Desperados Announce 2003 Schedule
October 10, 2002 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Dallas Desperados News Release
The Dallas Desperados kick off their second season in February as a member of the AFL's Central Division. The Central Division should be one of the toughest in the league as all four member â Chicago, Dallas, Indiana and Grand Rapids â made the playoffs last spring. In addition to playing the Rush, Firebirds and Rampage twice each, the Desperados will play six additional playoff teams from last year â Arizona, Carolina, Los Angeles, Orlando, San Jose and Tampa Bay â including the two ArenaBowl participants, San Jose (champion) and Arizona (runner-up).
In 2003, NBC Sports â the league's new television partner â will broadcast four Arena Football League games regionally each Sunday. The Desperados are scheduled to appear on NBC 11 times.
Dallas opens its sophomore season by hosting the New York Dragons on Sunday, Feb.2. They then open division play by hosting the Chicago Rush on Sunday, Feb. 9. The Rush defeated Dallas twice last season, including knocking the Desperados out of the playoff in a Divisional Playoff Game.
The Desperados begin a three game road trip on Sunday, Feb. 16 when they travel to Orlando to face the Predators. The following week, Dallas travels to Detroit to take on the Fury and former offensive coordinator Tom Luginbill on Sunday, Feb. 23. In their final game of the road trip, Dallas faces former Western Division foe Arizona on Sunday, March 2. The Desperados and Rattlers split their two games last season, with each team winning on the other's home field. Dallas' victory in Arizona came on a last-second field goal.
Dallas then returns home to face the expansion Colorado Crush on Friday, March 7 before hosting perennial playoff participant Grand Rapids on Sunday, March 16 in the Desperados second division game. Dallas then makes a trip to Carolina to face the Cobras on Friday, March 21. The Desperados recorded the franchise's first win with a 57-44 victory over the Cobras in the 2002 season opener.
The Desperados return to Dallas the following week to host the Indiana Firebirds on Saturday, March 29. These two teams squared off twice last season, with Dallas claiming victory in both contests. The Desperados scored a season-high 79 points in the first meeting before holding on for a 47-46 first-round playoff win. The following week on April 6, the defending ArenaBowl champion San Jose SaberCats come to town to face the Desperados on Sunday, April 6. San Jose won both games against Dallas last spring.
Dallas then closes the season with four of the final six games on the road, including a visit to Indiana on Sunday, April 13 and to Chicago on Sunday, April 20. The Desperados then return home to host the Los Angeles Avengers, another former Western Division foe, on Sunday, April 27. The Avengers and the Desperados split games last year, with each team winning on the road. Dallas plays its final home game of the regular season on Sunday, May 4 when its hosts the Tampa Bay Storm.
The Desperados begin their final road trips with a visit to Georgia to face the Force on Saturday, May 10 before closing the season against the Rampage in Grand Rapids on Sunday, May 18.
To be a part of the high-octane excitement of Dallas Desperados football, call 972-978-4900 or visit the Dallas Desperados website at www.dallasdesperados.com to order season tickets. Season ticket packages begin as low as $40.
DALLAS DESPERADOS 2003 SCHEDULE
(All Kickoffs Dallas Time)
DATE REGULAR-SEASON TIME
Sun., Feb. 2 NEW YORK DRAGONS (NBC) 2:00 p.m.
Sun, Feb 9 CHICAGO RUSH (NBC) 2:00 p.m.
Sun., Feb. 16 @ Orlando Predators (NBC) 2:00 p.m.
Sun., Feb. 23 @ Detroit Fury (NBC) 2:00 p.m.
Sun., March 2 @ Arizona Rattlers (NBC) 2:00 p.m.
Fri., March 7 COLORADO CRUSH 7:30 p.m.
Sun., March 16 GRAND RAPIDS RAMPAGE 3:00 p.m.
Fri., March 21 @ Carolina Cobras 6:30 p.m.
Sat., March 29 INDIANA FIREBIRDS 7:30 p.m.
Sun., April 6 SAN JOSE SABERCATS (NBC) 11:00 a.m.
Sun., April 13 @ Indiana Firebirds (NBC) 2:00 p.m.
Sun., April 20 @ Chicago Rush (NBC) 2:00 p.m.
Sun., April 27 LOS ANGELES AVENGERS (NBC) 2:00 p.m.
Sun., May 4 TAMPA BAY STORM (NBC) 2:00 p.m.
Sat., May 10 @ Georgia Force 6:30 p.m.
Sun., May 18 @ Grand Rapids Rampage (NBC) 2:00 p.m.
Season ticket packages start at $40 and can be purchased by calling 972-978-4900 or by visiting the Dallas Desperados website at www.dallasdesperados.com.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from October 10, 2002
- SaberCats Release 2003 Schedule - San Jose SaberCats
- Desperados Announce 2003 Schedule - Dallas Desperados
- Los Angeles Avengers Announce 2003 Schedule - Los Angeles Avengers
- Up to 70 Games to Air on NBC - AFL I
- Chicago Rush 2003 Schedule Announced - Chicago Rush
- Detroit Fury Releases 2003 Schedule - Detroit Fury
- Firebirds Release 16-Game Schedule - Albany/Indiana Firebirds
- Rampage Release 2003 Schedule - Grand Rapids Rampage
- Buffalo Destroyers 2003 Schedule Released - Buffalo Destroyers
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.
