Sports stats



Georgia Force game notes

May 17, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Georgia Force News Release


QUICK FACTS:

Georgia Force (11-4) at San Jose SaberCats (8-7)

Date: May 21, 2005
Kickoff: 10:30 p.m. ET
Site: HP Pavilion at San Jose (14,041)
Television: FSN South (Randy Hahn: play-by-play, Mike Pawlawski: analyst).
Radio: WQXI 790 AM The Zone (David Hubbard: play-by-play, Chuck Oliver: analyst, Brandon Leak: sidelines).
Coaches: Doug Plank, Georgia (11-4, 1st Year).
Darren Arbet (81-34, 7th Year).
Series Record: San Jose leads all-time series 2-1
@ Georgia 53, San Jose 59 (5/4/02)
@ Georgia 51, San Jose 49 (2/16/03)
@ Georgia 34, San Jose 63 (4/25/04)

THE OPPONENT:

San Jose enters the final week of the regular season in an unfamiliar position. The SaberCats find themselves still fighting for one of the final two Wild Card playoff spots and in the midst of the three-game losing steak. San Jose can clinch a postseason berth with a
victory over Georgia or a Las Vegas loss to Arizona. Last week's 44-54 lost to Arizona, ensured that the SaberCats five-year streak of winning at least 10 regular season games would be broken.

The defending ArenaBowl champions are led by quarterback Mark Grieb, who currently leads the AFL in passer rating at 121.7 and had thrown 79 touchdowns on the year.

THE GAME:

The 2005 Southern Division champion Georgia Force conclude the 2005 regular season when they travel to cross-country to face the defending ArenaBowl champion San Jose SaberCats on Saturday, May 21st at 10:30 p.m. ET. This will be the fourth straight year that these two teams have met in the regular season, but the first time Georgia has traveled to San Jose for a regular season contest. In 2002, the Force played a pre-season game against the SaberCats in San Jose and in 2004 Georgia matched-up in a Quarterfinal Playoff game in San Jose dropping both contests.

The Force defense, ranked second in the AFL in scoring defense allowing only 46.1 points per game should get a stern test heading into the playoff as the SaberCats carry the League's top rated scoring offense averaging 59.4 points per game.


THE SCHEDULE:

GEORGIA FORCE (11-4)

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 W 52-40
May 14 DALLAS W 63-56
May 21 @ San Jose


GEORGIA FORCE NEXT WEEK:

The Force will open the 2005 Drive to ArenaBowl XIX playoffs by hosting a Divisional Round game on Sunday, May 29th at 3:30 p.m. in Philips Arena. The contest will be the first-ever playoff game in any sports to be played in the six-year history of Philips Arena.

The opponent for the Force in the first-round will be determined by this weekend's plays. New Orleans, Orlando and Tampa Bay are each vying for the two remaining Wild Card playoff spots.

IF ORLANDO BEATS NEW ORLEANS
- GEORGIA will host TAMPA BAY
IF NEW ORLEANS BEATS ORLANDO
- If TAMPA BAY wins, GEORGIA will host NEW ORLEANS
- If TAMPA BAY loses, GEORGIA will host ORLANDO


STATISTICS:

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

Statistical GEORGIA SAN JOSE
Category Rank Stat Rank Stat
Scoring Offense 8th 51.3 1st 59.4
Scoring Defense 2nd 46.1 12th 51.5
Total Offense (yds/g) 8th 281.7 1st 316.9
Total Defense (yds/g) 12th 296.9 9th 280.4
Pass Offense 9th 263.1 1st 300.9
Pass Defense 13th 278.7 9th 263.7
Rushing Offense 9th 18.6 11th 16.0
Rushing Defense 7th 18.3 2nd 16.7
Pass Rating 2nd 119.3 1st 120.3
Pass Def. Rating 6th 106.7 10th 108.9
Kickoff Returns 10th 17.6 2nd 21.4
MFG Returns 8th 17.4 1st 27.8
Interceptions (int-yds) T-12th 12-79 7th 16-157
Turnover Margin 11th -2 T-9th -1
Field Goals T-5th 7-13 17th 2-8
PAT Kicking T-8th 91-105 12th 103-122
Sacks By (sks-yds) T-9th 15-80 T-13th 10-76
Sacks Against (sks-yds) 7th 11-82 12th 18-104
First Downs 6th 311 2nd 337
Opp. First Downs 12th 313 10th 303
Penalties (yds/gm) 9th 54.4 15th 63.0
Opp. Penalties (yds/gm) 1st 63.6 16th 48.5
Red Zone Offense 13th 55-70 3rd 71-84
Red Zone Defense 5th 56-72 1st 44-62
Time of Possession 15th 28:10 14th 28:29


THE FORCE THIS SEASON ARE:

8-0 at home
3-4 on the road

1-0 vs. Central Division
2-1 vs. Eastern Division
6-2 vs. Southern Division
2-1 vs. Western Division

3-2 on Fridays
4-2 on Saturday
4-0 on Sundays

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

6-4 in televised games

10-1 when leading at the half
0-0 when tied at the half
1-3 when trailing at the half

11-0 when leading after 3 quarters
0-1 when tied after 3 quarters
0-3 when trailing after 3 quarters

2-0 outcome 7 points or less
5-3 outcome 3 points or less
0-0 overtime games

5-1 when the Force scores first
6-3 when opponent scores first

6-2 when the Force win the coin toss
5-2 when opponent wins the coin toss


CONNECTIONS:

San Jose head coach Darren Arbet worked as an assistant coach with the Atlanta Falcons during the team's 2004 training camp as part of the NFL's minority coaches program.


THINGS TO WATCH:


CLOSE SITUATIONS:

This season, the Force have shown toughness for winning the close game. Of their 11 wins on the year, seven 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
5/14 vs. Dallas W 63-56


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" are second the League with a combined 59 touchdown receptions. This marks the first week they have not been leading the AFL in this category. The following is the top five duos in touchdown receptions:

TOP FIVE TOUCHDOWN DUOS

PLAYERS TEAM TDS
1. Siaha Burley & Randy Gatewood Arizona 61
2. Derek Lee & Troy Bergeron Georgia 59
3. Marcus Nash & Joe Douglas Las Vegas 56
4. Rashied Davis & James Roe San Jose 55
5. Aaron Bailey & Thabiti Davis New Orleans 53


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 eighth most penalized team in the League averaging 54.4 yards per game in penalties while Georgia opponents are ranked first in the AFL in most penalty yards per game with a 63.6 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. This year, both Georgia and Tampa Bay, managed to go undefeated at home setting a new AFL record.

2005 BEST HOME RECORDS

TEAM HOME AWAY OVERALL
Georgia 8-0 3-4 11-4
Tampa Bay 8-0 1-6 9-6


HOME COOKING:

For the first time in the team's four-year history, Georgia went a perfect 8-0 at home. Currently, the Force are riding a team-record 10 game winning streak at home dating back to last season.

The 10-game home winning streak is tied for 3r all-time in AFL history (19- Orlando).

Before this year, Georgia had never finished the regular 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 8-0 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 (46.1) and 5th in red zone defense only allowing opponents to score on just 56-of-72 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 ADT Defensive Player of the Month (March)
DS Kevin Gaines

AFL ADT Defensive Player of the Week
DS Kevin Gaines- Week 3

AFL U.S. Army Ironman of the Week
WR/LB Chris Jackson- Week 11

AFL Offensive Player of the Week
WR/LB Chris Jackson- Week 15

AFLWA Top 8 Team Poll
# 1 ranking- Week 9
# 1 ranking- Week 10
# 1 ranking- Week 13
# 1 ranking- Week 15
# 1 ranking- Week 16

AFLWA Player of the Week
WR/LB Derek Lee- Week 7
WR/LB Chris Jackson- Week 16


STEPPING INTO THE ROLE:

Since entering the game in the second quarter at Austin on February 25 when starting quarterback Jim Kubiak went down with a season-ending knee injury, Matt Nagy has stepped and led the Force to a 7-3 record and helped guide Georgia to their first Southern Division championship.

As a starter this year, Nagy has thrown at least four touchdowns in all 9 games and set a career high with nine touchdown tosses vs. Dallas (5/14).

Against the Wranglers, Nagy truly went from holding a clip broad to stepping into the game and completing his first 10 passes. The Force would go on to win on a last second 49-yard field goal by Nelson Garner.


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 76 career AFL games.

74 games with at least one TD
73 games with at least one receiving TD
53 games with at least 2 TDs
33 games with at least 3 receiving TDs
16 games with at least 4 receiving TDs
7 games with at least 5 receiving TDs
2 games with at least 6 receiving TDs
1 game with at least 7 receiving TDs
40 100-yard receiving games
21 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 entering 2005 season.

* 11th all-time in AFL history in scoring entering 2005 season.

* 1,200+ receiving yards in 5 of 6 seasons (includes 2005).


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 9th
All-Purpose Yards 4th
Receiving TDs 6th
Kickoff Returns 4th
KO Return Yards 5th
MFG Returns 2nd
MFG Return Yards 3rd

DS- Kevin Gaines
Interceptions 6th
Tackles 15th

DS- Willie Gary
Tackles 5th

K- Nelson Garner
Scoring (Kickers) 10th
Field Goal % 7th
PATs Made 9th

WR/LB Chris Jackson
Scoring 6th
All-Purpose Yards 7th
Receiving Yards 9th
Receiving TDs 9th
MFG Returns 7th
MFG Return Yards 9th
KO Return TDs 6th

WR/LB- Derek Lee
Scoring 8th Receptions 10th
Receiving TDs 7th

QB- Matt Nagy
Pass Comp. Pct. 3rd

OL/DL- Jermaine Smith
Sacks T-15th

OL/DL- Gillis Wilson
Sacks T-6th



FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING:

When the Georgia Force clinched the 2005 Southern Division championship and the top seed in the National Conference, not only were they setting a first in team history for the club, but also for their home venue.

By winning the division title, the Force secured a first round home playoff game to be played on May 29th. In the six year history of Philips Arena, no team in any sport has ever played a playoff game within the venue.



ROOKIE RECORD BOOKS:

Both Troy Bergeron and Derek Lee have an opportunity to etch their names into the AFL record books for rookie receiving marks.

With one game remaining in the regular season, each has a chance to set a new AFL rookie record for most receptions and most receiving yards.

Bergeron Lee AFL record
Receptions 96 103 105
Receiving Yards 1,262 1,120 1,335


AFL ROOKIE RECORD HOLDERS
105 receptions- Mike Baker, St. Louis 1996
1,335 receiving yards- Oronde Gadsden, Portland, 1998


HEAD COACHES:

DOUG PLANK, Georgia (11-4, 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.


DARREN ARBET, San Jose (81-34, 7th Year): Now in his seventh season at the helm of the SaberCats, two-time Coach of the Year Darren Arbet became the 7th head coach in AFL history with 80 career victories when
San Jose defeated Dallas on Apr. 15, 2005 and surpassed
Michael Trigg for 6th place with San Jose's win at
Colorado on Apr. 22. His overall winning percentage of
.711 (81-33) ranks as one of the best in AFL history.

Last season Arbet led his club to its second league title in
three years and the SaberCats tied a league record by
winning 10 or more regular season games for the fifth
consecutive season. Since the start of the 2000 season
his teams have compiled a 66-22 (.750) regular season
record and have set league records for most regular
season wins (13 – 2002), most wins in a season (16-
2002), most consecutive wins in a regular season (12 –
2002), most wins to end a season (11 – 2000) and the
longest regular season win streak (15 – 2000-01).


LAST TIME THESE TEAMS MET:

DULUTH, GA – (4/25/05) San Jose quarterback Mark Grieb continued to have the hot hand this season as he completed eight touchdown passes to lift the visiting SaberCats over the Georgia Force 63-34. On the day, the AFL's top rated passer threw for 203 yards on 17-of-24 passing and led San Jose to touchdowns on all nine of his drives he was in the game. With the loss, Georgia dropped its team-record sixth straight game.

Grieb's completed touchdowns to five different San Jose receivers, with James Roe being the favorite target racking up 77 yards on five receptions and three scores. For their efforts, Grieb was named the game's Offensive Players of the game and Roe was awarded the contest's Ironman of the Game. For the Force, quarterback Leon Murray broke out of his slump passing for 249 yards on 18-of-31 with four touchdowns. Murray also made his presence felt on the ground, gaining a game-high 31 yards on six carries including a career-tying 15-yard TD scramble. Georgia's Markeith Cooper turned in a big day with a game-high 117 yards receiving on nine catches and two touchdowns.

San Jose built early 21-0 lead thanks in part to a missed field goal and two turnovers by Georgia. The Force finally broke their scoring draught when Murray found Cooper on a 27-yard scoring strike with 7:44 in the second quarter. Prior to that touchdown, Georgia had been held scoreless for four straight quarters. The first half closed with the SaberCats holding a 35-14 advantage as San Jose scored touchdowns on all five of their possessions with Grieb connecting with Fred Coleman for two scores. Georgia counter with Murray and Cooper teaming up for two touchdowns on the Force's final two possessions of the half.


Score 1 2 3 4 Score
San Jose 14 21 14 14 63
Georgia 0 14 7 13 34


LEADERS

PASSING:
GA- Leon Murray, 18-31-249-4
SJ- Mark Grieb, 17-24-203-8

RECEIVING:
GA- Markeith Cooper, 9-117-2
SJ- James Roe, 5-77-3

RUSHING:
GA- Leon Murray, 6-31-1
SJ- Matt Kinsinger, 3-8

OFFENSIVE MVP: Mark Grieb, San Jose
DEFENSIVE MVP: Joe Jacobs, San Jose
IRONMAN: Rashied Davis, San Jose


FORCE LAST WEEK:

ATLANTA, GA – The Georgia Force (11-4) defeated the Dallas Desperados (7-7-1) 63-56 to finish the regular a perfect 8-0 and become the first team in AFL history to go undefeated at home since the League extended its regular-season schedule from 14 games to 16 games prior to the start of the 2003 season. The victory also pushes the Force's home winning streak to 10 games and keeps the club's overall record at a League-best 11-4.

Georgia QB Matt Nagy threw a career-high nine touchdown passes on 25-of-32 for 307 yards with one interception. The Force were also paced by WR/LB Chris Jackson, who finished with a game-high 12 receptions for a new Georgia single-game record 173 receiving yard and five touchdowns. For Dallas, QB Clint Stoerner threw for 237 yards and four touchdowns on 24-of-32 passing.

Both teams traded scores in a see-saw battle, as each quarterback threw four touchdown passes in the first half. Nagy found OS Troy Bergeron on a 14-yard strike with 18 seconds left in the second quarter to pull the score to 27-26. Force K Nelson Garner would miss the ensuing PAT attempt, as Dallas clung to a one-point lead. The Desperados would try to tack on three more points before the half ended, but K Carlo Martinez's 53-yard attempted missed wide left.

Georgia built the game's largest lead at 13-points, 48-35, in the third quarter when Nagy found WR/DB Rob Carey in the end zone for a 4-yard touchdown- Carey's first career AFL score. In the fourth quarter, the Desperados scored 14-straight points to regain the lead at 49-48, capped by a 22-yard interception return for a touchdown by DS Jermaine Jones. With four minutes left in the game, Jackson scored his fifth receiving touchdown of the contest on a 20-yard pass from Nagy to put the Force up 63-56. The Georgia defense then stepped up to force a turnover-on-downs by the Desperados on their ensuing possession securing the win for the home team.


Score 1 2 3 4 Final
Dallas 7 21 7 21 56
Georgia 7 20 21 15 63


LEADERS

Passing
DAL- Clint Stoerner, 24-32-237-4
GA- Matt Nagy, 25-32-307-9

Receiving
DAL- Will Pettis, 10-105-1
GA- Chris Jackson, 12-173-5

Rushing
DAL- Duke Pettijohn, 4-26-1
GA- Rob Carey, 1-11

Offensive Player of the Game: Matt Nagy, Georgia
ADT Defensive Player of the Game: Derek Lee, Georgia
U.S. Army Ironman of the Game: Chris Jackson, Georgia


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 GA Troy Bergeron
16 GA Matt Nagy
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 GA Ricky Parker
16 GA Derek Lee
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 GA Chris Jackson
16 GA Chris Jackson
17


AFL WEEK 17 SCHEDULE (all times are EST):


Saturday, May 21
Colorado at New York, 7 pm
Los Angeles at Grand Rapids, 7:30
Georgia at San Jose, 10:30 pm


Sunday, May 22
Philadelphia at Dallas, 3pm
Chicago at Nashville, 3 pm
Arizona at Las Vegas, 3 pm
Tampa Bay at Columbus, 3 pm
New Orleans at Orlando, 3 pm



BYE: Austin


AFL ON TV (all times are EST):


Saturday, May 21 Sunday, May 15
Colorado at New York, 7 pm Chicago at Nashville, 3 pm
Los Angeles at Grand Rapids, 7:30 New Orleans at Orlando, 3 pm
Georgia at San Jose, 10:30 pm



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 17, 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.

Other Recent Georgia Force Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central