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Fury Game Notes

March 5, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Detroit Fury News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Detroit Fury (3-2) at Arizona Rattlers (2-3)
Date: March 7, 2003
Kickoff: 9:00 p.m. ET
Site: America West Arena (16,321)
Officials: Bill McCabe (Referee), Doug Wilson (Umpire), Royce Cooley (Head Linesman), Gary Cavaletto (Line Judge), Joe Duncan (Back Judge)
Radio: WDFN, 1130 AM
Jamie Samuelsen (Play-by-Play)
TV: FOX Sports Net Detroit Mark Champion (Play-by-Play) Jim Brandstatter (Color Analyst)
Series Record: 0-1
Last Meeting: Arizona defeated the Fury 52-44 at Arizona in the first round of the 2001 Playoffs on July 28, 2001
Streaks: Arizona – Lose 1 Detroit – Lose 1
Coaches: Danny White (117-55, 12th Year) Al Luginbill (3-2, 1st Year)

THE STAKES: The Fury had their three-game winning streak snapped last week with a close loss at Tampa Bay, and they are looking to rebound from it. With the loss, the Fury still remain tied with Buffalo for first place in the Eastern Division, but need to get a win before returning home to play the division rival New York Dragons. This game will be the Fury's second in five days, and with five of the next seven games on the road, a win here would give the Fury some momentum before their big road run.

THE SERIES: The Fury and Rattlers have never played in the regular season. In Detroit's inaugural season, The Rattlers defeated the Fury (52-44) in the playoffs.

HEAD COACHES:

AL LUGINBILL, Detroit (3-2, 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.

DANNY WHITE, Arizona (117-52, 12th Year): White is the first and only head coach and general manager of the Arizona Rattlers, and he has guided his team to two ArenaBowl titles (1994 & 1997) and three ArenaBowl appearances (1994, 1997, 2002). White is entering his 12th season with the Rattlers, and is the second coach in Arena Football history to win 100 games as a coach in the AFL. In 2002, he was inducted to the AFL Hall of Fame, and was the only coach inducted into the 2002 class. Prior to joining the Rattlers, White had a stellar career as a quarterback with the Dallas Cowboys on the NFL. In his first year as a starting QB with Dallas, he broke the Cowboys' single-season touchdown passing record. White still holds 21 passing records within the Cowboys organization, and he led the Cowboys to three NFC East titles, and five playoff appearances. White played his college football at Arizona State University, where he finished as one of the Sun Devils' best. White still holds many passing records at ASU, and is one of only five players to have their jerseys retired by the University. White's father also has his number retired at ASU.

LAST WEEK:

Tampa, FL. – The fourth quarter magic that has been with the Detroit Fury the last three weeks was not enough this week to help the Fury climb back from an 18 point halftime deficit, as they were defeated 62-60 by the Tampa Bay Storm.

The Fury brought the game to within two points with 21 seconds left in the game, but were unable to recover the onside kick. The Storm ran out the remaining time left on the clock to seal the Tampa victory.

Detroit's UT connection between QB Andy Kelly and WR/LB Marcus Nash led the Fury offense late in the game, and the two connected on four touchdown passes in the game. Kelly finished the game completing 24-of-38 for 297 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception. Fury receivers Marcus Nash and Junior Lord led Detroit's receiving corps. Nash finished with six catches for 86 yards and four touchdowns, and Lord finished with six catches for 100 yards and one touchdown.

The game started off poorly for the Fury. They struggled on both sides of the ball in the first half, only managing to score two touchdowns. Kicker Todd Latourette, who returned from the injured reserve, was 1-of-3 on field goals. The Fury defense was also unable to stop the Storm, giving up 35 first half points and surrendering touchdown passes of 34 and 42 yards.

Tampa Bay got took the early advantage as they scored on their opening possession, and the Storm defense was able to hold the Fury to a field goal on their first possession of the game. Storm quarterback John Kaleo led the attack completing 10-of-13 passes for 176 yards and four touchdowns to three different receivers.

Detroit's offense came to life in the second half, scoring touchdowns on its first four possessions. Quarterback Andy Kelly completed a touchdown pass to Herman Bell, and FB Errick Herrin scored his first rushing touchdown of the season on a one-yard run in the third quarter.

DETROIT FURY NEXT WEEK:

The Fury will be returning back to the friendly confines of The Palace to take on the new division rival New York Dragons. The Dragons (0-5) will be making to their first trip to The Palace of Auburn Hills. Led by AFL all-star quarterback Aaron Garcia, the game looks to be a showdown between two of the Arena Football League's most prolific quarterbacks. Both are on pace to pass for over 500 touchdowns in their AFL career, and each are on pace to reach the mark when they face off next week.

FURY NOTES / TRENDS:

Offense or Defense: For the Fury, there has been an interesting switch in roles for FB/LB's Rupert Grant and Errick Herrin. Heading into this season, Grant was a former all-arena FB, and a power rusher and Herrin stood tall on the defensive side of the ball. This season, it seems the roles have reversed. Grant, who played fullback all through college, has been the better defender thus far. His late interception against set up Dallas helped complete the Fury's comeback. On the other hand, Herrin had a solid collegiate and pro career as a linebacker, but he is controlling the Fury's rushing attack. Herrin is currently the team's leading rusher, and has had great catches coming out of the backfield.

5-of-7: That is how many of Fury QB Andy Kelly's interceptions have been tipped before being intercepted.

Nobody from Arizona: So far this season, there is an early pattern to the Fury's success and failure, and it comes from each team in the league. In all three victories, the Fury has had members from each of the team's 2002 squads. In week two, the Fury's Ron Carpenter and Rupert Grant were all members of the 2002 Force squad. In week three, Fury OL/DL Jon McCall and Dary Myricks played with the 2002 Cobras, and in week four, Fury QB Andy Kelly, OL/DL Matt Norwood and WR/DB Jason Kaiser all played with the Desperados in 2002. In both losses, the Fury did not have any free agents that were either members of the Firebirds or Storm rosters in 2002. Heading into Arizona, the Fury do not have any players from last year's Rattlers squad, and the Fury will be trying to overcome this trend.

Rebuilding a dynasty: Although the Nashville Kats moved to Georgia to become the Force, looking at the Fury roster might make you think they are coming together in Detroit. Five players and one coach with the Fury were members of the 2001 Nashville Kats team that lost in ArenaBowl XV. QB Andy Kelly, FB/LB Rupert Grant, DS Ron Carpenter, DS Kirk Pointer (Currently on the practice squad), OL/DL William Gaines and Fury Coach Jeff Russell (then a WR/DB) all played with the Kats.

Competing for another Milestone: Although he has just become the first quarterback to throw for 25,000 yards, Fury QB Andy Kelly is not done yet. He only needs 14 more touchdown passes to become the first professional quarterback, in any football league, to throw for 500 touchdowns in one league. Kelly is currently on pace to hit the 500 mark when the Fury face off against the Dragons. Dragons QB Aaron Garcia is only six touchdowns behind Kelly and the battle for number one could come down to the Fury vs. Dragons' game.

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 ARIZONA, it would ...
· Give DETROIT a (1-1) record against Arizona, and their first regular-season win vs. Arizona
· Give DETROIT a (2-1) record on the road in 2003
· Give DETROIT a (1-0) record against the Western Division and a (2-1) vs. the National Conference
· Keep DETROIT in first place in the Eastern Division

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

- Recently became the first QB in AFL history to throw for 25,000 yards

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

- Is currently the team's leading tackler and leads the AFL in kickoff return yardage (825). He is on pace to break the AFL's single season kickoff return yards record.

- 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 - Had a great first game for the Fury, leading the Fury receivers and catching the game-winning pass with 4.7 seconds remaining at Carolina.

- 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. The line so far has only given up one sack, the fewest in the league.

- 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.

- Angel Rubio also came from Orlando and brings good balance of offensive and defensive skill to the line.

- 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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