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Dallas Desperados game notes

February 8, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) - Dallas Desperados News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Dallas Desperados (1-1)
vs. Columbus Destroyers (0-1)
Series Record: The series is tied 1-1
Series Streak: Columbus won the last meeting.
Last Meeting: Columbus 68, @ Dallas 56 (5/27/04)
Last Time in Dallas: Columbus 68, Dallas 56 (5/27/04)
Coaches: Will McClay (7-11, 2nd Year)
Chris Spielman (0-1, 1st Year)

DESPERADOS & DESTROYERS

Season Series: The Desperados and Destroyers have met two times with each team caliming a win.

Series Notables:
* Dallas and Columbus faced each other two times last year as division rivals.
* The road team won each contest last season.
* This marks the second season the teams will face each other as division rivals.
* Prior to moving to Columbus, the Destroyers played in Buffalo, NY. The two teams never faced each other when the Destroyers called Buffalo home.

A Desperados Win Would:
* Allow Dallas to take a 2-1 series advantage.
* Improve Dallas’s season record to 2-1.
* Give Dallas a 1-1 division record in 2005.
* Improve Dallas’s all-time division record to 9-12.
* Mark the Desperados second consecutive win at the American Airlines Center, their first back-to-back home wins since defeating Philadelphia 51-47 (2/15/04) and Grand Rapids 66-50 (3/6/04).
* Give Dallas a 1-1 record in 2005 when facing teams coming off a bye.

RADIO & TELEVISION

RADIO
KTCK - AM, 1310
Play-by-Play: Rich Phillips Analyst: Kevin Scott

TELEVISION
NBC Sports (Ch. 5 in Dallas/Ft. Worth)
Play-by-Play: Bill Webber Analyst: Mike Pawlawski
Sideline Reporter: Newy Scruggs
The Blitz: The Dallas Cowboys/The Dallas Desperados Report
Sunday nights at 11:00 p.m. on KTVT/CBS11

NEXT WEEK

Following this week’s game, the Desperados play host to the Orlando Predators on Thursday night. Columbus will return home for a Saturday night battle with the Chicago Rush.

For breaking news, press releases, statistics and rosters, visit the official website of the Dallas Desperados, www.dallasdesperados. com. Updated regularly, 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

Will McClay (7-11 - 2nd Year)

Will McClay begins his second year as the Desperados Head Coach. He was promoted to lead the team three days before kicking off the 2004 AFL season following the resignation of Joe Avezzano. He will also serve as the team’s defensive coordinator, a position he has held since the teams inaugural season in 2002. In the AFL offseason, McClay works in the Dallas Cowboys Player Personnel Department. Prior to moving to Dallas, he was the Assistant Director of Pro Scouting with the Jacksonville Jaguars (2001) and Player Personnel Director of the XFL’s Orlando Rage (2001). He was the Grand Rapids Rampage Defensive Coordinator/Director of Player Personell (1998-99) after serving in the same capacity for the Anaheim Piranhas (1997). He served as the Defensive Coordinator for the Florida Bobcats (1996) and the Milwaukee Mustangs (1995) after beginning his coaching career with the Detroit Drive (1993). He was a WR/DB with Detroit from 1989- 92, helping them win three ArenaBowl championships.

Chris Spielman (0-1 - 1st Year)

Chris Spielman begins his second season with the Destroyers and first as the club's Head Coach & General Manager. Spielman was named Columbus's second head coach in team history on August 4, 2004, succeeding legendary coach and current Destroyers VP of Football Operations, Earle Bruce. Spielman joined the Destroyers as the team's Director of Football Operations last season prior to being named head coach this offseason. Spielman was a standout on the football field, starring at Ohio State University before enjoying a successful professional football career. He was the 29th overall selection in the 1988 NFL draft. His 11-year NFL career included stints with the Detroit Lions, Buffalo Bills, and Cleveland Browns. Spielman was elected to the Pro Bowl on four different occasions. Spielman was a two-time All-American and three-time All-Big Ten selection at linebacker for the Buckeyes. At Ohio State, he played under Hall of Fame head coach Earle Bruce, who will serve as a mentor for Spielman with the Destroyers.

CLIMBING THE CHARTS

Continued success at several positions on the offense has led several Desperados receivers and rushers to make progress on team record charts. Below is a look at the movers and shakers for the club:

Career Receiving Leaders
Player Rec. Yards Avg. Lng TD
1. Jason Shelley, 2002-05 186 2,309 12.4 45t 39
2. Will Pettis, 2003-05* 180 2,054 11.4 45t 37
3. Andy McCullough, 2002-03 178 2,051 11.5 47 48
4. Dialleo Burks, 2002-03 156 1,932 12.4 45t 44
5. Bobby Sippio, 2004-05** 86 1,392 16.2 48t 36
* moved into second place this week
** moved into fifth place this week

Most Consecutive Games Scoring
24 Andy McCullough, 2002-2003
20 Will Pettis, 2003-05*
12 Bobby Sippio, 2004-05
6 Jason Shelley, 2004
6 Jason Shelley, 2004-05**
5 Shannon Culver, 2002
5 Dialleo Burks, 2002-03
5 Bobby Sippio, 2004-05#
* streak ended following Week 2
** moved up one place following Week 2
# tied for fifth place all time following Week 2

Career Touchdowns
50 Andy McCullough, 2002-03
46 Will Pettis, 2003-05
45 Dialleo Burks, 2002-03
44 Jason Shelley, 2002-05
37 Bobby Sippio, 2004-05

Career Rushing Leaders (Yards)
Player Rec. Yards Avg. Lng TD
1. Ja’Mar Toombs, 2003-05 43 134 3.1 21t 13
2. Duke Pettijohn, 2004-05* 34 115 3.4 20t 6
3. Patrise Alexander, 2002-03 57 107 1.9 17t 14
4. Will Pettis, 2003-05* 21 52 2.5 28t 5
5. Kevin Aldridge, 2004 9 51 5.7 22t 3
* moved up one place following Week 2

PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS VS. DESTROYERS

Earnest Allen, OL/DL
3.5 tackles, including one for a loss in two games last season.
Larrell Johnson, OL/DL
Two tackles, both for losses vs. Columbus, (5/22/04).
Jermaine Jones, DS
In two career-games against the Destroyers, 10.5 tackles.
Duke Pettijohn, FB/LB
Two rushes for 20 yards, including a 20-yard rush for a touchdown and half a sack against Columbus (5/22/04).
Will Pettis, WR/DB
14 catches for 159 yards and a touchdown, 12 kickoff returns for 247 yards and one score in two games in 2004.
Jason Shelley, OS
11 catches for 141 yards and three touchdowns in two meetings last season.
Bobby Sippio, WR/LB
In two games in 2004, 14 catches for 185 yards and five touchdowns.
Ja’Mar Tooms, FB/LB
Two carries for 16 yards and 3.5 stops in both games last season.
Colston Weatherington, OL/DL
Four tackles, one sack and a forced fumble in two games.

STATISTICAL COMPARISON

(#) indicates league ranking

Desperados Destroyers
Scoring Off. ................................55.5 (3) 38.0 (17)
Opp. Scoring...............................60.0 (15) 47.0 (9t)
Yards/Game..............................339.0 (1) 243.0 (13t)
Pass Yds/Game........................308.0 (2) 236.0 (11)
Rush Yds/Game ........................31.0 (4) 7.0 (16)
Def Yards/Game ......................265.5 (8) 309.0 (15)
Def Pass Yds/Gm ....................237.0 (8) 227.0 (5)
Def Rush Yds/Gm ......................28.5 (12) 82.0 (17)
Kickoff Returns ..........................14.3 (14) 20.3 (5)
MFG Returns ................................0.0 0.0
Turnover Margin ............................-1 (12t) -3 (16t)
Penalties ........................................15 4
Penalty Yards ..............................142 25
Opp. Penalties ..............................14 8
Opp. Pen. Yards ............................86 60

LAST WEEK

The Dallas Desperados (1-1) suffered their first loss of the 2005 season 45-55 to the New York Dragons (1- 0) in front of a record 14,925 fans at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. After winning the toss and electing to receive, the Dragons went 26 yards in three plays to get on the board first after Aaron Garcia found Mike Horacek open for an 18-yard touchdown pass and catch. Dallas answered on their first possession after rushing three plays in a row, topped off by a one-yard Clint Stoerner touchdown rush - the first rushing touchdown of Stoerner’s AFL career.

Garcia then led New York on another three-play drive - this one for 36 yards - capped off by a two-yard Josh White touchdown run. The New York defense held strong on Dallas’s next possession forcing a 48-yard Carlos Martinez field goal that split the uprights to close the Desperados defict to 10-14. New York bettered their lead after Chinedu Achebe rushed in from two yards to close out the first quarter.

Dallas cut the lead to 17-21 to open the second frame when Stoerner hooked up with Bobby Sippio on a seven-yard touchdown play to finish off a five-play 46-yard drive. William Holder then took the ensuing kickoff 54 yards for a touchdown for an 11-point Dragons lead. The Dragons defense once again forced a Martinez field goal from 40 yards out that missed wide left. New York took possession at their five-yard line following the touchback and gave the ball right back to Dallas after Garcia fumbled the snap from center and Ja’Mar Toombs jumped on the loose ball. Dallas took three plays - all rushes - to narrow their deficit to four points (24-28) after Toombs plowed his way into the end zone from one yard. New York responded with a six-play 45-yard drive culminating with a 19-yard Garcia-to-Horacek touchdown toss - their second hookup for a touchdown of the day - and a 35-24 Dragons’ lead.

Dallas drove to the New York four-yard line as the half was winding down, but Stoerner’s pass was picked off by Corey Johnson in the end zone for a touchback. The Dragons then ran out the clock to take a 35-24 lead into half time. Dallas gained possession to open the second half and struck in just 1:25 to close the gap to 31-35 after Stoerner found Shelley for a touchdown from 22 yards.

New York answered when Garcia hit Horacek for their third touchdown of the game - a 37-yard scoring strike (Rob Bironas PAT failed). The Desperados pulled within three points after Stoerner lobbed a pass to Colston Weatherington for a one-yard touchdown to cap off a sixplay, 38-yard drive that took the final 3:51 of the period.

New York opened fourth quarter scoring when Garcia hit Holder for a nine-yard score and a 38-48 Dragons lead. The Desperados tried to close the gap, but Stoerner’s pass to the sideline was picked off by Billy Parker, who returned the theft seven yards to the New York 22-yard line. New York capitalized on the Dallas turnover when Garcia hit Chris Anthony for a 14-yard touchdown toss and a 38-55 New York lead. The Desperados answered on their next possesion when Stoerner hooked up with Sippio for an eight-yard touchdown pass. Dallas attempted an onside kick that failed, giving New York possession at the Dallas four-yard line - an illegal block on the attempt added five yards. New York then took three plays to run out the clock to give them a 55-45 win.

ALL IN THE FAMILY

This week’s game against Columbus is Dallas’s second division game of the season. The Desperados were defeated in their first division game of 2005 (55-65) last week at New York.

This season marks the first time in the team’s history that the club remains in the same division from the previous season (Eastern).

Overall, Dallas is 9-12 in division play. Below is a look at how the Desperados have faired against division rivals:

2002 - West
2-4
SJ - Loss, at SJ, 54-77 (5/25) Loss, vs. SJ, 41-58 (6/29)
Ari - Loss, vs. Ari, 30-53 (5/18) Win, at Ari, 36-33 (6/16)
LA - Loss, vs. LA, 51-52 (5/4) Win, at LA, 62-55 (6/1)

2003 - Central
3-3
GR - Loss, vs. GR, 42-45 (3/16) Win, at GR, 62-51 (5/18)
Chi - Win, vs. Chi, 48-36 (2/9) Win, at Chi, 60-54 OT (4/20)
Ind - Loss, vs. Ind, 55-62 (3/29) Loss, at Ind, 57-61 (4/13)

2004 - Eastern
4-4
NY - Win, at NY, 56-44 (2/22) Loss, vs. NY, 20-44 (5/1)
Car - Loss, vs. Car, 41-67 (2/8) Win, at Car, 77-52 (3/17)
Cmb - Win, at Cmb, 51-35 (2/29) Loss, vs. Cmb, 56-68 (5/22)
Phi - Win, vs. Phi, 51-47 (2/15) Loss, at Phi, 31-47 (4/4)

2005 - Eastern
0-1
NY - Loss, at NY, 55-65 (2/6) Next game vs. NY, 4/29
Cmb - Next game vs. Cmb, 2/13 Next game at Cmb 4/22
Phi - Next game at Phi, 2/27 Next game vs. Phi, 5/22

WHERE DID THEY COME FROM?

With free agency, AFL teams seldom look the same from year-to-year. Below is a breakdown of the Desperados roster, starting with returning players:

Back in Dallas
Years Years
in Dallas in Dallas
Ernest Allen ................2004 Jeff Chase ....................2004
Michael Hawkins ........2004 Ben Huff ..................2003-04
Larrell Johnson ............2004 Jermaine Jones ......2003-04
Andrew Layton..............2004 Carlos Martinez ............2004
Corey Mayfield ..........2004 Duke Pettijohn ..............2004
Will Pettis ..............2003-04 Jason Shelley ..........2002-04
Bobby Sippio ..............2004 Ja’Mar Toombs ........2003-04
Shawndel Tucker ..2003-04 C. Weatherington ....2003-04

From Other AFL Teams
Jason Ferguson (GR) Albert Reese (GR)
Hamin Milligan (Chi) Rickie Simpkins (GR)

From af2
Terrance Dotsy (Quad City) Chris Greisen (Green Bay)

AFL Rookies
James Cannida Rob Johnson
Bobby Perry Clint Stoerner
Deontay Wilson

DESPERADOS SCHEDULE

W CHICAGO RUSH** 66-65 OT
L at New York Dragons** 45-55
Feb. 13 COLUMBUS DESTROYERS** 2:00 p.m.
Feb. 17 ORLANDO PREADATORS 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 27 at Philadelphia Soul** 2:00 p.m.
March 5 NEW ORLEANS VOODOO 7:30 p.m.
March 13 at Austin Wranglers 3:00 p.m.
March 18 at Los Angeles Avengers 9:30 p.m.
March 25 COLORADO CRUSH 7:30 p.m.
April 1-3 BYE
April 8 NASHVILLE KATS 7:30 p.m.
April 15 at San Jose SaberCats 9:30 p.m.
April 22 at Columbus Destroyers 6:00 p.m.
April 29 NEW YORK DRAGONS 7:30 p.m.
May 7 at Las Vegas Gladiators 9:00 p.m.
May 14 at Georgia Force 6:00 p.m.
May 22 PHILADELPHIA SOUL** 2:00 p.m.
all times central
**possible NBC Sports broadcast
all other broadcasts to be on Fox Sports Southwest

DESTROYERS SCHEDULE

L NASHVILLE 38-47
Feb. 6 BYE
Feb. 13 at Dallas** 3:00 p.m.
Feb. 19 CHICAGO 7:00 p.m.
Feb. 27 @ Grand Rapids** 3:00 p.m.
March 6 @ Georgia 12:00 p.m.
March 12 LAS VEGAS 7:00 p.m.
March 20 at Colorado 3:00 p.m.
March 26 NEW YORK 7:00 p.m.
April 3 PHILADELPHIA** 12:00 p.m.
April 8 at Arizona 10:00 p.m.
April 16 at New Orleans 8:00 p.m.
April 22 DALLAS 7:00 p.m.
April 30 AUSTIN 7:00 p.m.
May 7 @ New York 7:00 p.m.
May 15 at Philadelphia** 1:00 p.m.
May 22 TAMPA BAY** 3:00 p.m.
all times eastern
**possible NBC Sports broadcast
all other broadcasts to be on Fox Sports Net

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME

CHICAGO RUSH..................................QB Clint Stoerner (Dal)
at New York Dragons..............................OS Mike Horacek (NY)
COLUMBUS DESTROYERS ......................................................
ORLANDO PREDATORS ............................................................
at Philadelphia Soul ......................................................................
NEW ORLEANS VOODOO..........................................................
at Austin Wranglers .......................................................................
at Los Angeles Avengers .............................................................
COLORADO CRUSH....................................................................
NASHVILLE KATS ........................................................................
at San Jose SaberCats ................................................................
at Columbus Destroyers................................................................
NEW YORK DRAGONS..............................................................
at Las Vegas Gladiators ...............................................................
at Georgia Force ...........................................................................
PHILADELPHIA SOUL .................................................................

ADT DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME

CHICAGO RUSH................................DS Hamin Milligan (Dal)
at New York Dragons ..................................DB Billy Parker (NY)
COLUMBUS DESTROYERS ......................................................
ORLANDO PREDATORS ............................................................
at Philadelphia Soul ......................................................................
NEW ORLEANS VOODOO..........................................................
at Austin Wranglers .......................................................................
at Los Angeles Avengers .............................................................
COLORADO CRUSH....................................................................
NASHVILLE KATS ........................................................................
at San Jose SaberCats ................................................................
at Columbus Destroyers................................................................
NEW YORK DRAGONS..............................................................
at Las Vegas Gladiators ...............................................................
at Georgia Force ...........................................................................
PHILADELPHIA SOUL .................................................................

ARMY IRONMAN OF THE GAME

CHICAGO RUSH..................................OS Henry Douglas (Chi)
at New York Dragons..............................OS Mike Horacek (NY)
COLUMBUS DESTROYERS ......................................................
ORLANDO PREDATORS ............................................................
at Philadelphia Soul ......................................................................
NEW ORLEANS VOODOO..........................................................
at Austin Wranglers .......................................................................
at Los Angeles Avengers .............................................................
COLORADO CRUSH....................................................................
NASHVILLE KATS ........................................................................
at San Jose SaberCats ................................................................
at Columbus Destroyers................................................................
NEW YORK DRAGONS..............................................................
at Las Vegas Gladiators ...............................................................
at Georgia Force ...........................................................................
PHILADELPHIA SOUL .................................................................

2005 RECORD WHEN...

Score first ........................1-0
Opp. score first ................0-1
Ahead at half ....................1-0
Tied at half........................0-0
Behind at half....................0-1
Ahead after 3 qtrs ............0-0
Tied after 3 qtrs ................0-0
Behind after 3 qtrs ............1-1
Outcome 7 pts or less ......1-0
Outcome 3 pts or less ......1-0
Overtime ..........................1-0
Plus Turnover Ratio ..........0-0
Even Turnover Ratio ........1-0
Minus Turnover Ratio ......0-1
American Airlines Center ....1-0
On the Road ....................0-1
Friday ..............................0-0
Saturday ..........................0-0
Sunday ............................1-1
vs. East ............................0-1
vs. Central ........................1-0
vs. West............................0-0
vs. South ..........................0-0
January ............................1-0
Februrary..........................0-1
March ..............................0-0
April ..................................0-0
May ..................................0-0 Overall:1-1

RESULTS AND ATTENDANCE (1-1)

W 66-55 OT CHICAGO 11,229
L 45-55 @ New York 14,925
Sun. Feb. 13 COLUMBUS 2:00
Thurs. Feb. 17 ORLANDO 7:30
Sun. Feb. 27 @ Philadelphia 2:00
Sat. Mar. 5 NEW ORLEANS 7:30
Sun. Mar. 13 @ Austin 3:00
Fri. Mar. 28 @ Los Angeles 9:30
Fri. Mar. 25 COLORADO 7:30
Fri. Apr. 1 BYE
Fri. Apr. 8 NASHVILLE 7:30
Fri. Apr. 15 @ San Jose 9:30
Fri. Apr. 22 @ Columbus 6:00
Fri. May 29 NEW YORK 7:30
Sat. May. 7 @ Las Vegas 9:00
Sat. May. 14 @ Georgia 6:00
Sun. May 22 PHILADELPHIA 2:00

TEAM STATISTICS DALLAS OPP

FIRST DOWNS ......................................43..........................40
Rushing ..................................................7............................8
Passing ................................................33..........................26
Penalty ...................................................3............................6
Third Down-Made/Att ........................9/16.....................12/16
Third Down Efficiency .......................56.3.......................75.0
Fourth Down-Made/Att........................2/2.........................1/1
TOTAL NET YARDS.............................678........................531
Avg. Per Game................................339.0.....................265.5
Total Plays............................................99..........................90
Avg. Per Play.......................................6.8.........................5.9
NET YARDS RUSHING..........................62..........................57
Avg. Per Game..................................31.0.......................28.5
Total Rushes ........................................23..........................23
Avg. Per Rush .....................................2.7.........................2.5
NET YARDS PASSING ........................616........................474
Avg. Per Game................................308.0.....................237.0
Sacked/Yards Lost ............................3/15.........................0/0
Gross Yards .......................................631........................474
Attempts/Completions .......................73-46 ....................67-41
Pct. of Completions...........................63.0.......................61.2
Had Intercepted......................................2............................1
KICKOFF RET./AVG. ......................14/14.3..................18/18.7
MISS FG RET./AVG............................0/0.0....................1/16.0
INT./AVG. RET. ...................................1/6.0......................2/3.5
PENALTIES/YARDS........................15/142.....................14/86
FUMBLES/BALL LOST .........................3/2.........................3/2
TOUCHDOWNS.....................................15..........................17
Rushing ..................................................4............................5
Passing ................................................10 ..........................11
Returns...................................................1............................1
EXTRA POINTS/ATTEMPTS ............13/14.....................13/15
TWO POINT CONV./ATTS....................1/1.........................1/2
FIELD GOALS/ATTEMPTS...................2/4.........................1/1
AVG. TIME OF POSS........................32:00.....................28:00

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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.

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