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Georgia Force Game Notes

May 20, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Georgia Force News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Georgia Force (8-8) vs. Dallas Desperados (10-6)
Date: May 24, 2003
Kickoff: 3:00 p.m. ET.
Site: American Airlines Center (16,971).
Television: NBC (Tom Hammond: play-by-play, Pat Haden: color analyst, Marty Snider, sideline reporter).
Radio: WQXI 790 AM The Zone (David Hubbard: play-by-play, Chuck Oliver: color analyst). WPLO 610 AM RadioMex (Jose Medellin: play-by-play, Marcelo Godoy: color analyst).
Coaches: Marty Lowe- Georgia (13-12, 2nd Year). Joe Avezzano- Dallas (18-14, 2nd Year).
Series Record: Dallas leads the series 1-0 @ Georgia 55, Dallas 56 (5/10/03)

THE GAME:

The Georgia Force begins its first ever postseason action when it travels to American Airlines Center to face the Dallas Desperados on Saturday, May 24th at 3:00 ET. Georgia enters this Wild Card Round match-up as the league's 12th seed, while host Dallas will be playing as the 5th seed. It has only been two weeks since these two teams last saw each other as Dallas captured a one-point victory 56-55 in their first ever meeting with Georgia.

Since the AFL has went to a 12-team playoff format in 2000, there has only been one 12 seed to upset a number 5 seed. Last season, Tampa Bay defeated Los Angeles 66-41 in the Wild Card Round.

Dallas finished the 2003 regular season with a 10-6 record and winning their first Central Division championship. Entering the playoffs, the Desperados have won four of their last five games. In only their second year in the league, the

Desperados will be making their second straight trip to the postseason. Last year, Dallas advanced to the Quarterfinals before falling to Chicago. Quarterback Jim Kubiak, led the league in total offense (4,766 yards), passing yards (4,762 yards), pass completion percentage (69.7) and was named to the All-Arena second team.

The Force-Desperados match-up will be a battle of one of the league's premiere defenses vs. one of its best offenses. Georgia is the AFL's top rated team in total defense and ranks second in pass defense, second pass defense rating and third in scoring defense. Dallas is tops in the league in total offense, pass offense, pass offense rating and fifth in scoring offense.

GEORGIA FORCE NEXT WEEK:

If the Force wins this weekend in Dallas, it will travel to the HP Pavilion to face the defending AFL World Champion and number one seed San Jose SaberCats on Saturday, May 31st at 3:00 p.m. on NBC. Earlier this season, Georgia defeated San Jose 51-49 in the Force's home opener on February 16th.

HEAD COACHES:

MARTY LOWE, Georgia (13-12, 2nd Year): Marty Lowe begins his second season as Head Coach of the Georgia Force. Lowe guided the Force to a second place finish in the Southern Division and a 6-8 record in the team's inaugural season in 2002. He replaced Robert Lyles, who was relieved of his duties following the Force's 1-4 last year. Under his direction, the Force finished the year winning five of their last eight games.

Prior to joining the Force, Lowe served as running back coach for the University of Texas-El Paso. Lowe's coaching career in the Arena Football League started when he joined the Nashville Kats as an offensive assistant in March 2000 after spending three seasons as an assistant coach at the University of Louisville. With the Kats, Lowe had Nashville's offense clicking on all cylinders in the 2000 playoffs, scoring more than 50 points in each of the team's first three post-season contests to quality for Arena Bowl XIV. Lowe went on to serve as the Kats offensive coordinator and assistant coach, where his duties included creating and implementing the offensive game plan and coaching the team's wide receivers and quarterbacks.

Lowe, who played quarterback at the University of Louisville from 1991-95, spent two seasons in the Arena Football League. He played quarterback for the St. Louis Stampede in 1996 and joined the Texas Terrors. He was a starter at Texas until a knee injury ended his playing career. In college, he started 22 consecutive games for the Cardinals, passing for 2,268 yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior in 1995. He is one of only four passers in Louisville history to throw for more than 2,000 yards in back-to-back seasons. Lowe joined the Louisville coaching staff in 1997, breaking down practice and game tape. A native of Chattanooga, Lowe was Mr. Football in Tennessee as a senior at Red Bank High School in 1990.

JOE AVEZZANO, Dallas (18-14, 2nd Year): Avezzano began his professional head-coaching career when he joined Dallas for its inaugural season last year. Avezzano led Dallas to an 8-8 record and a trip to the AFL quarterfinals while also serving as the special team's coach for the NFL's Dallas Cowboys.

While working with the Cowboys, Avezzano won the NFL's Special Team Coach of the Year three times in his thirteen years with the franchise. Previously, he coached the offensive line at Texas A&M (1985-88), was the head coach at Oregon State for five years (1980-84), spent three years as offensive coordinator at Tennessee (1977-79), and four seasons with Pittsburgh and the offensive line coach (1973-76). He started his coaching career at Washington High School in Massillon, OH in 1967. He then went on to coach at Florida State (1968) and Iowa State (1969-72). He also played professionally with the Boston Patriots.

QB LEON MURRAY NAMED TO ALL-ROOKIE TEAM

ATLANTA, GA. (May 19, 2003) – The Arena Football League announced that quarterback Leon Murray was named to the All-Rookie team. Murray established new single-game club marks for passing touchdowns, completions and twice set the record for passing yardage in a game, while leading the Force to the AFL playoffs for the first time in team history.

Murray (6-3, 212, Tennessee State) played in eight games, starting the Force's last six contests, after beginning the season as the team's third quarterback. He finished the season passing for 1,737 yards on 149-of-240 passing with 33 yards and three interceptions. Murray also finished as the team's second leading rusher gaining 52 yards on 12 carries and two rushing touchdowns. His 115.9 passer rating ranked him seventh in the league while his 62.1 pass completion percentage ranked ninth in the AFL. Murray set new single-game team records with 31 completions and 307 yards passing on May 4th at Indiana. The following week vs. Dallas on May 10th, he broke his own mark for passing yards in a game tossing for 354 yards and completing eight touchdowns.

OL/DL JERMAINE SMITH NAMED TO ALL-ARENA FIRST TEAM:

ATLANTA, GA. (May 20, 2003) – The Arena Football League announced today that offensive/ defensive lineman Jermaine Smith was named to the All-Arena first team. In only his second year in the AFL, Smith has established himself as one of the league's most premiere lineman earning his second straight post season award after garnering All-Rookie team honors last season.

Smith (6-3, 290, Georgia) finished the season posting career-highs in tackles (23.0), sacks (5.5) and interceptions (1). For the year, he also added seven quarterback hits, three tackles for loss, three blocked kicks, two fumble recoveries one of which was for a touchdown, one forced fumble and one pass break-up. His 5.5 sacks tied him for fifth best in the league.

A DEFENSIVE FORCE:

For 14 straight weeks and concluding the 2003 regular season, the Force is atop the league charts for total defense only giving up an average of 238.4 yards per game and is third in the AFL in scoring defense yielding an average of 43.8 points per game.

Georgia is also high among some of the other league defensive categories. The Force is second in pass defense (226.9), second in pass defense rating (102.3), second in rush defense (11.5), second in interceptions (23), third in red zone defense (55-73), fourth in turnover margin (+10) and ninth in sacks (16). The Force defense has been able to make its mark against some of the AFL's highest rated offenses. (AFL rank at time of game).

OPPONENT AVG PTS/ GM PTS vs. FORCE

San Jose (2/16) 60.5 (3rd) 49

Los Angeles (3/2) 62.5 (2nd) 35

Grand Rapids (3/9) 60.2 (2nd) 54

Orlando (3/23) 53.0 (7th) 36

New York (4/12) 55.4 (5th) 34

Carolina (4/18) 36.6 (15th) 19

Orlando (4/26) 52.3 (8th) 38

Tampa Bay (5/18) 53.8 (6th) 42

BASKING IN THE SPOTLIGHT:

Georgia is 6-2 on the season when the NBC cameras are rolling. Claiming victories against the Colorado Crush (2/2), vs. the defending AFL World Champion San Jose SaberCats (2/16), at Los Angeles (3/2), vs. Grand Rapids (3/9), at Orlando (3/23) and at Indiana (5/6). The Force dropped its only NBC televised games against Tampa Bay (4/6) and (5/18).

HOW THE WEST WAS WON:

The Force finished the season a perfect 3-0 versus teams from the Western Division. With wins against Colorado, San Jose and Los Angeles, Georgia reversed its fortunes after going 0-3 against the West last season. The Force is not scheduled to play Arizona in the 2003 regular season.

BETTER WITH AGE:

Wide Receiver/ Linebacker Darryl Hammond seems to defy time as he plays in his 13th season in the AFL breaking the league record for career years of service. (Previous mark 12 years- Sylvester Bembery 1988-2000 and George LaFrance 1988-2000).

He currently ranks second in the AFL with 562.5 career tackles, ranks in the top 15 in AFL in career scoring with 898 points and is in the top 10 in AFL in career pass receptions with 677. Hammond has had 8 seasons of 50 or more pass receptions. He had 88 receptions this season tying his single-season career-high set in 1999 with the Nashville Kats.

Hammond led the Force in receiving this season with 88 receptions for 969 yards, second highest receiving yards in his career behind his 979 receiving yards in 1995 with the St. Louis Stampede. His 20 touchdown receptions established a new single-season career-high breaking his old mark of 19 set in 1999 in Nashville.

Against San Jose (2/26), Hammond caught six passes for 58 yards, three of which went for touchdowns including a game-winning catch from quarterback James Brown as time expired to give the Force a 51-49 victory over the defending AFL World Champions.

Versus Orlando (3/23), Hammond showed his ability to still play the game at a high level. Hammond hauled in two interceptions and returned both for touchdowns of three yards and ten yards respectively. He also forced a fumble from Connell Maynor with 17 seconds remaining in the game, which was recovered by Tommy Dorsey. With 1.7 seconds left, the turnover led to Steve McLaughlin kicking a game winning field goal as time expired. Hammond added one solo tackle, one tackle for loss and two pass breakups and caught five passes for 46 yards against the Predators.

For his efforts, Hammond was named ADT Defensive Player of the Week and the contest's Ironman of the Game.

Versus Dallas (5/10), Hammond hauled in a hail mary pass that was tipped by a Desperados defender as time expired for a 42-yard touchdown. He was named the game's Ironman for his performance of seven receptions for 105 yards and a season-high four receiving touchdowns on the night.

RECORD BREAKING ROOKIE:

Over the last three games rookie quarterback Leon Murray has completed 72-of-115 passes for 925 yards and 18 touchdowns while only throwing one interception. He finished the regular season ranked seventh in the league in passer rating with a 115.9 rating and ranked ninth in the AFL in pass completion percentage at 62.1. Murray has established new single-game club marks for passing touchdowns, completions and twice set the record for passing yardage in a game.

He had a career breakout game at Indiana (5/4) earning Game Co-MVP, by completing 31-of-38 passing for 307 yards and six touchdowns with no interceptions. Murray added 15 rushing yards on four carries and one rushing score against the Firebirds. His 31 completions and 307 passing yards both established new team records.

Against Dallas the following week, he broke his own record for passing yards throwing for 354 yards on 21-of-37 passing with a new team-record eight touchdowns and one interception.

NO AVERAGE JONES

Over the last five games of the regular season, Tyronne Jones has caught 41 passes for 473 yards and 10 touchdowns. Jones finished the season second on the team in receiving with 989 yards on 86 receptions and a club-high tying 20 receiving touchdowns, one short of his career-high of 21 TDs in 1998 and 2001 with the Nashville Kats. He finished just 11 yards short of being the Force's first 1,000-yard receiver.

Against Dallas (5/10), Jones established a new career-high for receiving yards with 165 yards on nine receptions and scoring three touchdowns.

DOMINATING FRONT MAN

In only his second year in the AFL, Jermaine Smith has established himself as one of the league's most feared lineman. Smith was named to the All-Arena first team and last season was named to the league's All-Rookie team. This season, he posted career-high in tackles (23.0), sacks (5.5), interceptions (2). His 5.5 sacks tied him for fifth best in the league.

Smith showed his dominance in a variety of ways. He blocked three kicks, forced a fumble on quarterback John Dutton and recovered the ball in the endzone for a touchdown at Colorado (2/2). Smith also recorded his first career interception picking off Clint Dolezel inside the Grand Rapids five yard-line and returning it to the one yard-line. JUST FOR KICKS: Steve McLaughlin ended the regular season ranked third in the league in field goal percentage connecting on 34.3 percent of his attempts. He also finished seventh in the AFL in field goals made connecting on 12-35.

This season, McLaughlin has twice set the team-record for the club's longest field goal hitting on a 49-yarder at Los Angeles (3/2) then making good on a 51-yard field goal at Las Vegas (3/29). In a win over Orlando (3/23), he kicked a game winning 30-yard field goal as time expired to give the Force a 38-36 win over the Predators.

McLaughlin ranked fourth in the AFL in PAT kicking percentage - making 89.3 of his PAT attempts (75-84). He started the season making 18-of-18 PAT attempts before missing his first of the season at Los Angeles (3/2). He later put together a string of 13 straight from (4/26) to (5/10), including connecting on all-11 attempts vs. Indiana (5/4) to set a single-game record.

McLaughlin was named Kicker of the Month for March. It marked the first time in McLaughlin's career that he has won an AFL monthly award. For the month, McLaughlin made 7-of-11 field goals and was 21-of-27 on extra point attempts. He accounted for 42 points in helping the Force to a 4-1 record in March.

MAKING GAINES

Kevin Gaines has been one of the standout leaders on the Force's defense unit. Despite missing four games due to injury, Gaines leads the team in tackles with 52.5 and leads the team in pass break-ups with 10 and interceptions with nine.

Gaines' nine picks places him tied for third in the AFL, while he is 11th in the league in passes defended and 30th in tackles.

He put on a defensive performance at Carolina (4/18) making a team-record three interceptions and racking up 53 yards in return yardage. Against the Cobras, Gaines also added 4.5 tackles. At Los Angeles (3/2), he hauled in a then team-record tying two interceptions and made a game-high 4.5 tackles. Gaines was named the game's MVP for his efforts against the Avengers.

BEASTS OF THE EAST:

Four of Georgia's eight losses this season has come from teams hailing from the Eastern Division. With road losses at Detroit and Las Vegas and home losses against Buffalo and New York, the Force finished the regular season 0-4 versus the Eastern Division.

GO-TO GUY:

Playing in his third AFL season, Scott Thomas is establishing himself as a mainstay in the Force offense. Over a five game span from Feb. 22nd to March 29th, Thomas has caught 26 passes for 377 yards and seven touchdowns. He was inactive for the Force's March 23rd game at Orlando with a turf toe injury.

He has also shown his ability to make the big play. Versus Buffalo (2/22), Thomas pulled in a 45-yard touchdown pass from Donnie Davis that tied the club record for longest pass reception in a game. Two weeks later vs. Grand Rapids (3/9), he took a Davis screen pass 43 yards for a score. Last week at Las Vegas, Thomas scored his second 45-yard touchdown on a pass from Davis tying his own team record.

At Carolina (4/18), Thomas made his presence felt on the defensive end, hauling in his first interception of the season and returning it 28 yards for a touchdown.

Thomas finished sixth in the AFL in yards per catch with a 14.7 average having gained 485 yards on 33 receptions on the season with seven touchdowns. He was placed on Injured Reserve on April 22nd with a left ankle injury.

STEPPING UP AND STANDING OUT:

In victories over Los Angeles and Grand Rapids, Markeith Cooper stepped in for the injured Tyronne Jones and was one of the most productive and dangerous offensive players in the league. Against the Avengers and Rampage, Cooper has hauled in 17 passes for 218 yards and three touchdowns. He has also added nine kickoff returns for 176 yards, including a 57-yard score that tied the team record for longest kickoff return.

After seeing limited or no action over the next four games, Cooper returned to show his big play capabilities vs. New York catching five passes for 98 yards, including a 42-yard pass and one 30-yard touchdown reception.

DAN THE MAN:

Dan Curran concluded the 2003 regular season ranked tenth in the AFL in rushing with 108 yards on 32 carries. He also tied for ninth in the league in rushing touchdowns with eight scores. Curran had led the league in both categories, but with the return of both Travis Reece and Tommy Dorsey to the lineup his touches have been limited. Curran also missed three games due to a left knee MCL sprain that placed him on Injured Reserve. He returned to action for Georgia's final two regular season games.

LAST WEEK VS. TAMPA BAY:

DULTUH, GA. - The Georgia Force (8-8) lost its fourth straight home game falling 42-38 to the Tampa Bay Storm (12-4). The loss means the Force will be on the road when the Drive to ArenaBowl XVII and the AFL playoffs start next weekend. Tampa Bay increases its record to 4-0 all-time against Georgia and clinches the second seed in the playoffs behind San Jose. With the victory, the Storm also claims the Southern Division title and Tim Marcum wins his 100th game as head coach in Tampa Bay.

The first quarter ended with both teams locked at 14 points apiece with Force quarterback Leon Murray and Storm QB John Kaleo each tossing two touchdown passes. Tampa Bay opened the scoring when Kaleo hit Freddie Solomon for a 17-yard touchdown. Murray answered completing a pass to Darryl Hammond, who broke two tackles and ran in the endzone from 18-yards out. Kaleo teamed-up with Antoine Toliver on a 34-yard touchdown completion, while Murray hit Morris Anderson for a 10-yard score as the first 15 minutes of play came to a close.

Each team could only muster up seven points in the second quarter, as two of the league's best defenses made their presence felt. Georgia made the game's first defensive stop, when Tampa Bay facing fourth and goal from the Force's red zone, came up short on an incomplete pass. Georgia was able to capitalize on the opportunity and take its first lead of the game at 21-14. Facing a strong Storm pass rush, Murray stepped up in the pocket and launched a pass from the Force's own goal line connecting with Jarrick Hillery on the Tampa Bay goal line for a 47-yard touchdown strike. The Storm tied the score at 21 when Solomon pulled in his second touchdown pass of the game, this time on a three-yard pass from Kaleo. On the Force's next drive Steve McLaughlin missed a 26-yard field goal with 32 seconds remaining in the half. Tampa Bay worked its way down field and was poised to take the halftime lead, but Scotty Lindsey intercepted Kaleo's pass in the endzone. McLaughlin was given one more chance to break to tie before the break, but his 53-yard field goal attempt fell short.

The third quarter was a lot more of what both teams showed in the first half as both teams were deadlocked on the scoreboard still each only scoring seven points in the quarter. Georgia looked to be regaining the lead on its first possession of the second half, but Travis Reece fumble the ball inside the Tampa Bay five-yardline. On Tampa Bay ensuing drive, Kaleo threw his second interception of the game as Kevin Gaines hauled in the pick. The turnover set up a 42-yard field goal chance for McLaughlin, who would miss his third attempt of the contest. The Storm was finally able to break the scoring draught with 2:43 left in the stanza when, Kaleo completed a four-yard touchdown pass to Solomon to give Tampa Bay a 28-21 advantage. The Force knotted the score when Murray rushed into the endzone from 15-yards out as time expired.

Storm kicker Kenny Stucker missed a 33-yard field goal to start the fourth quarter. McLaughlin, on his fourth field goal attempt on the day, was able to connect for a 32-yard score and put the Force up 31-28. Three plays later, Solomon caught his fourth touchdown pass of the game from Kaleo to retake the Storm lead 35-31 with less than two minutes left in the game. The Force grab back the lead 38-35 when Hillery hauled in his second touchdown of the game on a 12-yard pass from Murray with 47 seconds remaining. David White did not the Storm trail for long rushing in for a one-yard score to put Tampa Bay up 42-38 as 21 seconds were showing on the clock. On the ensuing kickoff, Hillery returned the ball all the way up to the Storm 22-yardline giving the Georgia offense 14 seconds to go for the win. After two complete passes, Murray dropped back on third down and was flushed out of the pocket by a strong Tampa Bay pass rush causing him to fumble the ball out of bounds as the clock expired.

Solomon was named the game's MVP and Toliver was named the contest's Ironman

LAST MEETING WITH DALLAS:

DULTUH, GA. - The Georgia Force (8-7) were defeated by the Dallas Desperados (9-6) by one-point 56-55 as Force kicker Steve McLaughlin's 58-yard field goal fell short as time expired. Dallas quarterback Jim Kubiak was named the game's MVP completing 22-of-30 passing for 260 yards and six touchdowns.

Georgia offensive specialist Tyronne Jones established a new career-high with 165 receiving yards on nine catches and three touchdowns on the night. Force quarterback Leon Murray also set two new single-game team records for passing yards with 354 yards and eight touchdowns. He finished the contest, completing 21-of-37 passing. The loss was Georgia third straight defeat at home and its first against a Central Division opponent this season.

Both teams came out of the gates firing as each team only needed two plays each on their offensives series to put points on the board. Dallas grabbed an early 7-0 lead when Kubiak connected with Dialleo Burks for a 28-yard touchdown. The Force answered as Murray hit Jones on a 3-yard touchdown pass to tie the score at 7-7. On the Desperados next drives, Kevin Gaines intercepted Kubiak in the Force end zone giving Georgia the game's first turnover. The Force could not capitalize though as Steve McLaughlin missed a 31-yard field goal attempt. Kubiak and Burks teamed up one more time in the quarter, this time for a three-yard TD pass to give Dallas a 14-7 as the first quarter ended.

McLaughlin missed his second field goal of the game, this one a long attempt from 55-yards, on the Force's first drive of the second quarter. Dallas turned the opportunity into points as Kubiak threw on third touchdown of the game finding Will Pettis for a six-yard score. On Georgia's ensuing possession, Murray executed another quick scoring drive throwing a 48-yard bomb to Jones to cut the Desperados lead. McLaughlin missed the following PAT attempt to leave the score 21-13 Dallas. The Desperados pushed their lead back up to 15 points at 28-13 when Jeremy Beutler rushed in from one-yard out with 20 seconds left in the quarter. To end the first half in dramatic fashion, Murray deliver another long touchdown pass. With four seconds left in the half, Murray threw up a hail mary in the end zone that was tipped by a Dallas defender and hauled in by Darryl Hammond. McLaughlin hit the PAT as the Desperados took a 28-20 halftime lead.

The second half began as a repeat of the way the first half closed without the drama. Murray connected with Hammond on a 10-yard touchdown pass. The Force failed on its two-point conversion attempt leaving the score at 28-26 Dallas. The Desperados continued their offensive success scoring the game's next 14-points. Kubiak first found Andy McCullough for a nine-yard score giving Dallas a 35-26 advantage. On Georgia's next drive, Tim Denton intercepted Murray in the end zone forcing the home team's first turnover of the game. The Desperados made good on the gift taking two plays before Kubiak hit Jason Shelley on a 34-yard TD and a 42-26 lead.

Hammond and Murray teamed up again for their third touchdown to end the Force drought and start the fourth quarter. Murray hit Jones for a successful two-point conversion and the Dallas lead stood at 42-34. Georgia cut the lead to two points at 42-40 when Murray found Jarrick Hillery streaking down the sideline for a 45-yard touchdown. The Force attempted an on-side kick, but an offsides penalty negated a successful recover by Georgia. Dallas scored three plays later on a Kubiak to Pettis two-yard touchdown pass. Jones caught his third score of the game from Murray on a 27-yard pass leaving the score 49-47 Desperados with 2:09 left in the game. Georgia attempt its second on-side kick of the game this time, as Denton returned the attempt eight-yards for a score and a 56-47 Dallas advantage. Hammond, later named the game's Ironman, hauled in his fourth touchdown, a three-yard pass from Murray. Murray made good on the two-point attempt and the score stood at 56-55. The Georgia defense stepped up with only 30 seconds remaining in the game, as Dallas attempted to run out the clock. The Force D halted Beutler twice, on second and third down, from gaining positive yardage stopping the clock from running as Georgia had no timeouts remaining. After one incomplete pass, McLaughlin came on the try for the win, but his attempt fell short.

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