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Columbus Destroyers game notes

April 27, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Columbus Destroyers News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Austin Wranglers (4-9) at
Columbus Destroyers (1-11)
Date: Saturday, April 30, 2005
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. (ET)
Site: Nationwide Arena (17,171)
Officials: Jerome Boger, Referee; Rick Nelson, Umpire; Kevin McGrath, Head Linesman; Darryl Leftwich, Line Judge; Rich Wilborn, Back Judge
Radio: Columbus' flagship station WAZU-107.1 FM "The Big Wazoo" will broadcast the game live with Marty Bannister, Greg Frey and Archie.
Television: FSN-Ohio (Jeff Piecoro, Jim Lachey, Jim Day)
Series Record: Saturday will be the first meeting between Columbus and Austin.
Series Streaks: The Destroyers and Wranglers haven't played one another to date.
Coaches: Columbus, Chris Spielman, 1st season (1-11 in 2005, 1-11 overall). Dallas, Skip Foster, 2nd season (4-9 in 2005, 12-17 overall).

OVERVIEW: The Destroyers are in the midst of a nine-game losing streak entering Saturday's home contest with Austin. The nine consecutive defeats is the second longest in franchise history. The team lost the first 12 games during their inaugural season in Buffalo (1999).

Columbus faded once again in the second half last week, being shutout in the third quarter and only managing six points in the final period before dropping a 55-33 decision to the visiting Dallas Desperados last Friday night at Nationwide Arena. It was the third consecutive game the Destroyers were held scoreless in the third quarter.

The Destroyers will hit the road following this week's play, first traveling to New York to face a Dragons team still fighting for a playoff spot before traveling to Philadelphia to face the Soul on Sunday, May 15.

Saturday will be the first meeting between Columbus and Austin. Austin has had an up and down season to date, currently sporting a record of 4-9. After losing the first three games of the season, Austin won ever other week during their ensuing eight games. The club comes to Columbus in the middle of their own losing streak, having lost three in a row.

COLUMBUS DESTROYERS (1-11)
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 L (52-37) 1-6
3/26 NEW YORK 7:00 L (56-55) 1-7
4/03 PHILADELPHIA 12:00 L (62-45) 1-8
4/08 @ Arizona 10:00 L (70-53) 1-9
4/16 @ New Orleans 8:00 L (64-28) 1-10
4/22 DALLAS 7:00 L (55-33) 1-11
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

AUSTIN WRANGLERS (4-9)
Date Opponent Time Result Record
1/30 PHILADELPHIA 12:00 L (66-35) 0-1
2/06 @ Tampa Bay 12:00 L (62-45) 0-2
2/11 LOS ANGELES 8:30 L (64-51) 0-3
2/19 @ Grand Rapids 7:30 W (73-61) 1-3
2/25 GEORGIA 8:30 L (66-63) 1-4
3/04 @ Las Vegas 10:00 W (42-41) 2-4
3/13 DALLAS 4:00 L (52-28) 2-5
3/19 NEW YORK 8:30 W (57-47) 3-5
3/25 @ Orlando 7:30 L (51-21) 3-6
4/01 NEW ORLEANS 8:30 W (56-55) 4-6
4/08 @ Georgia 7:30 L (56-53) 4-7
4/17 TAMPA BAY 1:00 L (54-42) 4-8
4/22 @ Arizona 10:00 L (52-26) 4-9
4/30 @ Columbus 7:00 - -
5/07 ORLANDO 8:30 - -
5/14 @ New Orleans 8:00 - -
*All Times Eastern

A COLUMBUS WIN OVER AUSTIN WOULD...

· Give the Destroyers their second win of the season
· Give the Destroyers their second home win of the season
· End the Destroyers current nine-game losing streak
· Give the Destroyers their first all-time win over Austin

DESTROYERS Last Week:

Dallas Desperados 55 Columbus Destroyers 33
Dallas quarterback Clint Stoerner completed three touchdowns passes in the third quarter that broke open a 27-27 tie at halftime and helped give the Desperados a 55-33 victory over the Columbus Destroyers before a crowd of 13,757 at Nationwide Arena last Friday night.
Stoerner finished 21-of-28 for 239 yards and four touchdowns for Dallas (7-4-1). Jason Shelley led the Desperados with seven catches for 70 yards and two touchdowns, while Bobby Sippio and Deontay Wilson each pulled in touchdown passes.

Columbus was led by Sedrick Robinson, who made seven catches for 80 yards with one touchdown. Damien Groce added six catches for 47 yards and one touchdown. The Destroyers failed to score in the third quarter.

Quarterback Scott McMullen, who made his first professional start, completed 21-of-44 passes for 208 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions.

Columbus opened the game with McMullen completing a 13-yard touchdown pass to Groce. Dallas quickly answered on the ensuring kick with Will Pettis returning it 56 yards. The Desperados scored again on its next possession with Stoerner hitting Shelley across the middle from 12 yards out with 5:06 left, but Carlos Martinez missed the extra point. The Destroyers regained the lead with an 18-yard touchdown pass to Randall Lane to make the score 14-13.

The second quarter scoring began with a 28-yard field goal by Steve Videtich for the Destroyers. Dallas' Duke Pettijohn scored on a one-yard run with 5:39 left. Columbus scored next from 35 yards, this time McMullen to Sedrick Robinson. The Desperados would score a two-yard touchdown run by Ja'Mar Toombs before the Destroyers tied it with a 20-yard field goal to close the second quarter and make the halftime score 27-27.

Donvetis Franklin led the Destroyers' defense with seven tackles, with six unassisted.

THIS WEEK's OPPONENT:
The Austin Wranglers enter Saturday's contest with the Destroyers losers of three in a row. With last week's loss to Arizona, the Wranglers have ensured themselves a losing season, unable to improve upon last season's record of 8-8 as the team concluded its inaugural season in the AFL. Austin currently sports one of the better passing games in the AFL, led by quarterback John Fitzgerald, who has completed 276-of-420 passes for 3,076 yards (T-5th in the league) and 56 touchdowns (T-9th in the league).

Austin's receiving corps is led by Darrin Chiaverini, who leads the club with 95 catches for 800 yards and 15 touchdowns. Chiaverini's 95 pass receptions ranks third in the AFL. The Wranglers have three receivers who could end up with 1,000 yards receiving by season's end. Along with Chiaverini, Fitzgerald's primary targets are receivers Kevin Nickerson (765 yards receiving) and Ira Gooch (722 yards receiving).

Pass protection has been superior for Austin thus far, with the club's offensive line only giving up four sacks all season, which is tied for second best in the league (Colorado 3).

Austin puts the ball in the air as evidence by their 505 pass attempts (2nd in the league), 324 completions (2nd in the league) and 3,536 passing yards (3rd in the league).

DESTROYERS NOTABLES:

MCMULLEN TOSSES 3 TDS IN DEBUT AS STARTER
Former Ohio State quarterback Scott McMullen made his first AFL start last week versus Dallas. McMullen led the Destroyers on a scoring drive on the club's opening possession of the game and would go on to complete 21-of-44 passes for 208 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions. McMullen led Columbus to five scores in six first half possessions.

GROCE SURPASSES 1,000 YARDS
With 47 yards receiving last week versus Dallas, Destroyers offensive specialist Damien Groce eclipsed 1,000 yards receiving for the first time in his career. He currently leads the team in receiving with 82 catches for 1,015 yards and 15 touchdowns. His 82 catches and 1,015 receiving yards are both career highs and his 15 TD catches is only four off his career best (19 with Carolina, 2004).

ALL PURPOSE PLAYER
Damien Groce has emerged as Columbus' top offensive weapon in his first season with the team. He leads the team in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns despite missing a game earlier in the season. Groce also leads the club in scoring (104), kick returns (44), kick return yards (861), all-purpose yards (1,914) and is tied with Sedrick Robinson in kick returns for a TD (2). Across the league, Groce ranks fifth in the AFL in all-purpose yards gained (1,914).

THIRD QUARTER DROUGHT
The Destroyers have struggled in the second half this season, especially in the third quarter. Columbus has been held scoreless in the third quarter in each of the past three games. On the season, the Destroyers have been outscored 148-78 in the third quarter.

GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY
The Destroyers brought four quarterbacks into camp before the season with the likes of Chad Salisbury, Ryan Vena, Matt D'Orazio and Scott McMullen. All four signal callers have been given a chance to showcase their abilities on the field. Each QB has started at least one game this season, with D'Orazio making the most starts with seven so far.

NAME No. of Starts
Matt D'Orazio 7
Chad Salisbury 2
Ryan Vena 2
Scott McMullen 1

KICK COVERAGE
The Destroyers and Wranglers enter Saturday's game as the top two teams in kick return coverage through 13 weeks of play. The Wranglers lead the league, giving up just 13.9 yards per return, while Columbus ranks second, giving up only 14.5 yards per return

RETURN GAME
The Destroyers continue to lead the league in kick return yards, currently with 1,569 through 12 games, 200 yards ahead of the next closes team (New York, 1,369). Columbus also had five kicks returned for a touchdown, which is second in the league behind only New York (7).

PROTECTING THE PASSER
Austin's offensive line has done their job this season, allowing their quarterback to be sacked only four times, which is good for second in the AFL behind only the Colorado Crush (3). The Destroyers on the other hand haven't faired as well, giving up 26 sacks so far this season, which is last in the league.

SLIDE EXTENDS TO NINE
The Destroyers have dropped nine consecutive games, dating back to week five when the team's losing streak began with a loss to the Grand Rapids Rampage. Only one previous time have the Destroyers endured a longer losing streak. That honor goes to the 1999 squad that lost the first 12 games of the season.

DESTROYERS ATTENDANCE STILL STRONG
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 three of six home games this season. The Destroyers have now recorded sellouts in 7 out of 14 home games in Columbus dating back to the club's inaugural season. The club is currently second in the AFL in attendance, averaging 16,204 fans in attendance per home game. The Destroyers have played five home games this season with three remaining.

TEAM AVG. ATTENDANCE
Philadelphia Soul 16,216
Columbus Destroyers 15,796
New Orleans VooDoo 15,388

NEXT WEEK
Following Saturday's game with Austin, the Destroyers return to the road next Saturday, May 7 when the club travels to New York to face the Dragons.

The Dragons defeated the Destroyers earlier this season in a narrow 56-55 decision at Nationwide Arena on March 26. It will be the 12th all-time meeting between the two franchises with the Dragons holding a 7-4 all-time series advantage over the Destroyers.

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

2005 LEAGUE TEAM RANKINGS – STAT (RANK)
Category Columbus Austin
Scoring Offense 42.6 (16th) 45.5 (15th)
Scoring Defense 55.3 (15th) 55.9 (16th)
Total Offense 260.2 (16th) 288.3 (6th)
Total Defense 276.8 (8th) 307.7 (16th)
Touchdowns Scored 70 (16th) 84 (10th)
Pass Offense 238.8 (14th) 272.0 (6th)
Pass Defense 249.6 (6th) 282.2 (15th)
Rushing Offense 21.4 (6th) 16.3 (11th)
Rushing Defense 27.2 (16th) 25.5 (14th)
Field Goals Made 9-21 (8th) 6-21 (T-11th)
Field Goal Percentage .429 (10th) .286 (16th)
Kick Return Yards 1,569 (1st) 1,072 (11th)
Kickoff Return Average 19.4 (4th) 16.2 (15th)
Kick Return Touchdowns 5 (2nd) 2 (T-9th)
Kickoff Coverage 14.5 (2nd) 13.9 (1st)
3rd Down Efficiency 46-106 (14th) 38-89 (15th)
4th Down Efficiency 14-30 (8th) 10-24 (12th)
Red Zone Offense 35-47 (15th) 51-70 (17th)
Red Zone Defense 48-55 (15th) 50-58 (14th)
Avg. Time of Possession 29:58 (10th) 30:23 (9th)
Turnover Margin -16 (17th) -5 (13th)

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME
WEEK GAME RECIPIENT/TEAM
Week 1 1/28 vs NASH Leon Murray (Nashville)
Week 2 BYE
Week 3 2/13 at DAL Damien ‘Groce (Columbus)
Week 4 2/19 vs CHI Matt D'Orazio (Columbus)
Week 5 2/27 at GRR Michael Bishop (Grand Rapids)
Week 6 3/06 at GEO Troy Bergeron (Georgia)
Week 7 3/12 vs LVG Marcus Nash (Las Vegas)
Week 8 3/20 at COL John Dutton (Colorado)
Week 9 3/26 vs NYD Aaron Garcia (New York)
Week 10 4/03 vs PHI Tony Graziani (Philadelphia)
Week 11 4/08 at ARI Joe Germaine (Arizona)
Week 12 4/16 at NOV Andy Kelly (New Orleans)
Week 13 4/22 vs DAL Clint Stoerner (Dallas
Week 14 4/30 vs AUS
Week 15 5/07 at NYD
Week 16 5/15 at PHI
Week 17 5/22 vs TBS

ADT DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME
WEEK GAME RECIPIENT/TEAM
Week 1 1/28 vs NASH Jarrick Hillery (Nashville)
Week 2 BYE
Week 3 2/13 at DAL Bobby Perry (Dallas)
Week 4 2/19 vs CHI Donvetis Franklin (Columbus)
Week 5 2/27 at GRR Dennison Robinson (Grand R.)
Week 6 3/06 at GEO Gillis Wilson (Georgia)
Week 7 3/12 vs LVG Jeremy Unertl (Las Vegas)
Week 8 3/20 at COL Damien Hughley (Colorado)
Week 9 3/26 vs NYD Donvetis Franklin (Columbus)
Week 10 4/03 vs PHI Eddie Moten (Philadelphia)
Week 11 4/08 at ARI Terrance Joseph (Arizona)
Week 12 4/16 at NOV B.J. Cohen (New Orleans)
Week 13 4/22 vs DAL Hamin Milligan (Dallas)
Week 14 4/30 vs AUS
Week 15 5/07 at NYD
Week 16 5/15 at PHI
Week 17 5/22 vs TBS

US ARMY IRONMAN OF THE GAME
WEEK GAME RECIPIENT/TEAM
Week 1 1/28 vs NASH Jarrick Hillery (Nashville)
Week 2 BYE
Week 3 2/13 at DAL Will Pettis (Dallas)
Week 4 2/19 vs CHI Cornelius White (Columbus)
Week 5 2/27 at GRR Dennison Robinson (Grand R.)
Week 6 3/06 at GEO Chris Demaree (Georgia)
Week 7 3/12 vs LVG Frank Carter (Las Vegas)
Week 8 3/20 at COL Willis Marshal (Colorado)
Week 9 3/26 vs NYD Chris Anthony (New York)
Week 10 4/03 vs PHI Sean Scott (Philadelphia)
Week 11 4/08 at ARI Jerald Brown (Arizona)
Week 12 4/16 at NOV Carl Bond (New Orleans)
Week 13 4/22 vs DAL Bobby Sippio (Dallas)
Week 14 4/30 vs AUS
Week 15 5/07 at NYD
Week 16 5/15 at PHI
Week 17 5/22 vs TBS
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.

2005 PLAYOFF PICTURE

NATIONAL CONFERENCE
TEAM W L T PCT
*^GEORGIA 9 4 0 .692
*DALLAS 7 4 1 .625
ORLANDO 9 4 0 .692
NEW ORLEANS 8 4 0 .667

TAMPA BAY 7 5 0 .583
NEW YORK 7 5 0 .583
PHILADELPHIA 5 8 0 .385
AUSTIN 4 9 0 .308
COLUMBUS 1 11 0 .083

AMERICAN CONFERENCE
TEAM W L T PCT
*+SAN JOSE 8 4 0 .667
*COLORADO 8 4 0 .667
CHICAGO 7 5 0 .583
LAS VEGAS 7 5 0 .583

LOS ANGELES 7 5 0 .583
NASHVILLE 4 7 1 .375
ARIZONA 4 8 0 .333
GRAND RAPIDS 1 11 0 .083

*Division Leader
^Better Division record than Orlando
+Won head to head with Colorado

· Eight teams qualify for the playoffs
· 4 Teams qualify from each Conference
· 2 Division Champions from each Conference
· 2 Wild Card from each Conference (teams with the remaining best records within the Conference)
· Playoffs are separated into conferences with the Division Champions hosting First round games. The highest ranked Division champion hosts the lowest ranked Wild Card team and the second highest ranked Division Champion hosts the highest ranked Wild Card team.


DESTROYERS RECENT Transactions:

4/25/05: Signed FB/LB Deon Dyer to practice squad

4/19/05: Activated DS Jeremy Unertl off Refused to Report

4/18/05: Placed OS Bobby Olive on injured reserve

4/15/05: Signed Justin Isom to the practice squad

4/14/05: Activated WR/DB Lenzie Jackson off injured reserve; placed DS Jeremy Unertl on Refused to Report

4/12/05: Waived DS Justin Isom

4/11/05: Awarded DS Jeremy Unertl off waivers

4/7/05: Activated lineman Norris McCleary off IR.

4/4/05: Waived wide receiver/defensive back Jason Waters

4/1/05: Placed quarterback Ryan Vena and wide receiver/defensive back Lenzie Jackson on injured reserve; signed quarterback Scott McMullen and wide receiver/linebacker Chris Curd off the practice squad; signed wide receiver/defensive back Jason Waters and quarterback Tommy Jones to the practice squad

3/23/05: Signed lineman Jon Hall to practice squad; placed fullback/linebacker Sedrick Irvin on injured reserve

3/18/05: Signed defensive specialist Justin Isom off the practice squad

3/17/05: Traded defensive specialist JoJo Polk to Grand Rapids for fullback/linebacker Sedrick Irvin; signed lineman Ronnie Washburn; activated lineman LaKendrick Jones; placed lineman Norris McCleary on injured reserve

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


COLUMBUS DESTROYERS 2005 RECORD WHEN...
HOME 1-5
AWAY 0-6
VS EASTERN 0-4
VS CENTRAL 1-3
VS WESTERN 0-2
VS SOUTHERN 0-2
JANUARY 0-1
FEBRUARY 1-2
MARCH 0-4
APRIL 0-4
MAY 0-0
AHEAD AT HALF 1-2
BEHIND AT HALF 0-7
TIED AT HALF 0-2
AHEAD AFTER 3RD QTR 1-1
BEHIND AFTER 3RD QTR 0-10
TIED AFTER 3RD QTR 0-0
PLUS TURNOVER RATIO 1-0
EVEN TURNOVER RATIO 0-3
MINUS TURNOVER RATIO 0-8
MORE TOTAL OFFENSE 1-3
LESS TOTAL OFFENSE 0-8



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 27, 2005


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