Indiana Firebirds game notes

Published on March 30, 2004 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Albany/Indiana Firebirds News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Indiana Firebirds (3-5)
At Colorado Crush (6-2)
Date: April 3, 2004
Kickoff: 3:00 pm (EST)
Site: Pepsi Center (17,210)
Officials: Referee: Craig Wrolstad; Umpire: Rick Lowe;
Head Linesman: Gary Cavaletto; Line Judge: Rusty Baynes; Back Judge: Scott Helverson
Series Record: 1-0 Colorado Leads
Last Meeting: Colorado won the first meeting between the franchises, 38-35 last season at Conseco Fieldhouse.
Coaches: Mike Wilpolt (1st Season, 3-0)
Mike Dailey ( 8th Season, 69-48, 1st with Crush 6-2)

RADIO:
Firebirds' Radio Network: ESPN RADIO 950 AM, WIJY 95.9 FM, ESPN Radio 1130 AM (Brazil, IN), & ESPN Radio 1300 AM (Terre Haute, IN) (with Rob Blackman and Barry Krauss). WEBCAST: www.espn950.com

THE FIREBIRDS:
With a 45-42 victory over Grand Rapids, the Indiana Firebirds improved to 3-0 under new coach Mike Wilpolt. Clay Rush, the birds' kicker, drilled a 29-yard field goal with seconds remaining, as the Firebirds outlasted the Rampage. In the first five games of the season Indiana failed to reach 50 points once, but have cracked the 60-point plateau twice in the past three weeks. Firebirds QB Adrian McPherson passed for a career-high 289 yards in the victory last Friday night. McPherson added five touchdown passes. While all aspects of Indiana's game have improved, McPherson has played a major role in the Firebirds 3-game winning streak, passing for 11 touchdowns with no interceptions, and rushing for 7 more scores in that span. Even in their losses Indiana has looked impressive, losing three games by a combined total of 9 points. The defense has been rock solid, ranking in the top ten in the league in scoring. The Firebirds also appear to have developed depth at the receiver position. OS Mike Horacek, who is eligible to return after missing two games with an injury, has to compete for catches with long-time Firebird Evan Hlavacek, young receivers Brett Bech, Anthony Hines, Jordan Younger, and newcomer Andy McCullough. Leroy Thompson (88 yards, 2TD) once again guides the Indiana ground game, but has received help from McPherson (144 yds, 11 TD) in moving the ball on the ground. Three of Indiana's five losses have been decided in the last minute of action.

THE CRUSH:
The Colorado Crush enters their showdown with Indiana as the first-place team in the central division. The Crush is currently riding their third two-game winning streak of the season. Long-time Firebirds coach Mike Dailey is in his first season leading Colorado and has had an immediate impact on a franchise that went 2-14 a year ago. QB John Dutton leads the Crush offense, having completed 60% of his passes for 1855 yards. Dutton has thrown 33 touchdowns and only 4 interceptions. Dutton's favorite target has been one of the leagues top receivers, Damian Harrell. Harrell has 49 receptions for 738 yards and 21 touchdowns. DS Rashad Floyd has been everywhere for Colorado recording 63.5 tackles and 5 interceptions through eight games.

INDIANA FIREBIRDS (3-5)
Date Opponent Time Result Record
2/7 COLUMBUS 7:00 L 54-48 0-1
2/14 at New Orleans 3:00 L 41-40 0-2
2/23 at Detroit 7:30 L 34-25 0-3
2/29 CHICAGO 3:00 L 49-46 0-4
3/6 At Orlando 7:30 L50-38 0-5
3/14 at Austin 3:00 W64-41 1-5
3/20 GEORGIA 7:00 W73-36 2-5
3/26 GRAND RAPIDS 7:30 W45-42 3-5
4/3 at Colorado 3:00
4/11 CAROLINA 2:00
4/17 at Grand Rapids 6:30
4/25 ARIZONA 2:00
5/2 at Las Vegas 2:00
5/8 DETROIT 7:00
5/16 COLORADO 2:00
5/23 At Chicago 2:00
COLORADO CRUSH (6-2)
Date Opponent Time* Result Record
2/6 LAS VEGAS 9:00 W43-42 1-0
2/14 At Grand Rapids 12:00 W55-37 2-0
2/22 At Chicago 3:00 L65-35 2-1
2/27 AUSTIN 9:00 W37-35 3-1
3/4 DETROIT 9:00 W62-61 4-1
3/14 At San Jose 8:00 L55-35 4-2
3/21 At Philadelphia 12:00 W40-33 5-2
3/27 ARIZONA 9:00 W54-46 6-2
4/3 INDIANA 3:00
4/10 At Los Angeles 10:30
4/18 At New York 3:00
4/23 GRAND RAPIDS 9:00
5/2 PHILADELPHIA 3:00
5/16 At Indiana 3:00
5/23 At Detroit 3:00
5/30 CHICAGO 4:00
* Times are EST

COACHES:
Mike Wilpolt (3-0, 1st year): Mike Wilpolt was named head coach of the Firebirds on March 10, 2004, following the team's (0-5) start. He has been with the organization coaching defensive backs for the past six years, the last five he also served as the team's defensive coordinator. In his first season with the Firebirds, Wilpolt coached the special teams and helped them to a 1999 ArenaBowl Championship. In 2002, his defense had a breakthrough season, leading the league in red zone defense (74.4%) and ranking 2nd in points allowed (46.1) and interceptions (21). Wilpolt played four years in the AFL as a defensive specialist with the Charlotte Rage (1992), Las Vegas Sting (1994-95) and the Anaheim Piranhas (1996). During his time with Anaheim, Wilpolt held a then league record for tackles with 16 in one game.

Name Years Record
Mike Wilpolt 2004 - 3-0
Steve DeBerg 2004 0-5
Mike Dailey 1997-2003 63-44
Mike Hohensee 1994-1996 30-14
Rick Buffington 1990-1993 19-24

Mike Dailey (69-48, 8th Year, 6-2 with Crush): Mike Dailey is in his first season with Colorado after serving as the head coach of the Firebirds for seven seasons. With the ‘Birds, Dailey went 63-46 and won the 1999 ArenaBowl Championship. Dailey was named AFL Coach of the year in 1999. Dailey also served as an assistant coach with the Firebirds for 5 seasons under Mike Hohensse. During Dailey's tenure at offensive coordinator the Firebirds led the league in scoring, averaging 60 points per game. Dailey also served as defensive coordinator for two seasons. The right to sign Coach Dailey was acquired by Colorado in a trade with Indiana last June. Dailey also has assistant coaching experience form Montgomery College- Rockville (Md.) and Towson State University.

INDIANA FIREBIRDS INJURY REPORT:
Player Pos Injury Status
Doug Lytle OL/DL Knee Doubtful
Anthony Derricks DS Shoulder Probable
Kerry Brown WR/LB Thumb Doubtful
Mike Horacek OS Knee Doubtful
Kevin Daft QB Neck OUT
____________________________________________

THE IF'S:
If INDIANA beats Colorado it would...
- Give Indiana a four-game winning streak
- Give the Firebirds their second consecutive road win
- Give the Firebirds their first win over Colorado franchise
- Keep Coach Wilpolt undefeated as Firebirds head coach

If COLORADO beats Indiana it would...
- Give Colorado a three game winning streak
- Improve Colorado's division-leading record
- Give Mike Dailey a victory in his first game against the Firebirds franchise.

THE SERIES:
This is the second meeting between the Firebirds and Crush. Colorado earned one of their two victories last season by edging the Firebirds 38-35 at Conseco Fieldhouse.

PRACTICE SCHEDULE FOR March 30th THROUGH April 3rd
Start End
Tue. March 30, 2004 10:00am 12:00pm

Wed. March 31, 2004 10:00am 12:00pm

Thurs. April 1, 2004 10:00am 12:00pm

Fri. April 2, 2004 TRAVEL TO DENVER
Sat. April 3, 2004 3:00 PM KICKOFF

All practices are held at the SportsZone (6601 Coffman Road, Indianapolis, IN 46268). Media are encouraged to get interviews 15 minutes prior to, or following, each practice session.

FIREBIRDS RECORD IN 2004 WHEN:
At Home...............................................2-2
On the Road..........................................1-3
Vs. National Conference..........................2-4
Vs. American Conference........................1-1
Vs. Southern Division.............................2-2
Vs. Eastern Division...............................0-1
Vs. Western Division..............................0-0
Vs. Central Division...............................1-2
Score First............................................1-2
Lead After 1st Quarter.............................1-0
Trail After 1st Quarter.............................2-4
Lead After 2nd Quarter............................2-2
Trail After2nd Quarter............................1-3
Lead After 3rd Quarter............................2-2
Trail After 3rd Quarter............................1-3
Overtime Games....................................0-0
On NBC...............................................0-2
Win Turnover Battle...............................3-2
Lose Turnover Battle..............................0-3
Score Over 50 Points..............................2-0
Score Over 60 Points.............................2-0
Allow Under 40 Points...........................1-1
Allow Under 30 Points...........................0-0
Rush field goal lifts 'Birds over Rampage
Clay Rush hit a 29-yard field goal with two seconds left to lift the Indiana Firebirds over the Grand Rapids Rampage in a thriller, 45-42.

Rush's game-winning field goal capped off a 5 play 29-yard drive in which Adrian McPherson (Baby Ruth Real Deal Offensive MVP) completed 2-of-5 passes to give the Firebirds 4th and 2 from the Grand Rapids 21. Following a Grand Rapids timeout, Rush came out and calmly drilled the kick to give Indiana the lead.

Grand Rapids had one last chance to win as the ensuing kickoff went out of the back of the end zone for a touchback. However, Nick Gatto's 62-yard field goal attempt fell short, sealing the win for Indiana.

Grand Rapids sprinted out to an early 21-7 lead as QB Anthony Buich completed 11 of his first 12 passes, including three touchdowns. The Rampage defense also stood tall, limiting a Firebird offense that has racked up an average of 69 points in the past two games to only 13 first half points in taking a 21-13 lead into halftime.

However, the second half belonged to Indiana's blazing hot rookie tandem of McPherson and OS Anthony Hines. The pair hooked up seven times for 128 yards and a touchdown in the final two frames, none of which were more important than a clutch two-play drive in which Hines made both receptions for 38 yards touchdown to give the Birds their first lead of the game at 42-35.

While it was the rookies who lead the way to victory, it was the veterans who made the plays down the stretch. Brett Bech (2 catches, 23 yards, 1 TD), who had been quiet on the offensive side of the ball for the majority of the game came open when his defender slipped and made a wide-open touchdown grab in the back of the end zone to bring the Birds to within one point with ten minutes remaining. Coach Wilpolt then elected to go for two instead of taking the easy PAT and was rewarded handsomely for his decision as Bech created enough space between himself and his defender for McPherson to get him the ball in the end zone to tie the game at 35.

Grand Rapids would not go quietly into the rainy Indianapolis night however. Following the Hines touchdown reception, the Rampage drove down to the Indiana nine-yard line. Following a pair of incomplete passes, Anthony Buich found OL/DL Rickie Simpkins at the Indiana seven. Simpkins rumbled in behind his blockers to cap off a drive that ate five minutes off the clock, setting the stage for the dramatic finish.

McPherson proved once again why he is widely considered to be one of the rising stars in the AFL, winning his second consecutive Offensive MVP award by completing 22-of-34 passes for 289 yards and five touchdowns while rushing for another score. The win gives new Indiana head coach Mike Wilpolt his third in a row while Grand Rapids remained winless on the season, falling for the seventh straight time.

INDIANA FIREBIRDS NEXT WEEK
The Firebirds return to Conseco Fieldhouse for a showdown with Carolina. The game will be televised on NBC beginning at 2:00 PM (EST), and if the Firebirds win in Colorado, they will look to get back to the .500 mark next week.


QUOTE ME
Firebirds K Clay Rush on...
The Game winning kick: "It's one of those things where you think about how hard you worked during the week, how hard you've been practicing kicking," said Rush, the 2003 Arena Football League Kicker of the Year. "It's just a kick. It doesn't matter if it's the last second or first quarter, it's all the same."

Firebirds Coach Mike Wilpolt on...
Winning a close game: "This is a confidence builder for us, confidence that our quarterback can move the offense down there," Wilpolt said. "This is actually what we needed because down the road we're going to have more games like this."

Firebirds QB Adrian McPherson on...
His Teammates:: "I have confidence that my offensive line is going to protect me and that my receivers are going to make big plays. I'm just getting the ball in those guys' hands and letting them make plays."
Game - Opponent U.S. Army Ironman Baby Ruth Offensive Player ADT Defensive Player
2/7 - COL Sedrick Robinson (COL) Brett Bech Anthony Derricks
2/14 - NOV B.J. Cohen (NOV) John Fitzgerald (NOV) Chris Pointer (NOV)
2/23 – DET Brett Bech Andy Kelly (DET) Ron Carpenter (DET)
2/29 - CHI Etu Molden (CHI) Adrian McPherson Leroy Thompson
3/6 - ORL Jermaine Smith (ORL) Corey Fleming (ORL) Rupert Grant (ORL)
3/14 - AUS Evan Hlavacek Adrian McPherson Bill Duff
3/20 - GEO Jarrod Penright Adrian McPherson Bill Duff
3/26 - GRA Evan Hlavacek Adrian McPherson Cecil Dogette (GRA)
GAME AWARD WINNERS:

FIREBIRDS AMONG 2004 LEADERS
Quarterback Rating:
QB Adrian McPherson 10th in AFL (111.4)
Rushing Yards:
QB Adrian McPherson 2nd in AFL (144 yards)
FB/LB Leroy Thompson 6th in AFL (88 yards)
Kick Return Average:
WR/DB Evan Hlavacek 13th in AFL (19.2 yards/return)
DS Anthony Derricks 15th in AFL (19.0 yards/return)
Leading Scorers (Kickers):
K Clay Rush 8th in AFL (57 points)
Touchbacks on Kickoffs:
K Clay Rush 3rd in AFL (19)
Interceptions:
WR/DB Brett Bech 8th in AFL (2)
WR/DB Evan Hlavacek 8th in AFL (2)
Fumble Recoveries:
FB/LB Leroy Thompson 3rd in AFL (3)
____________________________________________
TRIPLE-THREAT HLAVACEK
WR/DB Evan Hlavacek's TD Tracker...
Rec. TD Rush TD Return TD Total TD
5 0 3 (2FR,KO) 8


OFFENSIVE LEAGUE RANKS (OUT OF 19):
CATEGORY INDIANA COLORADO
Yards/Game 15 13
Rushing Yards/Game 1 9
Passing yards/Game 17 10
First Downs/Game 17 18
3rd Down Efficiency 15 19
4th Down Efficiency 8 12-T
Kickoff Return Average 10 19
Points/Game 11 17
FG % 11 9-T
____________________________________________

READY TO RUN
While the Indiana rushing attack has become more balanced, it remains effective. QB Adrian McPherson has led the ground game with 144 yards and 11 touchdowns. Leroy Thompson is having another stellar season with 88 rushing yards. The Firebirds have added a third threat on the ground in 2004 with Jeff Cogell. Cogell has rushed for 44 yards this season. The Firebirds are currently first in the AFL in team rushing.

2004 AFL Leading Rushing Statistics
RUSHING TD'S YARDS
1. Dan Curran – NOVD 12 190
2. Adrian McPherson 11 144
3. Bob McMillen – CHI 9 130
4. Robert Thomas – GEO 6 121
6. Leroy Thompson 2 88

THOMPSON SETS RECORD, EYES ANOTHER
With 29 yards rushing in week one, Leroy Thompson became the Firebirds all time leading rusher. Thompson who has been with the franchise since 1996 has 833 career rushing yards. The record was held by Chad Dukes, who had 803 rushing yards between 1996 and 1998 for the Firebirds. With his next touchdown, Thompson will move into a tie for fourth place with Nelson Garner on the Firebirds all-time leading scorers list. Thompson was honored for his accomplishments prior to the March 26 home game against Grand Rapids.

Firebirds All-Time Leading Rushers
RUSHING YARDS
Leroy Thompson 833
Chad Dukes 803
Rodney Smith 311
Tim Brown 245
Eddie Brown 204

Firebirds All-Time Scoring Leaders
SCORING POINTS
Eddie Brown 2,070
Greg Hopkins 668
Fred Gayles 500
Nelson Garner 344
Leroy Thompson 338

THE STUDENT MEETS THE TEACHER
Colorado head coach Mike Dailey spent the past 12 years in the Firebirds organization, seven as the head coach. Dailey took the Firebirds to a 1999 ArenaBowl Championship victory and posted a 63-44 record with the franchise. Dailey's special teams coach on the 1999 championship team was current Firebirds head coach Mike Wilpolt. Wilpolt spent five years as an assistant under Coach Dailey in Indiana and Albany.

INSTANT SUCCESS
Rookie quarterback Adrian McPherson has made five starts for Indiana, and has been named the offensive Player of the Game four times. McPherson has had very strong showings in those five starts with a line of (87-159, 1040 yards, 20 TDs). Opening day starter Kevin Daft was impressive, but an injury forced him out of the game against Columbus, and Daft has not seen the field since. af2 Offensive Player of the Year in 2003 Tony Zimmerman, replaced Daft, and despite showing signs of brilliance, struggled at times. McPherson has thrown every pass for Indiana since replacing Zimmerman in a Week three loss at Detroit.

SINGLE-GAME LEADERS
The Firebirds top the league in a few individual single-game stats:
- Adrian McPherson' s 55 rushing yards and 11 carries in a week three loss to Detroit are both AFL season highs.
- Clay Rush's 59-yard field goal against Austin was the longest successful field goal in the AFL this season.
- Anthony Hines 146-yard receiving effort against Grand Rapids marked the 12th best game in terms of receiving yards, in the AFL in 2004.
- Mike Horacek's 10-reception 144-yard effort against Detroit in week three was the 13th highest receiving yardage total in the AFL in 2004.

DOUBLE-THREAT
QB Adrian McPherson ranks second in the league in rushing, despite only seeing action in five of Indiana's first seven games. McPherson has rushed for 143 yards and ten touchdowns. The 20-year old rookie has also shown the ability to be a great passer completing 78 of 135 passes with 17 touchdowns and one interception, for 1,023 yards. Those stats are good enough to rank McPherson as the leagues 10th best passer. McPherson has had as much of an impact as any rookie in the league.

HALFWAY HOME
Last weeks win marked the midway point for the Firebirds 2004 season. Though the Firebirds have only played eight games, it has already been a tale of two seasons for Indiana, as they have rebounded from an 0-5 start and look to become serious playoff contenders in the second half of the 2004 campaign.

IMMEDIATE IMPACT
Indiana and Georgia made a deal before the Austin game that sent WR/DB Scotty Lindsey from Indiana back to Georgia, where he played the past two years; in exchange for WR/LB Andy McCullough. McCullough is in his third season in the league and caught 96 passes for Dallas last year. In his first action with the Firebirds, McCullough rushed for a touchdown, caught a pass, and assisted on a tackle as the Firebirds beat his former team, Georgia. Last week McCullough had 6 receptions for 59 yards and a touchdown in a 3-point Firebirds win.

INDY'S IRONMEN
In past seasons, the Indiana Firebirds have been defined by their Iron Men. The Built Ford Tough Man of the Year in 2002, Leroy Thompson, is back for his ninth season with the Firebirds. Rookie FB/LB Jeff Cogell won the same award in af2 that season, and in 2003 Evan Hlavacek, was named to the All IronMan team. In the first five games of the season, a Firebird was named "Ironman of the Game" only once. In three consecutive victories, Evan Hlavacek (twice) and Jarrod Penright have earned that honor for Indiana.

RECORD BOOK
Entering Week Five the following players are within reach of moving up the team record book...
FB/LB Leroy Thompson:
- Touchdown ties him for fourth with Nelson Garner on points list with 344.
- Three sacks tie him for fourth in team history (currently has 12.0 sacks)
OL/DL Chris Snyder:
- One sack ties him for fourth in team history (currently has 14.0 sacks)
Head Coach Mike Wilpolt:
- A win ties him for the best start for a Firebirds Head Coach (Currently 3-0)

DEFENSIVE LEADERS
While the offense struggled early in the season, the Indiana defense ranks with the AFL's elite. The Firebirds rank 2nd in points allowed, and 3rd in yards allowed. DS Anthony Derricks has led the unit with 42 tackles and OL/DL Ricky Hall leads the line with 13.5 tackles and a sack.

CLOSE CALL
Indiana was able to squeak by Grand Rapids 45-42 thanks to a game-winning field goal by Clay Rush with two seconds on the clock. Indiana struggled in close games early in the season, falling three times by a combined total of nine points. The Firebirds previous two victories have been blowouts.

FUN FACTS
The Firebirds rank 4th in the AFL in turnover differential at +7...the defense is ranked 2nd in combined first downs allowed, 3rd and 4th down percentage...the Firebirds are 5th in lowest percentage of passes thrown intercepted, and 5th in highest percentage of intercepting passes defensively...Indiana leads the league in team rushing...Indiana has not thrown an interception in their three game winning streak...Adrian McPherson has thrown the last 159 passes for Indiana, after starting the season third on the depth chart...Head Coach Mike Wilpolt could tie the best start by a Firebirds head coach at 4-0 with a win against Colorado (Mike Hohensee accomplished that in 1994)...Despite an 0-5 start the Firebirds are 2 ½ games behind Los Angeles for the fourth and final playoff spot in the American Conference.






BIRDS OFF THE NETS
Firebirds DS and return man Anthony Derricks put up impressive numbers in week one. Derricks is currently 15th in the AFL in kickoff return average at 19 yards per return, slightly behind teammate Evan Hlavacek who is 13th with 19.2 yards/return. Hlavacek added a return touchdown at New Orleans, and a MFG return score at Austin. Hlavacek now has 10 career kickoff returns for touchdowns, while Derricks brings his 16 career return scores to the team for 2004.

Returns No. Yards Avg TD
1. Rashied Davis – SJS 21 614 29.2 4
2. Corey Johnson – NYD 17 406 23.9 0
3. Siaha Burley – ARI 17 404 23.8 2
13. Evan Hlavacek – IND 17 332 19.5 1
18. Anthony Derricks - IND 16 297 18.6 0

RISING UP THE STANDINGS
With the ‘Birds current three-game winning streak, they have moved 2.5 games ahead of Grand Rapids, and to within a ½ game of third place in the Central Division, behind Detroit. Colorado currently leads the division at 6-2, and sit three full games ahead of Indiana.

‘BIRDS BLITZ
Join ESPN RADIO 950's Rob Blackman every Wednesday night from 6-7 pm for ‘Birds Blitz, a weekly variety show broadcast on the entire Indiana Firebirds Radio Network, covering the Firebirds, the Arena Football League, and recent happenings around the world. The show is located at Daddy Jack's Restaurant on 96th and Meridian. The public is invited to attend.

KEY MATCHUP : ADRIAN MCPHERSON vs. CRUSH DEFENSE
Adrian McPherson has been a leader for Indiana, winning Offensive Player of the Game in four of his five starts. He will have a new challenge Saturday as he faces the roaming Crush defense. Colorado ranks 6th in points allowed, and second in percentage of passes intercepted. DS Rashad Floyd leads the league in interceptions with 5, two more than any other player in the AFL. Floyd also had 62 tackles, and leads a defense that will look to slow down Indiana's rookie sensation.



PLAYERS TO WATCH:
INDIANA FIREBIRDS:
QB Adrian McPherson:
20-year old rookie QB Adrian McPherson ranks 2nd in the league in rushing with 144 yards and 11 scores, he also has passed for 1,212 yards and 22 touchdowns. McPherson has thrown every pass for Indiana since replacing Tony Zimmerman in week three.

WR/DB Anthony Hines:
Hines has lifted his game in past weeks, and recorded a 9-catch 146-yard game last week against Grand Rapids. Hines is currently the third-leading receiver on the team, behind Mike Horacek and Brett Bech.

DS Anthony Derricks:
Firebirds Defensive Specialist Anthony Derricks is out to a great start in 2004. Derricks is leading the Firebirds in tackles (42), including a game-high 7 tackles in the March 14th win at Austin. Derricks has also been a threat on returns. A top-15 return man in the AFL, Derricks has averaged nearly 20 yards per return, second on the team to Evan Hlavacek.

COLORADO CRUSH:
QB John Dutton:
Colorado Crush QB John Dutton is putting up numbers that would make the team co-owner proud (NFL great John Elway). Dutton has completed 150 of 250 passes for 1855 yards, 33 touchdowns and four interceptions. Dutton averages 231.9 passing yards per contest. Dutton's best game came against San Jose, when he passed for 329 yards and four touchdowns.

OS Damian Harrell:
Damian Harrell is one of the leagues top receivers in 2004. Harrell leads the Crush with 49 receptions for 738 yards. Harrell has already scored 21 touchdowns, in eight games. Harrell caught nine passes for 160 yards and three touchdowns in a game at Philadelphia on March 21.

DS Rashad Floyd:
Rashad Floyd leads the Crush defense with 62 tackles, including 56 solo tackles. Floyd also has 5 interceptions, best in the AFL; two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble and two tackles for a loss. Floyd will have to rattle Firebirds QB Adrian McPherson, who hasn't thrown an interception in the Birds three-game winning streak.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 30, 2004


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