Georgia Force defeats Orlando Predators 55-34
May 4, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Georgia Force News Release
ATLANTA, GA - The physical nature of the Southern Division was on full display as the Georgia Force (9-1) defeated division rival Orlando Predators (5-4) 55-34 at Philips Arena. The win marks the fifth straight for the Force, which surpasses the previous franchise-high of four that was accomplished on three different occasions and twice under head coach Doug Plank (last time: 3/3/07-3/24/07). Georgia's defense hounded Orlando's offense all night long as they forced two turnovers and created six defensive stops in the victory. The defense was led by LB Umar Muhammad who tallied 2.5 tackles and two sacks in the game. The secondary unit of, Reggie Doster, Hamin Milligan and David Crocker combined for 22 tackles, four passes defensed, one interception and one forced fumble on the night. QB Chris Greisen added to his impressive numbers as he completed 22 of 30 passes for 278 yards with five touchdowns against the number one ranked scoring defense in the AFL.
Georgia managed to outscore Orlando 14-6 in the first quarter of play with Greisen completing six of six passes for 68 yards and one touchdown. Georgia's first score of the game came on the first play when Greisen threw a 33-yard bomb to WR Troy Bergeron. Orlando answered with a six-yard pass from QB Shane Stafford to WR Jimmy Fryzel. The Force responded with an eight-play drive that consumed 5:33 and was capped off by a one-yard touchdown run by WR Chris Jackson.
The Force defense was able to create two stops in the second quarter as Georgia outscored Orlando 21-14 and took a 35-20 lead into halftime. The Predators opened the scoring in the quarter with a touchdown pass from Stafford to rookie WR Ron Johnson from seven yards out. Greisen scrambled out of the pocket and threw across the field to WR Chris Jackson for a 15-yard score to give the Force a 21-13 lead. On Orlando's ensuing possession, Stafford was intercepted by Milligan for the games first turnover. Greisen and Jackson teamed for Georgia's second score of the quarter on a five-yard pass. Orlando scored on their next possession on a one-yard touchdown run by FB/LB Marlon Moye-Moore. In his first action in four weeks, Georgia FB/LB Matt Huebner rushed for a 14-yard touchdown for the Force's final score of the period. Once again, the Force defense stepped up and made Predators K Jay Taylor attempt a 42-yard field goal, which he missed wide-left as the half expired.
The Predators trimmed the Force lead to eight points in the third quarter, 42-34. Stafford connected with Johnson for a second time for Orlando's first score of the quarter. It didn't take long for Georgia to respond, Greisen threw a laser to Bergeron from 35 yards out for their only score of the quarter. Following a two-yard run by Moore for a touchdown, the Orlando defense managed to stop the Force offense for the first time in the game to finish out the quarter.
The Force defense clamped down on the Predators offense as they held Orlando scoreless in the final quarter and held on to a 55-34 win. The shutout in the fourth quarter marked the sixth time in franchise history the feat has been accomplished (last time: vs. Kansas City, 2/24/06). Georgia's only score of the quarter came on a 26-yard touchdown pass from Greisen to Bergeron. The touchdown pass marked the fifth for Greisen on the night and third touchdown reception for Bergeron.
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