Force Cruise By Sabercats 55-49
May 29, 2011 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Georgia Force News Release
The Georgia Force (6-5) traveled to the West coast and knocked off the San Jose SaberCats (5-6) 55-49 at HP Pavilion, in a critical mid-season tilt. With both teams reeling and in a must-win game, the Force rallied around the strong arm of Brett Elliott, who went 31 of 45 for 368 yards and five touchdowns.
After three consecutive weeks of poor defense, the Force got a chance to showcase their defense prowess and answered by holding off the SaberCats inside the red zone on the opening drive. With the ball in hand, Elliott used the next play from scrimmage and found a streaking C.J Johnson for a 47-yard touchdown. San Jose quarterback Mark Grieb answered with an 8-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Ben Nelson. The Force capped off the first quarter scoring when kicker Carlos Martinez connected on 25-yard field goal attempt, giving Georgia a 10-7 lead.
With a showcase of stingy defense in the opening quarter, both teams looked to get on the board early in the second. Both teams were up for the task as they each scored 21 points, two in the air and one short rushing touchdown for both teams. The identical score gave the Force a 31-28 lead at half.
The Force received the second half opening kick and cashed in with an 8-yard strike to wide receiver Michael Johnson, giving the Force their first double digit lead of the game, 38-28. However, Grieb was up to the task as he found Mervi Brookings for a 14-yard touchdown. The Force tried to answer with a score of their own but could not and used the accurate leg of Martinez to connect on another field goal attempt. San Jose did not squander their opportunity to get the lead back as running back Chad Cook rushed for his second touchdown of the game, which gave the SaberCats a 43-41 lead heading into the final quarter.
The Force fourth quarter woes have been previously exposed, but this week they sent a message to the rest of the league as they held San Jose to only six points in the final quarter. The tight defense gave the offense a chance to win the game, and Elliott's two touchdown scores capped a flawless night from the signal-caller. His last touchdown pass came in dramatic fashion as he found wide receiver Larry Shipp alone in the end zone for a 16-yard touchdown, giving them the lead with 38 seconds left.
Georgia was also lead by C.J. Johnson who accumulated 240 all-purpose yards, 158 coming from the air, while adding a touchdown. Shipp finished with 104 receiving yards on nine receptions and three touchdowns.
The Force will return to action as they host division foe, the Tampa Bay Storm at the Arena at the Gwinnett Center on June 4.
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Arena Football League Stories from May 29, 2011
- Chicago Rush Edge Tulsa Talons for Third Win in a Row - Chicago Rush
- Force Cruise By Sabercats 55-49 - Georgia Force
- San Jose Suffers Another Tough Loss To Georgia, 55-49 - San Jose SaberCats
- Rattlers Take Down the Gladiators - Arizona Rattlers
- Cleveland falls to 6-4 and in a tie with Pittsburgh atop the American East - Cleveland Gladiators
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