Sports stats



AFL I Arena Football League (1987-2008)

Drive to ArenaBowl XIX heads down final stretch

May 18, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release


NEW YORK – A possible championship preview highlights The Drive to ArenaBowl XIX Las Vegas heading into the final regular-season weekend when Offensive Player of the Year candidate OS DAMIAN HARRELL (6-3, 200, Florida State) and the Central Division champion Colorado Crush (10-5) travel to Nassau Coliseum to play All-Arena candidate QB AARON GARCIA (6-1, 195, Sacramento State) and the Eastern Division champion New York Dragons (9-6) on Saturday at 7 p.m. on Fox Sports Net.

The AFLWA's No. 3-ranked Crush would clinch the top seed in the American Conference with a victory, while the No. 6-ranked Dragons are locked in as the No. 2 seed in the National Conference.

A "win-and-in" postseason scenario will unfold at TD Waterhouse Centre when U.S. Army Ironman of the Year candidate WR/LB CORY FLEMING (6-3, 215, Tennessee) and the No. 5-ranked Orlando Predators (9-6) host Offensive Player of the Year candidate QB ANDY KELLY (6-3, 220, Tennessee) and the No. 7-ranked New Orleans VooDoo (9-6) this Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on NBC.

AFL Hall of Famer and Utah head coach DANNY WHITE will join AFL on NBC studio host AL TRAUTWIG in the studio for halftime commentary, game look-ins and interviews.

Elsewhere, Coach of the Year candidate DOUG PLANK and the AFLWA's No. 1-ranked Georgia Force (11-4) travel to play two-time Coach of the Year DARREN ARBET and the No. 8-ranked and defending ArenaBowl champion San Jose SaberCats (8-7) this Saturday at 10:30 p.m. ET on Fox Sports Net.

San Jose's Offensive Player of the Year candidate QB MARK GRIEB (6-3, 208, Cal-Davis) is 195 yards away from setting the single-season passing mark (4,762, Dallas' JIM KUBIAK in 2003), while "Thunder and Lightning" tandem of WR/LB DEREK LEE (6-5, 215, Tennessee Tech) and OS TROY BERGERON (6-2, 190, Middle Tennessee State) are in position to break the single-season records for most receptions and receiving yards by a rookie, respectively. Lee (103) needs three receptions to break MICHAEL BAKER's rookie record of 105 receptions and Bergeron (1,262) is 74 yards shy of breaking ORONDE GADSDEN's rookie record for receiving yards (1,335).

In Grand Rapids, Mich., Coach of the Year candidate ED HODGKISS and the Western Division champion Los Angeles Avengers (10-5) look to grab the top seed in the American Conference with a little help and a victory over QB MICHAEL BISHOP (6-2, 220, Kansas State), who needs seven rushing yards (423) to break MAJOR HARRIS' record of 429, and the Grand Rapids Rampage (3-12) this Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET on Fox Sports Net.

Games slated for Week 17 include: Colorado at New York (FSN New York, FSN Rocky Mountain, FSN North, FSN Arizona, FSN Pittsburgh), Los Angeles at Grand Rapids (FSN Detroit, FSN West2, SunSports, INHD) and Georgia at San Jose (FSN Bay Area-Monday 10:30 p.m., FSN South, SunSports, FSN Chicago, FSN Pittsburgh) on Saturday; Tampa Bay at Columbus, Philadelphia at Dallas, Arizona at Las Vegas, New Orleans at Orlando (NBC) and Chicago at Nashville (NBC) on Sunday. The Austin Wranglers have a bye week.

ARENA FOOTBALL LEAGUE WRITERS' ASSOCIATION (AFLWA) POLL
RANK TEAM RECORD VOTES (FIRST PLACE)
1 Georgia Force 11-4 126 (15)
2 Los Angeles Avengers 10-5 104
3 Colorado Crush 10-5 97 (1)
4 Tampa Bay Storm 9-6 68
5 Orlando Predators 9-6 58
6 New York Dragons 9-6 53
7 New Orleans VooDoo 9-6 37
8 San Jose SaberCats 8-7 13
Also receiving votes: Chicago Rush 10, Las Vegas Gladiators 5, Dallas Desperados 4 and Arizona Rattlers 1.

Following is each team's postseason-clinching scenario for Week 17:

AMERICAN CONFERENCE

Colorado is the Central Division champion and Los Angeles is the Western Division champion. The top seed will be determined by the outcome of this weekend's games. The Chicago Rush, Las Vegas Gladiators and San Jose SaberCats vie for the final two wild-card berths heading into the final weekend.

DIVISION CHAMPIONS
COLORADO CRUSH: Clinched the Central Division title

Can clinch the top seed in the American Conference with a victory over New York OR a Los Angeles loss to Grand Rapids

LOS ANGELES AVENGERS: Clinched the Western Division title

Can clinch the top seed in the American Conference with a victory over Grand Rapids AND a Colorado loss to New York

WILD CARD
CHICAGO RUSH: Can clinch a postseason berth with a victory over Nashville OR a San Jose loss to Georgia OR a Las Vegas loss to Arizona

LAS VEGAS GLADIATORS: Can clinch a postseason berth with a victory over Arizona AND a Chicago loss to Nashville OR a San Jose loss to Georgia

SAN JOSE SABERCATS: Can clinch a postseason berth with a victory over Georgia OR a Las Vegas loss to Arizona

NATIONAL CONFERENCE

The Georgia Force clinched the top seed in the National Conference and are the Southern Division champions, while the New York Dragons captured the Eastern Division crown. The New Orleans VooDoo, Orlando Predators and Tampa Bay Storm vie for the final two wild-card berths heading into the final weekend.

DIVISION CHAMPIONS
GEORGIA FORCE: Clinched the Southern Division title and the top seed in the National Conference

NEW YORK DRAGONS: Clinched the Eastern Division title


WILD CARD
NEW ORLEANS VooDoo: Can clinch a postseason berth with a victory over Orlando

ORLANDO PREDATORS: Can clinch a postseason berth with a victory over New Orleans OR a Tampa Bay loss to Columbus

TAMPA BAY STORM: Can clinch a postseason berth with a victory over Columbus OR a New Orleans loss to Orlando

The Arizona Rattlers, Austin Wranglers, Columbus Destroyers, Dallas Desperados, Grand Rapids Rampage, Nashville Kats and Philadelphia Soul have been eliminated from postseason participation.




COLORADO CRUSH (10-5) AT NEW YORK DRAGONS (9-6)
SATURDAY, MAY 21 AT 7 P.M. ET
FSN NEW YORK & FSN ROCKY MOUNTAIN
BOB WISCHUSEN, JONATHAN VILMA & DEB KAUFMAN

After clinching their respective divisions last week, New York and Colorado look to build momentum heading into the playoffs... With a win or a Los Angeles loss, the Crush can clinch the top seed in the American Conference... Over the past two seasons, the Crush are 21-10 and with a win this week would tie their best single-season record... The Dragons have lost only one home game this season... Crush DS RASHAD FLOYD (119.5) needs three tackles to break the single-season record that he set last season (122.0)... Crush OS DAMIAN HARRELL has at least one touchdown reception is each of his last 48 games, an AFL record... Harrell ranks No. 4 in the League in both scoring (234) and receiving yards (1,388)... Dragons QB AARON GARCIA ranks No. 3 in the League in QB Rating (118.8), No. 4 in touchdowns (83) and No. 7 in passing yards (3,869)... Crush QB JOHN DUTTON ranks No. 2 in the League in touchdowns (87), No. 3 in attempts (550) and No. 4 in completions (346)... The Dragons (27) need three interceptions to break the single-season record set by Orlando (29) in 1992... Dragons DS BILLY PARKER leads the league in interceptions (9) and is two shy of tying the single-season rookie record.

2005 LEADERS CRUSH DRAGONS
SERIES LEADER New York leads 2-0
LAST FIVE GAMES 2-3 2-3
LAST GAME Won vs. Nashville, 52-49 Lost at Tampa Bay, 58-61
2005 LEADERS CRUSH DRAGONS
PASSING Dutton: 550-346-13, 3932, 87 TDs Garcia: 489-323-13, 3869, 83 TDs
RECEIVING Harrell: 112-1388, 39 TDs Horacek: 84-1133, 28 TDs
RUSHING Young: 19-56, 4 TDs White: 42-178, 12 TDs
TACKLES Floyd: 119.5 Angel: 94.5
SACKS Young: 5.0 Owen: 2.5
INTERCEPTIONS Hawkins, McKenzie: 5 Parker: 9
KICKING Rush: 101-114 PAT; 14-30 FG; 143 PTS Bironas: 91-108 PAT, 7-16 FG, 112 PTS
TEAM OFFENSE 56.3 PPG (2); 275.1 YPG (10) 53.3 PPG (4); 267.1 YPG (16)
TEAM DEFENSE 53.9 PPG (13); 318.9 YPG (17) 51.1 PPG (11); 306.4 YPG (15)


LOS ANGELES AVENGERS (10-5) AT GRAND RAPIDS RAMPAGE (3-12)
SATURDAY MAY 21 AT 7:30 P.M. ET
FSN DETROIT, FSN WEST2 & INHD
MATT SHEPARD & ROB RUBICK

Los Angeles can claim the top seed in the American Conference with a win and a Colorado loss... Grand Rapids has defeated two playoff-bound teams over the last three weeks and look to make it three this week against the Avengers... With a win, the Rampage will have their first winning streak since the 2003 season... The Avengers currently have a four-game winning streak and can tie the franchise record (5) with a win... Rampage QB MICHAEL BISHOP (423) needs seven rushing yards to break the single-season rushing record set by MAJOR HARRIS (429) in 1991... Bishop is the only player in AFL history to throw for 3,000 yards and rush for 300 yards in the same season... Avengers K REMY HAMILTON currently has a 73.7 field goal percentage and is on pace to break the single season record (72.0) set by JAY TAYLOR last season... Avengers OL/DL SILAS DEMARY (11.5) needs two sacks to break the single season record set by CRAIG WALLS in 1987 (13.0)... Demary has recorded two-or-more sacks in three games this season... Rampage DS CECIL DOGGETTE is the AFL all-time leader in pass breakups (147)... FB/LB CHRIS AVERY leads the League in special-team tackles (17.5) and ranks No. 1 all-time in tackles by a FB/LB in a single season (52.4)... Rampage DS DAMON MASON ranks No. 2 in the League in tackles this season (116.5) and is six tackles shy of the single-season record (122.0)

2005 LEADERS AVENGERS RAMPAGE
SERIES LEADER Los Angeles leads 3-1
LAST FIVE GAMES 4-1 2-3
LAST GAME Won vs. Las Vegas, 63-60 Won at Chicago, 51-40
2005 LEADERS AVENGERS RAMPAGE
PASSING Kaleo: 512-314-9, 3827, 74 TDs Bishop: 423-244-12, 3156; 52 TDs
RECEIVING Ingram: 85-1006, 21 TDs Hines: 62-786, 11 TDs
RUSHING Ford: 49-177, 11 TDs Bishop: 77-423, 16 TDs
TACKLES Simmons: 79.0 Mason: 116.5
SACKS Demary: 11.5 Avery: 3.0
INTERCEPTIONS Ingram: 6.0 Mason: 5
KICKING Hamilton: 90-99 PAT; 28-38 FG, 174 PTS Martinez: 76-85 PAT; 18-43 FG; 130 PTS
TEAM OFFENSE 53.1 PPG (5); 272.6 YPG (12) 46.0 PPG (15); 273.3 YPG (11)
TEAM DEFENSE 49.5 PPG (t-7); 309.2 YPG (16) 57.8 PPG (17); 282.9 YPG (10)



GEORGIA FORCE (11-4) AT SAN JOSE SABERCATS (8-7)
SATURDAY, MAY 21 AT 10:30 P.M. ET
FSN BAY AREA (*10:30 P.M. MONDAY) & FSN SOUTH
RANDY HAHN, MIKE PAWLAWSKI & F.P. SANTANGELO

Georgia has earned home-field advantage throughout the National Conference playoffs and are looking to use this game to build momentum... San Jose is tied with Las Vegas and Chicago at 8-7 and own the tie breaker over the Gladiators... San Jose can make the playoffs with a win this week or a loss by either the Rush or Gladiators... The SaberCats are 1-2 against division leaders and the Force are 5-2 against the six teams fighting for the four Wild-Card spots... The SaberCats have scored 891 points off of 129 TDs and 4,753 offensive yards, putting the SaberCats in position to break the single-season records for points (966), TDs (137) and offensive yards (4,807)... The SaberCats record chase has been a result of the outstanding play of QB MARK GRIEB, whose 4,568 passing yards are with in 195 yards of breaking JIM KUBIAK's record of 4,762... Benefiting from the offensive output is K DAN FRANTZ... Frantz has converted 103-of-122 PATs... Frantz is eight PATs away from breaking CLAY RUSH's record of 110 and five attempts away from breaking DARON ALCORN's record of 126... Georgia WR/DB DEREK LEE and OS TROY BERGERON are in position to break the single-season records for most receptions and receiving yards by a rookie, respectively. Lee (103) needs three receptions to break MICHAEL BAKER's record of 105 receptions by a rookie and Bergeron (1,262) is 74 yards shy of breaking ORONDE GADSDEN's rookie record for receiving yards (1,335)... In 2003, San Jose finished the season 12-4 and Georgia at 8-8... San Jose went on to defeat Georgia 69-48 in the second round of the playoffs.

2005 LEADERS FORCE SABERCATS
SERIES LEADER San Jose leads 3-1
LAST FIVE GAMES 4-1 2-3
LAST GAME Won vs. Dallas, 63-56 Lost at Arizona, 44-54
2005 LEADERS FORCE SABERCATS
PASSING Nagy: 366-248-10, 2880, 64 TDs Grieb: 515-354-16, 4568, 79 TDs
RECEIVING Jackson: 103-1317, 18 TDs Roe: 104-1319, 41 TDs
RUSHING Thomas: 41-143, 6 TDs Kinsinger: 30-74, 9 TDs
TACKLES Gary 89.5 Thomas: 47.5
SACKS Wilson: 5.5 Jacobs. 4.0
INTERCEPTIONS Gaines: 6 Thomas: 6
KICKING Garner: 91-105 PAT; 7-13 FG; 112 PTS Frantz: 103-122 PAT; 2-8 FG, 109 PTS
TEAM OFFENSE 51.3 PPG (8); 281.7 YPG (8) 59.4 PPG (1); 316.9 YPG (1)
TEAM DEFENSE 46.1 PPG (2); 296.9 YPG (12) 51.5 PPG (12); 280.6 YPG (9)



TAMPA BAY STORM (9-6) AT COLUMBUS DESTROYERS (2-13)
SUNDAY, MAY 21 AT 3 P.M. ET

A Tampa Bay win guarantees the Storm a spot in the postseason... If Tampa Bay loses, the Storm can only make the playoffs if New Orleans loses in Orlando... A Columbus win would give the Destroyers their first win streak of the season... The Storm finished the season undefeated at home, joining Georgia as the first teams to finish the season with out a home-loss since the League increased its schedule to 16 games... Since OS DAMIEN GROCE joined the Destroyers this season, Groce has had career-high in receptions (112), receiving yards (1,373) and TDs (20), setting Destroyers single-season records in receptions and receiving yards... Groce needs four TD receptions this week to break the Destroyers' single-season record of 23... Groce is tied at No. 6 in receptions, ranks No. 6 in receiving yards and No. 3 in all-purpose yards (2,467)... Even though Columbus QB MATT D'ORAZIO has played in only 10 games this season, he ranks No. 7 in rushing yards (167)... Destroyers WR/DB SEDRICK ROBINSON ranks No. 10 in kick off return yards (20.4) and DS BRANDON HEFFLIN is tied at No. 6 in forced fumbles (3)... The Storm are the only team in the League to have two players ranked in the top 10 in tackles, DS TRAMAIN JONES and JONATHAN ORDWAY rank No. 3 (110.0) and 7 (86.0), respectively... Ordway also ranks No. 1 in passes defended (28) and is tied at No. 5 in interceptions (6).

2005 LEADERS STORM DESTROYERS
SERIES LEADER Tampa Bay leads 3-0
LAST FIVE GAMES 3-2 1-4
LAST GAME Won vs. New York, 61-58 Won at Philadelphia, 55-52
2005 LEADERS STORM DESTROYERS
PASSING Stafford: 593-379-14, 4245, 78 TDs D'Orazio: 298-189-5, 2055, 33 TDs
RECEIVING Samuels: 118-1374, 18 TDs Groce: 112-1373, 20 TDs
RUSHING Penright: 20-76, 4 TDs D'Orazio: 43-168, 7 TDs
TACKLES Jones: 110.0 Hefflin, Franklin: 68.5
SACKS Certain, Hall, Muhammad: 2.0 McCleary: 2.0
INTERCEPTIONS Ordway: 6 Hefflin: 2
KICKING George: 87-96 PAT, 17-29 FG, 138 PTS Videtich: 78-85 PAT; 14-27 FG; 121 PTS
TEAM OFFENSE 50.5 PPG (10); 292.7 YPG (5) 44.3 PPG (16); 267.9 YPG (15)
TEAM DEFENSE 48.4 PPG (4); 276.1 YPG (7) 55.3 PPG (15); 279.8 YPG (8)



PHILADELPHIA SOUL (6-9) AT DALLAS DESPERADOS (7-7-1)
SUNDAY, MAY 21 AT 3 P.M. ET

Both Philadelphia and Dallas have been eliminated from post season action and are both coming off a Week 16 loss with hopes of ending their season with a win... The Desperados have won two-of-three meetings between these two teams over the past two seasons including a blowout in Week 5, 72-43... Desperados QB CLINT STOERNER has completed 304-of-483 passes for 3,688 and 71 TDs this season, breaking records for TD passes thrown by a rookie and completions by a rookie... Entering Week 17, Stoerner needs 100 passing yards and two attempts to break the rookie records for passing yards and attempts... The current records are held by JIM KUBIAK who threw for 3,787 yards and attempted 484 passes in 2001 as a member of the Buffalo Destroyers... QB TONY GRAZIANI ranks No. 6 in the League in passing yards (3,906) and No. 4 in TDs (84)... Soul OS STEVE SMITH, an AFL Offensive Player of the Year candidate, leads the League in all-purpose yards (2,709) and is ranked No. 10 in receiving yards with 1,299 and is tied at No. 10 in scoring with 174 points.

2005 LEADERS SOUL DESPERADOS
SERIES LEADER Dallas lead 2-1
LAST FIVE GAMES 1-4 1-4
LAST GAME Lost vs. Columbus, 52-55 Lost at Georgia, 56-63
2005 LEADERS SOUL DESPERADOS
PASSING Graziani: 504-301-14, 3906, 84 TDs Stoerner: 482-304-15, 3688, 71 TDs
RECEIVING Smith: 98-1299, 26 TDs Shelley: 90-1120, 24 TDs
RUSHING Ryan: 51-121, 15 TDs Pettijohn: 53-200, 7 TDs
TACKLES Moten: 71.5 Jones: 60.0
SACKS Missouri: 5.0 Pettijohn: 5.5
INTERCEPTIONS Coleman: 5 Pettis, Jones: 5
KICKING Seder: 55-62 PAT; 6-15 FG; 73 PTS Martinez: 100-107 PAT; 13-30 FG; 139 PTS
TEAM OFFENSE 52.6 PPG (7); 270.1 YPG (13) 54.1 PPG (3); 269.9 YPG (14)
TEAM DEFENSE 55.2 PPG (14); 301.3 YPG (13) 50.8 PPG (10); 254.0 YPG (2)



ARIZONA RATTLERS (6-9) AT LAS VEGAS GLADIATORS (8-7)
SUNDAY, MAY 21 AT 3 P.M. ET

Las Vegas can clinch a postseason berth with a victory over Arizona and a Chicago loss to Nashville or a San Jose loss to Georgia... The Gladiators have lost back-to-back games only once this season and are looking to rebound after a loss last week to the division-rival Avengers... After a slow start, the Rattlers are 5-2 over their last seven games and are looking for their first three-game winning streak of the season... Rattlers OS SIAHA BURLEY (43) needs four receiving TDs to break the single-season record (46) held by four players... Burley has had five games this season with four-or-more receiving touchdowns and leads the League in scoring (266) and ranks No. 3 in receiving yards (1,533)... Since returning from injury in Week 7, Gladiators QB CLINT DOLEZEL has thrown more touchdown passes than any other quarterback in the league (66)... In his last three games against the Rattlers, OS MARCUS NASH has caught a total of 40 passes for 497 yards and 16 touchdowns... Gladiators DS MARVIN TAYLOR is tied for No. 2 in the league in interceptions (7)... Rattlers QB SHERDRICK BONNER is the AFL's all-time leader in regular-season wins by a quarterback (93).

2005 LEADERS RATTLERS GLADIATORS
SERIES LEADER Arizona leads 4-2
LAST FIVE GAMES 4-1 3-2
LAST GAME Won vs. San Jose, 54-44 Lost at Los Angeles, 60-63
2005 LEADERS RATTLERS GLADIATORS
PASSING Bonner: 290-169-10, 2117, 45 TDs Dolezel: 415-276-14, 3268, 73 TDs
RECEIVING Burley: 115-1533, 43 TDs Nash: 123-1689, 39 TDs
RUSHING Glover: 24-60, 5 TDs Jackson: 38-127, 1 TDs
TACKLES Lawson: 88.0 Bonner: 70.5
SACKS Glover: 4.0 Carter: 9.0
INTERCEPTIONS Gatewood: 5 Taylor: 7
KICKING Kral: 65-81 PAT; 4-19 FG; 77 PTS Lewis: 81-100 PAT; 7-13 FG; 102 PTS
TEAM OFFENSE 51.1 PPG (9); 283.4 YPG (7) 49.9 PPG (t-11); 314.6 YPG (2)
TEAM DEFENSE 50.1 PPG (9); 256.9 YPG (3) 48.8 PPG (5); 251.0 YPG (1)



NEW ORLEANS VooDoo (9-6) AT ORLANDO PREDATORS (9-6)
SUNDAY, MAY 21 AT 3 P.M. ET
NBC
BOB PAPA, PAT HADEN & LEWIS JOHNSON

The winner of this matchup earns one of the two available Wild-Card spots in the National Conference... A New Orleans loss would eliminate the VooDoo from the playoffs... If Orlando loses, the Predators can still make the playoffs if Tampa Bay loses to Columbus... Orlando won the first meeting between these two Southern Division rivals, 63-52, in Week 7 and since then both teams have gone 4-4... The Predators are 6-1 at home and 4-3 against teams from the Southern Division... The VooDoo are 4-3 on the road and 2-5 against teams from the Southern Division... VooDoo QB ANDY KELLY has been one of the most productive QBs this season, completing 443-of-662 passes for 4,465 yards and 93 TDs... Kelly ranks No. 1 in the League in pass attempts, completions and TDs and No. 2 in passing yards... Kelly's 93 TD passes brings him within seven of becoming only the second player to throw for 100 in a season (Aaron Garcia, 104 in 2001 and 100 in 2003)... One player who has benefited from Kelly's impressive numbers is OS AARON BAILEY... Bailey ranks No. 5 in the League in scoring (222), No. 9 in all-purpose yards (1,953), No. 1 in receptions (139) and No. 2 in receiving yards (1,639)... Orlando hopes that QB JOE HAMILTON used the bye week to allow his injuries to heal... Hamilton has completed 238-of-364 passing for 2,911 yards and 53 TDs in 12 games this season, but has not played since the Predators defeated New York 72-60 in Week 12... Orlando is 1-2 without Hamilton... The VooDoo have never missed the playoffs and the Predators have made the playoffs every year, except for their first year in the League (1991).

2005 LEADERS VooDoo PREDATORS
SERIES LEADER Orlando leads 3-0
LAST FIVE GAMES 3-2 2-3
LAST GAME Won vs. Austin, 69-68 Lost at Austin, 42-56
2005 LEADERS VooDoo PREDATORS
PASSING Kelly: 662-443-11, 4465, 93 TDs Hamilton: 364-238-11, 2911, 57 TDs
RECEIVING Bailey: 139-1639, 35 TDs Fleming: 90-1033, 31 TDs
RUSHING Thompson: 35-87, 7 TDs Price: 34-160, 7 TDs
TACKLES Pointer: 76.0 McEntyre: 54.0
SACKS Cohen: 9.0 Burt: 8.0
INTERCEPTIONS Spears: 3 Harris, McEntyre: 4
KICKING Schmitz: 96-106 PAT, 11-20 FG, 129 PTS Gowins: 66-80 PAT; 11-19 FG; 99 PTS
TEAM OFFENSE 53.0 PPG (6); 305.5 YPG (3) 49.9 PPG (t-11); 280.9 YPG (9)
TEAM DEFENSE 49.1 PPG (6); 265.1 YPG (4) 47.7 PPG (3); 275.1 YPG (6)



CHICAGO RUSH (8-7) AT NASHVILLE KATS (6-8-1)
SUNDAY, MAY 21 AT 3 P.M. ET
NBC
ALLEN BESTWICK, RAY BENTLEY & STEVE WRIGLEY

Nashville suffered their first loss last week since April 3 of this season...Chicago has lost two in a row and are looking to end the season with a win and secure a spot in the postseason...The Rush can clinch its fifth-consecutive playoff berth with a win this week or with a loss by either San Jose or Las Vegas... The Rush won the first meeting between these two teams this season 45-38 in Week 6... In that game, both the Kats and the Rush were without their starting QBs... Rush QB RAYMOND PHILYAW is currently ranked No. 2 in the League in completion percentage (68.1) and Kats QB LEON MURRAY has completed 92-of-140 passes for 1,088 yards, 22 touchdowns and no interceptions in the past five games ... Rush FB/LB BOB MC MILLEN has rushed for 166 yards this season (No. 8 in AFL) and 1,316 in his career... He is the first player in AFL history to rush for 100 or more yards in seven-consecutive seasons and is currently ranked No. 2 all-time on the League's career rushing list... Les Barley is the AFL's all-time leading rusher with 1,382 career yards... Nashville's No. 1-ranked defense (44.7 PPG) includes WR/DB KHALIL CARTER and DS DERON JENKINS... Carter is tied at No. 2 in the League with seven INTs and Jenkins is tied at No. 8 in the League in combined tackles (81.0)... Rush OL/DL JOHN MOYER is ranked No. 5 in the League with 6.0 sacks and has recorded 34 over his career placing him eighth on the AFL's all-time list.

2005 LEADERS RUSH KATS
SERIES LEADER Chicago leads 1-0
LAST FIVE GAMES 2-3 4-1
LAST GAME Lost vs. Grand Rapids. 40-51 Lost at Colorado, 49-52
2005 LEADERS RUSH KATS
PASSING Philyaw: 448-305-12, 3464, 63 TDs Murray: 389-235-10, 2651, 45 TDs
RECEIVING Molden: 91-1094 24 TDs Coleman: 73-821, 12 TDs
RUSHING McMillen: 56-166, 9 TDs Alexander: 38-105, 5 TDs
TACKLES Johnson: 70.0 Jenkins: 81.0
SACKS Moyer: 6.0 Minucci: 5.0
INTERCEPTIONS Shaw, Molden: 3 Carter: 7
KICKING Gispert: 84-97 PAT; 10-16 FG; 114 PTS Dodson: 54-69 FG, 7-21 PAT; 75 PTS
TEAM OFFENSE 49.5 PPG (13); 297.8 YPG (4) 43.1 PPG (17); 261.1 YPG (17)
TEAM DEFENSE 49.5 (t-7); 290.7 YPG (11) 44.7 PPG (1); 272.1 YPG (5)



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 18, 2005


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.


Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central