af2 Green Bay Blizzard

Green Bay Blizzard game notes

May 11, 2004 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Green Bay Blizzard News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz (4-1) @ Green Bay Blizzard (2-3)
Date: Friday, May 14, 2004
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. CST
Site: The Resch Center
National Anthem: David Tappa
Coin Toss: LeRoy Butler
Officials: Pat Miles (referee), Fred Bryan (Umpire), Rick Kruger (Headlinesman), Matt Kukar (Line Judge), Tom Wohlleber (back Judge)
Radio: None
Series Record: 0-0 First meeting
Streaks: Green Bay W1, Oklahoma City W2
Coaches: Green Bay Brian Noble (2-3, first season), Oklahoma City Gary Reasons (4-1, first season)

THE STAKES: The winner would take a 1-0 series lead.

THE SERIES: First meeting

THE IFs:
If Green Bay wins, it would ...
· Give Green Bay their second victory at home on the season.
· Give Green Bay a 3-3 record in 2004
· Give Brian Noble his third win as Blizzard Head Coach
· Keep Green Bay with in two games of first place in Midwest division
· Give Green Bay their first win against Oklahoma City



GREEN BAY (2-3, Won 1)
Date Opponent Streak Result Score
4/9 @ San Diego Won 67-49
4/16 WILKES B/S Lost 39-75
4/24 @ Wichita Lost 53-68
5/1 @ Quad City Lost 26-47
5/8 CENTRAL VALLEY Won 50-32
Date Opponent Time Streak Series
5/14 OKLAHOMA CITY 7:30 W2 0-0
5/22 LOUISVILLE 7:30 W1 1-1
5/28 @ Manchester 6:30 W2 0-0
6/5 PEORIA 7:30 L1 0-2
6/12 @ Birmingham 7:30 W4 0-0
6/18 QUAD CITY 7:30 W2 0-3
6/25 @ Albany 6:30 W1 0-0
7/3 BYE
7/9 ALBANY 7:30 W1 0-0
7/17 SAN DIEGO 7:30 L1 2-1
7/24 @ Louisville 6:30 W1 1-1
7/31 @ Peoria 7:00 L1 0-2

Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz (4-1, Won 1)
Date Opponent Result Score
4/3 @ Tulsa Won 70-63
4/10 RIO GRANDE Won 55-17
4/16 Bye
4/24 @ Rio Grande Lost 41-44
5/1 TULSA Won 62-60
5/8 LAREDC Won 79-48
Date Opponent Time Streak Series
5/14 @ Green Bay 7:30 W1 0-0
5/22 WICHITA 7:30 W5 0-0
5/29 ARKANSAS 7:30 L3 0-0
6/5 @ Laredo 7:30 L5 1-0
6/12 @ Wichita 7:30 W5 0-0
6/19 LAREDO 7:30 L5 1-0
6/26 @ Columbus 6:30 L3 0-0
7/3 CENTRAL VALLEY 7:30 L1 0-0
7/10 @ Rio Grande 7:30 L1 1-1
7/17 @ Wichita 7:30 W5 0-0
7/23 TULSA 7:30 W1 2-0
7/30 Bye
All times are CST.
HEAD COACHES: Green Bay's Brian Noble steps into the position of Head Coach of the Green Bay Blizzard, this popular former Packer brings along an impressive resume of NFL experience, leadership skills and community service. Coach Noble's responsibilities are to prepare the team for success on the field, and draw upon his media knowledge to contribute to the organization in other ways as well.
For nine years, Noble was a ferocious hitter and defensive leader who roamed the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field as an inside linebacker for the Green Bay Packers. After being drafted in the fifth round by Green Bay in 1985, he jumped into the starting lineup in only his second regular season game and went on to scoop up the Packers' "Rookie of the Year" award. During his tenure with the Green and Gold, Brian led the team in total tackles four times and also displayed his toughness as a solid special teams player. Prior to his pro career, Noble was a standout football player at Arizona State University and Fullerton Junior College.
During and subsequent to his playing days, Noble worked in both television and radio. As an analyst for the Packers post-game radio show, fans across Wisconsin are familiar with his keen insight on the game and no-holds-barred commentary. In addition to other media ventures, he developed and produced the syndicated television show "Hitting the Outdoors," which has reached millions of households throughout the Midwest.

In 1984, Gary Reasons was a fourth round draft pick by the New York Giants. Throughout his eight seasons
(1984-91) with the Giants, Reasons became known as a member of one of the greatest linebacker corps in NFL history. He earned personal recognition for his smart and hard-hitting style of play being selected to the NFL All Rookie Team, All NFL, and to the All Madden Team. His final NFL season was spent with the Cincinnati Bengals in 1992.
Reasons attended Northwestern State from (1980-84) where he recorded 394 career tackles, was a three-time First Team All-Conference performer (1981-83) and was named "Most Valuable Collegiate Defensive Player" for the state of Louisiana in his senior season. He was the first player in Division I-AA history to earn First Team All-America honors in three consecutive seasons (1981-83). Northwestern State retired Reasons' No. 34 jersey following his senior season. Reasons graduated with a Bachelors degree in Business Administration from Northwestern State in 1984.
Football Hall of F In 1996, Reasons was among the inaugural class of small college players to be inducted into the National College game. In 1998, Reasons was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.


LAST SERIES MEETING: First meeting between the teams

FAMILIAR FACES: none

LEAGUE TOP 10s: Players from this week's match up who rank among af2's statistical leaders:
BLIZZARD
Player Rank Category Stat
Randall Lane T1 Scoring 102
Randall Lane T1 Scoring TDs 17
Randall Lane 1 Receiving YDS 693
Randall Lane 5 All Purpose 999
Randall Lane 5 Receptions 43
Chris Greisen 9 Pass Rating 109.8
Ronnie Washburn T5 FUMBLES RCVD 2
YARD DAWGZ
Player Rank Category Stat
Strickland, Craig 1 Pass Rating 126.6
Strickland, Craig 2 Pass Offense 275.2
Strickland, Craig 5 Total Offense 275.0
Hunt, Al T4 Scoring TDs 14
Hunt, Al 7 Reception Yards 526
Marshall, Timon 4 Scoring TDs 14
Jones, Johnell 3 Fumbles Rcvd 2
Jones, Johnell 3 Sacks 2.5
Mitchell, Drew 3 Tackles for Loss 4.0
Little, Chuck 5 Tackles for Loss 3.0
Little, Chuck 4 Sacks 2.0
Landers, James 2 Forced Fumbles 2
Landers, James 3 Sacks 2.5
Bell, Ryan 4 Sacks 2.0
Martinez, Peter 1 PAT Scoring 36-41

TALE OF THE TAPE:

Statistical BLIZZARD YARD DAWGZ
Category Rank Stat Rank Stat
Scoring Offense 15 47.0 1 61.4
Scoring Defense 18 54.0 12 46.4
Total Offense 18 245.4 1 291.0
Total Defense 24 282.8 T10 246.0
Pass Offense T12 242.6 1 277.0
Pass Defense 25 274.2 15 231.6
Rushing Offense 25 2.8 18 14.0
Rushing Defense 3 8.6 8 14.4
Scoring (Non-Kick) T13 212 3 264
Scoring (Kicking) 21 23 3 39
Pass Rating 20 92.1 1 126.6
Pass Def. Rating 19 110.3 20 112.4
Kickoff Returns 19 17.5 14 18.3
MFG Returns T24 0.0 14 15.0
Turnover Margin T19 -3 3 +6
Field Goals T22 .167 T22 .167
PAT Kicking T20 .667 2 .878
Sacks By T16 5 1 18
Sacks Against T3 3 T3 3
First Downs T17 69 T3 92
Opp. First Downs 9 71 T12 73
Penalties 10 278 9 268
Opp. Penalties 11 294 12 301
Red Zone Off 14 71.4 T3 81.5
Red Zone Def T21 81.8 T21 81.8


BLIZZARD INJURY REPORT:
Pos. Name Injury Status
DS Terrence Wood Ankle SIR
DS Kenny Williams Knee LIR
WR/DB Terrence Banks Ankle LIR

THIS WEEK'S QUOTES:

DROPBACK: The Blizzard defeated the Central Valley Coyotes 50-32 to pick up their first home win and second on the season.

FORWARD MOTION: The Blizzard take to the Resch Center for the next two weeks, before returning to the road on May 28th.

TEAM NOTES/TRENDS:
Robert Garth: Garth is second on the Blizzard with 21 receptions for 263 yards and 8 touchdowns.
Give it to Randall: Lane is closing in on numerous franchise records. Lane is team leader in scoring (102), receptions (43) yards (693), touchdowns (17), and all-purpose yards (999).
Turnovers: The Blizzard have turned the ball over 16 times in the past four weeks. The Blizzard have a -3 turnover margin on the year. When they win the turnover battle, they win the game.

PLAYERS/MATCHUPS TO WATCH:
Blizzard OS Randall Lane vs. Yard Dawgz secondary: Lane is the leading scorer in the af2 with 17 touchdowns and second in receiving yards with 693.

KEY DATES IN TEAM/LEAGUE HISTORY:
March 30, 2003 – The Blizzard played their first game in franchise history against the Hawaiian Islanders.
April 19, 2003 – The Blizzard played their first home game at the Resch Center against the Wichita Stealth.
June 28, 2003 – The Blizzard recorded their first franchise win against the San Diego Riptide.
April 9, 2004 – The Blizzard recorded their first franchise road win against the San Diego Riptide.

BABY RUTH REAL DEAL OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME (selected by media)
Week Opp. Player
1 BYE
2 SD Randall Lane GB
3 GB Leroy McFadden WBS
4 GB Damon Thompson WIC
5 GB Jeff Hewitt QC
6 CV Chris Greisen GB

ADT DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME
Week Opp. Player
1 BYE
2 GB Brad Greetis SD
3 GB Leroy McFadden WBS
4 GB Brian Livingston WIC
5 GB Danny Thomas QC
6 GB VonKeith Spencer

ARMY IRONMAN AWARD (selected by media)
Week Opp. Player
1 BYE
2 SD Robert Garth GB
3 GB Leroy McFadden WBS
4 GB Ty Ardoin WIC
5 GB Brian Berg QC
6 CV Joe Rivard GB

RECENT ROSTER MOVES (most recent first):
Date Action Player
5/6 Assigned Tony Ebeling
5/6 Re-assigned Dennis Gile
4/29 Assigned Matt Bunyan
4/29 Assigned Taalib-Din Smith
4/29 Re-assigned John Humphries
4/29 Short Term IR Terrence Wood
4/21 Assigned Dustin Sagedahl
4/21 Placed on League Exempt Dave Sherrod
4/15 Activated From SIR Quentin Ware-Bey
4/15 Reassigned Tony Ebeling
4/7 Activated from RTR Brett Wetten
4/7 Recallable Re assign Dustin Sagedahl
4/7 Reassignment Ben Arnold
4/7 Assigned Ronnie Washburn
4/2 Assigned Patrick Heard
4/2 Assigned Terrence Wood
4/2 Assigned Reggie Poole
4/2 Activated from RTR Greg Krauss



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