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Georgia Force game notes

February 10, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Georgia Force News Release


QUICK FACTS:

Georgia Force (0-1) at Tampa Bay Storm (1-0)

Date: February 13, 2004
Kickoff: 7:30 ET
Site: St. Pete Times Forum (18,250).
Radio: WQXI 790 AM The Zone (David Hubbard: play-by-play, Chuck Oliver: color analyst).
Coaches: Marty Lowe, Georgia (14-14 overall, 1-1 postseason, 3rd Year).
Tampa Bay: Tim Marcum (158-55 overall, 25-8 postseason, 16th Year).
Series Record: Tampa Bay leads the all-time series 4-0.
@ Georgia 38, T.B. 42 (5/18/03)
Georgia 39, @ T.B. 58 (4/6/03)
Georgia 61, @ T.B. 67 OT (7/20/02)
@ Georgia 40, T.B. 50 (6/29/02)



MEDIA CONTACTS:

Georgia: Jason Gilham (p: 770-813-7625, jason@georgiaforce.com).
Tampa Bay: Stephen Evans (p: 813-307-5904, email: stephen@tampastorm.com).



THE GAME:

The Georgia Force open Southern Division play when they travel to Tampa to face the defending AFL World Champion Tampa Bay Storm on Friday, February 13th at the St. Pete Times Forum at 7:30 p.m. Despite playing on Friday the 13th, the Force will be looking for some luck to snap a 0-4 winless streak against the Storm. Lat year, Georgia played better on the road posting a 6-4 record and was 1-0 in Friday night games.

Quarterback Leon Murray returns to the place where his AFL career officially took off. Last season, QB Donnie Davis was knocked out of the game in Tampa with a concussion as Murray stepped into the game and the starting role from that point on.


The Tampa Bay Storm won their fifth ArenaBowl championship in 2003 and are back-to back Southern Division champs. Including the playoffs, Tampa Bay has won 15 out of their last 17 games and was 9-2 at the St. Pete Times Forum. Despite
having lost seven key players from last year's squad, new quarterback Shane Stafford seems to be holding stride as the Storm defeated division rival Orlando 52-41 at home last week.


GEORGIA FORCE NEXT WEEK:

The Force return home for their second straight Southern Division contest when they host the New Orleans VooDoo on Sunday, February 22nd at 3:00 p.m. on NBC. This will be the first time these two teams have met as New Orleans enters the 2004 AFL season as one of three new expansion franchises. During halftime of the game, the Force will be honoring the football legends of Georgia Tech.


THE SCHEDULE:

GEORGIA FORCE (0-1)

Date OPPONENT RESULT SCORE
Feb. 7 NEW YORK L 28-54
Feb. 13 @ Tampa Bay
Feb. 22 NEW ORLEANS
March 1 @ Los Angeles
March 7 LAS VEGAS
March 12 @ Orlando
March 20 @ Indiana
March 27 TAMPA BAY
April 1 @ Detroit
April 11 @ Austin
April 18 ORLANDO
April 25 SAN JOSE
BYE
May 9 @ Columbus
May 15 @ New Orleans
May 23 AUSTIN
May 30 CAROLINA


HEAD COACHES:

MARTY LOWE, Georgia (14-14 overall, 1-1 postseason, 3rd Year): Marty Lowe concluded his second season and first full year as Head Coach with the Georgia Force in 2003, guiding the team to a record eight wins and leading the club to its first postseason appearance. At 32 years old (9/21/71), Lowe is the youngest head coach in the Arena Football League.

Despite being hampered by injuries all season in 2003, the Force jumped out to a 6-2 mark to start the year and was able to ride the strength of its league-leading defense to advance to the Quarterfinal Round of the playoffs. Lowe, a former AFL quarterback himself, helped pave the way for rookie Leon Murray to emerge as one of the league's rising stars after the loss of two starting quarterbacks during the year. Following the season, Murray was named to the AFL's All-Rookie Team.

In 2002, Lowe replaced Robert Lyles, who was relieved of his duties following the Force's 1-4 start. Under his direction, the Force finished the year winning five of their last eight games in the team's inaugural season.

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. Marty and wife Michelle have two children, son Bryce and daughter Reece.



TIM MARCUM, Tampa Bay (158-55 overall, 25-8 postseason, 16th Year): Tim Marcum is a Charter member of the Arena Football Hall of Fame and is the League's all-time winningest coach. He is the only coach in AFL history to win 100 or more games. Marcum is in his tenth season with Storm. He led Tampa to back-to-back ArenaBowl titles (1995 & '96) and captured his third AFL championship with the Storm in 2003. Marcum led Storm to league-record 17 game winning streak (July 1, 1995 - June 29, 1996). Marcum led Detroit Drive to five ArenaBowl appearances in five seasons (1988-89, 1991-93), winning three times. He coached AFL's first-ever champion, Denver Dynamite (1987). Marcum is a two-time Arena League Coach of the Year (1987, 1998). He spent 1994 season as defensive assistant for the NFL's Atlanta Falcons. Marcum was the assistant head coach of WLAF's New York/New Jersey Knights in 1991, linebackers coach on Steve Spurrier's University of Florida staff in 1990, linebackers coach (1984) and defensive coordinator (1985) for USFL's San Antonio Gunslingers.


CONNECTIONS:

Georgia's Director of Corporate Partnerships Jorge Cimadevilla was a kicker for the Storm in 1995-1996 and won two Arena Football Championships with Tampa Bay...Storm head coach Tim Marcum was a defensive assistant coach for the Atlanta Falcons during the 1994 season.


STATISTICS:

A look how Georgia and Tampa Bay match-up on both sides of the ball based on 2004 regular season statistics:

Statistical GEORGIA TAMPA BAY
Category Stat Stat
Scoring Offense 28 52
Scoring Defense 54 41
Total Offense (yds/g) 250.0 189.0
Total Defense (yds/g) 260.0 269.0
Pass Offense (yds/g) 220.0 158.0
Pass Defense (yds/g) 240.0 266.0
Rushing Offense (yds/g) 30.0 31.0
Rushing Defense (yds/g) 20.0 3.0
Kickoff Returns 21.5 16.0
MFG Returns 0 0
Field Goals 0-2 1-1
PAT Kicking 4-4 7-7
Sacks By (sks-yds) 1-1 0-0
Sacks Against (sks-yds) 0-0 1-4
First Downs 19 18
Penalties (#/yds) 9-60 6-27
Turnover Margin -1 0
Time of Possession 31:57 29:18


GAME AWARD WINNERS

Baby Ruth Offensive Player of the Game

WEEK TEAM PLAYER
1 New York Aaron Garcia

ADT Defensive Player of the Game

WEEK TEAM PLAYER
1 New York William Holder

Army Ironman of the Game

WEEK TEAM PLAYER
1 Georgia Andy McCullough


AFL ON NBC:

WEEK 2 AFL ON NBC SCHEDULE, Sat., Feb. 14th.

Chicago at New York, 3 pm
Indiana at New Orleans, 3 pm
Los Angeles at Las Vegas, 3 pm

(all times are Eastern)


THE FORCE THIS SEASON ARE:

0-1 at home
0-0 on the road

0-0 vs. Central Division
0-1 vs. Eastern Division
0-0 vs. Southern Division
0-0 vs. Western Division

0-0 on Fridays
0-0 on Saturday
0-1 on Sundays

0-1 in February
0-0 in March
0-0 in April
0-0 in May

0-1 in televised games on NBC

0-0 when leading at the half
0-0 when tied at the half
0-1 when trailing at the half

0-0 when leading after 3 quarters
0-0 when tied after 3 quarters
0-1 when trailing after 3 quarters

0-0 outcome 7 points or less
0-0 outcome 3 points or less
0-0 overtime games

0-0 when the Force scores first
0-1 when opponent scores first


DID YOU KNOW:

Head Coach Marty Lowe:

- At age 32, is the youngest head coach in the Arena Football League.

- Played two seasons in the AFL with St. Louis and Texas before knee injuries ended his career short.

- Played quarterback at the University of Louisville with current Force DS Kevin Gaines and Atlanta Falcon Ray Buchanan.

- Marty's son, Bryce Elway Lowe, is named after NFL great and Colorado Crush co-owner John Elway.



UGA Athletic Director Vince Dooley:

- Serves as Chairman of the Georgia Force Advisory Board.

- "Arena Football is one of the fastest growing sports in America and here in Georgia," said Dooley. "I have been impressed with the great longevity of the AFL as it is entering into its 18th season and I am pleased that I'll have the opportunity to advise and consult with the Force as I continue my primary responsibility as Athletic Director at UGA for the next six months. The AFL has passed the test of time and that is what differentiates it from the other football leagues that have come and gone."

Dooley added, "I know the passion that this state and community has for football and the Georgia Force is very attractive as a quality family oriented sports option. When I look at the Georgia Force, I see all the characteristics of a first-class winning organization. I am happy to now have the opportunity to be involved with the Force as I continue my role of Athletic Director at the University of Georgia."

OL/DL Bruce Adrine:

- Adrine is one of 14 former University of Georgia defensive players from the 2000 roster playing professional football. Included in that group are New England Patriot Richard Seymour, Pittsburgh Steeler Kendrell Bell and Jacksonville Jaguar Marcus Stroud.

WR/LB Dialleo Burks:

- Played his first two seasons in the AFL with the Dallas Desperados and this past offseason signed with teammate Andy McCullough with the Force. Andy and Dialleo made up two-thirds of the Desperados offensive attack that finished the 2003 season ranked first in total offense and fifth in scoring.

- In 2003 established new team records for catches, receiving yards and touchdowns for a season.

- Finished last year with a career-high and team-record 102 catches for a career-high and team-record 1,226 yards and a career-high and team-record 28 touchdowns.

- Missed the final six games of the 2002 season with a fractured wrist after putting up numbers that would have made him a strong candidate for AFL Rookie of the Year.

OL/DL William Carr:

- Owns and operates his own clothing line named "Will-O Wear", which designs and creates all lines of clothing including outfitting high school football teams.

OS Markeith Cooper:

- Listed at 5'7", Cooper is listed as one of the shortest player in the Arena Football League.

- Earned a roster spot with the team from the club's open player tryouts in 2002. Was working for UPS at the time loading trucks, and impressed the coaching staff running a 4.2 40-yard dash at the tryouts.

- In the Force's Quarterfinal Round playoff game at San Jose last season, he racked up 153 yards on five kickoff returns including a 56-yard touchdown return. His efforts helped Georgia establish a new AFL playoff record for kickoff return yards in a game with 312 yards.

- Only one of two players (other Cliff Green) remaining from the Force's 2002 roster.

- Is the younger brother of Lamont Cooper, one of the best AFL players in the league's history and two time AFL Don't Blink! Player of the Year.

K Steve McLaughlin:

- Named Kicker of the Month for March 2003.

- Set Force team record for the longest field goal, 51-yarder at Las Vegas (3/29) and most single-game PATs made with 11 at Indiana (5/4).

- Led all kickers in 2001 with 152 points, which also put him ninth overall in scoring.


- Stands sixth overall in AFL history for career points by a kicker with 668.

- Currently sixth in AFL history for most one point PAT's with 407.

- Ranks sixth in AFL history for most three-point field goals with 87.

- Stands sixth in league history in most one-point PAT attempts with 449.

- Ranks fourth in the league record books for most three-point field goal attempts with 190.

- Was a third round selection by the St. Louis Rams in 1995.

- Fronts an alternative band named "Pet the Fish", which has opened for The Dave Matthews Band and appeared in FOX's television show "Party of Five".

WR/LB Andy McCullough:

- In two seasons with the Dallas Desperados, was the team's career leader in scoring, touchdowns receptions and yards.

- Along with Force teammate Dialleo Burks, made up two-thirds of the Desperados offensive attack that finished the 2003 season ranked first in total offense and fifth in scoring.

- Last season, finished the year with season-high 96 catches for career-high 1,215 yards and a career-high 24 touchdowns. Also posted a career-high 22.5 tackles, career-high two pressures, a career-high four passes defensed and a team-and career-high three fumble recoveries. Added his first two career interceptions.

- His playmaking ability helped him earn selection to the All-Rookie team in 2002 after leading Dallas in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns.

- Close friends with Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Peerless Price. Both players hail from the Dayton, Ohio area. They both played together at the University of Tennessee and now are reunited here in Atlanta.

QB Leon Murray:

- Burst on to the Arena Football League scene after starting the season as the Force's third string quarterback. Up until his first AFL start, had not started a game in three years since being named the Ohio Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Year at Tennessee State.

- Despite only playing in eight games, 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.

- Led the Force to their first-ever postseason appearance and victory over of the Dallas Desperados on the road.

- Was named to the AFL's All-Rookie team and was voted the Force's Co-Offensive Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year by the players and coaches.

- Established new team single game records for passing yards (354) and touchdowns (8) last season.



WR/DB Dameon Porter:

- Was named the AFL's Ironman of the Year and Breakout Player of the Year after the 2001 season.

- Is a two-time first-team all-Arena selection.

- Had 22 interceptions over the 2002 and 2001 seasons, breaking the league record for highest two-year total (previously 21 by Orlando's Kenny McEntyre in 2000-2001).

- His 156 interception return yards in 2002 represented the 2nd-highest mark for a season in the league's record book.

- Is only the second player in history to lead the league in interceptions two consecutive years (2001-2002). Orlando's Kenny McEntyre led the AFL in 1999 (7) and 2000 (11) Durwood Roquemore, a member of the AFL Hall of Fame, also led the league in interceptions twice (1990, 1994).

FB/LB Robert Thomas:

- Longtime NFL veteran with the Dallas Cowboys (1998-2002), who played both fullback and linebacker during his NFL tenure.

- Helped lead the way as Emmitt Smith ran for 109 yards on 24 carries and became the NFL's all-time leading rusher with an 11-yard run in the fourth quarter versus Seattle (10/27/02).

- Made a name for himself as a rookie free agent with small school experience, but he has also survived a major career change, moving from linebacker to fullback. In a very short period of time, he went from being a reserve middle linebacker to the lead blocker for Emmitt Smith as the Cowboys starting fullback.

- Is an avid bowler and averages a score of 205. He once rolled a 275 (300 is a perfect game).


LAST WEEK VS. NEW YORK:

DULUTH, GA – New York quarterback Aaron Garcia threw a game-high five touchdown passes and rushed for one more as the visiting Dragons defeated the Georgia Force 54-28. The 26-point defeat was the worst in club history for the Force (previous 21 points vs. Los Angeles 5/24/02) and their first season-opening loss in the team's three-year history.

New York scored touchdowns on eight on their 10 possessions on the day. The Dragons defense told the story of the game making two interceptions and forcing Georgia to turnover the ball on downs twice and blocked one field goal.

Force OS Markeith Cooper tied the score at 14-14 late in the second quarter on a 13-yard touchdown pass from Leon Murray. But with 22 seconds left in the half, Garcia found Lincoln Depree for an eight-yard TD score to put the Dragons up 20-14 as New York would never let go of the lead the rest of the game.

LEADERS

PASSING:
NY- Garcia- 21-31-241-5
GA- Murray- 22-41-220-1

RECEIVING:
NY- William Holder- 6-85-2
GA- Andy McCullough- 7-74-0

RUSHING:
NY- Rodney Filer- 5-19-1
GA- Robert Thomas- 3-13-1

OFFENSIVE MVP: Aaron Garcia, New York
DEFENSIVE MVP: William Holder, New York
IRONMAN: Andy McCullough, Georgia



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 10, 2004


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