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Georgia Force game notes

February 28, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Georgia Force News Release


QUICK FACTS

Austin Wranglers (4-1) at Georgia Force (3-2)

Date: March 4, 2006
Kickoff: 12:00 pm (ET)
Site: Philips Arena (18,200)
Radio: WQXI 790 AM The Zone (David Hubbard: play-by-play, Chuck Oliver: color analyst)
Coaches: Doug Plank, Georgia (16-8, 2nd Year)
Skip Foster, Austin (18-19, 3rd Year)
Series Record: Georgia leads the series 3-1
2004 Georgia 26, @ Austin 42 (4/11)
@ Georgia 51, Austin 34 (5/23)
2005 Georgia 66, @ Austin 63 (2/25)
@ Georgia 56, Austin 53 (4/8)

THE OPPONENT
The Austin Wranglers enter the contest with a 4-1 record and a one game lead in the Southern Division. However, Austin is coming off their first loss of the season, falling at Tampa Bay 58-48.

Austin has the third ranked rushing attack in the AFL through five weeks. Their ground game is led by FB/LB Dane Krager, who has 79 rushing yards (third in the AFL) for five touchdowns. The Wrangler offense is also led by QB John Fitzgerald, who has passed for 1,010 yards, 17 touchdowns and five interceptions. Fitzgerald's favorite target this season is OS Derrick Lewis. Lewis has recorded 38 catches for 483 yards and five touchdowns on the season.

THE GAME

The Force will host the Austin Wranglers on Saturday, March 4 at 12 pm in Philips Arena. This will be Georgia's second consecutive game at Philips. Last week, the Force defeated the Kansas City Brigade 51-19. The win marked Georgia's 14th win at home in their last 15 games, dating back to 2004.

This will be the first meeting of the season between these Southern Division foes. The Force lead the series 3-1, including sweep of both games last year. Both games last season were decided by a total of six points with Georgia winning at Austin 66-63 and then again at home 56-53.

This will mark the fourth Southern Division contest of the season for the Force. The Force are currently 2-1 in the division, defeating Orlando at Philips Arena 48-31 in Week 1, losing at Tampa Bay 61-60 in Week 3, and beating Kansas City at Philips Arena 51-19 last week.

Last week, Georgia's offense, defense and special teams contributed touchdowns to help the Force to their third victory of the season over Kansas City. In the first quarter, Georgia's FB/LB Matt Huebner forced a fumble on a Brigade kick return, which was recovered by the Force's WR/DB Nick Ward for a touchdown for a 14-2 lead. Late in the fourth quarter, DS Chris Brown intercepted Brigade QB Andy Kelly and returned it 49-yards for a touchdown, securing Georgia's 51-19 victory. Force rookie WR/LB Jamin Elliott led the team in receiving, recording 10 receptions for 111 yards and one touchdown in just his third career AFL game.



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 WR/LB Darrin Chiaverini appeared in seven games for the Atlanta Falcons in 2002.

GEORGIA FORCE NEXT WEEK

Georgia will travel to Columbus to face the Destroyers next week. The Force lead the regular season series 3-1. Last season, Georgia defeated Columbus 55-48 at Philips Arena.

Columbus is 2-3 through five weeks after defeating Arizona 42-26 last week.

THE SCHEDULE

GEORGIA FORCE (3-2)

Date OPPONENT RESULT SCORE
Jan. 28 ORLANDO W 48-31
Feb. 5 COLORADO L 61-59
Feb. 10 @ Tampa Bay L 61-60
Feb. 17 @ Las Vegas W 54-34
Feb. 24 KANSAS CITY W 51-19
March 4 AUSTIN
March 10 @ Columbus
March 17 @ San Jose
March 26 TAMPA BAY
April 1 @ Kansas City
April 9 @ Austin
April 14 @ Orlando
April 22 DALLAS
April 29 CHICAGO
May 6 @ New York
May 13 PHILADELPHIA

STATISTICS

A look how Georgia and Austin match-up on both sides of the ball based on statistics through Week 5 of the 2006 AFL season:

Statistical GEORGIA AUSTIN
Category Rank Stat Rank Stat
Scoring Offense 5th 54.4 9th 51.6
Scoring Defense t-2nd 41.2 5th 44.0
Total Offense (yds/g) 12th 271.0 16th 234.8
Total Defense (yds/g) 11th 288.2 16th 312.6
Pass Offense 11th 255.6 17th 202.0
Pass Defense 12th 270.0 17th 302.0
Rushing Offense 9th 15.4 3rd 32.8
Rushing Defense 8th 18.2 4th 10.6
Pass Rating 6th 113.0 14th 88.6
Pass Def. Rating 3rd 90.8 7th 94.8
Kickoff Returns 6th 18.3 1st 22.0
MFG Returns 15th 8.5 12th 10.2
Interceptions (int-yds) 9th 6-128 10th 6-106
Turnover Margin t-2nd +4 5th +2
Field Goals 4th 3-5 10th 6-12
PAT Kicking 17th 29-37 10th 30-34
Sacks By (sks-yds) 10th 5-43 9th 6-26
Sacks Against (sks-yds) 11th 4-26 1st 0-0
First Downs 13th 93 14th 91
Opp. First Downs 14th 103 15th 104
Penalties (yds/gm) 9th 39.0 3rd 33.6
Opp. Penalties (yds/gm) 18th 26.6 13th 34.8
Red Zone Offense 12th 16-20 9th 30-36
Red Zone Defense 3rd 19-27 2nd 15-22
Time of Possession 18th 28:02 14th 28:54

HEAD COACHES

DOUG PLANK, Georgia (16-8, 2nd Year): Doug Plank enters his second season as head coach of the Georgia Force in 2006. In his first season as an AFL head coach, he led the Force on a magical ride to ArenaBowl XIX. Plank was voted 2005 AFL Coach of the Year after leading the Force to a league best 11-5 regular season record and a 13-6 record overall.

The 11-5 mark was the best record in franchise history (previous best 8-8 in 2003), and secured the Force's first Southern Division Championship and the number one seed in the playoffs. The Force went on to win the inaugural National Conference Championship game by defeating the Orlando Predators 60-58. The victory secured the Force's place in ArenaBowl XIX.

Plank has coached in four straight ArenaBowls. He helped lead the Arizona Rattlers to three previous ArenaBowls as their defensive coordinator. In his final season with the Rattlers, the team finished with an 11-5 record and earned the top seed in the AFL playoffs.
A former member of The Ohio State University football team, Plank played in three consecutive Rose Bowls (1973-75). 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 selected by the Chicago Bears in the 12th round of the 1975 NFL 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.
He has prior broadcasting experience with the Sports USA Radio Network, Arizona Cardinals, Arizona State University Football, Fox Sports Net, and Westwood One.

Plank and his wife, Nancy, have two children, Andrea and Michael.

SKIP FOSTER (18-19, 3rd Year): Head Coach Skip Foster is entering his third AFL season with the Austin Wranglers. Foster, was the second most winning coach in af2 history with a 44-10 record, including an ArenaCup Championship. In addition to carrying the head coaching duties, Foster will again act as the Wranglers offensive coordinator.

Prior to joining the Wranglers, Foster served as the head coach for the 2003 af2-Champion Tulsa Talons. Foster led the team to a 13-3 regular season record, while accumulating 3,995 yards in total offense. This offensive effort also concluded with Tulsa out-scoring their opponents 823-690 in regular season play.

A graduate of Missouri Western State College, Foster earned a bachelor of science in education. Foster and his wife, Gay, have three children.

LAST WEEK

Georgia vs. Kansas City (11,623)

ATLANTA, GA- The Georgia Force defeated Kansas City 51-19 to improve to 3-2 on the year as the Brigade fall to 1-4. The win marked the first time in the 2006 season the Force won consecutive games. The Force have won 14 of 15 games at home dating back to 2004. Georgia was led by rookie WR/LB Jamin Elliott's 10 receptions, 111 yards and a touchdown.

Georgia scored on their opening possession when QB Matt Nagy connected with WR/LB Derek Lee on an 11-yard pass. Kansas City's K Tim Seder missed a 27-yard field goal on the Brigade's ensuing possession. Following the missed field goal, Nagy was sacked by Kansas City's OL/DL Aaron Hamilton, resulting in a safety and the Brigade's only points in the quarter. Force FB/LB Matt Huebner caused Brigade OS Steve Smith to fumble the ensuing kickoff, which was recovered by Georgia's WR/DB Nick Ward in the end zone. The first quarter ended when Force OL/DL Jermaine Smith sacked Kelly giving Georgia a 14-2 advantage.

Force FB/LB Robert Thomas blocked Seder's field goal at the beginning of the second quarter; with the ball being recovered at the Kansas City six-yard line. On the next play, Force WR/LB Chris Johnson threw his first career touchdown pass to Lee for a three-yard score. The Brigade answered on the next possession as Kelly hooked-up with Smith for a 48-yard touchdown. Nagy threw his second touchdown of the game mid-way through the quarter when he found Elliott from six yards out. Force K Nelson Garner connected on a 21-yard field goal to end the half and extended the Force lead to 31-16.

The third quarter was highlighted by defense as the Force held the Brigade to only three points. Robert Thomas' one-yard scamper capped off a six-play drive and was the Force's only score of the quarter. Georgia stretched their lead to 38-19 at the end of the quarter.

Georgia's DS Chris Brown sealed the Force victory with a 49-yard interception return with 1:01 left in the fourth quarter. Brown's interception was his fourth in the past two games and his third straight interception return for a touchdown. Georgia held Kansas City scoreless in the final quarter to secure their third win of the season.

Score 1 2 3 4 Total
Kansas City 2 14 3 0 19
Georgia 14 17 7 13 51

LEADERS

PASSING: C-A-yds-TD-Int
GA- Matt Nagy, 19-30-203-2-0
KC- Andy Kelly, 29-48-277-1-1

RECEIVING: Rec-Yds-TD
GA- Jamin Elliott, 10-111-1
KC- Jerel Myers, 12-88-0

RUSHING: Att-Yds-TD
GA- Robert Thomas,4-10-2
KC- Jacques Rumph, 2-3-0

OFFENSIVE MVP: Jamin Elliott, Georgia
DEFENSIVE MVP: Nick Ward, Georgia
IRONMAN: Robert Thomas, Georgia

WEEK 4

Georgia at Las Vegas (10,902)

Las Vegas, NV- The Georgia Force, led by rookies DS Chris Brown and WR/DB Jamin Elliott, defeated the Las Vegas Gladiators 54-34. Brown recorded his first career AFL interception in the first quarter and added two more in the second quarter. Brown's three interceptions in a single game tied the franchise record for interceptions in a single game (last time: DS Kevin Gaines, 2/20/05). Elliott registered his first career touchdown reception in the third quarter on a 26-yard strike from Force QB Matt Nagy. He added two more scores in the fourth, while playing for an injured OS Chris Jackson (hamstring). The victory improves the Force's record to 2-2 and drops the Gladiators' to 1-3.

The difference in the first quarter was an interception by Force DS Chris Brown of Gladiator QB Craig Whelihan in the end zone to end Las Vegas' first possession. The interception by Brown marked his first of his AFL career. The Force scored on both of their possessions in the quarter with Nagy connecting with WR/LB Chris Johnson for the first score and Chris Jackson for the second. Las Vegas scored their first points of the game when Whelihan connected with OS Marcus Nash for a touchdown with three seconds remaining in the quarter. The Force led the Gladiators 13-7 at the end of the quarter.

The Force continued to be led by their defense in the second quarter. Georgia's Brown added two more interceptions in the second quarter, returning both for touchdowns (36 and four yards). Whelihan, of Las Vegas threw one touchdown and two interceptions in the quarter, connecting with WR/LB Joe Douglass on a 27-yard score. The other Gladiator score came on an eight-yard run by FB/LB Marlion Jackson.

Las Vegas scored as time expired in the third quarter to cut the Force lead to six points, 40-34, as Nash hauled in a 27-yard pass from Whelihan. After an interception by Nagy, the Gladiators drive stalled after Georgia's OL/DL Gillis Wilson sacked Whelihan on third down, and Las Vegas' K Eric Houle missed the ensuing field goal attempt. Force WR/DB Jamin Elliott recorded his first AFL touchdown reception when Nagy connected on a 26-yard pass with 39 seconds remaining in the quarter.

Elliott continued to produce in the fourth quarter by adding two touchdown receptions of 23 yards and 22 yards thrown by Nagy. Georgia's defense did not allow a single point in the fourth quarter on their way to a 54-34 victory.

Score 1 2 3 4 Total
Georgia 13 21 6 14 54
Las Vegas 7 14 13 0 34

LEADERS

PASSING: C-A-Yds-TD-Int
GA- Matt Nagy, 24-36-252-6-3
LV- Craig Whelihan, 25-48-323-4-3

RECEIVING: Rec-Yds-TD
GA- Derek Lee, 9-84-0
LV- Marcus Nash, 8-101-2

RUSHING: Att-Yds-TD
GA- Robert Thomas, 4-38-0
LV- Marlion Jackson, 2-8-1

OFFENSIVE MVP: Jamin Elliott, Georgia
DEFENSIVE MVP: Chris Brown, Georgia
IRONMAN: Robert Thomas, Georgia

WEEK 3

Georgia at Tampa Bay (16,751)

TAMPA BAY, FL- The Georgia Force fell to their Southern Division rival Tampa Bay Storm, 61-60, after coming up short on a two-point conversion with no time remaining in the game. Force QB Matt Nagy ran for a touchdown as time expired in the fourth quarter to give the Force an opportunity for the win, but his pass to WR/LB Chris Johnson was just out of reach. Georgia falls to 1-2 on the season and 1-1 in the division, while the Storm improve to 2-1 overall and 1-0 in the division.

The first quarter ended with Georgia trailing Tampa Bay 17-6. Storm QB Shane Stafford ran for a one-yard score on their first possession and connected with WR/LB Bobby Sippio for a touchdown on the team's second possession of the game. The Sippio score was set up by an interception by Tampa's WR/DB Lynaris Elpheage thrown by Force's Nagy. Georgia responded by WR/LB Derek Lee hauling in a 24-yard pass from Nagy.

With 2:11 remaining in the second quarter the Force trailed the Storm 30-13. Nagy hooked up with OS Chris Jackson for a score, cutting the Storm's advantage to 10-points, 30-20. On the ensuing kickoff, Storm DS Jonathan Ordway was stripped by Force FB/LB Robert Thomas and Georgia's FB/LB Chris Demaree recovered at Tampa Bay's five-yard line. Nagy connected with Lee to trim the Storm lead to three, 30-27, heading into the half.

Georgia and Tampa traded scores throughout the third quarter with the Storm leading 46-40 at the end of the quarter. The quarter was highlighted by Jackson returning a kickoff 58-yards for a touchdown. The 58-yard return set a Force franchise record for longest kickoff return (previously 57-yards, accomplished four times, last time by Chris Jackson vs. Austin, 4/8/05).

The two teams battled until the very last second of the fourth quarter. As time expired, Nagy rushed for a one-yard touchdown, making the score 61-60 in favor of the Storm. Georgia attempted a two-point conversion which failed as Nagy's pass intended Johnson fell incomplete.

Score 1 2 3 4 Total
Georgia 6 21 13 20 60
Tampa Bay 17 13 16 15 61

LEADERS

PASSING: C-A-Yds-TD-Int
GA- Matt Nagy, 27-37-332-6-2
TB- Shane Stafford, 26-35-328-5-0

RECEIVING: Rec-Yds-TD
GA- Derek Lee, 16-157-3
TB- Lawrence Samuels, 10-107-2

RUSHING: Att-Yds-TD
GA- Chris Johnson, 1-8-0
TB- Jarrod Penright, 3-8-1

OFFENSIVE MVP: Bobby Sippio, Tampa Bay
DEFENSIVE MVP: Lynaris Elpheage, Tampa Bay
IRONMAN: Lawrence Samuels, Tampa Bay

WEEK 2

Georgia vs. Colorado (10,431)

ATLANTA, GA- The Georgia Force suffered their first home loss in the last 14 games, falling to the Colorado Crush 61-59. The rematch of ArenaBowl XIX lived up to the hype as the game was decided in the final seconds when the Force failed to convert a two-point conversion.

At the end of the first quarter, Colorado led Georgia 14-13. The two teams traded scores throughout the first quarter, with both quarterbacks throwing for two scores. Force QB Matt Nagy completed touchdown passes to WR/LB Rob Carey from 25-yards out and OS Chris Jackson on a 14-yard completion. Crush QB John Dutton connected with OS Damian Harrell twice. The difference in the first quarter was a missed PAT by Force K Nelson Garner after the score by WR/LB Carey.

The Force produced the first defensive stop of the game at the beginning of the second quarter, when DS Nate Coggins deflected a fourth down pass intended for OS Damian Harrell in the corner of the end zone. The teams traded scores until the final minute of the half. The Crush recovered an on-side kick with one minute remaining in the first half. Six plays later, Crush QB John Dutton connected with OS Damian Harrell for his third receiving touchdown in the first half. Colorado's WR/LB Ahmad Hawkins returned a missed field goal 56 yards as time expired in the first half, giving the Crush a 34-20 lead heading into halftime.

A total of 38 points were scored between the two teams in the fourth quarter. Force QB Matt Nagy connected with WR/LB Derek Lee on an eight yard score with 25 seconds remaining. The Force attempted a two-point conversion which failed and sealed the Colorado victory.

Score 1 2 3 4 Total
Colorado 14 20 7 20 61
Georgia 13 7 21 18 59

LEADERS

PASSING: C-A-Yds-TD-Int
GA- Matt Nagy, 21-32-256-6-0
COL- John Dutton, 29-42-277-6-0

RECEIVING: Rec-Yds-TD
GA- Derek Lee, 10-92-2
COL- Damian Harrell, 11-132-5

RUSHING: Att-Yds-TD
GA- Kevin Aldridge, 2-10-1
COL- Saul Patu, 2-21-1

OFFENSIVE MVP: Damian Harrell, Colorado
DEFENSIVE MVP: Rob Carey, Georgia
IRONMAN: Willis Marshall, Colorado

WEEK 1

Georgia vs. Orlando (13, 265)

ATLANTA, GA- The Georgia Force defeated the Orlando Predators 48-31 in front of 13,265 fans at Philips Arena. The game was decided in the final 45 seconds as the Georgia Force returned two interceptions for touchdowns. The victory improved the Force's opening day record to 4-1 in the franchises five year history.

The Force (1-0) jumped out to an early lead on the first possession of the game as QB Matt Nagy completed 3-of-4 passes, capped by a 25-yard touchdown pass to OS Chris Jackson, to give Georgia their first score of the 2006 season. The touchdown would be the sole score of the first quarter as the Force defense forced the Predators to turn the ball over on downs on their first possession.

Georgia appeared to be on track for another score, but a fumble by OS Chris Jackson on the Orlando two-yard line was recovered by Predators WR Scott Cloman. Orlando would take advantage of the turnover, capping an 11-play drive with a six-yard touchdown pass from QB Joe Hamilton to OS Jimmy Fryzel.

The Force responded quickly as Nagy connected with WR Rob Carey for a 34-yard gain on the first play of the drive. Three snaps later, Nagy would find Jackson in the end zone for the receiver's second score (13 yards) of the game to give the Force a 14-7 lead with 3:24 remaining in the second quarter.

On the Predators following possession, Force LB Kevin Aldridge caused a Predators FB Malon Moye-Moore fumble on the second play of the drive to give Georgia good field position at the 11-yard line. The Force, however, would not find the end zone as the team went four-and-out and were forced to turn the ball over on downs on the Predators one-yard line.

Down by seven, the Predators drove the length of the field on six plays as Hamilton did it through the air and on the ground, completing 3-of-3 passes and capping the drive with a four-yard touchdown run.

With 33 seconds left in the half and the score tied at 14 apiece, Nagy completed three quick passes to WR Derek Lee to bring the Force into ideal field goal position. Force K Nelson Garner, who enters the season having kicked in three straight ArenaBowls, connected on the 29-yard attempt to give Georgia a 17-14 lead heading into the second half.

The Predators opened up the second half backed up on their own 12-yard line, and would have little success moving the ball. A couple of deep passes downfield by

Hamilton proved unsuccessful and the Predators were forced to give the ball over on downs. With good field position on the Predators 12-yard line, the Force were able to muster a Garner field goal (29 yards), increasing their lead to 20-14.

The Predators would respond on their next possession with a 23-yard field goal by K Jay Taylor after a time-consuming nine-play drive. It wouldn't take much time for Orlando to put points on the scoreboard again as the Predators got the ball back on the Force five-yard line after a Nagy fumble. On the very next play, Hamilton found Scot Cloman in the left corner of the end zone for a XX-yard touchdown completion to give the Predators a four-point lead with 14:56 remaining in the final quarter.

The two teams would trade scores with touchdown receptions by Georgia's Derek Lee and Orlando's DeAndrew Rubin. The game was decided by two interceptions returned for touchdowns by the Force's DS Nate Coggins with 35 seconds left in the game and WR/DB Nick Ward with 15 seconds remaining to seal the Force victory.

Score 1 2 3 4 Total
Orlando 0 14 3 14 31
Georgia 7 10 3 28 48

LEADERS

PASSING: C-A-Yds-TD-Int
GA- Matt Nagy, 23-28-256-4-0
ORL- Joe Hamilton, 20-40-189-3-2

RECEIVING: Rec-Yds-TD
GA- Chris Jackson, 9-117-3
ORL- Jimmy Fryzel, 8-63-1

RUSHING: Att-Yds-TD
GA- Robert Thomas, 2-6-0
ORL- M. Moye-Moore, 3-14-0

OFFENSIVE MVP: Chris Jackson, Georgia
DEFENSIVE MVP: Kevin Aldridge, Georgia
IRONMAN: Derek Lee, Georgia

THE FORCE THIS SEASON ARE

2-1 at home
1-1 on the road

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

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

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

2-2 in televised games

3-0 when leading at the half
0-0 when tied at the half
0-2 when trailing at the half

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

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

3-0 when the Force scores first
0-2 when opponent scores first

THINGS TO WATCH

New Arrivals

Last season, Force rookies OS Troy Bergeron and WR/LB Derek Lee led the Force to ArenaBowl XIX. In 2006, rookies DS Chris Brown and WR/DB Jamin Elliott look to help the Force return to the ArenaBowl.

Chris Brown
Brown leads the team in tackles (37), interceptions (4) and is second in pass break-ups (6) through five games. In Week 4 at Las Vegas, Brown tied a franchise-high with three interceptions in a single game, returning two of the three for touchdowns. Last week versus Kansas City, Brown collected his fourth interception of the season and his third returned for a touchdown. Brown has returned his last three interceptions for touchdowns.

Jamin Elliott
Elliott, who played college football at Delaware with Force QB Matt Nagy, recorded his first touchdown in the AFL in Week 4 at Las Vegas. He registered four receptions for 77 yards and three touchdowns en route to a 54-34 Force victory. Elliott registered his first 100-yard receiving game last week versus Kansas City. He hauled in 10 catches for 111 yards and a touchdown in Georgia's 51-19 victory over Kansas City.

Action Jackson- By the Numbers

It is amazing to look how much OS Chris Jackson has done in just over six seasons. Here is a look at what he has accomplished in his 81 career regular season AFL games.

79 games with at least one TD
78 games with at least one receiving TD
56 games with at least two TDs
35 games with at least three receiving TDs
16 games with at least four receiving TDs
42 100-yard receiving games
21 games with 10+ receptions

Home Sweet Home

Georgia has won 14-of-15 games at home since 2004. The Force are currently 2-1 at home this season after going 10-0 at home in 2005, including two playoff wins.

Sophomore Stud

WR/LB Derek Lee is having no part of a "sophomore slump". After a tremendous rookie season in 2005, when he set an AFL rookie record with 113 receptions (105 by Mike Baker-St. Louis, 1996), Lee is continuing to be an unstoppable force. Lee set a franchise record for receptions in a single game in Week 3 at Tampa Bay, by hauling in 17 receptions. Lee ranks second in the league in receptions (50) through the first five weeks of the season.

Date Opp. Rec. Yds. TD
Jan. 28 ORL 8 75 1
Feb. 5 COL 10 92 2
Feb. 10 @TB 17 166 3
Feb. 17 @LV 9 84 0
Feb. 24 KC 6 38 2
Total 50 455 8

Defensive Toughness

Georgia closed out the 2005 regular season ranked second in the AFL in points allowed per game (46.6). The defense has continued in the same manner in 2006 as they finished last season. After Week 5, the Force are tied for second in scoring defense, allowing 41.2 points per game.

Scoring Defense in 2006

TEAM RANK PPG
Nashville 1 35.6
GEORGIA 2 41.2
Columbus 2 41.2

Pick Six

The Force defense has returned five interceptions for touchdowns through Week 5. The five interceptions returned for touchdowns is a franchise record for a single season. The previous mark was four in a single season. The AFL single season record is seven, which has been accomplished three times (last time: San Jose, 2003).

DS Chris Brown has recorded four interceptions in the last two games, including three straight returned for a touchdown. In Week 1, DS Nate Coggins and WR/DB Nick Ward returned interceptions for touchdowns in a 48-31 win over Orlando.

Interceptions Returned for Touchdowns

Opp. Player Yds.
Orlando Nate Coggins 18
Orlando Nick Ward 20
@Las Vegas Chris Brown 32
@Las Vegas Chris Brown 4
Kansas City Chris Brown 4


WEEKLY GAME AWARD WINNERS

Baby Ruth Offensive Player of the Game
WK TEAM PLAYER
1 GA Chris Jackson
2 COL Damian Harrell
3 TB Bobby Sippio
4 GA Jamin Elliott
5 GA Jamin Elliott

ADT Defensive Player of the Game
WK TEAM PLAYER
1 GA Kevin Aldridge
2 GA Rob Carey
3 TB Lynaris Elpheage
4 GA Chris Brown
5 GA Nick Ward

U.S. Army Ironman of the Game
WK TEAM PLAYER
1 GA Derek Lee
2 COL Willis Marshall
3 TB Lawrence Samuels
4 GA Robert Thomas
5 GA Robert Thomas

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