F.C. Barcelona Dragons Game Notes

April 16, 2003 - National Football League Europa (NFLE)
F.C. Barcelona Dragons News Release


Series: The Dragons and Admirals have faced each other 17 times, with the Dragons holding a 9-8 advantage. The teams met last week in Amsterdam with the Dragons pulling a win out in the final minute of the game.

Did you Know?:

* The Dragons have won the last four meetings in Barcelona.
* The Dragons hold a 6-2 series advanage when playing in Barcelona
* The Dragons had the longest winning streak in the series (five games) through the 1999 and 2000 seasons.
* Amsterdam won the first ever meeting between these two teams 17-13 to open up the 1995 season.
* The Dragons have fought two overtime games with the Admirals, winning one (1996) and losing one (1995).

A Dragons Win Would:

* Improve the Dragons season record to 2-1
* Allow Barcelona to take a 10-8 series advantage.
* Give Barcelona their first win at Mini Estadi
* Improve Barcelona's winning streak at home against the Admirals to five games.
* Give the Dragons back-to-back wins for the first time since the end of the 2001 season.

MEET THE THE HEAD COACHES

Jack Bicknell (55-47 , 2-4 post season, 11th Year)

Bicknell returns in 2003 for his 42nd year of coaching as the only NFLEL head coach to have been with the same team through the history of the league. He has won more NFLEL regular season games (54) than any other coach in the history of the league. He is also the only coach to have made four World Bowl appearances in league history.

"Cowboy Jack" served as head coach at Boston College for 10 seasons (1981-1990). He led the Eagles to a 10-2 mark in 1984 as his quarterback, Doug Flutie, won the Heisman Trophy. His 45-28 victory over Houston in the Cotton Bowl marked the first time in school history that the team participated in three consecutive bowl games. Bicknell also guided the Eagles to the 1982 Tangerine Bowl, 1983 Liberty Bowl and 1986 Hall of Fame Bowl. He was also selected to coach the 1985 Hula and Japan Bowlss and the 1990 East-West Shrine Bowl. Prior to his time with Boston College, Bicknell served as the head coach at the University of Maine (1976-1980).

Bart Andrus (5-7, 2nd Year)

Andrus returns for his second season as head coach with the Admirals after leading Amsterdam to a 4-6 record in 2001. He spent the 2000 NFL Europe season as offensive coordinator for Rhein Fire leading an offense that ranked first in the league in total yards gained and total points scored.

Andrus spent three seasons in the NFL with Tennessee Oilers-Titans as offensive assistant from 1997-98 and as the quarterbacks coach in 1999. He served as the head coach of Rocky Mountain College, receiving the 1996 NAIA Coach of the Year Award for his efforts in restructuring a struggling program that had not won a game in 4 years. Andrus ended the season 6-4 with his offense ranking first in the nation.

Prior to his stint at Rocky Mountain, Andrus filled the role as the offensive coordinator at three different institutions: Southern Utah University ('93-'95), Montana State ('90-'91) and Humboldt State ('86-'89). Andrus had his head coaching debut at St. Patrick High School in Vallejo, CA.

LAST WEEK

The Dragons picked up their first win of the 2003 NFLE season in a 10-7 game at Amsterdam Admirals. After winning the toss, the Admirals selected to receive and the Dragons defense held them to three and out. The Dragons took possession at their own 36-yard line, and in eight-plays, they drove 30 yards to set up Jason Witczak for a career-long 47-yard field goal and a 3-0 Dragons lead. Both teams traded punts on their next two possessions. The Admirals then setup for a 51-yard field goal attempt by Joe O'Donnell that was missed wide right. The Dragons were forced to three-and-outs on their last two possessions of the first half and took a 3-0 lead at halftime. After being forced to punt to open the second half, the Dragons defense had a tough time containing the Admirals on their first drive of the second half. Amsterdam drove 80 yards in 11 plays capped off by a 25-yard Shaun Hill pass to Justin Skaggs for a touchdown and a 7-3 Amsterdam lead. On their ensuing possession, the Dragons were forced to punt. Matthew Hatchette blocked the Nick Murphy punt attempt to give the Admirals possession at the Dragons 27-yard line. Amsterdam was threatening to score when former Admiral, Jason Watters, picked off Hill's pass in the end zone. Watters was forced down at the Dragons one-yard line where the Dragon's offense took over. The Barcelona offense could not capitalize on the turnover and were forced to punt to start the fourth quarter. The Dragons defense once again forced an Admiral three and out but their offense managed to move the ball 13 yards before being forced to punt once gain. The Barcelona defense held the Admirals offense to three downs again to give the offense an opportunity to take the lead. After Barcelona converted a third and two, Jordan Younger intercepted a Kyle McCann pass intended for Sean Morey. The Admirals took over at the Dragons 47- yard line but managed to move the ball just seven yards before Jeff Crowell punted the ball 14 yards to give the Dragons possesion at their own 26-yard line. McCann orchestrated a 10-play, 74-yard drive that culminated in a Dameon Hunter one-yard touchdown push to give the Dragons a 10-7 lead with 1:06 remaining. The drive was highlighted by a McCann-to-Morey 16-yard pass on fourth-and-10 to keep the drive alive. The Dragons held the Admirals on the final possession of the game to preserve the 10-7 lead and give F.C. Barcelona their first win of the 2003 NFL Europe season.



National Football League Europa Stories from April 16, 2003


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