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Arena Football League (1987-2008)

Exciting Thursday night game on ESPN2

March 20, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release


AFL nationally televised action begins early this week when the Colorado Crush travel to Philadelphia to take on the Soul on Thursday, March 22 at 7 p.m. ET at the Wachovia Center on ESPN2. ESPN's renowned multimedia duo of MIKE GREENBERG and MIKE GOLIC will call the game.

This is the fifth time the two teams have met earning Thursday's game the title "Rock vs. Jock V," so named because of each team's co-owner: JON BON JOVI of the Philadelphia Soul and JOHN ELWAY of the Colorado Crush.

The rivalry thus far has been lopsided with the Crush having won all four previous contests, including the last three by an average of over 16 points per game.

2006 Colorado 48 PHILADELPHIA 38

2005 COLORADO 77 Philadelphia 56

2004 COLORADO 58 Philadelphia 40

2004 Colorado 40 PHILADELPHIA 33

(Home team in CAPS)

It appears that Thursday night's game, however, should be more evenly matched. Colorado (2-1) will match its fourth-ranked scoring defense against the Soul's (2-0) top-ranked scoring offense.

"Philadelphia is a well coached team and playing solid on both sides of the ball," said Crush head coach MIKE DAILEY. "The combination of this being our first road game and the Soul's first home game of the season should provide for some great energy among the players and be a great backdrop for ESPN."

The game features some of the AFL's brightest stars in Colorado QB JOHN DUTTON, who was MVP of ArenaBowl XVI with San Jose, and WR DAMIAN HARRELL, the reigning two-time Offensive Player of the Year. The Soul counter with QB TONY GRAZIANI, a 2004 All-Arena First Team Selection, and DB EDDIE MOTEN, who led the AFL with 13 interceptions in 2006 and who was named 2007's ADT Defensive Player of the Week for Week 2.

"This is a good early test for both teams," said Philadelphia head coach BRET MUNSEY. "Both teams pride themselves with great pass protection and solid defenses and I am looking forward to a great Thursday match up on national TV."

###

COLORADO CRUSH (2-1) AT PHILADELPHIA SOUL (2-0)

THURSDAY, MARCH 22, AT 7:00 P.M. ET

Announcers: MIKE GREENBERG & MIKE GOLIC

(ESPN2- Live)

(ESPN 360- Live)

FIRST meeting between teams when one is undefeated...CRUSH: Won all four contests vs. Soul, including last three by an average of 16 points...6-4 in last 10 road games...QB JOHN DUTTON has averaged 258 passing yards and 6 TDs per game all-time against Soul. Is tied for 3rd in AFL with 77 comp. Has 4 TDs and 0 INTs in fourth quarter...WR DAMIAN HARRELL averages 8 receptions for 110 yards and 3 TDs all-time against Soul. Harrell's 9 receiving TDs tie for 3rd in AFL...WR WILLIE QUINNIE'S 5 TDs and 21 receptions rank 3rd in AFL among rookies...Defense 2nd in AFL in rushing TDs per game (1)...Defense ranks 3rd in passing yards allowed (241.0)...Defense ranks 3rd in yards per play (5.3)... Defense ranks 4th in total yards allowed (259.7)...Ranks 4th in points per game (46.0)...DB RASHAD FLOYD leads AFL in tackles with 32.5. Leads AFL in MFG return average (30.0). Second in AFL in passes defensed with 5. Averages 8 tackles, 2 passes defensed and 1 INT all-time against Soul...K JASON BALL one of four kickers with 100% accuracy on PATs and most attempts among those four (19-19)...SOUL: Going for first 3-0 start in franchise history... Offense ranks 4th in red zone percentage (88.9)...QB TONY GRAZIANI ranks 3rd in AFL in passing with 129.2 rating. Has averaged 244 passing yards and 4 TDs per game in 5 career games against Crush...Soul rank third in total defense (255.0)...Soul tie for 2nd in AFL (Orlando) with +4 turnover margin. Four fumble takeaways tie for League lead (Chicago, Grand Rapids)...Defense ranks 1st in passing yards per play (5.4)...Ranks 3rd in total yards per game (255.0) and rushing yards (6.0). OL/DL DWAYNE MISSOURI tied for 4th in AFL with 2.0 sacks...With an INT against Colorado DB EDDIE MOTEN can tie second-longest streak in AFL history with 6 consecutive games with an INT. Moten currently has 8 INTs during his 5-game streak. Tied for 3rd in AFL with 2 INTs. Only one of three to return INT for TD in 2007 (Alfonzo, Chicago & Riley, Grand Rapids). Registered 9.5 tackles, 5 passes defensed and 1 INT in 2 career meetings against Crush...WR LARRY BRACKINS leads AFL in special teams tackles with 6.5.

2007 LEADERS CRUSH SOUL SERIES LEADER LEADS 4-0

LAST FIVE GAMES 3-2 4-1

LAST GAME Won vs. Arizona: 56-54 Won at Grand Rapids: 69-40

2007 LEADERS CRUSH SOUL

PASSING Dutton: 77-119-854-16-4 Graziani: 30-44-424-10-1

RECEIVING Harrell: 21-267-9 Scott: 12-114-2

RUSHING Thomas: 7-11-3 Ours: 8-28-2

TACKLES Floyd: 32.5 Moten: 10

SACKS Dunn: 1.5 Missouri: 2

INTERCEPTIONS Hughley: 1 Moten: 2

KICKING Ball: 19-19 PAT; 3-6 FGs: 28 PTS France: 18-19 PAT: 18 PTS

TEAM OFFENSE 47.3 PPG (15); 289.0 YPG (10) 66.0 PPG (1); 251.5 YPG (17)

TEAM DEFENSE 46.0 PPG (4); 259.7 YPG (4) 35.0 PPG (3); 255.0 YPG (3)

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