Sports stats



Columbus Destroyers game notes

May 18, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Columbus Destroyers News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Tampa Bay Storm (9-6) at
Columbus Destroyers (2-13)
Date: Sunday, May 22, 2005
Kickoff: 3:00 p.m. (ET)
Site: Nationwide Arena (17,171)
Officials: Tom McCabe, Referee; Matt Jordan, Umpire; Neil Brunner, Head Linesman; Bob McElwee, Line Judge; Dino Paganelli, 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: None
Series Record: The Storm owns a 3-0 all-time series advantage over the Destroyers. Sunday's game will be the first meeting between the two teams in 2005.
Series Streaks: Tampa Bay has won all three meetings with the Destroyers, with two wins on the road and one at home. The two teams first met on July 2, 1999 as the Storm bested the Destroyers 52-27. They didn't play again until the 2003 season before playing once last season.
Coaches: Columbus, Chris Spielman, 1st season (2-13 in 2005, 2-13 overall). Tampa Bay, Tim Marcum, 17th season, 11th with Tampa Bay (9-6 in 2005, 176-69 overall).

OVERVIEW: The Destroyers snapped an 11-game losing streak last Sunday, picking up their second win of the season in a 55-52 decision over the host Philadelphia Soul. The win was the first on the road for Columbus this season and first since a week four victory over the Chicago rush on February 19.

Quarterback Matt D'Orazio made his eighth start of the season and has led the Destroyers to both of their wins this season. He tied a season and career-high with six touchdown passes and threw for a career-best 283 yards in the win.

Columbus moves on to face a Tampa Bay team still looking to clinch a playoff spot in the final week of the regular season. A Storm win over the Destroyers puts Tampa in postseason play. A Storm loss, coupled with a New Orleans win, would eliminate Tampa Bay from the postseason.


COLUMBUS DESTROYERS (2-13) *All Times EST
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 L (58-55) 1-12
5/07 @ New York 7:00 L (56-44) 1-13
5/15 @ Philadelphia 1:00 W (55-52) 2-13
5/22 TAMPA BAY 3:00 - -

TAMPA BAY STORM (9-6) *All Times EST
Date Opponent Time Result Record
1/30 SAN JOSE 3:00 W (63-33) 1-0
2/06 AUSTIN 12:00 W (62-45) 2-0
2/11 @ Orlando 7:30 L (61-46) 2-1
2/25 @ New Orleans 8:00 L (48-42) 2-2
3/06 GRAND RAPIDS 1:00 W (70-50) 3-2
3/13 ARIZONA 1:00 W (59-56) 4-2
3/20 @ Philadelphia 12:00 L (69-63) 4-3
3/26 @ Los Angles 10:30 L (59-28) 4-4
4/02 GEORGIA 7:30 W (48-38) 5-4
4/09 ORLANDO 7:30 W (54-42) 6-4
4/17 @ Austin 1:00 W (54-42) 7-4
4/24 @ Nashville 7:30 L (37-21) 7-5
4/30 NEW ORLEANS 7:30 W (47-36) 8-5
5/08 @ Georgia 1:00 L (52-40) 8-6
5/15 NEW YORK 1:00 W (61-58) 9-6
5/22 @ Columbus 3:00 - -

A COLUMBUS WIN OVER TAMPA BAY WOULD...

· Give the Destroyers their second consecutive win
· Give the Destroyers their second home win of the season
· End the Destroyers' 3-game losing streak versus the Storm
· Give the Destroyers their first-ever win over Tampa Bay
· Decrease the Storm's chances of making the playoffs

DESTROYERS Last Week:
Columbus Destroyers 55 Philadelphia Soul 52

Destroyers quarterback Matt D'Orazio tied a season high with six touchdown passes while throwing for a career high 283 yards in leading the Columbus Destroyers to their second win of the season over the host Philadelphia Soul, 55-52.

With the game tied at 52, Destroyers kicker Steve Videtich connected on a 20-yard field goal with just 20 seconds left, giving Columbus their margin of victory. Philadelphia kicker Tim Seder was wide left on a 43-yard field goal attempt that would have tied the game as time expired. The game saw eight ties and eight lead changes. No team led by more than seven points.

Soul quarterback Tony Graziani finished 20-of-35 passing for 241 yards and four touchdowns in a losing effort. Steve Smith led Philadelphia in receiving with 11 catches for 109 yards and three touchdowns.

The Destroyers opened the scoring on their first possession of the game following a seven-yard touchdown pass from D'Orazio to Jeremy Unertl at the 6:50 mark of the first quarter. D'Orazio was 7-of-7 passing during the 47-yard scoring drive.

The Soul responded with a quick score two plays later on a 2-yard touchdown run by fullback Chris Ryan to tie the game at seven. The Destroyers tacked on a score late in the first to take a 14-7 lead at the end of one.

Philadelphia opened the second quarter with consecutive touchdowns, first on a 13-yard touchdown connection between Graziani and Smith followed by Ryan's second rushing touchdown of the game. Ryan's touchdown gave the Soul a brief seven-point lead. Columbus would score less than two minutes later on a 26-yard touchdown catch by Groce. The game was tied at 31 at halftime.

Less than a minute into the third quarter, offensive specialist Bobby Olive found the endzone for the first time this season, hauling in a 33-yard pass from D'Orazio. It was the first touchdown reception for Olive since the 2002 season.

White grabbed two of his three touchdown passes in the fourth quarter, including a 13-yard catch that gave Columbus a 52-45 lead with 4:19 left in the game. Smith registered his third touchdown catch of the game on a nine-yard reception with 48 seconds left just before Videtich's game-winning field goal.

THIS WEEK's OPPONENT:
The Tampa Bay Storm, at 9-6, are currently one of eight teams in the playoffs. However, with one game remaining, that could change depending on the outcome of this week's play. There's a three-team battle for the final spot in the National Conference between the Storm, Orlando Predators and New Orleans VooDoo. A Storm win puts them in the playoffs for the 15th consecutive season. A Storm loss, coupled with a VooDoo victory over Orlando would eliminate Tampa from playoffs contention for the first time in franchise history. Tampa's offense is led by four-year AFL veteran quarterback Shane Stafford. In 15 games, Stafford has completed 379-of-593 passes for 4,245 yards and 78 touchdowns against 14 interceptions. His 4,245 yards passing ranks 3rd in the AFL, while his 78 touchdown passes ranks 6th. The team's receiving corps is headed up by Lawrence Samuels, who has had a career year in 2005. He has posted career highs in receptions (118), receiving yards (1,374) and receiving touchdowns (18) with one game yet to be played. His 118 catches ranks 3rd among all AFL receivers and his 1,374 yards receiving makes him the league's 5th best in that category.

LAST MEETING WITH TAMPA BAY:
Following back-to-back wins, the Destroyers jumped out to an early 12-point lead over the defending ArenaBowl champion Tampa Bay Storm in their last meeting on April 25, 2004. However, the Storm would go on to score 21 unanswered points midway through the game to hand the Destroyers a 46-36 in front of 15,108 fans at Nationwide Arena. The two teams would trade touchdowns for the duration of the first half with the Destroyers claiming a 22-17 lead at the break. Tampa scored consecutive touchdowns to open the second half to turn their halftime deficit into a into an early third quarter lead. First, QB Shane Stafford scored on a five-yard touchdown run. Then Stafford hit Carlos James on the two-point conversion to put the Storm on top 25-22 with 11:12 left in the third quarter. The Storm then extended their lead on a Kelvin Kinney interception to take a double-digit lead. Stafford only threw for one touchdown on the day, however that toss proved to be the clinching score late in the fourth quarter. With 5:25 left in the game, Stafford hit offensive specialist Freddie Solomon on a 17-yard touchdown play, giving the Storm a 46-36 advantage, which was the margin of victory for Tampa Bay.

ALL-TIME SERIES RESULTS VS TAMPA BAY
Date Score
July 2, 1999 TAMPA BAY 59, BUFFALO 14
March 8, 2003 TAMPA BAY 52, BUFFALO 27
April 25, 2004 TAMPA BAY 46, COLUMBUS 36
DESTROYERS NOTABLES:

DESTROYERS TASTE VICTORY
The Destroyers picked up their second win of the season last Sunday in a narrow 55-52 decision over Philadelphia. It was the club's first win on the road and first win since February 19 over Chicago. The win snapped an 11-game losing streak and prevented the team from losing 14 games for the first time in franchise history.

D'ORAZIO EXCELLS AS STARTING QB
Matt D'Orazio made his eighth start of the season at quarterback Sunday and made the most of it, delivering his most promising performance of the season. He completed 28-of-43 passes for 283 yards and six touchdowns with no interceptions before being named Offensive Player of the Game. His six touchdowns tied a season and career high while his 283 yards passing set a career high. D'Orazio has led the Destroyers to both wins as the starting QB this season.

HOT UNDER CENTER
QB Matt D'Orazio has picked up his play recently and currently has a tight grasp as club's No. 1 starter. D'Orazio came in relief of Ryan Vena during the third quarter of the New York game, completing 14-of-23 passes for 219 yards and three touchdowns in just two quarters. In the past six quarters on the field, D'Orazio has completed 42-of-66 passes for 502 yards and nine touchdowns with no interceptions.

DAMIEN GROCE SETS RECEIVING STANDARD
Offensive specialist Damien Groce set a Destroyers franchise record two weeks ago, becoming the club's all-time leader in single season receiving yards (now extended to 1,373 yards). Groce set another franchise record last Sunday in Philadelphia. With 12 catches, he set the franchise record for single season pass receptions (112). Twelve catches Sunday was also a single game best for Groce, who continues his career year on Sunday versus Tampa Bay.

SINGLE SEASON RECEIVING LEADERS
PLAYER YEAR CATEGORY STAT
Damien Groce 2005 Receiving Yards 1,373
Bobby Olvie 2000 Receiving Yards 1,184
Damien Groce 2005 Receptions 112
Bobby Olive 2000 Receptions 106
Cornelius White 2004 Receiving TDs 23
Damien Groce 2005 Receiving TDs 20
Sedrick Robinson 2004 Receiving TDs 19

GROCE ACCUMULATES OVER 100...AGAIN
Three weeks ago, OS Damien Groce set the franchise record for most 100 yard receiving games in a single season, surpassing the old mark of five. Last week, Groce once again reached the century mark with 123 yards receiving versus Philadelphia. He extended his own record to eight games with over 100 yards receiving. He has had over 100 yards in seven of the last nine games.

SHOWTIME
Bobby "Showtime" Olive found the endzone for the first time this season on a 33-yard touchdown pass from D'Orazio on the club's first possession of the third quarter. It was the first touchdown catch for Olive since April 20, 2001 versus the New Jersey Gladiators.

A PAIR OF GRAND RECEIVERS
For the second consecutive season, the Destroyers have a pair of receivers over 1,000 yards receiving on the season. Damien Groce, currently with 1,373 yards, eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark on April 22 versus Dallas. Cornelius White, who is the franchise's all-time leading receiver, surpassed 1,000 yards with following his 61 yards receiving last week. White currently has 1,038 receiving yards. Last year, White (1,152) and Sedrick Robinson (1,063) led Columbus' aerial attack.

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 eight so far.

NAME No. of Starts
Matt D'Orazio 8
Ryan Vena 4
Chad Salisbury 2
Scott McMullen 1

TALE OF THE TAPE: Here's how the Destroyers and Storm match up after 16 weeks of play.

2005 LEAGUE TEAM RANKINGS – STAT (RANK)
Category Columbus Tampa Bay
Scoring Offense 44.3 (16th) 50.5 (10th)
Scoring Defense 55.3 (15th) 48.4 (4th)
Total Offense 267.9 (15th) 292.7 (5th)
Total Defense 279.8 (8th) 276.1 (7th)
Pass Offense 246.2 (14th) 279.7 (4th)
Pass Defense 255.1 (6th) 258.2 (8th)
Rushing Offense 21.7 (6th) 13.0 (14th)
Rushing Defense 24.7 (15th) 17.9 (6th)
Field Goal Percentage .519 (7th) .586 (3rd)
Kick Return Yards 1,937 (1st) 1,164 (16th)
Kickoff Return Average 20.0 (3rd) 15.9 (16th)
Kickoff Coverage 15.3 (1st) 17.4 (7th)
3rd Down Efficiency 54-130 (16th) 51-109 (11th)
4th Down Efficiency 23-42 (6th) 9-23 (16th)
Red Zone Offense 47-61 (15th) 73-88 (7th)
Red Zone Defense 62-72 (T-13th) 50-66 (3rd)
Turnover Margin -15 (17th) +0 (8th)

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 Damien Groce (Columbus)
Week 15 5/07 at NYD Aaron Garcia (New York)
Week 16 5/15 at PHI Matt D'Orazio (Columbus)
Week 17 5/22 vs TBS 3 p.m. (ET)

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 Cedric Walker (Austin)
Week 15 5/07 at NYD Will Holder (New York)
Week 16 5/15 at PHI Brandon Hefflin (Columbus)
Week 17 5/22 vs TBS 3 p.m. (ET)

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 Kevin Nickerson (Austin)
Week 15 5/07 at NYD Chris Anthony (New York)
Week 16 5/15 at PHI Jeremy Unertl (Columbus)
Week 17 5/22 vs TBS 3 p.m. (ET)

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 have been encouraged 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. To date, the Destroyers have collected 26,841 meals heading in to the season finale.

2005 PLAYOFF PICTURE

NATIONAL CONFERENCE
TEAM W L T PCT
^+GEORGIA 11 4 0 .733
+NEW YORK 9 6 0 .600
ORLANDO 9 6 0 .600
TAMPA BAY 9 6 0 .600

NEW ORLEANS 9 6 0 .600
#DALLAS 7 7 1 .500
#PHILADELPHIA 6 9 0 .400
#AUSTIN 6 10 0 .375
#COLUMBUS 2 13 0 .133

AMERICAN CONFERENCE
TEAM W L T PCT
+COLORADO 10 5 0 .667
+LOS ANGELES 10 5 0 .667
CHICAGO 8 7 0 .533
SAN JOSE 8 7 0 .533

LAS VEGAS 8 7 0 .533
#NASHVILLE 6 8 1 .433
#ARIZONA 6 9 0 .400
#GRAND RAPIDS 3 12 0 .200

+ - Clinched Division
^ - Clinched Top Seed
# - Eliminated from Playoffs

· 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:

5/13/05: Signed defensive specialist Rick Sherrod; signed fullback/linebacker Deon Dyer from practice squad

5/11/05: Signed quarterback Scott McMullen to practice squad

5/5/05: Signed DS Bobby Britton from practice squad; activated OS Bobby Olive off injured reserve; placed WR/LB Sedrick Robinson on injured reserve; waived QB Scott McMullen

4/28/05: Activated QB Ryan Vena off injured reserve; placed WR/DB Lenzie Jackson and OL/DL Ronnie Washburn on injured reserve

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


COLUMBUS DESTROYERS 2005 RECORD WHEN...
HOME 1-6
AWAY 1-7
VS EASTERN 1-5
VS CENTRAL 1-3
VS WESTERN 0-2
VS SOUTHERN 0-3
JANUARY 0-1
FEBRUARY 1-2
MARCH 0-4
APRIL 0-5
MAY 1-1
AHEAD AT HALF 1-2
BEHIND AT HALF 0-9
TIED AT HALF 1-2
AHEAD AFTER 3RD QTR 1-1
BEHIND AFTER 3RD QTR 0-11
TIED AFTER 3RD QTR 1-1
PLUS TURNOVER RATIO 1-1
EVEN TURNOVER RATIO 1-3
MINUS TURNOVER RATIO 0-9
MORE TOTAL OFFENSE 2-4
LESS TOTAL OFFENSE 0-9



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 18, 2005


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Columbus Destroyers Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central