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Georgia Force game notes

February 22, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Georgia Force News Release


QUICK FACTS:

Georgia Force (3-1) vs. Austin Wranglers (1-3)

Date: February 25, 2005
Kickoff: 8:30 ET
Site: Frank Erwin Center (14,866)
Radio: WQXI 790 AM The Zone (David Hubbard: play-by-play, Chuck Oliver: color analyst).
Coaches: Doug Plank, Georgia (3-1, 1st Year).
Skip Foster, Austin (9-11, 2nd Year).
Series Record: Series is tied 1-1
Georgia 26, @ Austin 42 (4/11/04)
@ Georgia 51, Austin 34 (5/23/04)

THE OPPONENT:


The Austin Wranglers captured their first victory of the season last week defeating the Grand Rapids Rampage 73-61.

Austin is 0-2 at home this year at the Frank Erwin Center, where last season they held a home field mark of 5-3 on the year.

Leading the Wranglers charge is rookie WR/DB Kevin Nickerson, who through four games this season has 302 receiving yards on 17 catches and 9 touchdowns. Along with Nickerson, Austin has two addition offensive weapons in OS Tacoma Fontaine and WR/LB Darrin Chiaverini. Fontaine was an AFL All-Rookie selection last year, while in two games against the Force in 2004 Chiaverini had four touchdowns on 12 catches for 133 yards.

THE GAME:

The Georgia 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.

Sitting with a 3-1 record, the Force are off to their best start in team history. Currently, Georgia is tied with five other teams with the League's best overall record (Dallas, Los Angeles, New Orleans and Orlando).

The Force's early season success can be attributed to the team's stellar defense, which ranks 1st in the AFL in points allowed per game (37.5) and 1st in red zone defense only allowing opponents to score on 8-of-15 tries on the season.

Last week against Las Vegas, the Georgia defense held the Gladiators to a club record 13 points pitching a shutout in the 1st, 3rd and 4th quarters. The Force D was able to create five turnovers (3 interceptions and 2 fumble recoveries) and forced two turnovers on downs.

THE SCHEDULE:

GEORGIA FORCE (3-1)

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 W 38-13
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 to Philips Arena, where they are a perfect 2-0 on the season, to host the Columbus Destroyers on Sunday, March 6 at 2 pm ET. Last year, Georgia handed Columbus a 72-51 defeat at Nationwide Arena as the Force snapped a team-record six game losing streak.

** NOTE- this game was originally scheduled for a noon kickoff and has been moved to 2 pm ET.


THE FORCE THIS SEASON ARE:

2-0 at home
1-1 on the road

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

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

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

2-1 in televised games

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

3-0 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

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


STATISTICS:

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

Statistical GEORGIA AUSTIN
Category Rank Stat Rank Stat
Scoring Offense 13th 46.5 11th 51.0
Scoring Defense 1st 37.5 16th 63.2
Total Offense (yds/g) 14th 264.0 4th 304.5
Total Defense (yds/g) 12th 293.2 16th 337.5
Pass Offense 12th 250.5 3rd 283.5
Pass Defense 12th 281.2 15th 299.2
Rushing Offense 13th 13.5 8th 21.0
Rushing Defense 2nd 12.0 14th 38.2
Pass Rating 5th 112.5 12th 106.3
Pass Def. Rating 4th 94.1 14th 118.6
Kickoff Returns 7th 18.6 16th 13.9
MFG Returns T-14th 0 T-14th 0
Interceptions (int-yds) 3rd 6-39 8th 5-29
Turnover Margin T-5th +3 T-10th -1
Field Goals 4th 4-5 14th 1-8
PAT Kicking 8th 22-25 16th 19-25
Sacks By (sks-yds) 8th 2-12 12th 2-10
Sacks Against (sks-yds) 10th 3-27 4th 1-19
First Downs T-7th 77 T-7th 77
Opp. First Downs 12th 81 13th 82
Penalties (yds/gm) 14th 58.2 13th 57.2
Opp. Penalties (yds/gm) 1st 75.5 6th 50.8
Red Zone Offense 13th 14-20 15th 13-20
Red Zone Defense 1st 8-15 17th 12-12
Time of Possession 12th 29:25 8th 30:01


CONNECTIONS:

Georgia offensive coordinator Steve Thonn and Austin defensive coordinator Jon Norris were on the same coaching staff with the Dallas Desperados from 2003-2004...Wranglers QB Scott Dreisbach was in training camp with the Force in 2004...WR/LB Darrin Chiaverini appeared in 7 games for the Atlanta Falcons in 2002.


THINGS TO WATCH:


VEGAS HOLD ‘EM:

Georgia's defense stepped up to the challenge last week at Las Vegas and not only came away with a victory but established several new team records in the process.

By only giving up 13 points to the Gladiators, the Force set a new team record for least points allowed in a game (previously 19 at Carolina 4/18/03). Georgia held Las Vegas scoreless in the 1st, 3rd and 4th quarters, which was the second time in team history they had pitched a shutout in the second half (at Carolina 4/18/03).

The Force defense was able to create five turnovers (3 interceptions and 2 fumble recoveries) and forced two turnovers on downs. DS Kevin Gaines hauled in all three interceptions on the night tying his career-high.

Georgia is currently ranked 1st in the AFL in points allowed per game (37.5) and 1st in red zone defense only allowing opponents to score on 8-of-15 tries on the season.


FLAG ON THE PLAY:

Last week, the Force and Las Vegas Gladiators combined for 34 penalties in the game to set a new AFL record. The previous mark for most penalties in a contest was 21, which had been done twice (once by the Georgia on 4/20/02 vs. Orlando).


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 8 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 6th the AFL in rushing TDs and 7th in rushing attempts.


3-PEAT (four times):

Through the first four games of the season, rookie OS Troy Bergeron has caught three receiving touchdowns in each game. His 12 total receiving scores currently are tied for tops in the AFL.

On his current pace, Bergeron will set the AFL record for most receiving touchdowns by a rookie which is 42 (1994- Eddie Brown, Indiana).

Bergeron leads the team in receiving with 32 receptions (3rd in AFL) for 372 yards (9th in AFL) and 12 touchdowns (T-1st in AFL). His 72 points scored on the season also tied him for 2nd 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 15 kickoff returns (5th in AFL) for 313 yards (5th 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.


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.


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



HEAD COACHES:

DOUG PLANK, Georgia (3-1, 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.


SKIP FOSTER, Austin (9-11, 2nd Year): Head Coach Skip Foster is entering his second AFL season with the Austin Wranglers. Foster, deemed the second most winning coach in arenafootball2 history with a 44-10 record including an ArenaCup Championship, will again act as the Wranglers offensive coordinator in addition to carrying the head coaching duties. He finished the team's 2004 debut season with an 8-8 record.

Prior to joining the Wranglers, Foster served as the head coach for the 2003 af2-Champion Tulsa Talons. Foster lead the team to a 13-3 regular season record. During his three years with Tulsa, Foster made history when he led his team to the National Conference Central Division Championship for two straight seasons. Foster was the only af2 coach to go undefeated at home over three consecutive regular seasons.

Foster compiled a record of 82-39-2 at Coffeyville Community College in Kansas before moving to arena football. Foster coached the Red Ravens to six conference championships during his 12 seasons as the head coach. In 1990, Foster led Coffeyville to a national championship and an undefeated season. He was selected as Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference Coach of the Year in both 1990 and 1991.

After serving as an assistant to his father, Dick Foster, for four seasons at Coffeyville, Skip took over the head coaching duties where Dick won a national championship in 1983. They are the only father/son pair in the National Junior College Athletic Association to win a national championship at the same school. Skip played football for his father from 1979-1980 at Coffeyville.


LAST TIME THESE TEAMS MET:

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 25-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 touchdowns 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.

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