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Georgia Force game notes

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


QUICK FACTS:

Georgia Force (5-2) vs. Orlando Predators (5-2)

Date: March 19, 2005
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. ET
Site: Philips Arena (18,200)
Television: FSN (Bob Rathbun: play-by-play, Charles Davis: color analyst, Beau Estes: sideline).
Radio: WQXI 790 AM The Zone (David Hubbard: play-by-play, Chuck Oliver: color analyst).
Coaches: Doug Plank, Georgia (5-2, 1st Year).
Jay Gruden (58-32, 6th Year).
Series Record: Georgia leads the all-time series 4-2
@ Georgia 67, Orlando 49 (4/20/02)
Georgia 41, @ Orlando 40 (7/13/02)
Georgia 38, @ Orlando 36 (3/23/03)
@ Georgia 27, Orlando 38 (4/26/03)
Georgia 52, @ Orlando 44 (3/12/04)
@ Georgia 7, Orlando 30 (4/18/04)

THE OPPONENT:

The Orlando Predators come into Atlanta
playing the middle of a three-game
stretch against Southern Division
opponents. Last week, Orlando defeated
New Orleans 63-52 to create a three-way
tie for the Division lead with the Force,
VooDoo and themselves. The Predators
are led on offensive by former Georgia Tech QB Joe Hamilton and on defense by 3-time and defending AFL "Defensive Player of the Year" DS Kenny McEntyre. Through seven games this season, Hamilton has thrown for 30 touchdowns and added five rushing scores.

THE GAME:

The Georgia Force will look to get back to their winning ways and stay atop the Southern Division when they host the Orlando Predators on Saturday, March 19 at 7 pm in Philips Arena. This game was originally scheduled for a 1 pm kickoff and has been changed to 7 pm start.

Georgia currently leads the all-time series with Orlando 4-2 with both road teams claiming victories in both 2003 and 2004. The last time these teams met, the Predators held the Force to a club-record low 7 points (tied 4th lowest in AFL history) in their 30-7 win at the Arena at Gwinnett Center.

This will not be Orlando's first trip to Philips Arena. In 2002, the Force defeated the Predators 67-49 in their first-ever game as the Georgia Force. So far this season, Georgia is a perfect 3-0 at home.

The contest will also pit Georgia's top ranked red-zone defense against Orlando's third ranked red-zone offense.


THE SCHEDULE:

GEORGIA FORCE (5-2)

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 W 66-63
March 6 COLUMBUS W 55-48
March 12 @ New York L 51-53
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 will play their second straight Southern Division rival when they travel to the New Orleans Arena to face the New Orleans VooDoo on Saturday, March 26 at 8 pm. In the season opener this year the Force defeated the VooDoo 46-44 at Philips Arena. Currently, Georgia, New Orleans and Orlando all sit atop the Southern Division will 5-2 records.

THE FORCE THIS SEASON ARE:

3-0 at home
2-2 on the road

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

1-1 on Fridays
1-1 on Saturday
3-0 on Sundays

1-0 in January
3-1 in February
1-1 in March
0-0 in April
0-0 in May

2-2 in televised games

5-1 when leading at the half
0-0 when tied at the half
0-1 when trailing at the half

5-0 when leading after 3 quarters
0-1 when tied after 3 quarters
0-1 when trailing after 3 quarters

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

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


STATISTICS:

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

Statistical GEORGIA ORLANDO
Category Rank Stat Rank Stat
Scoring Offense 8th 51.1 14th 46.9
Scoring Defense 4th 44.9 3rd 44.0
Total Offense (yds/g) 5th 294.1 16th 241.1
Total Defense (yds/g) 10th 289.7 4th 254.1
Pass Offense 3rd 281.0 17th 207.3
Pass Defense 13th 276.4 6th 240.6
Rushing Offense 13th 13.1 3rd 33.9
Rushing Defense T-2nd 13.3 4th 13.6
Pass Rating 4th 116.4 13th 99.8
Pass Def. Rating 9th 107.1 4th 94.3
Kickoff Returns 14th 16.1 15th 15.5
MFG Returns 11th 12.5 16th 1.0
Interceptions (int-yds) 4th 8-42 12th 6-61
Turnover Margin 8th +1 6th +3
Field Goals T-4th 5-9 12th 5-14
PAT Kicking 8th 41-47 17th 31-44
Sacks By (sks-yds) T-5th 9-50 T-2nd 11-69
Sacks Against (sks-yds) 6th 5-41 17th 12-58
First Downs T-4th 145 9th 134
Opp. First Downs 17th 152 11th 133
Penalties (yds/gm) 15th 68.3 10th 56.4
Opp. Penalties (yds/gm) 1st 75.6 6th 54.6
Red Zone Offense 12th 23-31 3rd 34-39
Red Zone Defense 1st 21-31 6th 23-31
Time of Possession 11th 29:27 10th 29:57


CONNECTIONS:

Force DS Kevin Gaines played for the Predators in 1998-1999...Georgia WR/LB Dialleo Burks played for the Orlando Rage of the XFL...Force OL/DL Jermaine Smith played for the Predators during the 2004 season...Orlando has two players that have played for the Force: WR/DB Bret Cooper (2003) and FB/LB Rupert Grant (2002)...Orlando OL/DL Doug Miller was with the Atlanta Falcons from 2000-2001 and DS Reggie Doster went to training camp with the Falcons in 2000...Predators quarterback Joe Hamilton attended Georgia Tech from 1996-1999 and was one of the most successful and decorated passers in school history.

THINGS TO WATCH:


HOME COOKING:

For the first time in the team's four-year history, Georgia has started a season 3-0 at home. Currently, the Force are riding a team-record five-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 3-0 Philips Arena


MAKING A HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE:

The Force have established a new record for home attendance in each of their first three home games this season.

Against Columbus (3/6) a record number 14,104 fans saw Georgia defeat the Destroyers 55-48 in Philips Arena. On February 12th versus Arizona, a crowd of 13,297 witnessed a Force win over the Arizona Rattlers 61-47. 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 in the season opener on January 29th .

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.


VEGAS HOLD ‘EM:

Georgia's defense stepped up to the challenge at Las Vegas (2/20) 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 4th in the AFL in points allowed per game (44.9) and 1st in red zone defense only allowing opponents to score on 21-of-31 tries on the season.


FLAG ON THE PLAY:

The Force and Las Vegas Gladiators combined for 34 penalties in their game on February 20th 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).

That next week, Georgia and Austin combined for 30 penalties in their game on February 25th for the second most penalties in League history.

Currently, the Force are the third most penalized team in the League averaging 68.3 yards per game in penalties while Georgia opponents are ranked first in the AFL in most penalty yards per game with a 75.6 average.

DOUBLE HEADED ROOKIE MONSTER:

Force rookies Troy Bergeron and Derek Lee are making their presence felt week-in and week-out. So far this season, the two have combined for 37 receiving touchdowns and 1,411 receiving yards on 108 receptions. Both rank in the Top 10 in the AFL in all receiving categories.

This season, Lee and set new Force single-game record for receptions with 11 (twice- at Los Angeles and at New York) and has established a new team single-game record for receiving touchdowns with 6 at New York (3/12). He also broke the Force mark for longest single-game reception with his catch and run for a score of 49 yards at Austin (2/25).

Bergeron tied Lee team record of 11 receptions at Austin (2/25) and the following week vs. Columbus (3/6), he set a new Force single-game record for receiving yards with 169.

Bergeron was named the AFL's Rookie of the Month for February and Lee was awarded the AFLWA Player of the Week for Week 7.


3-PEAT (six times):

Through the first six games of the season, rookie OS Troy Bergeron caught at least three receiving touchdowns in each game. His 20 total receiving scores currently are tied for first in the AFL.

He is on pace to set a new AFL single-season record for most receiving touchdowns (record is 46, held by four players), as well as the same record by a rookie (42, held by Eddie Brown, Albany- 1994).

Bergeron leads the team in receiving with 57 receptions (T-2nd in AFL) for 787 yards (2nd in AFL) and 20 touchdowns (T-1st in AFL). His 122 points scored on the season is also 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 28 kickoff returns (3rd in AFL) for 508 yards (3rd in AFL) place him among the League's best.

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


AMONG THE BEST:

Here is a break-down on where some of the Georgia Force players rank in the AFL in various categories:


PLAYER CATEGORY AFL RANK


OS- Troy Bergeron
Scoring 1st
All-Purpose 3rd
Receptions T-2nd
Receiving Yards 2nd
Receiving TDs T-1st
Kickoff Returns 3rd
KO Return Yards 3rd

WR/LB- Derek Lee
Receptions 6th
Receiving Yards 7th
Receiving TDs 4th

DS- Kevin Gaines
Interceptions T-1st
Tackles 2nd

DS- Willie Gary
Tackles 4th

K- Nelson Garner
Scoring (Kickers) 6th
Field Goal % T-4th
PAT % 10th

QB- Matt Nagy
Pass Completion % 5th
Pass Yards per Att. 4th

OL/DL- Jermaine Smith
Sacks T-8th

OL/DL- Gillis Wilson
Sacks T-8th

HEAD COACHES:

DOUG PLANK, Georgia (5-2, 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.

JAY GRUDEN, Orlando (58-32, 6th Year): Beginning his sixth season as Head Coach and Director of Football Operations and his eighth season of affiliation with the Predators, Gruden has built a championship legacy during his 13-year AFL career.

Gruden arrived in Orlando prior to the start of the 1998 season, after serving one season as offensive coordinator of the Nashville Kats. At age 30, he became the youngest head coach in the Arena Football League when he replaced AFL coaching legend Perry Moss on Aug, 15, 1997.

For his Arena Football League career, Gruden has posted some truly remarkable numbers. As a head coach, he is 58-32 overall and ranks in the top 10 among active coaches for career wins. He ranks in the top 10 all-time in AFL history with more than 20,000 passing yards and close to 400 touchdowns. As a player, Gruden won 15 of 19 post-season starts with 4,761 passing yards and 77 touchdowns. He was 84-25 (.770) as a starting quarterback and 10-5 as an assistant coach. Counting his 53-30 mark as a head coach, Gruden takes an all-time AFL record of 147-60 (.710) into the 2005 season.

In addition to his duties with the Predators, Gruden has spent the last three years as an offensive assistant with the Tampa Bay Bucs of the NFL. In that capacity, Gruden earned a championship ring with the Bucs in 2002, his seventh championship ring in professional football.

A four-year letterwinner at the University of Louisville (1985-88), Gruden finished his career with 7,024 passing yards, completing 572 of 1049 passes for 44 touchdowns. All four stats still rank as the third best career totals in Cardinal history. As a senior, he led Louisville to an 8-3 record, the first winning season in 10 years for the Cardinals. Following graduation with a degree in Communications, Gruden spent two seasons as a graduate assistant on Coach Howard Schnellenberger's staff.

Gruden hails from a football family. His father Jim is a long-time NFL assistant coach and scout with Tampa Bay and San Francisco and currently works as a consultant for the Tampa Bay Bucs; while his brother Jon is the Head Coach of the Tampa Bay Bucs.

LAST TIME THESE TEAMS MET:

DULUTH, GA – The Orlando Predators dominated the Georgia Force winning 30-7 and holding the Force to their lowest scoring out-put in the team's three-year history. The Orlando defense held Georgia scoreless over the final three quarters of the game by a combination of two interceptions, one fumble and four turnovers on downs by the Force. In defeat, Georgia drops their five straight game tying the team record for consecutive losses dating back to the 2002 season. The seven points score by the Force sets a new team-low breaking the previous mark of 24 points scored vs. Tampa Bay on March 27, 2004.

Orlando quarterback Joe Hamilton, named Offensive Player of the Game, threw for three touchdowns on 14-of-24 passing with 158 yards through the air. On defense the Predators were led by Jermaine Smith, who recorded two sacks and four tackles against his former team.

The Force opened the game suffering the same problems that have plagued the team over the last month. On Georgia's first drive, Dialleo Burks fumbled the ball setting up a 21-yard field goal by Orlando. The Predators tacked on another field goal as Jay Taylor connected from 19-yards out to put Orlando ahead 6-0. Georgia grabbed a brief lead at 7-6 when Robert Thomas rushed into the endzone from one-yard out to close out the first quarter.

The Force suffered maybe their biggest blow of the game early in the second quarter when Markeith Cooper was ejected from the game after getting flagged for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. The unsportsmanlike conduct call was the second one in the game on the Force, which by league rules results in the player being ejected from the game regardless of who the first call was on.

Orlando built a 20-7 halftime lead as Hamilton completed touchdown passes in the second period to Travis McGriff and Bret Cooper respectively. The Predator defense also kept Georgia in check, as the Force could not manage any points the rest of the first half turning over the ball on downs twice and missing a 29-yard field goal.

FORCE LAST WEEK:

UNIONDALE, NY – New York (5-1) K Rob Bironas' 32-yard field goal with 14.5 seconds left in the game proved to be the difference as the Dragons defeated the Georgia Force (5-2) 53-51. New York DS Billy Parker sealed the victory with an interception of Georgia QB Matt Nagy in the final seconds.

The Dragons were led by WR/DB Corey Johnson, who finished the game with two touchdowns on special teams returns and added one score receiving on six catches for 73 yards. Johnson also contributed on defense with an interception. For Georgia, WR/LB Derek Lee posted a career-high six receiving touchdowns on 11 receptions for 148 yards.

The first half was a tale of two quarters with both teams scoring at will in the first 15 minutes of play and defensive pressure in the second period. New York got on the scoreboard first with an Aaron Garcia touchdown pass to OS Mike Horackek from 9-yards out. After that each team went on a scoring frenzy with the next 34 points coming off of only seven plays. Georgia put up 14 quick points on a one-play strike from Nagy to Lee from 31-yards, then Nagy found OS Troy Bergeron on a two-play possession from 35-yards but a missed PAT by Nelson Garner left the Force down by one. Between the Georgia's two touchdowns, the Dragons Johnson returned a kickoff 55 yards for a score. Lee added another touchdown from Nagy on a three-play 14-yard TD, as New York took a 21-20 lead after the first quarter. In the second quarter, the Georgia defense came up with the game's first stop forcing the Dragons into a turnover on downs. On the Force's following drive, Nagy was intercepted by Johnson in the redzone. New York grabbed a three point lead at the break as Bironas connected from 24 yards to give the Dragons a 31-28 advantage.

Georgia evened the score at 44-44 by the end of the third quarter with a key safety by OL/DL Jermaine Smith. Both quarterbacks added touchdown passes in the third frame and Johnson made his second special teams score of the contest with a 57-yard missed field goal return. In the fourth quarter, the Force took their only lead of the game at 51-50 on Lee's sixth touchdown of the game with 4:21 left. New York was able to drive down on their next possession and run enough time off the clock setting up Bironas' game winning kick. Nagy, who passed for a game-high seven touchdowns in the game, threw two interceptions in the final quarter.

WEEKLY GAME AWARD WINNERS:



Offensive Player of the Game


WK TEAM PLAYER
1 GA Troy Bergeron
2 LA Remy Hamilton
3 GA Troy Bergeron
4 GA Jim Kubiak
5 GA Matt Nagy
6 GA Troy Bergeron
7 GA Derek Lee
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16


ADT Defensive Player of the Game

WK TEAM PLAYER
1 GA Dialleo Burks
2 LA Antuan Simmons
3 GA Gillis Wilson
4 GA Kevin Gaines
5 GA Kevin Gaines
6 GA Gillis Wilson
7 NY Chris Angel
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16


U.S. Army Ironman of the Game

WK TEAM PLAYER
1 GA Robert Thomas
2 LA Brian Sump
3 GA Ricky Parker
4 GA Derek Lee
5 GA Troy Bergeron
6 GA Chris Demaree
7 NY Corey Johnson
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16


AFL WEEK 8 SCHEDULE (all times are EST):


Friday, March 18
Dallas at Los Angeles, 10:30 pm
Grand Rapids at San Jose, 10:30


BYE: Nashville
Saturday, March 19
Orlando at Georgia, 7 pm
New York at Austin, 8:30 pm
Las Vegas at Arizona, 9 pm


Sunday, March 20
Tampa Bay at Philadelphia, 12 pm
New Orleans at Chicago, 12 pm
Columbus at Colorado, 5 pm


AFL ON TV (all times are EST):


Friday, March 18 Sunday, March 13
Grand Rapids at San Jose, 10:30 Tampa Bay at Philadelphia, 12 pm New Orleans at Chicago, 12 pm

Saturday, March 19
Orlando at Georgia, 7 pm
Las Vegas at Arizona, 9 pm

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