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Detroit Fury Game Notes

March 25, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Detroit Fury News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Detroit Fury (4-4) at Buffalo Destroyers (3-5)
Date: March 30, 2003
Kickoff: 3:00 p.m. ET
Site: The HSBC Arena (18,457)
Officials: Bill Athan (Referee), Rick Nelson (Umpire), Tim Podroza (Head Linesman), Thomas Symonette (Line Judge), Rob Verantchi (Back Judge)
Radio: WXDX, 1310 AM Jamie Samuelsen (Play-by-Play)
TV: None
Series Record: (1-1)
Last Meeting: Saturday, May 11 2002
Streaks: Buffalo – Lose 4
Detroit – Win 1
Coaches: Ron Selesky (3-5, 1st Year) Al Luginbill (4-4, 1st Year)

THE STAKES: The Fury snapped their three-game losing streak with a win at Colorado. This will be the first meeting between these division opponents, and after Buffalo's last week, a win would help distance the Fury from Buffalo in the Eastern Division standings and keep the Fury in the hunt for first place in the division. A win would also return the Fury's record above .500 and it would be the first time in team history the Fury have won three road games in one season.

THE SERIES: This will be third meeting between Buffalo and Detroit. In 2002, Detroit and Buffalo played back to back contests, with each team winning at home. The Fury's win over Buffalo last season was their only win of the season.

HEAD COACHES:

AL LUGINBILL, Detroit (4-4, 1st Year): Luginbill enters his first season as head coach and general manager of the Detroit Fury and his first season coaching in the Arena Football League. He brings over 33 years of football experience to the Fury. Luginbill began his coaching career at Pasadena City College, where he guided Pasadena City College to Jr. Rose Bowl Championship in his final season as a head coach. He then moved on to Arizona State University and worked as an assistant coach from 1977-1984 with a one-year coaching stint at the University of Wyoming. Finishing his career as a Sun Devil, he left ASU to pursue a job with the San Diego State University Athletic department. After three years on the administrative side, Luginbill was given the control over the slumping Aztec football program, where he served as head coach of SDSU for five years. He is the only coach in SDSU to ever have five consecutive winning seasons. Luginbill's career turned when he left the collegiate ranks to coach in the NFL Europe (World League). He served as head coach and director of football operations of Amsterdam Admirals from (1995-2000). In his tenure there, he guided the Admirals to the World Bowl. Luginbill moved back to States and took a job with up-start XFL and guided the Los Angeles Xtreme to XFL's first and only league championship. Throughout his career, Luginbill is credited with finding and developing NFL stars such as Marshall Faulk (San Diego St. Player), Kurt Warner (NFL Europe / Amsterdam Player) and most recently, Tommy Maddox (XFL). Luginbill currently holds a 86-56-2 overall record as a head coach. He has won three championships and appeared in five bowl games during his coaching tenure.

RON SELESKY, Buffalo (3-5, 1st Year): Selesky enters his first year as a head coach in the Arena Football League, although he is no stranger to the game. Prior to joining the Destroyers, Selesky served as the assistant head coach and director of player personnel with the Tampa Bay Storm. He got his head coaching with the Louisville Fire of the af2, and then a year later, served as the head coach of the Albany Conquest. He guided the expansion Conquest to a 13-3 record and a berth in the ArenaCup playoffs. Before joining the coaching ranks of af2, Selesky spent one season as an assistant coach and player personnel director for the Carolina Cobras. Selesky got his start in the AFL with the Tampa Bay Storm, functioning as an assistant coach and player personnel director from 1997-1999. While in Tampa, Selesky's squad appeared in one ArenaBowl and compiled a record of 31-11 in the regular season. Following a collegiate career as an offensive lineman, Selesky played one season in the NFL, attended NFL training camps and worked as a pro football scout from 1995-1997.

FURY IN THE COMMUNITY:

FURY HOSPITAL VISIT

Members of the Fury Team visit local area hospitals to bring cheer and hope to children during their stay. Often, players and coaches will "take over" the ward, filling it with Fury decorations. Players and coaches spend time with the children, sign autographs and leave special gifts behind. The Fury hopes that these types of events will leave a lasting impression on the children and provide a life long memory they are sure to never forget.

The Fury traveled to William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak on February 21, 2003 to visit children in the hospital's pediatric unit. Fury lineman Lucas Yarnell and Jon McCall, Fury Cheerleaders, and team mascot Frenzy toured the unit brining cheer and hope to children of all ages. Several children were lucky enough to take a ride on a model John Deere tractor, with Lucas doing most of the work pushing them down the hallway. The players, cheerleaders and Frenzy brought pennants, autographed photos, stickers, pens and posters to lighten the day of the Beaumont guests.

FURY FIELD TRIPS PROGRAM

The Fury Field Trips program is designed to encourage young people's interest in science, math and technology by introducing them to real-life examples of how the sciences are used in the world around them. The goal of Fury Field Trips is to instill an interest in the sciences that they will carry through adulthood. The Fury Field Trips are proudly supported by the Metro Detroit Ford Dealers and the Towne Mortgage Company.

The Fury embarked on the first Fury Field Trip of the 2003 season with a visit to the Ford River Rouge Plant in Dearborn, Michigan on Friday, March 21, 2003. Fury players Jon McCall, Dary Myricks, Matt Norwood, Ron Carpenter and Lucas Yarnell toured the plant with sixty students from Stout Middle School in Dearborn. After the tour, Ford representatives and Fury players spoke to the children about the importance of learning about science.

This week, the Fury traveled to Woodland Elementary School in Troy, Michigan on Thursday, March 27. Students in attendance were treated to a wonderful, educational learning experience through an interactive science show. This show was performed by Science Theatre, a student run organization from Michigan State University. These science majors involved students and players in showing physics and chemistry to students in an interesting and innovative production.

LAST WEEK:

Denver, CO. – The Detroit Fury defense stepped up for the Fury, causing four turnovers and a safety, as they ended their three-game losing streak, defeating the Colorado Crush 71-56 at the Pepsi Center. With the win, the Fury improved to (4-4) in the season and remain tied with the Las Vegas Gladiators for first place in the Eastern Division.

All parts of the Fury game were clicking in the win. Fury quarterback Andy Kelly led the offense, completing 25-of-35 for 252 yards, seven touchdowns and no interception. Kick return man Ron Carpenter returned five kicks for 181 yards and one touchdown, and linemen Curtis Eason and Matt Keneley lead the defense with two sacks, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and a safety.

Fury receiver Sulecio Sanford led the Fury receivers, catching 10 passes for 98 yards. Former Denver Bronco Marcus Nash hauled in five passes for 68 yards and two touchdowns.

Crush receiver Damian Harrell led all receivers, catching nine passes for 145 yards and three touchdowns. Quarterback John Dutton completed 23-of-32 passes for 300 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions.

Despite being rattled with injuries earlier in the week, the Fury were able to win its second road game of the year. Kicker Todd Latourette tore his right MCL on Friday, sidelining him for the season, and the Fury brought in AFL Journeyman kicker Nick Gatto. Defensive specialist Brent Browner was signed earlier in the week to replace an injured Kelly Snell.

"We just cannot catch a break with injuries, but I am proud of our guys," said Fury head coach Al Luginbill. "This team banded together and stepped to win this game. We won this game playing well in all three aspects of the game. Our kicking game was excellent, and we executed very well on offense and defense."

The Fury were victim to further injuries during the game, as three players were injured in the first half. Fury lineman Jon McCall did not return from halftime, as he suffered a left groin pull during the second quarter. Lineman Curtis Eason suffered a right shoulder injury in the first half, but Eason returned to play in the second half. Wide receiver linebacker Ty Grovesteen was also injured in the first half, but Grovesteen's actions were limited to holding on all PAT's in the second half.

The game got off to a shaky start as Fury quarterback Andy Kelly fumbled the opening snap, but two plays later, Fury lineman Curtis Eason forced and recovered a fumble for the Fury turnover. The Fury capitalized on the turnover, on a four-yard pass from Kelly to offensive specialist Sulecio Sanford.

On the first play of the Crush's next drive, new defensive specialist Brent Browner picked off Crush quarterback John Dutton. The Fury quickly converted the turnover into a two-play scoring drive, capped off by a six-pass from Kelly to wide receiver Herman Bell.

Each team traded scoring drives before halftime, but Fury kicker Nick Gatto failed to convert his final PAT attempt of the half. The Crush led the Fury 35-34 after Dutton hit Harrell for a five-yard score to give the Crush the one-point halftime lead.

Replacing injured linebacker Ty Grovesteen, Jason Kaiser stepped into the linebacker position and intercepted his first pass of the season at the Fury seven-yard line. The Fury capitalized on the turnover, driving the ball 43 yards for the score.

Following a long scoring drive for the Fury, it was the Fury's defense that took over.

Defensive specialist Ron Carpenter recovered a fumble on the Crush's first play of the following drive. Kelly connected with Sanford for their third touchdown connection of the day to give the Fury a 14-point lead.

Lineman Matt Keneley sacked Crush quarterback John Dutton and forced fumble close to the goal lone. On the fumble, Keneley recorded a safety. The Fury recovered the Crush's onsides kick attempt after the safety, and Rupert "Dogghead" Grant finished the short drive with his first touchdown rush of the season.

MVP: Andy Kelly (DET)
Ironman: Ron Carpenter (DET)

Attendance: (17,417)

DETROIT FURY NEXT WEEK:

The Fury are returning home to The Palace to host the Chicago Rush on a Friday day game. "Have lunch with the Fury," is an attempt to have local school children at the game on Friday. Kickoff is slated for 11:30 a.m.

The Fury and Rush used to be division and conference rivals, but this will be their first meeting since the division re-alignment after the 2002 season. The Fury have a (1-3) record against the Rush, and they have never defeated them at home.

FURY NOTES / TRENDS:

In the Trenches: As the weeks go on, the Fury are beginning to win the war on the offensive and defensive lines. On offense, the Fury have given up the fewest sacks in the league, two. The line has not given up a sack since the Fury's home game on Sunday, February 23 against the Dallas Desperados. On defense, the Fury are seventh in the league in sacks with seven, and there is no one star on the line contributing more than any other. Each week, the line and linebackers are getting more and more pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

One more Road Win...: If the Fury are able to come away with a victory in Buffalo, it will be the first time in team history, the Fury will hold a winning road record (3-2) during the season, and the first time the Fury will have won three or more games on the road in one season. It will also tie a Fury record for consecutive road game victories at two. The last time the Fury won two road games in a row was June 16, 2001 at Los Angeles and June 23, 2001 at Chicago. If the Fury want to break the record, they will have to win their third game against the defending Champs, the San Jose SaberCats.

Rotating the DS: So far this season, the defensive specialist position for the Fury has not been held by any one person for more than two weeks at a time, with the exception of Ron Carpenter. This week, Brent Browner will get his second chance at the DS position. Before him, Kelly Snell got the nod in for the games against Arizona and New York. Richard Jones held the DS position for the two weeks before that, and Ernest Ross and Mario Kelso got their chances at the DS position in weeks one, two and three.

Fury ties to all Four Branches of American Troops: Although they are playing, coaching and working with the Fury, FB/LB Errick Herrin, OL/DL Coach Steve Smith and equipment manager William "Sarge" Cordery all have ties to the American conflict Iraq. Herrin served as U.S Marine for four years, and part of his service took him to Iraq as a part of Operation Desert Storm. Smith's youngest brother (18) is a member of the U.S. Air Force and is stationed in the Kuwait desert, while his brother-in-law is stationed in the Persian Gulf as a member of the U.S. Navy. "Sarge" spent 20 years in the U.S. Army as a member of a combat infantry unit. Sarge's tours took him to Vietnam, Germany during the Cold War, border patrol in Czechoslovakia and here in the U.S.

Interception Free: Last week was the first week of the season quarterback Andy Kelly did not throw an interception. It was also the Fury's highest score and biggest win margin of the season. RUNNING WITH THE RECORDS: Watch as Fury Quarterback Andy Kelly continues his assault on the Arena Football League's record books, as he hopes to remain the league's all-time leading passer. AFL Veterans Aaron Garcia (NY) and Sherdrick Bonner (AZ) are right behind.

THE IFs:

If DETROIT defeats CHICAGO, it would ...
· Give DETROIT a (2-3) record against the Rush
· Give DETROIT a (3-2) record at The Palace
· Increase DETROIT'S winning streak to two
· Give DETROIT a (2-1) record against the Central Division and a (3-2) vs. the American Conference
· Keep DETROIT in hunt for first place in the Eastern Division
· Bring DETROIT'S above (.500) in the season
· Give DETROIT their first victory over the Rush at home



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 25, 2003


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