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Georgia Force game notes

May 13, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Georgia Force News Release


QUICK FACTS:

Georgia Force (5-8) at New Orleans VooDoo (9-4)

Date: May 15, 2004
Kickoff: 8:00 p.m. ET
Site: New Orleans Arena (16,245).
Radio: WQXI 790 AM The Zone (David Hubbard: play-by-play, Chuck Oliver: color analyst).
Coaches: Bob Kronenberg, Georgia (1-1 overall, 1st Year).
Mike Neu, New Orleans (9-4, 16-14 overall, 1st Year).
Series Record: VooDoo lead series 1-0
@ Georgia 52, New Orleans 55


GEORGIA FORCE NEXT WEEK:

The Force return to the Arena at Gwinnett Center after two weeks on the road to begin a pair of contests to close out the 2004 regular season. Georgia will host the Austin Wranglers on Sunday, May 23rd at 3:00 p.m. on Faith and Family Day at the Arena. Following the game, there will be a free post game concert featuring Christian recording artist ZOEgirl and featured keynote speakers such as UGA Head Coach Mark Richt and San Francisco 49ers kicker Todd Peterson.

CONNECTIONS:

New Orleans Head Coach Mike Neu served on the same coaching staff with the Carolina Cobras as Force Assistant Line and Special Teams Coach Brennen Booth in 2001...Five VooDoo players played with the Force Dan Curran (2002-2003), Bruce McClure (2002-2003), Adam Metts (2003), Sean Powell (2003), Tremaine Neal (practice squad 2003).

THE GAME:

The Georgia Force head out for their last road game of the season when they travel to New Orleans to face the Southern Division leading VooDoo on Saturday, May 15th in the New Orleans Arena at 8:00 p.m. Earlier this season, the VooDoo captured the first ever meeting between the two teams 56-52 on February 22nd.

Last week, the Force broke their six-game losing streak in dramatic fashion handing the Columbus Destroyers a 72-51 defeat. With the victory, Interim Head Coach Bob Kronenberg earned his first coaching win and the Force re-wrote many of the team single-game records (see more on page 6).

Georgia looks to have regained their offensive stride over the last two games having scored on 16 of their last 20 possessions. The Force defense is also moving back up the charts as they currently rank as the 5th best in the AFL.


THE SCHEDULE:

GEORGIA FORCE (5-8)

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 L 36-73
March 27 TAMPA BAY L 24-53
April 1 @ Detroit L 40-42
April 11 @ Austin L 26-42
April 18 ORLANDO L 7-30
April 25 SAN JOSE L 34-63
BYE
May 9 @ Columbus W 72-51
May 15 @ New Orleans
May 23 AUSTIN
May 30 CAROLINA


STATISTICS:

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

Statistical GEORGIA NEW ORLEANS
Category Stat Stat
Scoring Offense 42.2 45.4
Scoring Defense 50.8 46.2
Total Offense (yds/g) 263.5 248.2
Total Defense (yds/g) 254.8 261.0
Pass Offense (yds/g) 233.2 219.6
Pass Defense (yds/g) 231.8 233.3
Rushing Offense (yds/g) 30.3 28.5
Rushing Defense (yds/g) 23.0 27.7
Kickoff Returns 16.0 17.4
Field Goals 5-23 6-17
PAT Kicking 66-71 66-77
Sacks By (sks-yds) 7-36 10-56
Sacks Against (sks-yds) 26-87 6-40
First Downs 232 229
Penalties (#/yds) 101-574 110-658
Turnover Margin -6 -3
Time of Possession 28:16 28:26


HEAD COACHES:

BOB KRONENBERG, Georgia (1-1 overall, 1st Year):
Named Interim Head Coach on April 19th, Bob Kronenberg takes over the position after Marty Lowe was relieved of his duties. Born on November 3, 1971, he is currently the second youngest Head Coach in the Arena Football League. Currently in his fourth season in the AFL coaching ranks, Kronenberg has the longest tenure with the Force coaching staff serving as the Assistant Head Coach for the last three seasons. Over that time, his primary focus has been coaching the club's offensive and defensive lines. Prior to joining the Force's staff, he served as an Assistant Coach with the Nashville Kats during the 2001 season.

A veteran lineman himself, Kronenberg spent two years as an offensive/defensive lineman with the Kats during the 1999 and 2000 seasons. As a member of the Rhein Fire in NFL Europe from 1995-98, Kronenberg captured a World Bowl title in 1998. His playing experience includes the Las Vegas Posse and Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League. Kronenberg also signed contacts with the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Washington Redskins.

Kronenberg earned a degree in education from St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minnesota, were he was an All-North Central Conference lineman. He is a native of Menomee Falls, Wisconsin.


MIKE NEU, New Orleans (9-4, 16-14 overall, 1st Year): On June 17, 2003, the New Orleans VooDoo took one of the first and biggest steps in franchise history when they named Mike Neu Head Coach. Neu, a former college and professional quarterback and five-year Arena coaching veteran, comes to the VooDoo after serving as the head coach of the AFL Carolina Cobras in 2002.

In 2002, Neu guided the Cobras to a club-record 5-2 record on the road and their second-straight postseason berth. Carolina also posted the first playoff victory in club history (a 72-64 win at Grand Rapids) as the club featured the AFL's fourth-ranked defense.

As offensive coordinator in 2001 before being promoted to head coach, the Cobras averaged over 56 points a game (fifth in the league) and finished 7-7, improving from a 3-13 record the year before.

Prior to joining Carolina, Neu served as Head Coach and Director of Football Operations for the Augusta Stallions of AFL2 in 2000. He had a stunning rookie season as a head coach, leading the Stallions to a 14-4 record and the American Conference title. Augusta finished in the top four in every major offensive and defensive category and Neu was named the Coach of the Year.

Neu began his coaching career in 1994 as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, Ball State. His pro playing career started with a stint with the CFL Calgary Stampeders in 1995 before Neu joined the AFL's Orlando Predators in 1996. He moved on to the Nashville Kats in 1997.

His Arena coaching career started in 1998, when Neu served as quarterbacks coach for the Kats and handled all play-calling responsibilities for the offense. The next year he was promoted to offensive coordinator and the Kats made their third-straight playoff appearance. The team also set franchise highs in six offensive categories, including scoring and total offense.

Neu played for four seasons at Ball State (Ind.), where he was named the MAC Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year as a senior in 1993. A four-year starter, Neu guided Ball State to the conference championship his final year and holds school career passing records in yards, attempts, completions and touchdowns.

Neu and his wife Charmin, have a daughter, Graycen and a son, Carson.


THE FORCE THIS SEASON ARE:

1-5 at home
4-3 on the road

0-2 vs. Central Division
1-1 vs. Eastern Division
2-4 vs. Southern Division
2-1 vs. Western Division

0-1 on Thursday
2-0 on Fridays
0-2 on Saturday
2-5 on Sundays
1-0 on Mondays

1-2 in February
3-2 in March
0-4 in April
1-0 in May

1-4 in televised games on NBC

2-0 when leading at the half
1-0 when tied at the half
2-8 when trailing at the half

3-0 when leading after 3 quarters
2-0 when tied after 3 quarters
0-8 when trailing after 3 quarters

0-2 outcome 7 points or less
0-2 outcome 3 points or less
1-0 overtime games

2-1 when the Force scores first
3-7 when opponent scores first



AFL 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






WEEKLY GAME AWARD WINNERS:

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
7 Indiana Adrian McPherson
8 Tampa Bay David White
9 Detroit Mark Lewis
10 Austin Darrin Chiaverini
11 Orlando Joe Hamilton
12 San Jose Mark Grieb
13 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
7 Indiana Bill Duff
8 Tampa Bay Ernest Certain
9 Detroit Curtis Eason
10 Austin Tom Briggs
11 Orlando Jermaine Smith
12 San Jose Joe Jacobs
13 Georgia Oscar Sturgis

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
7 Indiana Jarrod Penright
8 Tampa Bay Lawrence Samuels
9 Detroit Thabiti Davis
10 Austin Dane Krager
11 Orlando Bret Cooper
12 San Jose Rashied Davis
13 Columbus Sedrick Robinson


AFL STANDINGS:

Central Division

Chicago 9 4 0 .692
Colorado 9 4 0 .692
Indiana 7 7 0 .500
Detroit 4 9 0 .308
Grand Rapids 1 12 0 .077

Western Division

San Jose 10 3 0 .769
Arizona 9 5 0 .643
Los Angeles 7 6 0 .538
Las Vegas 6 7 0 .462

Eastern Division

New York 8 5 0 .615
Dallas 6 7 0 .462
Philadelphia 5 8 0 .385
Carolina 4 9 0 .308
Columbus 4 9 0 .308

Southern Division

New Orleans 9 4 0 .692
Austin 8 5 0 .615
Orlando 7 6 0 .538
Tampa Bay 7 7 0 .500
Georgia 5 8 0 .385



AFL ON NBC:


WEEK 15 AFL ON NBC SCHEDULE, Sun, May 16th.

Los Angeles at New York, 3 pm
Dallas at Chicago, 3 pm
Colorado at Indiana, 3 pm


DRIVE TO ARENABOWL XVIII:

PLAYOFF SEEDINGS
ENTERING WEEK 15

Team W L T Pct
p-San Jose 10 3 0 .769
Chicago 9 4 0 .692
Colorado 9 4 0 .692
New Orleans 9 4 0 .692
Arizona 9 5 0 .643
Austin 8 5 0 .615
New York 8 5 0 .615
Los Angeles 7 6 0 .538
Orlando 7 6 0 .538
===========================
Indiana 7 7 0 .500
Tampa Bay 7 7 0 .500
Dallas 6 7 0 .462
Las Vegas 6 7 0 .462
Georgia 5 8 0 .385
Philadelphia 5 8 0 .385
Carolina 4 9 0 .308
Columbus 4 9 0 .308
Detroit 4 9 0 .308
Grand Rapids 1 12 0 .077

p-Clinched playoff berth


LAST GAME AT COLUMBUS:

COLUMBUS, OH. – With a season-high in points, the Georgia Force snapped their team-record six game-losing streak in huge fashion defeating the Columbus Destroyers 72-51. Force quarterback Leon Murray, named Offensive Player of the Game, had one of the best passing days in club history throwing for 334 yards on 24-of-34 passing with eight touchdowns. Murray would also add 23 yards on the ground rushing on three carries including a touchdown. His eight scoring passes tied the single game team record, while his 334 passing yards ranked second in the team record books.

Markeith Cooper and Dialleo Burks, who both went over the 100-yard receiving mark and each caught three touchdowns, aided Georgia's offensive explosion. Cooper registered 148 receiving yards and three touchdowns on ten catches, while Burks posted 104 yards on eight receptions and three scores. For Columbus, Sedrick Robinson turned in a strong effort with two receiving touchdowns, two kickoff return touchdowns and one rushing score.

After struggling offensively for the last six weeks, the Force broke through to set a new team record for first half points to lead the Destroyers 44-23 at the half (previous mark 39 points at San Jose 5/4/02). Georgia scored on all seven of their drives in the half with six touchdowns and one field goal paced by Murray. Murray completed five touchdown passes and threw for 205 yards in the first half alone. His biggest target was Dialleo Burks, who hauled in two touchdown passes and 74 yards receiving in the first half on five receptions.

All three of Columbus' first half touchdowns came as a result of Sedrick Robinson. Robinson gave the Destroyers an early 7-6 lead six minutes into the game on a 30-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Vena. Robinson then made his presence felt on special teams as he returned back-to-back kickoffs for touchdowns of 56 and 39 yards respectively.

The Georgia defense, not to be left out of the spotlight, forced two turnovers in the first half with a fumble and an interception resulting into ten points. The first turnover came on a special teams play that gave the Force the ball on the Destroyer one-yardline. Newly acquired Force lineman Oscar Sturgis intercepted a Vena pass with 15 seconds remaining in the second quarter, which led to a 26-yard field goal by Steve McLaughlin as time expired for the half.



Score by Quarters 1 2 3 4 Score
Georgia 13 31 14 14 72
Columbus 10 13 14 14 51

LEADERS

PASSING:
GA- Leon Murray, 24-34-334-8
COL- Ryan Vena, 14-23-184-3

RECEIVING:
GA- Markeith Cooper, 10-148-3
COL- Sedrick Robinson, 8-114-2

RUSHING:
GA- Robert Thomas, 6-31-1
COL- Ryan Vena, 3-9-1

OFFENSIVE MVP: Leon Murray, Georgia
DEFENSIVE MVP: Oscar Sturgis, Georgia
IRONMAN: Sedrick Robinson, Columbus


LAST GAME VS. NEW ORLEANS:

DULUTH, GA – The New Orleans VooDoo upped their perfect start to the season to 3-0 after claiming a 55-52-road victory over the Georgia Force. The home loss was the sixth straight for the Force dating back to March 15, 2003. New Orleans, who never trailed in the contest, used two fumbles by the Force offense in the first half to keep their lead throughout the game and remain atop the Southern Division.

New Orleans offensive specialist Aaron Bailey, who was named the Offensive Player of the Game, paced the VooDoo with a game-high three receiving touchdowns and 52 receiving yards on five catches. Bailey also added 82 yards on five kickoff returns. Both teams displayed strong rushing attacks as each registered three touchdowns on the ground. New Orleans FB/LB Dan Curran and Georgia FB/LB Robert Thomas each had two scores, while VooDoo FB/LB Jason Bratton and Force QB Leon Murray added one apiece.

Each team was held scoreless on their first drive of the game. New Orleans was able to use a second Georgia fumble by Murray to jump out to a 27-10 advantage. After their first four possessions, the Force only came away with 10 points. Georgia finished the game strong scoring touchdowns on their final six drives, but it was not enough as New Orleans held on for the victory.


Score by Quarters 1 2 3 4 Score
New Orleans 14 13 7 21 55
Georgia 3 14 14 21 52

PASSING:
NO- John Fitzgerald- 15-26-237-5
GA- Leon Murray- 18-26-236-4

RECEIVING:
NO- Aaron Bailey- 5-52-3
GA- Morris Anderson- 6-61

RUSHING:
NO- Dan Curran- 7-20-2
GA- Robert Thomas- 3-17-2

OFFENSIVE MVP: Aaron Bailey, New Orleans
DEFENSIVE MVP: Kevin Gaines, Georgia
IRONMAN: B.J. Cohen, New Orleans


THINGS TO WATCH:

THE STREAK IS OVER:

When the Force defeated the Columbus Destroyers 72-51 on Mother's Day (5/9/04), the team did so in dramatic fashion re-writing many of the club's offensive records and setting new team and personal highs.

* The win was the first career coaching victory for Interim Head Coach Bob Kronenberg.

* The victory snapped a team-record six-game losing streak.

* Georgia's 72 points scored were the second most in club history (77 at Indiana 5/4/03), the most by the team this season and the most points scored by any team in the AFL during Week 14.

* The Force's 63 rushing yards as a team set a new record (previous 59 yards vs. Los Angeles 5/24/02).

* Leon Murray's 334 passing yards was the second highest single game mark in Force history (354 Murray vs. Dallas 5/10/03) and is tied-9th for the highest total this season in the AFL.

* Murray's 8 touchdown passes tied the highest single game total in team history (8- Murray vs. Dallas 5/10/03).

* Murray's 15-yard touchdown rush tied his career long scoring run (has three 15-yard touchdown rushes for his career).

* Among AFL teams in Week 14 alone, Murray led all quarterbacks in passing yards and touchdowns.

* Markeith Cooper's 148 yards receiving ranks second most in single game team history (165 Tyronne Jones at Indiana 5/4/03).

* Cooper's 48-yard scoring reception tied the longest touchdown catch in Force history (48- Tyronne Jones vs. Dallas 5/10/03).

* Cooper's 10 receptions tied his personal career best which he has done three times now and his 148 yards receiving is a new career-high (previously 132 at Tampa Bay 2/13/04).

* Steve McLaughlin tied for the league lead for kicking leader in scoring Week 14 with 1 field goal and 9 PATs (Clay Rush, Indiana 1 field goal and 9 PATs).

THE HIGH OF LOWS:

If tying the team-record with their fifth straight defeat did not hurt enough, the Force also broke several more records in their 30-7 loss to Orlando on April 18th.

* The seven points scored by the Force established a new team record for fewest points scored in a game. Previously 24 points versus Tampa Bay on March 27, 2004.

* Georgia's seven points scored is tied fifth for lowest point total in AFL History for a regular season game.

* The 37 combined points scored by Georgia and Orlando set a Force team low and is tied sixth for lowest combined total in a regular season game in AFL history.

* On the night, the Force made only 10 first downs breaking the previous low mark of 11 set against San Jose on May 4, 2002.

* In the game against the Predators, the Force gave up four sacks tying the club mark for most in a game. Last time was at Detroit on June 1, 2002.

* Single Game Records for the 2004 Season

FEWEST OFFENSIVE TOUCHDOWNS
Orlando @ Georgia, April 18 4

FEWEST OFFENSIVE SCORES
Orlando @ Georgia, April 18 7

LOWEST OFFENSIVE TOUCHDOWN PERCENTAGE
Orlando @ Georgia, April 18 19.1%

LOWEST OFFENSIVE SCORING PERCENTAGE
Orlando @ Georgia, April 18 33.3%



GROUND ATTACK:

Averaging 30.3 yards a game rushing, the Force currently rank fourth in the league in rushing offense. FB/LB Robert Thomas currently is second among all rookies in rushing with 185 yards on 41 carries and nine scores. Thomas ranks fifth in the league in rushing. In addition, QB Leon Murray is third among all quarterbacks with 143 yards rushing on 39 carries scoring ten touchdowns on the ground. Murray stands eighth overall in the AFL in rushing.


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 6-3 regular season record in road contests and a 1-9 record in home games during the regular season.

FINISHING TOUCH:

This season, kicker Steve McLaughlin is 66-for-71 on PAT kicks (92.9 %). 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 15th in the AFL for leading scorer non-kickers with 132 points through 13 games.

As a receiver, Cooper ranks tied-17th in the AFL in receptions with 72 catches and 15th receiving yards with 945 yards. He is on pace to becoming the first single-season 1,000-yard receiver in the Force's three-year history.

Cooper ranks 6th in AFL leaders in All-Purpose Yards (945 receiving + 989 kickoff return + 14 rushing). He also stands 15th in the league in most yards from scrimmage with 959 (945 receiving + 14 rushing).

DID YOU KNOW:

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.

- Has the longest tenure as a Force player and is one of only two player who were on the team's 2002 roster (Scotty Lindsey).

- 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.

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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