Dallas Desperados Game Notes
May 12, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Dallas Desperados News Release
QUICK FACTS:
Dallas Desperados (9-6) @ Grand Rapids Rampage (8-7)
Series Record: Rampage hold 1-0 lead.
Last Meeting: Grand Rapids 45, @ Dallas 42.
Series Streak: Rampage won only meeting.
Coaches: Joe Avezzano (17-14, 2nd Year) Michael Trigg (70-65, 10th Year)
Radio: KTCK, The Ticket (1310-AM) George Dunham, John Sponsler KRVA (Spanish, 1600-AM) Victor Villalba
TV: NBC Sports (Ch. 5 in Dallas-Ft. Worth) Tom Hammond, Pat Haden, Lewis Johnson
Season Series: This week's game will mark the second time these two franchises have faced each other. The Rampage claimed a 45-42 victory in the first meeting two months ago in Dallas.
Series Notables:
* The 42 points scored by Dallas in the first meeting is the Desperados lowest point total of the season and fifth lowest total in franchise history.
* The Rampage's 45 points in the first meeting is their lowest point total of the season.
* Grand Rapids intercepted a Kubiak pass in the end zone with 0:28 remaining in the game to seal the first victory in the series. A Desperados Win Would:
* Allow Dallas to tie the series at 1-1.
* Give the Desperados the Central Division title and a home playoff game.
* Improve Dallas's record against the Central Division to 3-3.
* Mark the Desperados fifth win in eight road games.
* Allow Dallas to enter postseason play having won four of their last five regular season games.
* Give the Desperados a 7-4 record in games broadcast by NBC Sports.
DESPERADOS & RAMPAGE
The Desperados close out the regular season by traveling to Grand Rapids to take on the Rampage Sunday afternoon at Van Andel Arena.
THIS WEEK
Following this week's game, the Desperados and Rampage begin the Drive to ArenaBowl XVII as the 2003 playoffs get underway. At this time, it is undetermined when, where or who either team will play.
dallasdesperados.com
For breaking news, press releases, statistics and rosters, visit the official website of the Dallas Desperados, www.dallasdesperados.com. Updated daily, www.dallasdesperados. com has the most extensive information on upcoming games. The Desperados website is also a great place to find information on players and coaches, order tickets for upcoming games and purchase Desperados merchandise. HEAD COACHES
Joe Avezzano (17-14, 2nd Year)
After establishing himself as one of the top assistant coaches in the NFL, Joe Avezzano made a name for himself last spring as an Arena Football League head coach. Avezzano led the expansion Desperados to a 7-7 regular season record and a trip to the quarterfinal round of the playoffs.
This success helped the club win the prestigious Commissioner s Award. Avezzano was the Dallas Cowboys special teams coach from 1991-2002, earning NFL Special Teams Coach of the Year honors three times. Before coming to Dallas, he coached collegiately at Texas A&M (1985-88), Oregon State (1980-84), Tennessee (1977-79), Pittsburgh (1973-76), Iowa State (1969-72) and Florida State (1968). He starred at guard for Florida State before being drafted by the Boston Patriots.
Michael Trigg (43-40, 6th Year - G.R., 70-65-10th Year)
Michael Trigg, the only coach in Rampage history, became only the fifth Arena Football League coach to eclipse the 60-win plateau last season. Trigg has led five of his six Grand Rapids teams to the playoffs, and his 2001 squad posted a league-best 11-3 record on their way to the ArenaBowl XV championship. In the process, Trigg was named league coach of the year. He took over Grand Rapids after guiding the Milwaukee Mustangs for three seasons (1995-97) and the Fort Worth Cavalry for a year (1994). He served as offensive coordinator and director of pro scouting for the Dallas Texans from 1991-93. Trigg began his AFL career as a player, playing quarterback for the Detroit Drive during their back-to-back championship seasons in 1989 and 1990. He is also an eight-year member of the AFL s Rules and Competition Committee.
LAST WEEK
The Dallas Desperados clinched at least a tie for the Central Division crown with their 56-55 victory over the Georgia Force. The win also gives Dallas a club record nine victories on the season. Dallas opened the game with a 28-yard Jim Kubiak-to-Dialleo Burks scoring pass on the game's third play. Two plays later, Leon Murray found Tyronne Jones with a 30-yard touchdown pass to tie the score. Kubiak was intercepted in the end zone by Kevin Gaines on Dallas' next possession, but the Desperados forced a missed 31-yard Steve McLaughlin field goal to remain tied. Dallas then drove to a three-yard Kubiak-to-Burks touchdown pass as the first quarter ended.
McLaughlin missed a 55-yard field goal to start the second period, and the Desperados responded with a six-yard Kubiak-to-Will Pettis scoring toss. On the Force's next play, Murray and Jones hooked up on a 48-yard scoring strike (PAT failed) for a 21-13 score. Dallas then drove to a one-yard Jeremy Beutler touchdown jaunt late in the quarter. On the last play of the half, Darryl Hammond caught a 42-yard Murray hail mary pass over Tim Denton for the touchdowns and a 28-20 halftime score.
Georgia put together a six minute drive to start the second half that was culminated with a 10-yard Murray-to-Hammond scoring pass (two-point attempt failed). The Desperados quickly answered as Kubiak found Andy McCullough with a nine-yard touchdown pass for a nine point advantage. Three plays later, Denton picked off Murray in the end zone, setting up a 34-yard Kubiak-to-Jason Shelley scoring bomb late in the quarter for a 42-26 Dallas lead.
The Force opened the final frame with Murray hitting Hammond with a four-yard scoring pass. Murray then connected with Jones for the two-point conversion. Dallas was forced into a missed 57- yard Jason Wells field goal on their next possession, and the Force took advantage as Murray found Jarrick Hillery down the left sidelines with a 45-yard touchdown pass (two-point attempt failed).
Three plays later, Pettis rushed around left end for a two-yard touchdown, raising Dallas' advantage back to nine points. Murray took two plays to hooke up with Jones on a 27-yard scoring toss.
Denton recovered the ensuing onside kick and returned it eight yards for the touchdown and a 56-47 Dallas lead. Murray then hit Hammond with a three-yard scoring toss and again with the twopoint conversion to cut the Force deficit to 56-55 with 0:30 remaining on the clock. The Desperados recovered the ensuing onside kick, but were forced into a 30-yard field goal, which was missed side left by Wells. Following an incomplete pass, Georgia lined up for a 58-yard game-winning field goal with 0:02 showing on the clock, but McLaughling left the kick short and Leverson fielded the miss to run out the clock and secure the Dallas victory.
VS. THE RAMPAGE
Following is a look at how several Desperados have fared against the Rampage during their careers:
OL/DL Tom Briggs - three tackles and two quarterback pressures in three games. DS Jermaine Jones - four tackles and two passes defensed in one game.
QB Jim Kubiak - 47-of-74 for 526 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions in two game.
OL/DL Tim Martin - four tackles and a sack in two games. WR/LB Andy McCullough - eight catches for 71 yards and a touchdown and three tackles in one game.
WR/DB Will Pettis -three catches for 27 yards and a touchdown, two rushes for a one-yard score, two kickoff returns for 34 yards and a MFG return for 33 yards in one game.
WR/DB Shawndel Tucker - 11 catches for 135 yards and two touchdowns in one game.
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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 12, 2003
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