Georgia Force Game Notes
May 3, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Georgia Force News Release
QUICK FACTS:
Georgia Force (9-4) vs. Tampa Bay Storm (8-5)
Date: May 8, 2005
Kickoff: 1:00 p.m. ET
Site: Philips Arena (18,200)
Television: NBC (Allen Bestwick: play-by-play, Ray Bentley: analyst, Fred Kalil: sideline).
Radio: WQXI 790 AM The Zone (David Hubbard: play-by-play, Chuck Oliver: analyst).
Coaches: Doug Plank, Georgia (9-4, 1st Year).
Tim Marcum, Tampa Bay (175-66,
17th Year).
Series Record: Tampa Bay leads the all-time series 6-1.
Georgia 38, @ T.B. 48 (4/2/05)
@ Georgia 24, T.B. 53 (3/27/04)
Georgia 70, @ T.B. 62 (2/13/04)
@ Georgia 38, T.B. 42 (5/18/03)
Georgia 39, @ T.B. 58 (4/6/03)
Georgia 61, @ T.B. 67 OT (7/20/02)
@ Georgia 40, T.B. 50 (6/29/02)
THE OPPONENT:
The Tampa Bay Storm climbed their way back into the playoff mix last week surpassing New Orleans with a 47-36 victory over the VooDoo. The Storm currently occupy the fourth and final seed in the National
Conference playoff race. Tampa Bay is only half a game behind Orlando and one game behind Georgia in the Southern Division standings. Tampa Bay's struggles this season have come on the road, where they are just 1-5 this year in away games.
THE GAME:
The Georgia Force return to action following their Bye week on Sunday, May 8th when they host the Tampa Bay Storm at 1:00 pm at Philips Arena. The game will be televised on NBC marking the Force's only appearance of the regular season on the network. Earlier this year, the Storm defeated the Force 48-38 at the St. Pete Times Forum on April 2nd.
Georgia holds a 1-0 record all-time in games following a Bye week. Last season, the Force defeated the Columbus Destroyers 72-51 in the week following their Bye.
With three weeks remaining in the regular season, the Force are currently the top seed in the National Conference playoff standings and hold a league best 9-4 record. With two games remaining at Philips Arena on the year, Georgia is only one of two teams in the League with an undefeated record at home at 6-0 (Tampa Bay, 7-0). Since the AFL extended its regular-season schedule from 14 games to 16 games prior to the start of the 2003 season, no team has gone undefeated at home.
The Force should provide a different offensive look to the Storm since their game earlier this season. WR/LB Chris Jackson, who was joined the team days prior to the first contest against Tampa Bay and did not play in the game, has been one of the team's hottest players since his arrival. Jackson has scored at least 3 touchdowns in all 3 games he has played with the Force. With the addition of Jackson, the Force currently have for the first time in team history three receivers (Bergeron, Jackson and Lee) whom have all surpassed the 1,000+ receiving yard mark in one season. QB Matt Nagy has also been playing well having thrown at least four touchdowns in all 8 games as a starter this year.
GEORGIA FORCE NEXT WEEK:
The Force host their final home game of the regular season on Saturday, May 8th at 7 pm when the Dallas Desperados come to Philips Arena. The game will be televised locally on Fox Sports Net South.
THE FORCE THIS SEASON ARE:
6-0 at home
3-4 on the road
1-0 vs. Central Division
1-1 vs. Eastern Division
5-2 vs. Southern Division
2-1 vs. Western Division
3-2 on Fridays
3-2 on Saturday
3-0 on Sundays
1-0 in January
3-1 in February
3-1 in March
2-2 in April
0-0 in May
4-4 in televised games
9-1 when leading at the half
0-0 when tied at the half
0-3 when trailing at the half
9-0 when leading after 3 quarters
0-1 when tied after 3 quarters
0-3 when trailing after 3 quarters
1-0 outcome 7 points or less
5-3 outcome 3 points or less
0-0 overtime games
5-1 when the Force scores first
4-3 when opponent scores first
4-2 when the Force win the coin toss
5-2 when opponent wins the coin toss
CONNECTIONS:
Georgia's Sponsor Manager Jorge Cimadevilla was a kicker for the Storm in 1995-1996 and won two Arena Football Championships with Tampa Bay...Storm Head Coach Tim Marcum was a defensive assistant coach for the Atlanta Falcons during the 1994 season.
THINGS TO WATCH:
CLOSE SITUATIONS:
This season, the Force have shown a toughness for winning the close game. Of their nine wins on the year, six of those contests have been decided by 7 points or less with five of those games being decided by 3 points or less.
DATE OPPONENT RESULT SCORE
1/30 vs. New Orleans W 46-44
2/25 at Austin W 66-63
3/6 vs. Columbus W 55-48
3/19 vs. Orlando W 49-47
3/26 at New Orleans W 43-40
4/8 vs. Austin W 56-53
THUNDER AND LIGHTING:
Georgia's rookie tandem of WR/LB Derek Lee and OS Troy Bergeron have been tearing up the AFL. "Thunder and Lightning" lead the League with a combined 54 touchdown receptions. The following is the top five duos in touchdown receptions:
TOP FIVE TOUCHDOWN DUOS
PLAYERS TEAM TDS
1. Derek Lee & Troy Bergeron Georgia 54
2. Siaha Burley & Randy Gatewood Arizona 53
3. Rashied Davis & James Roe San Jose 50
4. Marcus Nash & Joe Douglas Las Vegas 46
5. Steve Smith & Sean Scott Philly 44
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 fifth most penalized team in the League averaging 58.1 yards per game in penalties while Georgia opponents are ranked second in the AFL in most penalty yards per game with a 64.7 average.
HOME SWEET HOME:
Since the League extended its regular-season schedule from 14 games to 16 games prior to the start of the 2003 season, no team has gone undefeated at home. Entering Week 15, Georgia and Tampa Bay remain undefeated at home.
2005 BEST HOME RECORDS
TEAM HOME AWAY OVERALL
Georgia 6-0 3-4 9-4
Tampa Bay 7-0 1-5 8-5
HOME COOKING:
For the first time in the team's four-year history, Georgia has started a season 6-0 at home. Currently, the Force are riding a team-record eight 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 6-0 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.
DEFENSIVE TOUGHNESS:
Georgia is currently ranked 2nd in the AFL in points allowed per game (45.8) and T-4th in red zone defense only allowing opponents to score on just 48-of-63 tries on the season inside in the 10 yard line.
AND THE AWARD GOES TO:
The Force have been recognized for some of their achievements this season, both as a team and as players by being honored with the following awards:
AFL Rookie of the Month (February)
OS Troy Bergeron
ADT Defensive Player of the Month (March)
DS Kevin Gaines
AFL Defensive Player of the Week
DS Kevin Gaines- Week 3
U.S. Army Ironman of the Week
WR/LB Chris Jackson- Week 11
AFLWA Top 8 Team Poll
# 1 ranking- Week 9
# 1 ranking- Week 10
AFLWA Player of the Week
WR/LB Derek Lee- Week 7
ACTION JACKSON- BY THE NUMBERS:
It is pretty amazing to look how much Chris Jackson has done in just five seasons. Here is a look at what he has done in his 74 career AFL games.
72 games with at least one TD
71 games with at least one receiving TD
51 games with at least 2 TDs
31 games with at least 3 receiving TDs
15 games with at least 4 receiving TDs
6 games with at least 5 receiving TDs
2 games with at least 6 receiving TDs
1 game with at least 7 receiving TDs
38 100-yard receiving games
19 games with 10+ receptions
* Only player to win the AFL Rookie of the Year, then later capture AFL Offensive Player of the Year.
* 8th all-time in AFL history in receiving touchdowns.
* 11th all-time in AFL history in scoring.
* 1,200+ yards in 4 of 5 seasons.
HEAD COACHES:
DOUG PLANK, Georgia (9-4, 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.
TIM MARCUM, Tampa Bay (175-66 overall, 17th Year): Tim Marcum is a Charter member of the Arena Football Hall of Fame and is the League's all-time winningest coach. He is the only coach in AFL history to win 100 or more games. Marcum is in his 11th season with the Storm. He led Tampa to back-to-back ArenaBowl titles (1995 & '96) and captured his third AFL championship with the Storm in 2003. Marcum led the Storm to a league-record 17 game winning streak (July 1, 1995 - June 29, 1996). Marcum led Detroit Drive to five ArenaBowl appearances in five seasons (1988-89, 1991-93), winning three times. He coached AFL's first-ever champion, Denver Dynamite (1987). Marcum is a two-time Arena League Coach of the Year (1987, 1998). He spent 1994 season as defensive assistant for the NFL's Atlanta Falcons. Marcum was the assistant head coach of WLAF's New York/New Jersey Knights in 1991, linebackers coach on Steve Spurrier's University of Florida staff in 1990, linebackers coach (1984) and defensive coordinator (1985) for USFL's San Antonio Gunslingers.
THE SCHEDULE:
GEORGIA FORCE (9-4)
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 W 43-40
April 2 @ Tampa Bay L 38-48
April 8 AUSTIN W 56-53
April 15 GRAND RAPIDS W 62-41
April 22 @ Orlando L 49-52
BYE WEEK
May 8 TAMPA BAY
May 14 DALLAS
May 21 @ San Jose
LAST TIME THESE TEAMS MET:
TAMPA, FL â The Tampa Bay Storm (5-4) handed the Georgia Force (7-3) their first Southern Division loss of the season with a 48-38 victory. The Storm defense held the Force to just seven second half points and created five turnovers (three fumbles, one interception and one turnover on downs) to stay a perfect 5-0 at home on the year.
Storm QB Shane Stafford, who won the contest's Offensive Player of the Game, threw for 319 yards on 24-of-36 passing with five touchdowns and one interception. Georgia was led by WR/LB Derek Lee, who finished with a game-high 12 receptions for 124 yards and one touchdown.
The first half saw six lead changes and one tie as the Storm took a 38-31 advantage into the halftime break. Force QB Matt Nagy found WR/DB Luke Leverson for a 22-yard touchdown with 1:02 remaining in the second quarter to give Georgia a 28-24 lead, when the flurry of activity began. On the ensuing kickoff, the Force attempted on on-side kick which the Storm safety recovered and two plays later scored on an OS Freddie Solomon touchdown reception. Tampa Bay then attempted an on-side kick, which was recovered by Storm DS Lynaris Elpheage. Elpheage would complete the possession two plays later with a 30-yard touchdown reception and a 38-28 lead. Georgia closed gap to seven points before the half as K Nelson Garner connected on a 40-yard field goal as time expired.
The third quarter saw no scoring by either team as Tampa Bay held their seven point lead 38-31. Both teams turned the ball over on each of their two possessions in the period. The Storm pushed their lead to 17 points on a WR/DB Cliff Dell six-yard touchdown catch and a 22-yard field goal by K Matt George. Georgia was able to get their only score of the second half with 41 seconds remaining when OS Troy Bergeron hauled in a three-yard touchdown pass.
Score 1 2 3 4 Final
Georgia 7 10 0 7 38
Tampa Bay 10 28 0 10 48
Offensive Player of the Game: Shane Stafford, Tampa Bay
ADT Defensive Player of the Game: Mike Sutton, T.B.
U.S. Army Ironman of the Game: Lynarise Elpheage, T.B.
LEADERS
Passing
TB- Shane Stafford, 24-36-319-5-1
GA- Matt Nagy, 23-39-273-4-1
Receiving
TB- Freddie Solomon, 9-109-2
GA- Derek Lee, 12-124-1
Rushing
TB- Umar Muhammad, 8-11-1
GA- Kevin Aldridge, 2-28-1
GEO TBS
FIRST DOWNS 22 19
Rushing 2 2
Passing 16 15
Penalty 4 2
NET YARDS RUSHING 29 23
Rushing Attempts 5 14
Average Per Rush 5.8 1.6
Yards Gained Rushing 29 27
Yards Lost Rushing 0 4
NET YARDS PASSING 273 319
Completions-Attempts-Int 23-39-1 24-36-1
Average Per Attempt 7.0 8.9
Average Per Completion 11.9 13.3
TOTAL OFFENSE YARDS 302 342
Total offense plays 44 50
Average Gain Per Play 6.9 6.8
Fumbles: Number-Lost 3-3 1-1
Penalties: Number-Yards 7-40 13-79
KICKOFFS-YARDS 5-236 8-444
MFG Returns: Number-Yards-TD 0-0-0 0-0-0
Kickoff returns: Number-Yds-TD 8-155-0 5-64-0
Average Per Return 19.4 12.8
Interceptions: Number-Yds-TD 1-0-0 1-32-0
Fumble Returns: Number-Yds-TD 0-0-0 0-0-0
Miscellaneous Yards 10 4
Possession Time 25:12 34:48
Third-Down Conversions 3 of 5 5 of 9
Fourth-Down Conversions 1 of 2 0 of 1
Red-Zone Scores-Chances 1-4 6-8
Sacks By: Number-Yards 0-0 0-0
PAT Kicks 5-5 6-6
Field Goals 1-1 2-2
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 GA Derek Lee
9 GA Troy Bergeron
10 TB Shane Stafford
11 GA Matt Nagy
12 GA Matt Nagy
13 GA Chris Jackson
15
16
17
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 GA Kevin Gaines
9 GA Kevin Gaines
10 TB Mike Sutton
11 GA Willie Gary
12 GA Nate Coggins
13 ORL E.J. Burt
15
16
17
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 GA Ricky Parker
9 GA Derek Lee
10 TB Lynarise Elpheage
11 GA Chris Jackson
12 GA Derek Lee
13 ORL Cory Fleming
15
16
17
AFL WEEK 15 SCHEDULE (all times are EST):
Friday, May 6
Chicago at Arizona, 10 pm
BYE: Philadelphia
Saturday, May 7
Columbus at New York, 7 pm
Orlando at Austin, 8:30 pm
Grand Rapids at Nashville, 8:30 pm
Dallas at Las Vegas, 10 pm
Los Angeles at San Jose, 10:30 pm
Sunday, May 8
Colorado at New Orleans, 1 pm
Tampa Bay at Georgia, 1 pm
AFL ON TV (all times are EST):
Friday, May 6 Sunday, May 8
Chicago at Arizona, 10 pm Colorado at New Orleans, 1 pm
Tampa Bay at Georgia, 1 pm
Saturday, May 7
Orlando at Austin, 8:30 pm
Grand Rapids at Nashville, 8:30 pm
Dallas at Las Vegas, 10 pm
Los Angeles at San Jose, 10:30 pm
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