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Georgia Force game notes

February 1, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Georgia Force News Release


QUICK FACTS:

Georgia Force (1-0) at Los Angeles (0-1)

Date: February 4, 2005
Kickoff: 10:30 ET
Site: STAPLES Center (17,942).
Television: FOX Sports Net (Bill Macdonald: play-by-play, John Jackson: color analyst, Lindsay Sota: sideline reporter).
Radio: WQXI 790 AM The Zone (David Hubbard: play-by-play, Chuck Oliver: color analyst).
Coaches: Doug Plank, Georgia (1-0, 1st Year).
Ed Hodgkiss, L.A. (28-19, 4th Year).
Series Record: Georgia leads the series 2-1
@ Georgia 53, L.A. 74 (5/24/02)
Georgia 46, @ L.A. 35 (3/2/03)
Georgia 53, @ L.A. 52 OT (3/1/04)

THE GAME:

The Georgia Force travel out West for their first road game of the season to face the Los Angeles Avengers on Friday, February 4th at 10:30 p.m. ET in the STAPLES Center. Georgia leads the all-time series against the Avengers 2-1, with the road team claiming victories in all three games. Last season, Georgia escaped L.A. with a 53-52 overtime win on a successful two-point conversion attempt by QB Leon Murray to WR/LB Dialleo Burks in the extra session.

The Force are coming off a strong performance that saw them defeat New Orleans 46-44 last Sunday. With the victory, Georgia head coach Doug Plank earned his first career AFL win.


THE OPPONENT:

The Los Angeles Avengers entered the 2005 season looking to reach their fourth consecutive playoff appearance, but have a decidedly different look to them this year. Last week, Los Angeles dropped their season opener 46-37 at Las Vegas.

The Avengers are led under center by John Kaleo earned an ArenaBowl championship ring in 2003 with Tampa Bay. Kaleo starts at QB for Los Angeles after "All-Arena" passer Tony Graziani signed as a free agent with Philadelphia during the offseason. L.A., always known for their offensive fire-power still have weapons WR/DBs Kevin Ingram and Greg Hopkins. Ingram was the team's leader in all-purpose yards, touchdowns and tackles last season, while Hopkins was the AFL's 2002 Ironman of the Year.


THE SCHEDULE:

GEORGIA FORCE (1-0)

Date OPPONENT RESULT SCORE
Jan. 30 NEW ORLEANS W 46-44
Feb. 4 @ Los Angeles
Feb. 12 ARIZONA
Feb. 20 @ Las Vegas
Feb. 25 @ Austin
March 6 COLUMBUS
March 12 @ New York
March 19 ORLANDO
March 26 @ New Orleans
April 2 @ Tampa Bay
April 8 AUSTIN
April 15 GRAND RAPIDS
April 22 @ Orlando
BYE WEEK
May 8 TAMPA BAY
May 14 DALLAS
May 21 @ San Jose

GEORGIA FORCE NEXT WEEK:

The Force return home to Philips Arena to host the Arizona Rattlers on Saturday, February 12 at 7:00 p.m. Force head coach Doug Plank will face his former team, where he served as the defensive coordinator from 2002-2004.

The Rattlers have made three consecutive trips to the ArenaBowl championship game and have started the 2005 with a 58-38 victory over the Grand Rapids Rampage.

Georgia and Arizona have not played since May 10, 2002, when the Rattlers defeated the Force 51-40 at Philips Arena.


THE FORCE THIS SEASON ARE:

1-0 at home
0-0 on the road

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

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

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

1-0 in televised games

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

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

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

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




STATISTICS:


A look how Georgia and Los Angeles match-up on both sides of the ball based on 2005 regular season statistics:

Statistical GEORGIA LOS ANGELES
Category Rank Stat Rank Stat
Scoring Offense T-7th 46 13 37
Scoring Defense 8th 44 T-9 46
Total Offense (yds/g) 7th 289 16th 202
Total Defense (yds/g) 14th 354 7th 280
Pass Offense 8th 248 14th 189
Pass Defense T-14 352 8th 244
Rushing Offense 3rd 41 10th 13
Rushing Defense 2nd 2 13th 36
Pass Rating 6th 107.3 11th 85.0
Pass Def. Rating 11th 106.3 6th 84.2
Kickoff Returns 2nd 24.7 6th 20.0
MFG Returns T-3rd 0 T-3rd 0
Interceptions (int-yds) T-3rd 1-10 T-2nd 2-14
Turnover Margin T-5th 0 13th -1
Field Goals T-1st 1-1 T-1st 1-1
PAT Kicking T-10th 5-6 T-1st 4-4
Sacks By (sks-yds) T-5th 1-4 T-5th 1-7
Sacks Against (sks-yds) T-1st 0 T-14th 2-8
First Downs T-13th 16 11th 17
Opp. First Downs 16th 25 T-3rd 16
Penalties (yds/gm) 8th 8-35 T-5th 6-28
Opp. Penalties (yds/gm) 12th 6-31 1st 12-81
Red Zone Offense 14th 2-5 8th 5-8
Red Zone Defense T-5th 1-2 T-7th 3-5
Time of Possession 15th 26:00 11th 29:19

THINGS TO WATCH:


RUSHING TO THE TOP:

FB/LB Robert Thomas had a career day in the season opener vs. New Orleans (1/30) rushing for a career-high 39 yards on a career-high 8 carries, while adding 1 score on the ground.

Thomas currently leads the AFL in rushing and in carries.

His 39 yards rushing fell just one yard shy of the Force single-game record held by Donnie Davis (40- vs. Buffalo, 7/6/02). Thomas did set a new Georgia single-game record for carries breaking the previous mark he held of 7 (vs. Las Vegas, 3/7/04).

Thomas contributed on defense as well, recording his first career sack which resulted in a safety. For his efforts against the VooDoo, Thomas was named the game U.S. Army Ironman of the Game.


A TRUE DEFENSIVE SPECIALIST:

DS Kevin Gaines has quickly adapted to the aggressive and physical style of defense put in by new head coach Doug Plank. Playing as if he was a member of the famous "46 Defense" named after Plank, Gaines collared 11 tackles in the season opener vs. New Orleans (1/30).

Gaines currently leads the AFL in total tackles. His total for the game placed him tied for second in the Force single-game record books with Cliff Green and behind Ron Carpenter (14.5- Ron Carpenter, at Orlando, 7/13/02). Gaines is the Force's career leader in tackles with 139 total tackles.

DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH:

In his AFL career debut vs. New Orleans (1/30) in the season opener, Troy Bergeron had a breakout performance stepping in at the offensive specialist position for injured starter Scottie Montgomery in the second quarter. Bergeron was named Offensive Player of the Game against the VooDoo finishing with a team-high 6 receptions for 116 yards and a game-high 3 receiving touchdowns adding 74 yards in kickoff returns on 3 returns.

Currently, his 116 receiving yards ranks T-7th in the AFL for most receiving yards and most yards from scrimmage. Bergeron also stands 2nd in the League in kickoff return yards with 74.

At only 21 years old, Bergeron never played a snap of football in college. Last year, he played for the af2 Columbus Wardogs.


THANKS FOR COMING:

Despite a severe ice storm that affected Atlanta and its surrounding areas causing the Georgia vs. New Orleans game to be pushed back one day, the Force played to their largest home crowd in their four-year history this past Sunday.

An announced crowd of 11,328 fans witnessed the Force defeat the VooDoo 46-44 in their season opener at Philips Arena on January 30th. The previous record for a Force home crowd was 11,200, which happened twice with home opener sell-outs at the Arena at Gwinnett Center in 2003 and 2004.

HEAD COACHES:

DOUG PLANK, Georgia (1-0, 1st Year): On July 30, 2004, Doug Plank was announced as the new head coach of the Georgia Force becoming the fourth head coach in the team's history. Plank comes to the Force having served as the defensive coordinator for the Arizona Rattlers from 2002-2004, which included three consecutive ArenaBowl championship game births.

Following a 3-5 start in 2004, the Rattlers turned their season around to finish with a league-tying best 11-5 record and secure the top seed in the AFL playoffs. In 2002, Plank helped guide the Rattlers defense to a number one regular season ranking in rushing defense and scoring defense. In his three years with the Rattlers, he coached four First Team All-Arena selections, two Second Team All-Arena players and four All-Ironman Team choices, including 2003 AFL Ironman of the Year Randy Gatewood.

A former member of The Ohio State University football team, Plank played in three consecutive Rose Bowls, 1973, 1974, and 1975. While at Ohio State, he played for legendary coach Woody Hayes.

Plank brings with him a wealth of football experience that includes an impressive career in the NFL. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the 12th round of the 1975 NFL Entry Draft and started at safety for eight seasons. The "46 Defense" created by Buddy Ryan was named for Plank's jersey number and aggressive style of play. Plank was also the first Bears rookie to ever lead the team in tackles.

Following his playing career, Plank became a franchisee for the Burger King Corporation owning and operating 17 restaurants in three different states.

Plank's professional history also includes experience as a member of the Rattlers broadcast team. Prior to becoming defensive coordinator, he spent five years as the Rattlers' radio analyst and two seasons as their television color analyst.

His broadcasting experience also includes stints with the Arizona Cardinals, Arizona State University Football, Fox Sports Net, Westwood One and Sports USA Radio Network.

ED HODGKISS, Los Angeles (28-19, 4th Year): Ed Hodgkiss is in his fourth season as the head coach of the Los Angeles Avengers. He owns an overall record of 28-19 and has advanced to the AFL Playoffs in each of his previous three seasons as a head coach. In his first two years at the helm, he directed the Avengers to a 19-11 record. No head coach in league history has won more games in his first two seasons than Hodgkiss, who was the runner-up for the 2003 AFL "Coach of the Year" award.

Last season, the Avengers went 9-7 and led the AFL in scoring, averaging 56.5 points per game. Under Hodgkiss' direction, three major team records were broken as quarterback Tony Graziani threw 99 touchdown passes and offensive specialist Chris Jackson caught 125 passes for 1,803 yards. In 2003, the Avengers won a franchise-best 11 games and earned a first-round bye in the AFL Playoffs.

Hodgkiss became the head coach of the Avengers on Oct. 5, 2001, and signed a five-year contract extension shortly after a 2002 season that saw him adroitly pilot the team to an 8-6 mark. In 2002, Hodgkiss not only led the Avengers into the postseason for the first time in franchise history, he also instantly established the Avenger offense as one of the most feared in the AFL.

Prior to joining the Avengers, Hodgkiss had been with the Indiana Firebirds since 1997. He was the team's offensive coordinator for three seasons (1999-2001). During the 1997 and 1998 seasons, Hodgkiss served as the wide receiver and special teams coach for the Firebirds.

In previous offseasons (1997-2000), Hodgkiss served as the offensive coordinator at Randolph-Macon College (Ashland, Va.). Other coaching duties have included being a wide receiver coach at Morehead State University (Morehead, Ky.) in 1995-96, and the offensive coordinator at Montgomery-Rockville Junior College (Rockville, Md.) in 1994.

Born on Oct. 23, 1970, Hodgkiss is a native of Laurel, Md., where he attended St. Vincent Pallotti High School. He went on to graduate from Fairmont State College (Fairmont, W.V.) in 1992 with a degree in physical education and health (he later added a Master's degree in those same disciplines from Morehead State in 1995). He also was a wide receiver for the Falcons and later began his coaching career at his alma mater.

LAST TIME THESE TEAMS MET:

LOS ANGELES, CA – Georgia Force quarterback Leon Murray's rollout pass to Dialleo Burks in the corner of the endzone on a successful two-point conversion lifted the visiting Force over Los Angeles 53-52 in overtime. Georgia was able to push the game into the extra session when kicker Steve McLaughlin connected on a 50-yard field goal as time expired to even the score 45-45 at the end of regulation. The victory gives the Force their fourth straight on the road and increases Murray's record as a starter to 4-0 on the road.

Porter led the way for Georgia finishing the contest with a team-high eight receptions for 96 yards and three touchdowns. His final TD catch being in the overtime play. Joe Douglas, who was named the contest's Offensive Player of the Game, turned in a big performance for the Avengers hauling in game-highs with nine passes for 126 yards and scoring three touchdowns on the night. Each quarterback threw for six touchdowns as Murray went 27-of-38 for 297 yards and Graziani 23-of-36 for 253 yards.

Los Angeles' defense made the game's first statement as Kevin Ingram intercepted a Murray pass in the endzone on the Force's first drive of the contest. The Avengers were able to score touchdowns on each of their first four possessions before the Georgia's defense came up with a stop of their own. Forcing Los Angeles into a 56-yard field goal attempt with 17 seconds remaining in the second quarter, the Force was able to bring the game back to a one possession game as the Avengers took a 28-21 advantage into the half.

1 2 3 4 OT Total
GA 7 14 14 10 8 53
L.A. 14 14 3 14 7 52

LEADERS

PASSING:
LA- Tony Graziani, 23-36-253-6
GA- Leon Murray, 27-38-297-6

RECEIVING:
LA- Joe Douglas, 9-126-3
GA- Dameon Porter, 8-96-3

RUSHING:
LA- Josh Jeffries, 2-17-1
GA- Robert Thomas, 3-18






OFFENSIVE MVP: Joe Douglas, Los Angeles
DEFENSIVE MVP: Kevin Ingram, Los Angeles
IRONMAN: Greg Hopkins, Los Angeles



GEO LAA

FIRST DOWNS 25 20
Rushing 4 2
Passing 19 15
Penalty 2 3
Rushing Attempts 10 7
Yards Gained Rushing 44 25
Yards Lost Rushing 1 0
NET YARDS RUSHING 43 25
NET YARDS PASSING 296 253
Passes Attempted 38 36
Passes Completed 27 23
Had Intercepted 1 0
TOTAL OFFENSIVE PLAYS 49 43
TOTAL NET YARDS 339 278
Average Gain Per Play 6.9 6.5
Fumbles: Number-Lost 4-0 2-0
Penalties: Number-Yards 5-28 6-39
MFG Returns: Number-Yards 0-0 0-0
Kickoff Returns: Number-Yards 6-63 5-99
Interceptions: Number-Yards 0-0 1-0
Fumble Returns: Number-Yards 0-0 0-0
Miscellaneous Yards 4 -1
Possession Time 34:17 32:00
Third-Down Conversions 3 of 6 5 of 8
Fourth-Down Conversions 2 of 2 0 of 0
Red-Zone Scores-Chances 3-4 5-5
Sacks By: Number-Yards 0-0 1-1

FORCE LAST WEEK:

ATLANTA, GA – WR/LB Dialleo Burks recovered an on-side kick with 21 seconds remaining in the game to secure a 46-44 victory for the Georgia Force over the visiting New Orleans VooDoo in the season opener at Philips Arena. With the win, Doug Plank earned his first career victory in his head coaching debut with Georgia.

After having to re-schedule their season opener and play a day later due to a severe winter storm, Georgia improved to 3-1 all-time in opening day contests.

Force offensive specialist Troy Bergeron, who was voted Offensive Player of the Game, came up clutch in every situation for the Force stepping in for starter Scotty Montgomery, who injured his ankle in the second quarter. For the game Bergeron finished with 6 receptions for 116 yards and a game-high 3 receiving touchdowns. He added 3 kickoff returns for 74 yards on the night as well. Georgia FB/LB Robert Thomas had a career day rushing with a game-high 39 yards on 8 carries and one score. New Force QB Jim Kubiak threw for 248 yards on 17-of-31 passing and 5 touchdowns and one interception.

New Orleans QB Andy Kelly finished his debut for the VooDoo completing 33-of-51 passes with one interception for a total of 356 yards, and finishing with 6 touchdown passes for the game. WR/DB Aaron Bailey led New Orleans offensive attack with 7 catches for 120 yards and two touchdowns.

Following a low scoring first quarter in which New Orleans led 7-0, Georgia was able to gain the lead at the half, 19-16, following a key safety by FB/LB Robert Thomas and a 33-yard field goal by K Nelson Garner.

1 2 3 4 Total
New Orleans 7 9 14 14 44
Georgia 0 19 13 14 46
LEADERS

PASSING:
NO- Andy Kelly, 33-51- 356- 6
GA- Jim Kubiak, 17-31- 248-5

RECEIVING:
NO- Aaron Bailey, 7-120-2
GA- Troy Bergeson, 6-116-3

RUSHING:
NO- Jason Bratton, 4-3
GA- Robert Thomas, 8-39-1




OFFENSIVE MVP: Troy Bergeron, Georgia
DEFENSIVE MVP: Dialleo Burks, Georgia
IRONMAN: Robert Thomas, Georgia



NOV GEO

FIRST DOWNS 25 16
Rushing 1 2
Passing 21 14
Penalty 3 0
NET YARDS RUSHING 2 41
Rushing Attempts 5 10
Average Per Rush 0.4 4.1
Yards Gained Rushing 3 41
Yards Lost Rushing 1 0
NET YARDS PASSING 352 248
Completions-Attempts-Int 33-51-1 17-31-1
Average Per Attempt 6.9 8.0
Average Per Completion 10.7 14.6
TOTAL OFFENSE YARDS 354 289
Total offense plays 57 41
Average Gain Per Play 6.2 7.0
Fumbles: Number-Lost 0-0 2-0
Penalties: Number-Yards 6-31 8-35
KICKOFFS-YARDS 6-334 8-442
Average Yards Per Kickoff 55.7 55.2
Net Yards Per Kickoff 43.3 49.0
Touchbacks 3 3
MFG Returns: Number-Yards-TD 0-0-0 0-0-0
Average Per Return 0.0 0.0
Kickoff returns: Number-Yds-TD 5-50-0 3-74-0
Average Per Return 10.0 24.7
Interceptions: Number-Yds-TD 1-0-0 1-10-0
Fumble Returns: Number-Yds-TD 0-0-0 0-0-0
Miscellaneous Yards 0 0
Possession Time 34:00 26:00
1st Quarter 7:20 7:40
2nd Quarter 8:53 6:07
3rd Quarter 8:07 6:53
4th Quarter 9:40 5:20
Third-Down Conversions 6 of 8 3 of 6
Fourth-Down Conversions 0 of 0 0 of 1
Red-Zone Scores-Chances 1-2 2-5
Sacks By: Number-Yards 0-0 1-4
PAT Kicks 6-5 6-5
Field Goals 1-2 1-1



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 1, 2005


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