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Georgia Force game notes

February 15, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Georgia Force News Release


QUICK FACTS:

Georgia Force (2-1) vs. Las Vegas Gladiators (2-1)

Date: February 20, 2005
Kickoff: 6:00 ET
Site: Thomas & Mack Center (16,606)
Radio: WQXI 790 AM The Zone (David Hubbard: play-by-play, Chuck Oliver: color analyst).
Coaches: Doug Plank, Georgia (2-1, 1st Year).
Ron James, Las Vegas (2-1, 1st Year).
Series Record: Series is tied 1-1
Georgia 41, @ Las Vegas 46 (3/28/03)
@ Georgia 55, Las Vegas 40 (3/7/04)

THE OPPONENT:

Las Vegas will be without starting QB Clint Dolezel for a second straight game. Dolezel was placed on Injured Reserve last week with a finger injury. In his place under center will be Rod Robinson. In his first career start last week against New York, Robinson led Las Vegas to a 41-37 victory.

OS Marcus Nash is coming off a career season last year and was named the AFL's 2004 Baby Ruth Offensive Player of the Year. In his first season with the Gladiators in 2004, he totaled 46 touchdowns and 1,771 receiving yards on 154 receptions. Through three games this year, Nash has 22 catches for 370 yards and 4 scores.


THE GAME:

The Georgia Force hit the road for their second cross-country trip of the season when they face the Las Vegas Gladiators on Sunday, February 20th in the Thomas & Mack Center at 6 p.m. ET.

The Gladiators will be the third team from the Western Division that the Force have faced already this season. In those contests, Georgia is 1-1 after falling to Los Angeles in Week 2 then defeating Arizona in Week 3.

The Force seem to have hit their offensive groove last week in the 61-47 victory over the Rattlers. Georgia scored on all 10 of their possessions (8 touchdowns and 2 field goals) reaching their highest scoring output of the season thus far. QB Jim Kubiak currently leads the AFL in passer rating (124.9), while rookie OS Troy Bergeron is tied for the League led in receiving touchdowns with 9.

The all-time series between Georgia and Las Vegas is tied 1-1 with both home teams winning. Last year, the Force defeated the Gladiators 55-40 at the Arena at Gwinnett Center.

THE SCHEDULE:

GEORGIA FORCE (2-1)

Date OPPONENT RESULT SCORE
Jan. 30 NEW ORLEANS W 46-44
Feb. 4 @ Los Angeles L 41-46
Feb. 12 ARIZONA W 61-47
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 conclude their first back-to-back road games of the year when they travel to the Frank Erwin Center to face the Austin Wranglers on Friday, February 25 at 8:30 p.m. Last year, the expansion Wranglers split the season series with the Force with both home teams capturing victories.


THE FORCE THIS SEASON ARE:

2-0 at home
0-1 on the road

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

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

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

2-1 in televised games

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

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

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

STATISTICS:

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

Statistical GEORGIA LAS VGEAS
Category Rank Stat Rank Stat
Scoring Offense 6th 49.3 14th 39.3
Scoring Defense 7th 45.7 10th 46.7
Total Offense (yds/g) 7th 282.7 5th 295.3
Total Defense (yds/g) 13th 304.0 3rd 226.0
Pass Offense 7th 263.7 6th 265.0
Pass Defense 14th 290.0 5th 214.0
Rushing Offense 9th 19.0 6th 30.3
Rushing Defense 7th 14.0 4th 12.0
Pass Rating 2nd 124.9 15th 84.7
Pass Def. Rating 9th 103.3 8th 104.1
Kickoff Returns 6th 20.2 11th 15.6
MFG Returns T-10th 0.0 2nd 24.0
Interceptions (int-yds) 9th 3-18 11th 3-32
Turnover Margin 9th +1 16th -5
Field Goals T-4th 3-4 T-4th 3-4
PAT Kicking 10th 17-20 9th 13-15
Sacks By (sks-yds) 11th 2-12 1st 8-47
Sacks Against (sks-yds) 8th 3-27 1st 1-7
First Downs T-8th 55 T-5th 57
Opp. First Downs 15th 64 16th 65
Penalties (yds/gm) 13th 54.0 15th 60.0
Opp. Penalties (yds/gm) 5th 52.0 15th 30.3
Red Zone Offense 15th 11-16 T-12th 12-16
Red Zone Defense T-8th 8-10 T-8th 16-20
Time of Possession 11th 27:50 12th 27:18


CONNECTIONS:

Georgia FB/LB Jermaine Younger played for Las Vegas during the 2003 season...Gladiator WR/DB Dameon Porter appeared in 10 games for the Force in 2004.

THINGS TO WATCH:


HOME COOKING:

For the first time in the team's four-year history, Georgia has started a season 2-0 at home. Currently, the Force are riding a team-record four-game winning streak at home dating back to last season.

Georgia has never finished the season with a winning home record.

YEAR RECORD VENUE
2002 3-4 Philips Arena
2003 3-5 Arena at Gwinnett Center
2004 3-5 Arena at Gwinnett Center
2005 2-0 Philips Arena


MAKING A HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE:

The Force have established a new mark for home attendance in each of their first two home games this season. Last week vs. Arizona (2/12), a record number 13,297 fans saw Georgia defeat the Rattlers 61-47 in Philips Arena.

Two weeks earlier and despite a severe ice storm that affected Atlanta causing the Georgia-New Orleans game to be pushed back one day, the Force played to their then largest home crowd in their four-year history of 11,328 fans.

Before this season, 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.


ON THE MARK:

Force QB Jim Kubiak currently leads the AFL with a passer rating of 124.9. Kubiak also leads the AFL in completion percentage at 69.3 percent.

In 2003, Kubiak established a new AFL record for completion percentage in a season with 69.7 percent (since broke by San Jose's Mark Grieb 73.0 in 2004).

On the season, Kubiak has 70 completions (3rd in AFL), 101 attempts (5th in AFL), for 818 passing yards (3rd in AFL) with 16 touchdowns (4th in AFL) and only 2 interceptions.


3-PEAT:

Through the first three games of the season, rookie OS Troy Bergeron has caught three receiving touchdowns in each game. His nine total receiving score currently is tied for tops in the AFL.

Bergeron leads the team in receiving with 23 receptions (5th in AFL) for 323 yards (4th in AFL) and 9 touchdowns (1st in AFL). His 54 points scored on the season also tied him for 1st in the AFL.

Not only is Bergeron getting it done on offense, but he is a huge part of the Force's special teams. His 14 kickoff returns (T-2nd in AFL) for 303 yards (1st in AFL) place him among the League's best.

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


GROUND ATTACK:

With two rushing touchdowns last week against Arizona (2/12) FB/LB Robert Thomas has rushed for at least one touchdown in 6 of the Force's last 7 games dating back to last season.

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 one score on the ground. 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 currently sits T-2nd the AFL in rushing TDs and 3rd in rushing attempts.

HEAD COACHES:

DOUG PLANK, Georgia (2-1, 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.

RON JAMES, Las Vegas (2-1, 1st Year): Ron James enters his first season as the head coach of the Gladiators. He spent the previous three seasons as assistant head coach/offensive defensive line/special teams coach.

James previously served as line coach for the Houston ThunderBears and Director of Player Personnel from 1999-2001. He is entering his seventh season in the Arena Football League.

Prior to his time in the AFL, James served as the Assistant Football coach, offensive line coach and Admissions Support Officer at Army in 1998 and 1999. Army captured two Collegiate Sprint Football League (CSFL) rushing titles during his stint, averaging more than 257 yards per game.

James spent five seasons at Kentucky Wesleyan College, where he served as associate head coach for the final four years. James began his stay at Kentucky Wesleyan in 1993 as offensive coordinator in addition he managed the offensive line. In 1994, James was promoted to associate head coach at Kentucky Wesleyan and added defensive coordinator/secondary coach to his repertoire.

James coached a combined fourteen years at the collegiate level. In 1992-93, he served as defensive coordinator/secondary coach at Hartwick College. From 1989-1991, James was defensive coordinator/linebacker coach at St. Lawrence University. He began his coaching career in 1986 as a linebacker coach at Siena College (New York) and served as head coach of the junior varsity team.

James was a four-year starter at offensive tackle at Siena College. An N.C.F.A All-America First Team and two-time First-Team All-Conference selection, James also saw action at defensive tackle. He earned a BA from Siena and a MPA from Rockefeller College, which is a subsidiary of the State University of New York at Albany.

Born on April 28, 1964, James is a native of Albany, New York, James is married to wife, Lynn and son Brady live in Henderson, NV. He is a member of the National Association of Strength and Conditioning Coaches and a member of the American Football Coaches Association.

LAST TIME THESE TEAMS MET:

DULUTH, GA – Morris Anderson's interception with 1:40 remaining in the game secured a 55-40 win for the Georgia Force over the visiting Las Vegas Gladiators. The pick was Anderson's second of the quarter following his earlier interception and 41-yard return for a touchdown that gave the Force the 15-point advantage. The victory by Georgia snaps a six-game losing streak at home and was the first home win as a starting quarterback for Leon Murray in six tries.

Murray, who was named Offensive Player of the Game, completed 21-of-31 passing for 228 yards and threw five touchdowns. His main target was offensive specialist Markeith Cooper who finished the contest with 93 receiving yards and two touchdown receptions. For Las Vegas, Cornelius Bonner turned in a big performance with a game-high 129 yards receiving on seven catches and two scores.

Georgia was able to build a fourteen-point lead of 34-20 by the half due in large part by their defense play and efficient offense. The Force defense kept the Gladiators' offensive off balanced in the first half coming up with an interception, a fumble recovery and forcing Las Vegas into two field goals. Meanwhile on offense, Georgia scored touchdowns on every one of their five possessions in the first half. The Force took the lead when Jermaine Younger rushed in from two yards out to give the Force their first advantage in any home game this season thus far. Force kicker Steve McLaughlin missed the ensuing PAT attempt leaving the score at 13-10. The miss by McLaughlin was his first of the season breaking a team-record perfect 27-for-27 PAT made streak.

FORCE LAST WEEK:

ATLANTA, GA – The Georgia Force improved their home record to 2-0 on the season with a 61-47 victory over the Arizona Rattlers. In front of the largest home crowd in the four-year history of the Force of 13,297, Georgia rookie OS Troy Bergeron continue his streak of scoring three receiving touchdowns in each of the Force's first three games this season. For the game, Bergeron finished with 254 all-purpose yards (116 receiving on 8 catches and 138 kickoff return yards on 6 returns).

Along with Bergeron, Georgia was paced by QB Jim Kubiak, who completed 21-of-29 passes for 251 yards and 5 touchdowns. Arizona was led by WR/DB Randy Gatewood with a game-high 11 receptions for 141 yards and one touchdown. Entering the game only needing 26 yards, thirteen-year AFL veteran Rattler WR/LB Hunkie Cooper surpassed George LaFrance (20,480) for most all-purpose yards gained in AFL history with a 28-yard kickoff return in the second quarter.

Arizona got on the board first, when QB Joe Germaine found Siaha Burley for a 4-yard touchdown and an early 7-0. Georgia answered as Robert Thomas rushed for two scores from 4-yards and 1-yard respectively to give the Force a lead they would not give up the rest of the game. With those scores, Thomas has rushed for at least one touchdown in six of the Force's last seven games dating back to last season. Georgia was able to build their advantage to 11 points by the half at 31-20 when K Nelson Garner connected on a 40-yard field goal as time expired in the half.

The second half opened with both team trading scores throughout, until Force DS Willie Gary came up with an interception of Germaine in the end zone which Georgia was able to capitalize on with a 15-yard touchdown from Kubiak to WR/DB Ricky Parker. Arizona was able to add a touchdown on the game's final play when Germaine hit Gatewood from 17-yards out, but it would not be enough.

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