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Destroyers name four to practice squad

February 5, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Columbus Destroyers News Release


COLUMBUS, OH – The Columbus Destroyers of the Arena Football League have signed four players to their practice squad, all whom attended training camp with the team this year.

The four-man practice squad includes quarterback Matt D'Orazio, wide receiver/linebacker Titcus Pettigrew, wide receiver/defensive back Jason Collins-Baker and offensive/defensive lineman LaKendrick Jones.

D'Orazio entered the Arena Football League immediately following a distinguished collegiate career at Otterbein College. Widely regarded as one of the most successful quarterbacks in Division III history, D'Orazio received the Ohio Athletic Conference Mike Gregory Award as the Most Outstanding Back in the conference and was nominated for the Melberger Award as the Division III National Player of the Year during his senior season.

While with the Rochester Brigade of the af2 in 2002, D'Orazio ranked fourth in the league in rushing, sixth in total offense and tied the league record for five rushing touchdowns in a game, earning him a nomination for Offensive Player of the Year. Before joining the Rochester Brigade, D'Orazio quarterbacked the Roanoke Steam (af2) and spent time with the Milwaukee Mustangs and the New Jersey Gladiators of the AFL.

Pettigrew spent last season on the roster of the Grand Rapids Rampage after helping the Peoria Pirates of the af2 to the ArenaCup championship. In 13 regular season games with the Pirates, the former Nittany Lion recorded 28 catches for 287 yards and five touchdowns on offense, and 40 tackles and two interceptions on defense. Pettigrew, who was the 1995 North Carolina Gatorade High School Player-of-the-Year, played and lettered four years under Joe Paterno at Penn State (1996-2000).

Collins-Baker enters his second season in the Arena Football League and second with the Destroyers. In seven games last season, Collins-Baker recorded ten catches for 104 yards and one touchdown. He also registered 5.5 tackles (5 solo) and one pass deflection on the defensive side of the ball.

Jones joins the Destroyers after being released by the San Francisco 49ers in July. Jones played on both sides of the ball at South Carolina State, which should suit him well in the AFL. He finished his collegiate career in 2002, recording 53 tackles, including 13 tackles for loss and 10 sacks, eight quarterback hurries, three forced fumbles, and two pass breakups.

The Columbus Destroyers kick off the 2004 season this Saturday, February 7 at Indiana followed by the inaugural home opener Friday, February 13 hosting Carolina. Season tickets are available starting as low as $72 for eight games and single-game seats, starting as low as $9, are also on sale now. Single-game tickets may be purchased at Nationwide Arena, at the Chillers in Dublin and Easton and through Ticketmaster. For season ticket information, visit www.columbusdestroyers.com or call (614) 246-HITS.

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