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Georgia Force game notes

March 16, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Georgia Force News Release


QUICK FACTS:

Georgia Force (4-2) at Indiana Firebirds (1-5)

Date: March 20, 2004
Kickoff: 7:00 ET
Site: Conseco Fieldhouse (13,695).
Coaches: Marty Lowe, Georgia (18-15 overall, 1-1 postseason, 3rd Year).
Mike Wilpolt, Indiana (1-0 overall, 1st Year).
Series Record: Force lead the all-time series 1-0
Georgia 77, @ Indiana 54 (5/4/03)

THE GAME:

The Georgia Force travel for their second straight road contest when they head to Indianapolis to face the Indiana Firebirds on Saturday, March 20th at 7:00 p.m. ET at Conseco Fieldhouse. Georgia leads the all-time series 1-0 after a 77-56 win in Indiana last year. The Force are currently riding a five game regular season road winning streak dating back to last season.

The Force were able to put together one of their best games of the season last year at Indiana establishing four new single-game club records against the Firebirds. The 77-point output by the Force against Indiana stands as the most points scored in a single game by the team, Quarterback Leon Murray completed a team-record 31 passes, former OS Tyronne Jones set two team-records with 165 yards receiving and tied the club mark with 10 receptions in a game, kicker Steve McLaughlin established a single-game record connecting on 11-for-11 of his PAT attempts and with the victory over Indiana, the Force clinched their first playoff berth in team history.

After a 0-5 start to the season, Indiana claimed their first victory of the year last week defeating the Austin Wranglers 64-41. The win was the first career coaching victory for new Firebirds Head Coach Mike Wilpolt, who replaced Steve DeBerg following the team's
poor beginning. Indiana is led by rookie quarterback and former Florida State signal-caller Adrian McPherson. McPherson currently ranks second in the league in rushing with 128 yards on 27 carries and seven rushing scores. Joining McPherson for the first time in a Firebirds jersey will be WR/LB Andy McCullough. McCullough started the season with the Force then was traded last week to Indiana for DS Scotty Lindsey.

GEORGIA FORCE NEXT WEEK:

The Force return to the Arena at Gwinnett Center on Saturday, March 27th when they host the defending AFL World Champion Tampa Bay Storm at 7:00 p.m. Georgia will look to sweep the Storm for the first time in club history after defeating Tampa Bay 70-62 on February 13th.

THE SCHEDULE:

GEORGIA FORCE (4-2)

Date OPPONENT RESULT SCORE
Feb. 7 NEW YORK L 28-54
Feb. 13 @ Tampa Bay W 70-62
Feb. 22 NEW ORLEANS L 52-55
March 1 @ Los Angeles W-OT 53-52
March 7 LAS VEGAS W 55-40
March 12 @ Orlando W 52-44
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 (18-15 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 second 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.



MIKE WILPOLT, Indiana (1-0 overall, 1st Year): Mike Wilpolt became the fifth head coach in the Firebirds 15-year history and the third in the last eight months when he replaced Steve DeBerg as Head Coach on March 11, 2004. Under first-year Head Coach DeBerg, Indiana started the 2004 season 0-5. Wilpolt has been a part of the Firebirds organization for the past six years and the last five as Defensive Coordinator.

In his first season with the Firebirds, Mike coached Special Teams and helped lead the Firebirds to the 1999 ArenaBowl Championship. The 2002 season was a breakthrough year for the Firebird defense. They led the league in red zone defense (74.4%) and were 2nd in the league in points allowed (46.1) and interceptions (21).
No stranger to the Arena Football League, Wilpolt played for four years in the league with the Charlotte Rage (1992), the Las Vegas Sting (1994-95) and the Anaheim Piranhas (1996). During his stint with Anaheim, Wilpolt held a then league record for tackles with 16 in one game.

Wilpolt was a two-sport athlete at Division II Mesa St. College where he played football and wrestling. A three-year starter, Wilpolt was twice named All-Conference and was an All-American in his senior season, Wilpolt was also named Scholar Athlete of the Year in his senior year. Mike originally went to Mesa St. on a wrestling scholarship.

Wilpolt wrestled for two years and was a National Qualifier both years. Wilpolt began his coaching career at his alma mater as the Defensive Backs Coach.

Mike is engaged to Deseree Becker and resides in Broomfield, CO. in the off-season.

STATISTICS:

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

Statistical GEORGIA INDIANA
Category Stat Stat
Scoring Offense 51.7 43.5
Scoring Defense 51.2 44.8
Total Offense (yds/g) 281.2 240.2
Total Defense (yds/g) 276.8 258.0
Pass Offense (yds/g) 248.8 198.5
Pass Defense (yds/g) 253.8 233.0
Rushing Offense (yds/g) 32.3 41.7
Rushing Defense (yds/g) 23.0 25.0
Kickoff Returns 18.6 17.9
Field Goals 3-11 5-15
PAT Kicking 41-42 24-33
Sacks By (sks-yds) 3-12 2-10
Sacks Against (sks-yds) 7-33 7-40
First Downs 121 103
Penalties (#/yds) 41-244 42-205
Turnover Margin +2 +2
Time of Possession 29:48 32:43



CONNECTIONS:

Georgia DS Scotty Lindsey signed with the Firebirds after the 2003 season as a free agent and played in five games for Indiana before being traded to the Force...Indiana WR/LB Andy McCullough began the season with the Force and played in two games then was traded to the Firebirds in exchange for Scotty Lindsey.

THE FORCE THIS SEASON ARE:

1-2 at home
3-0 on the road

0-0 vs. Central Division
0-1 vs. Eastern Division
2-1 vs. Southern Division
2-0 vs. Western Division

2-0 on Fridays
0-0 on Saturday
1-2 on Sundays
1-0 on Mondays

1-2 in February
3-0 in March
0-0 in April
0-0 in May

1-2 in televised games on NBC

1-0 when leading at the half
1-0 when tied at the half
2-2 when trailing at the half

2-0 when leading after 3 quarters
2-0 when tied after 3 quarters
0-2 when trailing after 3 quarters

0-0 outcome 7 points or less
0-1 outcome 3 points or less
1-0 overtime games

1-0 when the Force scores first
3-2 when opponent scores first


AWARD WINNERS:

AFL Baby Ruth Real Deal Offensive Player of the Week

WEEK 2- OS Markeith Cooper

AFL ADT Defensive Player of the Week

WEEK 6- WR/LB Dialleo Burks


Baby Ruth Offensive Player of the Game

WEEK TEAM PLAYER
1 New York Aaron Garcia
2 Tampa Bay Freddie Solomon
3 New Orleans Aaron Bailey
4 Los Angeles Joe Douglas
5 Georgia Leon Murray
6 Georgia Leon Murray

ADT Defensive Player of the Game

WEEK TEAM PLAYER
1 New York William Holder
2 Tampa Bay Rod Williams
3 Georgia Kevin Gaines
4 Los Angeles Kevin Ingram
5 Georgia Morris Anderson
6 Georgia Dialleo Burks

U.S. Army Ironman of the Game

WEEK TEAM PLAYER
1 Georgia Andy McCullough
2 Georgia Markeith Cooper
3 New Orleans B.J. Cohen
4 Los Angeles Greg Hopkins
5 Georgia Dameon Porter
6 Georgia Markeith Cooper














AFL STANDINGS:

Eastern Division
W L T Pct. Pts. OP
Dallas 5 1 0 .833 342 295
New York 3 3 0 .500 297 278
Philadelphia 3 3 0 .500 270 255
Carolina 2 4 0 .333 309 331
Columbus 1 5 0 .167 259 317

Southern Division
W L T Pct. Pts. OP
New Orleans 5 1 0 .833 268 250
Georgia 4 2 0 .667 310 307
Austin 3 2 0 .600 237 252
Orlando 2 3 0 .400 242 234
Tampa Bay 2 4 0 .333 280 299

Central Division
W L T Pct. Pts. OP
Chicago 4 1 0 .800 267 218
Colorado 4 2 0 .667 267 295
Detroit 2 3 0 .400 217 221
Indiana 1 5 0 .167 261 269
Grand Rapids 0 6 0 .000 195 332

Western Division
W L T Pct. Pts. OP
San Jose 4 1 0 .800 286 228
Los Angeles 3 2 0 .600 268 234
Arizona 3 3 0 .500 290 285
Las Vegas 3 3 0 .500 303 268



AFL ON NBC:


WEEK 7 AFL ON NBC SCHEDULE, Sun., March 21st.

Orlando at Chicago, 12 pm
Colorado at Philadelphia, 12 pm

(all times are Eastern)










LAST WEEK AT ORLANDO:

ORLANDO, FL. – Markeith Cooper's 44-yard touchdown reception with 15 seconds left in the game sealed a 52-44 victory for the visiting Georgia Force over the Orlando Predators. The drama for the eight-point win was set when Orlando kicker Jay Taylor missed a 25-yard field goal with 33 seconds remaining in the game with the Force only leading by one point at 45-44.

Cooper named Ironman of the Game finished the contest with game-high 10 receptions and 125 receiving yards and hauled in two touchdowns. Cooper also added 97 yards on four kickoff returns including a 57-yard kickoff touchdown return. Force WR/LB Dialleo Burks turned in his best performance of the season catching four passes for 53 yards and a score. On the defensive end, Burks made his presence felt returning an interception 38 yards for a touchdown. For his efforts, Burks was named the game's Defensive Player of the Game.

Orlando took a 21-17 advantage into the break, as the Force could not convert a fourth and goal from the Predators one-yard line as time expired. In the first half, each quarterback used their arms and legs to put points on the board for their teams. Orlando's Joe Hamilton completed two scoring strikes to Riley in the first half with touchdown passes of 27-yards and 13-yards respectively while also rushing one in from five yards out. Murray opened up the Georgia scoring with a seven-yard touchdown rush and then gave the Force a brief lead at 17-14 when he found Dameon Porter on a 24-yard TD pass.

Score by Quarters 1 2 3 4 Score
Georgia Force 7 10 14 21 52
Orlando Predators 14 7 10 13 44
LEADERS

PASSING:
ORL- Hamilton, 16-24-216-4
GA- Murray, 23-35-284-4

RECEIVING:
ORL- Bret Cooper, 7-90-1
GA- Markeith Cooper, 10-125-2

RUSHING:
ORL- Rupert Grant, 6-18
GA- Robert Thomas, 5-14

OFFENSIVE MVP: Leon Murray, Georgia
DEFENSIVE MVP: Dialleo Burks, Georgia
IRONMAN: Markeith Cooper, Georgia


THINGS TO WATCH:

GOING STREAKING:

The Force will be looking to keep perfect streaks alive when they face the Firebirds this week. Since taking over the starting quarterback position in Week 11 last season, Leon Murray has a flawless 5-0 regular season record on the road. As a team, Georgia this year is 3-0 on the road, and 3-0 in the month of March.

DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE:

Quarterback Leon Murray would seem to have two different personalities when it comes to playing at home versus playing on the road. As a starting quarterback, Murray has a perfect 5-0 regular season record in road contests and a 1-6 record in home games during the regular season.

GROUND ATTACK:

Averaging 32.3 yards a game rushing, the Force currently rank third in the league in rushing offense. QB Leon Murray is second among all quarterbacks with 63 yards rushing on 18 carries scoring five touchdowns on the ground. Murray stands tied-eighth overall in the AFL in rushing. In addition, FB/LB Robert Thomas currently is second among all rookies in rushing with 98 yards on 23 carries and five scores. Thomas ranks fourth in the league in rushing.

FINISHING TOUCH:

This season, kicker Steve McLaughlin is 41-for-42 on PAT kicks. He started the season going a perfect 28-for-28, before missing his first of the year in Week 5 vs. Las Vegas (3/7).

Last year, McLaughlin began the season connecting on his first 18 PAT attempts before his first miss. Later in 2003, he strung together a streak of 13 straight PATs made including a Force single-game record 11-for-11 at Indiana (5/4/03).

McLaughlin's leg also played a huge role in the Force's 53-52 overtime victory at Los Angeles (3/1) earlier this season. With three seconds remaining in regulation, McLaughlin connected on a 50-yard field goal as time expired to even the score at 45-45 and push the game into the extra session. At the time, his 50-yard make stood as the longest in the AFL converted this season.






ALL-AROUND GAME:

Offensive Specialist Markeith Cooper set a new Force team record for most single game all-purpose yards with 270 at Tampa Bay (2/13). Cooper had 132 receiving yards on five receptions and four touchdowns through the air and added 138 kickoff return yards on five returns against the Storm. With eight seconds remaining in the first half, Cooper returned a kickoff 55 yards to tie the score at 35-35 at the break and keep the Force in the game. For his efforts, Cooper was named the game's Ironman of the Game and later honored as the AFL's Offensive Player of the Week.

Cooper is currently fourth in the AFL for leading scorer non-kickers with 84 points through five games. He is also tied for the AFL lead for most points scored in a single-game with 30.


DID YOU KNOW:

Head Coach Marty Lowe:
- At age 32, is the second 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 one of the shortest players 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.

- Heading into the 2004 season, stood sixth overall in AFL history for career points by a kicker with 668, sixth in AFL history for most one point PAT's with 407, ranked sixth in AFL history for most three-point field goals with 87, stood sixth in league history in most one-point PAT attempts with 449, sits 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".

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).

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