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Georgia Force game notes

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


QUICK FACTS:

Georgia Force (6-2) at New Orleans VooDoo (6-2)

Date: March 26, 2005
Kickoff: 8:00 p.m. ET
Site: New Orleans Arena (16,021)
Radio: WQXI 790 AM The Zone (David Hubbard: play-by-play, Chuck Oliver: color analyst).
Coaches: Doug Plank, Georgia (6-2, 1st Year).
Mike Neu, N.O. (24-18, 3rd Year).
Series Record: New Orleans leads the series 2-1.
@ Georgia 52, New Orleans 55 (2/22/04)
Georgia 40, @ New Orleans 44 (5/15/04)
@ Georgia 46, New Orleans 44 (1/30/05)

THE OPPONENT:

After falling to Georgia to open the season, New Orleans finds itself tied with the Force with an AFL-best 6-2 record and tops in the Southern Division. The New Orleans Arena has proved to be a tough place to play, as the VooDoo carry a 10-2 record at home over the last two seasons.

New Orleans quarterback Andy Kelly is having one of his best seasons of his 12-year career. Already this year, Kelly has thrown for 2,417 yards and 49 touchdowns while only tossing six interceptions. Kelly is the AFL's all-time career passing leaders for completions, attempts, passing yards and touchdowns.



THE GAME:

The Georgia Force will play their second straight Southern Division contest when they travel to the New Orleans Arena to face the New Orleans VooDoo on Saturday, March 26th at 8 pm. Similar to last week's game against Orlando, the Force will be battling this time with the VooDoo for the AFL's top overall record and first place in the division. The Force are a perfect 3-0 record this year against Southern Division opponents.

In the season opener on January 30th, the Force defeated the VooDoo 46-44 at Philips Arena. Of the three previous meetings between these two clubs each contests has been decided by four or less points.

Having reached the halfway point of the 2005 season, the Force are sitting with team-record tying 6-2 record. In 2003, Georgia began the year 6-2 as well, only to finish the season with an 8-8 mark.


THE SCHEDULE:

GEORGIA FORCE (6-2)

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 W 49-47
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 travel to Tampa Bay for their third straight Southern Division game, when they face the Storm on Saturday, April 2nd at 7:30 pm in the St. Pete Times Forum. The game will be televised locally on Fox Sports Net South. This will be the first of two meetings with the Storm this year with Tampa Bay returning to Atlanta on Sunday, May 8th. The Storm lead the all-time series with the Force 5-1.


THE FORCE THIS SEASON ARE:

4-0 at home
2-2 on the road

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

1-1 on Fridays
2-1 on Saturday
3-0 on Sundays

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

3-2 in televised games

6-1 when leading at the half
0-0 when tied at the half
0-1 when trailing at the half

6-0 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
3-2 outcome 3 points or less
0-0 overtime games

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

3-1 when the Force win the coin toss
3-1 when opponent wins the coin toss


STATISTICS:

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

Statistical GEORGIA NEW ORLEANS
Category Rank Stat Rank Stat
Scoring Offense 8th 50.9 6th 53.1
Scoring Defense 4th 45.1 T-7th 48.0
Total Offense (yds/g) 7th 292.1 2nd 306.5
Total Defense (yds/g) 10th 294.2 7th 262.1
Pass Offense 5th 275.8 2nd 296.6
Pass Defense 12th 279.9 4th 237.0
Rushing Offense 10th 16.4 15th 9.9
Rushing Defense 2nd 14.4 12th 25.1
Pass Rating 5th 114.8 8th 113.4
Pass Def. Rating 9th 108.9 6th 102.2
Kickoff Returns 12th 16.0 14th 15.9
MFG Returns 13th 10.7 15th 4.5
Interceptions (int-yds) 5th 9-79 10th 9-59
Turnover Margin T-9th +0 8th +1
Field Goals 3rd 5-9 5th 6-11
PAT Kicking 4th 51-56 7th 48-54
Sacks By (sks-yds) 5th 10-53 6th 9-50
Sacks Against (sks-yds) 6th 5-41 7th 6-44
First Downs T-3rd 164 1st 187
Opp. First Downs 17th 175 8th 148
Penalties (yds-gm) 16th 98-562 3rd 53-306
Opp. Penalties (yds-gm) 1st 96-591 8th 72-417
Red Zone Offense 14th 25-34 6th 33-39
Red Zone Defense 2nd 26-36 T-9th 32-40
Time of Possession 13th 29:15 2nd 33:06


CONNECTIONS:

Force Owner & CEO Arthur Blank and VooDoo Owner Tom Benson are 2 of only 9 NFL owners currently operator or own the rights to an AFL team...Georgia WR/DB Luke Leverson and Force OL/DL Adam Metts played for the VooDoo in 2004...New Orleans OL/DL Bruce McClure played two seasons with the Force in 2002 and 2003...Force DS Kevin Gaines went to training camp with the New Orleans Saints in 1995...Georgia FB/LB Coach Brennen Booth and New Orleans Head Coach Mike Neu were on the same staff with the Carolina Cobras in 2002.


THINGS TO WATCH:


HOME COOKING:

For the first time in the team's four-year history, Georgia has started a season 4-0 at home. Currently, the Force are riding a team-record six-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 4-0 Philips Arena


MAKING A HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE:

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

DATE OPPONENT ATTENDANCE
March 19 Orlando 14,226
March 6 Columbus 14,104
Feb. 12 Arizona 13,297
Jan. 30 New Orleans 11,328

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.


RED ZONE TOUGHNESS:

Georgia is currently ranked 4th in the AFL in points allowed per game (45.1) and 2nd in red zone defense only allowing opponents to score on 26-of-36 tries on the season.

The Force 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.


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 second most penalized team in the League averaging 70.2 yards per game in penalties while Georgia opponents are ranked first in the AFL in most penalty yards per game with a 73.9 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 40 receiving touchdowns and 1,538 receiving yards on 121 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's 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):

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

He is near 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 61 receptions (5th in AFL) for 828 yards (4th in AFL) and 20 touchdowns (T-2nd in AFL). His 122 points scored on the season are also 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 31 kickoff returns (3rd in AFL) for 585 yards (5th 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 2nd
All-Purpose 3rd
Receptions 5th
Receiving Yards 4th
Receiving TDs T-2nd
Kickoff Returns 3rd
KO Return Yards 5th

WR/LB- Derek Lee
Receptions 6th
Receiving Yards 6th
Receiving TDs T-2nd

DS- Kevin Gaines
Interceptions 1st
Tackles 2nd

DS- Willie Gary
Tackles 7th

K- Nelson Garner
Scoring (Kickers) 6th
Field Goal % 5th
PAT % 9th

QB- Matt Nagy
Pass Completion % 8th
Pass Yards per Att. 4th

OL/DL- Jermaine Smith
Sacks 5th

OL/DL- Gillis Wilson
Sacks 9th


HEAD COACHES:

DOUG PLANK, Georgia (6-2, 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.


MIKE NEU, New Orleans (23-15 regular season, 1-3 playoffs, 3rd Year): Neu was named the first head coach of the expansion VooDoo in June 2003 and led New Orleans to the most wins ever by an expansion team (11) and a Southern Division title. The VooDoo finished the regular season 11-5- tied for the best record in the league- and hosted a quarterfinal playoff game. Following the season, Neu was named the 2004 AFL Coach of the Year.

Before taking over in New Orleans, Neu served as the director of football operations and head coach of the Carolina Cobras in 2002, when he led them to the first playoff win in club history.

Prior to his coaching career in Carolina, Neu was named arenafootball2 Coach of the Year after leading the Augusta Stallions to the American Conference title. His AFL coaching career began in 1998 as the quarterbacks coach and then offensive coordinator (1999) for the Nashville Kats.

Neu played for the Orlando Predators in 1996 and the Nashville Kats in 1997 after a stint with the CFL Calgary Stampeders. A four-year starter at Ball State, Neu quarterbacked his alma mater to a conference championship in 1993. He still holds school career passing records in yards, attempts, completions and touchdowns.


LAST TIME THESE TEAMS MET:

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.


Score 1 2 3 4 F
New Orleans 7 9 14 14 44
Georgia 0 19 13 14 46

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


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


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
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 5-6 5-6
Field Goals 1-2 1-1
Field Goals 1-2 1-1


FORCE LAST WEEK:

ATLANTA, GA - In a battle for the top spot in the Southern Division, the Georgia Force (6-2) defeated the Orlando Predators (5-3) 49-47. The victory keeps the Force's perfect home record in tack at 4-0 as Georgia set a new attendance mark for the fourth consecutive game with 14,226 fans at Philips Arena.

Orlando WR/LB Cory Fleming scored on a nine-yard touchdown reception with 16 seconds remaining in the game to cut to Georgia lead to two points, but Force WR/LB Derek Lee's recovery of the ensuing onside kick sealed the win for Georgia.

Throughout the first half both teams were stricken with turnovers combining for five in the first two quarters (Georgia- 2 interceptions, 1 fumble; Orlando- 1 interception, 1 fumble). The Force were paced by Lee, who caught three touchdown receptions in the first half. Georgia was able to build a 21-7 lead thanks to a 37-yard interception return for a touchdown by DS Kevin Gaines. Orlando fought back to cut the Force advantage to 28-21 at the half as FB/LB Rupert Grant rushed in for his second score of the game from two-yards out with six seconds left before the break.

Each team was only able to manage one score apiece in the third period as long drives seemed to be the pattern. Orlando put together a 10 play possession capped with a FB/LB Marlon Moye-Moore one-yard rush, while Georgia scored on a 7-play drive finished by a two-yard touchdowns reception by WR/DB Ricky Parker.


Score 1 2 3 4 Final
Orlando 7 14 6 20 47
Georgia 7 21 7 14 49


Offensive Player of the Game: Derek Lee, Georgia
ADT Defensive Player of the Game: Kevin Gaines, Georgia
U.S. Army Ironman of the Game: Ricky Parker, Georgia


LEADERS

Passing
OR- Joe Hamilton, 23-31-307-4-1
GA- Matt Nagy, 23-34-239-5-2

Receiving
OR- Cory Fleming, 8-87-3
GA- Derek Lee, 9-86-3

Rushing
OR- Rupert Grant, 7-14-2
GA- Robert Thomas, 5-24-1


ORL GEO

FIRST DOWNS 23 19
Rushing 4 3
Passing 15 14
Penalty 4 2
NET YARDS RUSHING 22 39
Rushing Attempts 15 7
Average Per Rush 1.5 5.6
Yards Gained Rushing 31 39
Yards Lost Rushing 9 0
NET YARDS PASSING 304 239
Completions-Attempts-Int 23-31-1 23-34-2
Average Per Attempt 9.8 7.0
Average Per Completion 13.2 10.4
TOTAL OFFENSE YARDS 326 278
Total offense plays 47 41
Average Gain Per Play 6.9 6.8
Fumbles: Number-Lost 1-1 1-1
Penalties: Number-Yards 9-62 13-84
KICKOFFS-YARDS 7-380 8-438
Average Yards Per Kickoff 54.3 54.8
Net Yards Per Kickoff 45.3 49.1
Touchbacks 3 3
MFG Returns: Number-Yards-TD 0-0-0 1-7-0
Average Per Return 0.0 7.0
Kickoff returns: Number-Yds-TD 5-45-0 4-63-0
Average Per Return 9.0 15.8
Interceptions: Number-Yds-TD 2-10-0 1-37-1
Fumble Returns: Number-Yds-TD 0-0-0 0-0-0
Miscellaneous Yards 4 0
Possession Time 32:07 27:53
Third-Down Conversions 3 of 7 1 of 2
Fourth-Down Conversions 2 of 2 1 of 1
Red-Zone Scores-Chances 5-5 2-3
Sacks By: Number-Yards 0-0 1-3
PAT Kicks 5-6 7-7
Field Goals 0-1 0-0

AFL WEEK 9 SCHEDULE (all times are EST):


Friday, March 25
Austin at Orlando, 7:30 p.m.
Colorado at Dallas, 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 26
New York at Columbus, 7 pm
Grand Rapids at Philadelphia, 7 pm
Georgia at New Orleans, 8 pm
Monday, March 28
San Jose at Las Vegas, 10 pm

BYE: Chicago


Arizona at Nashville, 8:30 pm
Tampa Bay at L.A., 10:30 pm


AFL ON TV (all times are EST):


Friday, March 25 Sunday, March 27
Colorado at Dallas, 8:30 p.m. No games this week on NBC
Saturday, March 26
New York at Columbus, 7 pm
Tampa Bay at L.A., 10:30 pm



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 22, 2005


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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