Greisen breaks team single-game passing record in 69-68 win
April 15, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Georgia Force News Release
The Georgia Force (6-1) defeated the Las Vegas Gladiators (1-6) in a narrow victory, 69-68, at Philips Arena. Georgia was led by QB Chris Greisen who set a new Force record with the most passing yards by a quarterback in a single-game with 376 (previous high: 354 QB Leon Murray vs. Dallas, 5/10/03). His efficiency was also on display completing 34 of 45 attempts for a franchise-high 10 touchdowns. "The Trifecta", also known as the Force receiving core; Troy Bergeron, Derek Lee, and Chris Jackson put together a stand out performance with each recording more than 100 receiving yards. Jackson led the trio with 14 receptions for 124 yards and five touchdowns. DB James Whitley led the Force defense in tackles with nine, while his secondary teammate DB Hamin Milligan had two passes defensed. Georgia will face the only undefeated team in the league, as they host the Dallas Desperadoes (6-0) on Saturday, April 21 at 7:00 p.m.
The potent Force passing attack was evident in their first two possessions of the game. Jackson scored Georgia's first two touchdowns as he added to season total of 18. On the first score, Greisen found Jackson on a curl route, which the team's leading receiver plunged in the end zone for the 11-yard score. On the second drive, Greisen again connected with a 13-yard pass to Jackson with 4:42 remaining in the first quarter. On their first drive, Las Vegas responded in the first quarter on a pivotal fourth down play on the Georgia 11-yard line, when Las Vegas QB Brian Jones spotted WR Etu Molden on a 38-yard pass before the end of the quarter.
Las Vegas opened the second quarter with a key drive that tied the game 13-13. QB Brian Jones found WR Thabiti Davis in the back of the end zone for a seven-yard pass. Georgia retook the lead 20-27 when Greisen threw a screen pass to FB John Ritcher, as he broke several tackles for the 17-yard touchdown scamper with 2:30 left in the quarter. For the remainder of the first half, the two teams traded scores. The last play was capped off by a Gladiators touchdown on a fumble recovery by FB Joshua Rue, when Force WR/DB Jarrick Hillery fumbled the missed field goal return at the Force three -yard line on a last second missed 40-yard field goal attempt by Gladiators K Steve Azar. The first half ended with Georgia leading Las Vegas 34-33.
For the first time in the game, the Gladiators took the lead 40-34 when Jones connected on a swing pass to Rue that resulted in a 22-yard touchdown. Each team would add several scores before the Force defense stepped up on a fourth-down play when DL Mike Sutton recorded the first sack of the game against Jones. The play resulted in a key change of possession, and one play later Greisen capitalized with a 13-yard touchdown pass to WR Derek Lee for his first score of the game and wrapped up the third period.
In the final quarter, the Gladiators demonstrated resiliency in not letting the Force stretch the game wide open. Jones led the team in a drive that tied the game, 62-62, when he connected with WR Etu Molden for his fourth score on a 19-yard touchdown pass with 5:35 remaining in the game. Greisen led Georgia down the field on a nine-play drive that consumed 3:35 and was capped off with a five-yard touchdown pass to Jackson. The touchdown marked Greisen's 10th touchdown pass of the game, which is a new franchise-high and stretched the Force lead to 69-62. Las Vegas was able to add another touchdown with 0:08 remaining, but Jones' pass was intercepted by Hillery on the two-point conversion to seal the Force victory.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 15, 2007
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- Gladiators Show Force Against Georgia in 69-68 Loss - Las Vegas Gladiators
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