Desperados Game Notes
Published on March 10, 2003 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Dallas Desperados News Release
QUICK FACTS:
Dallas Desperados (4-2) vs. Grand Rapids Rampage (4-2)
Series Record: First meeting in series.
Last Meeting: First meeting in series.
Series Streak: First meeting in series.
Coaches: Joe Avezzano (12-10, 2nd Year) Michael Trigg (66-60, 10th Year)
Radio: KTCK, The Ticket (1310-AM) George Dunham, Greg Williams KRVA (Spanish, 1600-AM) Victor Villalba
TV: UPN 21 (Ch. 21 in Dallas-Ft. Worth) Bill Jones, Mickey Spagnola
Season Series: This week's game will mark the first meeting between the Desperados and Rampage. Grand Rapids is in its fifth year of play in the AFL and won the ArenaBowl XV championship following the 2001 season.
Series Notables:
* Sunday will mark the first time these teams have faced other.
* The Desperados joined the Central Division this spring and begin a twice-a-year division rivalry with the Rampage.
* Grand Rapids is the third former ArenaBowl champion Dallas has faced this season (Orlando, Arizona).
A Desperados Win Would:
* Allow Dallas to take a 1-0 series advantage.
* Give the Desperados a 2-0 record against the Central Division this season.
* Improve Dallas' record at Reunion Arena to 5-0, including a 4-0 record this spring.
* Mark the Desperados' fourth victory in six games played on Sunday afternoon in 2003.
* Move Dallas into the Central Division lead.
DESPERADOS & RAMPAGE
The Desperados close their short home-stand by hosting Central Division rival Grand Rapids Rampage.
THIS WEEK
Following this week's game, the Desperados travel to Charlotte, NC to face the Carolina Cobras at the Charlotte Coliseum. Grand Rapids continues their three-game road trek next week, traveling to Los Angeles to face the Avengers at the STAPLES Center.
NEXT WEEK
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.
Game Notes
HEAD COACHES
Joe Avezzano (12-10, 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 (39-35, 6th Year - G.R., 66-60-10th 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 remained perfect at Reunion Arena by defeating the Colorado Crush 73-55 in front of 14,951 fans. Dallas' 73 points was its highest output of the season and the second best total in team history.
Colorado opened the scoring early in the first quarter when John Dutton found Damian Harrell with a 34-yard scoring pass. Dallas quickly responded with a 31-yard Jason Wells field goal. Five plays later, Dutton hooked up with Joe Douglass on an 11- yard touchdown pass for a 14-3 Crush lead.
Early in the second period, Dallas cut their deficit to 14-9 with a one-yard Patrise Alexander touchdown run (PAT failed). Andre Cooper then returned the ensuing kickoff 56 yards for the touchdown and a 21-9 Colorado advantage. Four plays later, Kubiak found Shannon Culver with a five-yard scoring pass to cut Dallas' deficit to five points. After holding the Crush on downs, Dallas took their first lead with a two-yard Kubiak-to-Dialleo Burks touchdown pass with 0:47 remaining in the half. Colorado then retook the lead with a 23-yard Dutton-to-Harrell scoring toss. As the first half expired, Wells converted a 38-yard field goal attempt for a 28-26 halftime score.
The Desperados opened the third quarter with a 14-yard Kubiak-to-Culver touchdown pass to reclaim the lead. Four plays later, Dutton was intercepted by Jermaine Jones, who raced 45 yards for the touchdown and a 39-28 Dallas advantage. Colorado quickly responded as Dutton hooked up with Harrell from nine-yards out for the score. Three plays later, Kubiak and Burks hooked up again, this time from nine-yards out, to maintain Dallas' 11 point cushion.
As the final period got under way, McCullough intercepted Dutton and returned the theft to the Crush one-yard line. Following a delay of game penalty, Kubiak again hooked up with Burks on a six-yard scoring pass for an 18-point Dallas advantage.
Dutton quickly drove Colorado to the end zone, connecting with Harrell on a 24-yard scoring pass. Colorado was offside on the ensuing onside kick, giving Dallas the ball at the Crush oneyard line, where Kubiak found D.J. Cooper with a one-yard scoring toss. On Colorado's next play, Dutton found Anthony Derricks down the right sideline with a 45-yard touchdown pass. The Desperados then put together a six play drive that Kubiak culminated with a 10-yard scoring pass to Luke Leverson. On the Crush's next offensive play, Tom Briggs and Tim Martin sacked Dutton, forcing a fumble that McCullough returned two yards for the touchdown. Derricks returned the ensuing kickoff 56 yards for the touchdown to close out the scoring. Dallas recovered the ensuing onside kick and ran out the clock to secure the victory.
VS. THE RAMPAGE
Following is a look at how several Desperados have fared against the Rampage during their careers:
OL/DL Tom Briggs - two tackles and two quarterback pressures in two games.
QB John Fitzgerald - 28-of-37 for 305 yards and eight touchdowns in two games.
QB Jim Kubiak - 20-of-36 for 255 yards, three touch downs and an interception in one game.
OL/DL Doug Lytle - three tackles and a tackle for a loss in three games.
WR/DB Shawndel Tucker - 11 catches for 135 yards and two touchdowns in one game.
OL/DL Patrick Scott and OS Shannon Culver spent time with the Rampage early in their AFL careers.
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