Georgia Force game notes

Published on May 25, 2004 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Georgia Force News Release


QUICK FACTS:

Georgia Force (6-9) vs. Carolina Cobras (6-9)

Date: May 29, 2004
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. ET
Site: Arena at Gwinnett Center (11,200).
Radio: WQXI 790 AM The Zone (David Hubbard: play-by-play, Chuck Oliver: color analyst).
WPLO 610 AM RadioMex (Luis Garcia: play-by-play, Julio Espinoza: color analyst).
Coaches: Bob Kronenberg, Georgia (2-2 overall, 1st Year).
Ron Selesky, Carolina (8-13 overall, 2nd Year- 1st with the Cobras).
Series Record: Force lead the all-time series
@Georgia 54, Carolina 55 (4/26/02)
Georgia 53, @ Carolina 42 (6/14/02)
@Georgia 45, Carolina 37 (3/15/03)
Georgia 59, Carolina 19 (4/18/03)

CONNECTIONS:

Georgia Assistant Line/ Special Teams Coach Brennen Booth coached for Carolina in 2002...Force Defensive Backs Coach Rob Davis played for the Cobras in 2002...Force defensive specialist Kevin Gaines led the Cobras in tackles and interceptions in 2002...Georgia lineman Marcus Keyes played in 13 games for Carolina in 2002...Force lineman Juan Porter appeared in seven games for the Cobras in 2002...Force WR/DB Nick Ward was a member of the Cobras from 2002-2003...Georgia OL/DL Dary Myricks played for Carolina from 2000-2002...Carolina WR/DB Jarrick Hillery and FB/LB Travis Reece played for the Force during the 2002 and 2003 seasons...Cobras Senior Advisor Billy McGehee served in the same capacity for Georgia in 2002.

THE GAME:

The Georgia Force will conclude the 2004 regular season when they face the Carolina Cobras on Saturday, May 29th at 7:00 p.m. in the Arena at Gwinnett Center. Former Southern Division, rivals before the AFL's re-alignment prior to this season, the Force lead the all-time series against the Cobras 3-1.

Following a convincing 51-34 win over the Austin Wranglers, Georgia will try to win back-to-back home games for only the second time in club history. The home victory last week was the Force's second home win of the season and second in their last 11 home contests.

Interim Head Coach Bob Kronenberg will also be trying to close out the season with a winning coaching mark. Under his direction the Force are 2-2 and have won two out of their last three games. Since new Offensive Coordinator Donnie Davis has stepped in three games ago, the Georgia offense has re-gained its groove averaging 54.3 points per game. Prior to that during the team's six game losing streak, the Force was averaging 27.8 points per game.

Carolina is currently riding a two game winning streak and will be trying to win three straight contests for the first time since the 2002 season. With a 6-9 record on the year, the Cobras are within one victory of tying a club record for most wins in a season (7-7 in 2001). The
Cobras are led by some familiar faces to Force fans, as WR/DB Jarrick Hillery and FB/LB Travis Reece return to face their former teammates. Reece is the team's leading rusher with 85 yards on 41 carries and eight touchdowns, while Hillery ranks second on the Cobras in rushing, second in tackles, second in kickoff returns and fifth in receiving.


THE SCHEDULE:

GEORGIA FORCE (5-9)

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 114/ @ 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 L 40-44
May 23 AUSTIN W 51-34
May 30 CAROLINA


STATISTICS:

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

Statistical GEORGIA CAROLINA
Category Stat Stat
Scoring Offense 42.7 46.8
Scoring Defense 49.3 53.2
Total Offense (yds/g) 260.0 257.9
Total Defense (yds/g) 253.6 262.4
Pass Offense (yds/g) 228.7 246.7
Pass Defense (yds/g) 231.3 241.2
Rushing Offense (yds/g) 31.3 11.2
Rushing Defense (yds/g) 22.3 21.2
Kickoff Returns 16.2 17.6
Field Goals 6-26 17-40
PAT Kicking 76-84 67-85
Sacks By (sks-yds) 12-52 14-69
Sacks Against (sks-yds) 31-97 17-100
First Downs 264 280
Penalties (#/yds) 119-680 133-842
Turnover Margin -10 0
Time of Possession 27:53 30:29

HEAD COACHES:

BOB KRONENBERG, Georgia (2-2 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 Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin.


RON SELESKY, Carolina (8-13 overall, 2nd Year, 1st with the Cobras): Ron Selesky returns to the Cobras for the 2004 season after serving as head coach and director of football operations for the AFL's Buffalo Destroyers last year. He previously was a member of Carolina's original coaching staff in 2000 as an assistant coach and director of player personnel.

Prior to joining the Destroyers, Selesky served as assistant head coach and director of player personnel for the Tampa Bay Storm for two months after stepping down as head coach of the arenafootball2's Albany Conquest in September 2002. He earned 2002 af2 Coach of the Year honors guiding the expansion Conquest to a regular season mark of 13-3 and the Northeast Division title. Albany advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2002 Arena Cup playoffs.

Selesky joined the Conquest after leading the expansion af2 Louisville Fire to a 6-10 mark in 2001. He was the director of player personnel and assistant coach for the Tampa Bay Storm from 1997 to 1999. With the Storm, his teams compiled a 31-11 regular season record and earned a berth in the 1998 ArenaBowl.


THE FORCE THIS SEASON ARE:

2-5 at home
4-4 on the road

0-2 vs. Central Division
1-1 vs. Eastern Division
3-5 vs. Southern Division
2-1 vs. Western Division

0-1 on Thursday
2-0 on Fridays
0-3 on Saturday
3-5 on Sundays
1-0 on Mondays

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

1-4 in televised games on NBC

3-1 when leading at the half
1-0 when tied at the half
2-8 when trailing at the half

4-0 when leading after 3 quarters
2-0 when tied after 3 quarters
0-9 when trailing after 3 quarters

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

2-2 when the Force scores first
4-7 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

GAME 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
14 New Orleans Aaron Bailey
15 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
14 New Orleans Monty Montgomery
15 Georgia Kevin Gaines



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
14 New Orleans Dan Curran
15 Georgia Robert Thomas


AFL STANDINGS:

Central Division

p-Chicago 11 4 0 .733
p-Colorado 10 5 0 .667
Indiana 8 8 0 .500
Detroit 4 11 0 .267
Grand Rapids 1 14 0 .067

Western Division

p-San Jose 11 4 0 .733
p-Arizona 10 5 0 .667
Los Angeles 9 6 0 .600
Las Vegas 7 8 0 .467

Eastern Division

New York 8 7 0 .533
Carolina 6 9 0 .400
Columbus 6 9 0 .400
Dallas 6 9 0 .400
Philadelphia 5 10 0 .333

Southern Division

p-New Orleans 10 5 0 .667
Orlando 9 6 0 .600
Austin 8 7 0 .533
Tampa Bay 8 7 0 .533
Georgia 6 9 0 .400


p-Clinched playoff berth

AFL ON NBC:


WEEK 17 AFL ON NBC SCHEDULE, Sun, May 30th.

Arizona at San Jose, 4 pm
Orlando at LA, 4 pm
Chicago at Colorado, 4 pm
Phila. at New York, 4 pm
Austin at New Orleans, 4 pm
Tampa Bay at Dallas, 4 pm


DRIVE TO ARENABOWL XVIII:

PLAYOFF SEEDINGS
ENTERING WEEK 17


Team W L T Pct
p-San Jose 11 4 0 .733
p-Chicago 11 4 0 .733
p-Arizona 10 5 0 .667
p-New Orleans 10 5 0 .667
p-Colorado 10 5 0 .667
Los Angeles 9 6 0 .600
Orlando 9 6 0 .600
Tampa Bay 8 7 0 .533
===========================
New York 8 7 0 .533
Austin 8 7 0 .533
Indiana 8 8 0 .500
Las Vegas 7 8 0 .467
Columbus 6 9 0 .400
Georgia 6 9 0 .400
Carolina 6 9 0 .400
Dallas 6 9 0 .400
Philadelphia 5 10 0 .333
Detroit 4 11 0 .267
Grand Rapids 1 14 0 .067


p-Clinched playoff berth

LAST GAME VS. AUSTIN:

DULUTH, GA. – The Georgia Force won in convincing fashion as they handed the Austin Wranglers a 51-34 defeat. In only their second home win of the season and second in their last 11 home contests, the Force used five touchdown passes and a rushing score by Leon Murray to postpone the Wranglers postseason bid. For the game, Murray threw for 216 yards on 15-of-26 passing and five touchdowns and added 15 yards rushing on four carries plus a score.

Georgia offensive specialist Markeith Cooper hauled in a game-high tying two touchdowns and racked up 40 yards receiving on four catches. With his efforts, Cooper etched his name in the Force record book setting a new single season high with 22 touchdowns. Cooper also became the first 1,000+-yard receiver in team history amassing 1,027 receiving yards on the year. Defensively for Georgia, Kevin Gaines established a new club single game mark with 6 pass break-ups.

Austin was lead by Dameon Porter, who moved into the offensive specialist role following an injury to Tacoma Fontaine, and had game-highs with 100 yards receiving on eight receptions.

The Wranglers took an early 0-2 lead when Aaron Humphrey sacked Murray in the end zone on the game's second play. Georgia responded scoring the next 13 points on touchdown passes from Murray to Markeith Cooper and Robert Thomas of 10 and 20 yards respectively. The Austin offense was kept in check for most of the first half as the Force defense came up strong as Austin went 0-4 on fourth down attempts, including one from the Georgia one-yardline. John Kaleo then cut the Force lead to five at 13-8 hitting Aleric Clark for a 24-yard score. The Force closed out the first half scoring two more times and took a 27-8 advantage at the break, as Murray found Cooper for a 24-yard touchdown pass and Thomas leaped over the pile for a one-yard rush.

Score by Quarters 1 2 3 4 Score
Austin 2 6 13 13 34
Georgia 7 20 14 10 51
PASSING:
GA- Leon Murray, 15-26-216-5; AUS- John Kaleo, 22-40-253-5

RECEIVING:
GA- Nick Ward, 4-41-1; AUS- Dameon Porter, 8-100-1

RUSHING:
GA- Robert Thomas, 3-15-1; AUS- Dane Krager, 3-8-0


THINGS TO WATCH:

ALL-AROUND GAME:

Offensive Specialist Markeith Cooper set a new single-season record for most receiving yards when he hauled in 40 yards on three catches against Austin (5/23) giving him 1,027 on the year. Cooper became the first 1,000+-yard receiver in club history. He also broke the single-season mark for most touchdowns in a season amassing 22 on the year.

Earlier this season, Cooper established 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 T-12th in the AFL for leading scorer non-kickers with 156 points through 15 games. As a receiver, Cooper ranks 17th in the AFL in receptions with 78 catches and 18th receiving yards with 1,027 yards.

Cooper ranks 5th in AFL leaders in All-Purpose Yards with 2,110 (1,027 receiving + 1,069 kickoff return + 12 rushing). His total shatters the previous single season team record held by Jarrick Hillery of 1,388 in 2003.


FINISHING TOUCH:

This season, kicker Steve McLaughlin is 76-for-84 on PAT kicks (90.5 %). 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.


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 31.3 yards a game rushing, the Force currently rank 4th in the league in rushing offense. FB/LB Robert Thomas currently is second among all rookies in rushing with 213 yards on 47 carries and 11 scores. Thomas ranks fourth in the league in rushing. In addition, QB Leon Murray is third among all quarterbacks with 191 yards rushing on 47 carries scoring 13 touchdowns on the ground. Murray stands T-6th 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 6-4 regular season record in road contests and a 2-9 record in home games during the regular season.


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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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 25, 2004


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