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Fury Game Notes

February 12, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Detroit Fury News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Detroit Fury (1-1) at Carolina Cobras (0-2)
Date: February 14, 2003
Kickoff: 7:30 PM
Site: Charlotte Coliseum (12,229)
Officials: Riley Johnson (Referee), Rick DiBernado (Umpire), Neil Brunner (Head Linesman), Paul Engelberts (Line Judge), Bud McCleskey (Back Judge)
Radio: WXDX, 1310 AM Jamie Samuelsen (Play-by-Play)
TV: None
Series Record: 0-1
Last Meeting: Carolina defeated Detroit 79-52 in Detroit's first ever AFL game on 4-20-01
Streaks: Carolina – Lost 2 Detroit – Win 1
Coaches: Mike Hold (0-2, 1st Year) Al Luginbill (1-1, 1st Year)

THE STAKES: The Fury have won their first game since May 4, 2002, and they are looking to keep the momentum going. Today's game is a chance to give the Fury their first road victory since June 23, 2001. Carolina is returning to its new home in Charlotte after losing two. The Cobras will be fired up to win their home opener, and has the advantage of playing in an unfamiliar arena. The Fury are also looking to build some positive momentum, as they will make their national TV debut on February 23, when the Fury return to The Palace to face the Dallas Desperados.

THE SERIES: The Fury have not played the Cobras since their inaugural game in 2001. Carolina defeated Detroit 79-52, but has since moved to Charlotte. The Cobras are looking to keep their undefeated record against the Fury.

HEAD COACHES:

AL LUGINBILL, Detroit (1-1, 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.

MIKE HOLD, Carolina (0-2, 1st Year): Hold enters his first season as a head coach in the Arena Football League, after spending the last two years as the head coach of the Augusta Stallions in the af2. While in Augusta, Hold coached his team to an overall record of 22-10 and a playoff appearance in 2002. Hold is no stranger to the game of Arena Football. He played as a quarterback for 12 seasons in the AFL and played in the AFL's inaugural season in 1987 with the Chicago Bruisers. Hold suited up for eight different teams in the AFL during his career: Arizona, Chicago, Connecticut, Denver, Houston, Orlando, Sacramento and Washington. Hold played college football at the University of South Carolina for two seasons. In his collegiate career, he helped lead the Gamecocks to the school's only ten-win season. When away from football, Hold has worked as a color commentator for the Mountain West Conference, ESPN's Arena Football League coverage in 2000 and worked as a sideline reporter for the University of South Carolina in 2001.

2002 REVIEW:

The Fury finished the 2002 season with a record of 1-13. The season was highlighted by players R-Kal Truluck for winning the league's award for Lineman of the Year. Chuck Winters received the AFL's Community Hero Award, which is given the player that has given the most back to his local community.

LAST WEEK:

In a defensive struggle, the Detroit Fury defeated the Georgia Force 38-31 at The Palace of Auburn Hills. The Fury shutout the Force late, coming from behind to score 18 unanswered points. With the win, the Fury ended a 12-game losing streak that began on May 11, 2002.

Fourth quarter interceptions by Ron Carpenter and Ernest Ross helped seal the victory for Detroit. Carpenter intercepted Georgia's Donnie Davis with less than five minutes remaining to set up the Fury's game-winning drive. Detroit scored the go-ahead touchdown with 46 seconds remaining, when Andy Kelly connected with Angel Rubio on a 13-yard pass.

Detroit's offense saw four different receivers catch touchdown passes and eight total receivers with receptions. QB Andy Kelly completed 23-of-41 for 215 yards, two interceptions and four touchdowns. For the second week in a row, the Fury's Ty Grovesteen led Detroit's receiving corps, catching seven passes for 63 yards.

DS Ron Carpenter, who earned the game's MVP honors, led all players in all-purpose yards (134). He returned one missed field goal for 27 yards, four kickoffs for 99 yards and one interception for eight yards.

The Fury's new kicker, Matt McNew, had a perfect day hitting on 3-of-3 PAT's and 3-of-3 on field goals.

DETROIT FURY NEXT WEEK:

The Fury return to the friendly confines of The Palace to make their national TV debut on NBC. The Fury will face off against a tough Dallas Desperados squad. The game will pit offensive coordinator Tom Luginbill, QB Andy Kelly, OL/DL Matt Norwood and WR/DB Jason Kaiser against their former teammates. The Desperados have never played at The Palace before, and the Fury hope to grab a win in front of a national audience.

FURY NOTES / TRENDS:

Cobras Insiders: For the third week in a row, members of the Fury roster will be playing against their former teams. Lineman Jon McCall and Dary Myricks will be leading the battle for the Fury this Friday when they play the Carolina Cobras. McCall and Myricks were both released from Carolina after the 2002 season and have found a home in Detroit. For McCall it is a welcomed homecoming, since he grew up just minutes from The Palace of Auburn Hills. He attended Troy High School and then went on to play collegiately at Central Michigan. These M & M boys are anxious to get to battle with the Cobras and hope to lift the Fury to victory.

Sharing is Caring: When it comes to the Fury offense, the quarterback has a lot of depth in his receiving corps, and it shows. QB Andy Kelly threw passes to eight different receivers, including two linemen. Of Andy Kelly's four touchdown passes against the Force, he threw all of them to different receivers. Sulecio Sanford, Kelly Snell, Bunkie Perkins and lineman Angel Rubio all caught touchdown passes for the Fury. The Fury also give everyone a shot to rush the ball as well. Three different Fury players Errick Herrin, Jason Kaiser and Kelly Snell all got their chance at rushing the ball.

Its Good!: For the moment, it seems that the kicking situation for the Fury is pretty solid. Coming on to replace kicker Todd Latourette, AFL rookie Matt McNew filled the kicking shoes nicely. On the day, he was a perfect 3-for-3 on PAT's, and McNew was also perfect on all field goal attempts. He connected on all three field goal attempts (17, 18, 25).

The Road to Success: Over the past two years, the Fury have compiled a 2-12 road record. Last season, the Fury were held winless on the road. After this week's game in Carolina, the Fury must prepare for some notoriously tough road games, including back-to-back games at Tampa Bay and Arizona.

Unfamiliar Territory: This Friday's game against the Cobras marks the beginning of a five-game road stretch that will take the Fury to five new and unfamiliar arenas. Moving from Raleigh to Charlotte after the 2002 season, the Fury will be Carolina's first home game in the Charlotte Coliseum. The Fury's other road trips will take them to the Ice Palace in Tampa Bay, the Pepsi Center in Denver, the HP Pavilion in San Jose and the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. Although Detroit has never played at Arizona during the regular season, they have played at the America West Arena in the post 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 CAROLINA, it would ...
· Give DETROIT a (1-1) record against Carolina
· Give DETROIT a win in a new and unfamiliar arena
· Give Head Coach Al Luginbill his first road victory
· Give DETROIT a 2-1 record for 2003
· Give DETROIT their first road win since Saturday, June 23, 2001

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH:

QB, Andy Kelly:

- Ranks 1st in the AFL as All-Time Passing Leader for completions, attempts, yards and touchdowns

- Has lead his team to the playoffs five years in a row, including the expansion Dallas Desperados in 2002

- Has appeared in two if the last three ArenaBowls

- Has an entirely new receiving corps to throw to for the second season in a row

- Finished the 2002 ranked 2nd as the AFL's offensive touchdown leader (75) and 3rd in passing touchdowns (73) DS, Ron Carpenter:

- Signed by the Fury in the offseason to give them a proven veteran on defense but as well as kickoff and missed field goal returns

- Recorded his first interception of the season in week 2 vs. Georgia. The INT set up the Fury's winning touchdown drive

- In week one, his 292 kickoff return yards placed him third on the AFL's All-time leader board for most kickoff return yards in a game

WR/LB, Marcus Nash:

- Will be making his first start in the AFL - Has the hands and speed to be a dominant receiver in the AFL, especially at the offensive specialist position

- Will be looking for the UT connection all day from fellow Volunteer quarterback Andy Kelly.

Offensive / Defensive Lines:

- A completely new group of guys fighting in the trenches, they are a strong group of AFL veterans who could be the difference makers late in the game for the Fury.

- Curtis Eason comes to Detroit from Orlando and finished as the team's second QB sack leader.

- Matt Keneley was a part of the 2002 ArenaBowl Champion San Jose SaberCats and is a proven offensive lineman.

- Dary Myricks and Jon McCall come from Carolina and are proven two-way lineman. Myricks was the team's leading lineman tackler. Last week, McCall recoreded his first sack of the season and Myricks will be playing in his first game of the season, coming off a knee injury suffered during training camp

- Lucas Yarnell comes from Grand Rapids, and is well known for his pass protection skills that he displayed during ArenaBowl XV.

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