PLUS TURNOVER RATIO 1-0
EVEN TURNOVER RATIO 0-1
MINUS TURNOVER RATIO 0-4
MORE TOTAL OFFENSE 1-1
LESS TOTAL OFFENSE 0-4
OUTCOME 7 POINTS OR LESS 0-2
OUTCOME 3 POINTS OR LESS 0-0
OVERTIME 0-0
PLAY ON NBC 0-1
NOT ON NBC 1-4



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 15, 2005


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