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Indiana Firebirds game notes

May 4, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Albany/Indiana Firebirds News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Indiana Firebirds (6-7)
vs. Detroit Fury (4-8)
Date: May 7, 2004
Kickoff: 8:00 pm (Central Time)
Site: Conseco Fieldhouse (14,559)
Officials: Referee: Tom McCabe; Umpire: Matt Jordan; Head Linesman: Brent Durbin; Line Judge: Bob McElwee; Back Judge: Joe Duncan
Series Record: 4-2, Indiana Leads
Last Meeting: The Firebirds fell at Detroit, in week three, 34-25. It was the worst offensive output for the Firebirds this season.
Coaches: Mike Wilpolt (1st Season, 6-2)
Tom Luginbill (1st Season, 4-8)

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

THE FIREBIRDS:
The Indiana firebirds have been a team of streaks all season, and will look to end a two game losing streak when they face Detroit. Indiana has been defined by the turnover battle all season. After early struggles, Indiana led the league in turnover margin during their AFL-long 6-game winning streak, but has turned the ball over more than their opponents in the past two losses. Despite the loss, Indiana is well positioned in the AFL playoff race, 1½ games from the final spot. During the Firebirds 6-game winning streak QB Adrian McPherson did not throw an interception. However, he has thrown three in the past two weeks. Despite the interceptions, McPherson has continued to impress in his rookie campaign completing 186-of-310 passes for 2542 yards and 44 TD's. He also is fifth in the AFL in rushing with 161 yards and 15 touchdowns. Even in their early season losing streak Indiana 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 throughout the 2004 season. The Firebirds also appear to have developed depth at the receiver position. OS Mike Horacek, who has missed significant time with an injury, has watched long-time Firebird Evan Hlavacek, Brett Bech, Anthony Hines (13 receptions for 196 yards 4/3 at Colorado), Jordan Younger, and newcomer Andy McCullough (4 receptions for 77 yards and 2 touchdown 4/25 vs. Arizona) dazzle opponents. The ground game has been very productive this season, ranking tops in the league with 445 rushing yards as a team. McPherson, Jarrod Penright and Leroy Thompson are all in the league's top 20.
THE FURY:
The Detroit Fury are off to a 4-8 start, dropping seven of their last nine contests. Veteran QB Andy Kelly is in the midst of another impressive season for Detroit, and threw for 243 yards and three touchdowns in a loss to Chicago last week. Kelly's primary target has been Thabiti Davis, who has recorded over 1,100 receiving yards and 19 touchdowns. DS Ron Carpenter has led the defensive unit with over 50 tackles, while also returning three kicks for touchdowns. Detroit is looking to snap a four game losing streak and can sweep the season series with a win this week.

INDIANA FIREBIRDS (6-7)
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 W45-42 4-5
4/11 CAROLINA 2:00 W65-31 5-5
4/17 at Grand Rapids 6:30 W67-49 6-5
4/25 ARIZONA 2:00 L46-43 6-6
5/2 at Las Vegas 2:00 L60-38 6-7
5/8 DETROIT 7:00
5/16 COLORADO 2:00
5/23 At Chicago 2:00

DETROIT FURY (4-8)
Date Opponent Time Result Record
2/5 SAN JOSE 7:30 L58-43 0-1
2/13 At Arizona 9:00 W48-31 1-1
2/23 INDIANA 7:30 W34-25 2-1
3/4 At Colorado 9:00 L62-61 2-2
3/12 At New Orleans 8:00 L45-31 2-3
3/18 AUSTIN 7:30 L70-58 2-4
3/28 At Chicago 3:00 W72-71 3-4
4/1 GEORGIA 6:30 W42-40 4-4
4/10 GRAND RAPIDS 6:30 L49-45 4-5
4/16 At Los Angeles 9:30 L62-55 4-6
4/25 At Las Vegas 2:00 L60-34 4-7
5/2 CHICAGO 2:00 L57-40 4-8
5/7 At Indiana 8:00
5/15 ARIZONA 6:30
5/23 COLORADO 2:00
5/29 At Grand Rapids 6:30
* Times are Indiana Time



COACHES:
Mike Wilpolt (6-2, 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 - 6-2
Steve DeBerg 2004 0-5
Mike Dailey 1997-2003 63-44
Mike Hohensee 1994-1996 30-14
Rick Buffington 1990-1993 19-24

Tom Luginbill (4-8, 1st Year): Tom Luginbill is in his first season as an AFL head coach. Luginbill replaced his father, who coached Detroit a year ago. Luginbill has had AFL experience both as a player (1996-1997) and a coach. In 1998 he joined the New York CityHawks as a coach. In 2000 he took a head coaching job in af2 with the Tennessee Valley Vipers, and guided them to the league championship game in his first season. Luginbill served as the Los Angeles quarterbacks coach in 2001 and as the assistant head coach with expansion Dallas in 2002. Luginbill is the youngest head coach in the league, at age 30.


INDIANA FIREBIRDS INJURY REPORT:
Player Pos Injury Status
Doug Lytle OL/DL Knee Doubtful
Mike Horacek OS Knee Doubtful
Kevin Daft QB Neck OUT
Kerry Brown WR/LB Thumb OUT
____________________________________________
THE IF'S:
If INDIANA beats Detroit it would...
§ Give Indiana seven wins in the last 9 games.
§ Snap a two game losing streak
§ Give Indiana the series advantage over the Detroit Fury 5-2.



If DETROIT beats Indiana it would...
§ Snap a four-game losing streak
§ Sweep the season-series from Indiana
§ Be the third road win for Detroit.

THE SERIES:
This is the 7th meeting between the two franchises. Indiana leads the all-time series 4-2. Detroit won the last contest, 34-25, in week three this season. It marked the AFL debut of Firebirds quarterback Adrian McPherson.

PRACTICE SCHEDULE FOR May 4th THROUGH May 7th
Start End
Tue. May 4, 2004 10:00am 12:00pm

Wed. May 5, 2004 10:00am 12:00pm

Thurs. May 6, 2004 8:00am 9:30am

Fri. May 7, 2004 8:00PM 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...............................................3-3
On the Road..........................................3-4
Vs. National Conference..........................2-2
Vs. American Conference........................4-5
Vs. Southern Division.............................2-2
Vs. Eastern Division...............................1-1
Vs. Western Division..............................0-2
Vs. Central Division...............................3-2
Score First............................................1-2
Lead After 1st Quarter.............................3-0
Trail After 1st Quarter.............................3-5
Lead After 2nd Quarter............................4-2
Trail After2nd Quarter............................2-4
Lead After 3rd Quarter............................4-2
Trail After 3rd Quarter............................2-4
Overtime Games....................................1-0
On NBC...............................................0-4
Win Turnover Battle...............................6-2
Lose Turnover Battle..............................0-5
Score Over 50 Points..............................4-0
Score Over 60 Points.............................4-0
Allow Under 40 Points...........................2-1
Allow Under 30 Points...........................0-0

Firebirds Lose in Sin City, 60-38, to Gladiators
The Indiana Firebirds (6-7) dropped their second consecutive game, this one at the hands of Clint Dolezel and the Las Vegas Gladiators (5-7), 60-38, at the Thomas and Mack Center Sunday afternoon. Dolezel was named the Baby Ruth Real Deal Player of the Game after accounting for six touchdowns (5 pass, 1 rush) and throwing for 292 yards. The loss drops the Firebirds further back in the playoff hunt and sets up a crucial set of games against Central Division foes Detroit, Colorado and Chicago to finish the season.

The Firebirds opened with the ball and QB Adrian McPherson began the game with two straight completions. After a second down sack by the Gladiators Steve Konopka moved the ball back to the Firebirds' 23-yard line, and Anthony Hines went over the boards in the endzone after a McPherson pass attempt, Clay Rush missed wide left on a 41-yard field goal attempt, ending the first drive for Indiana.

Las Vegas struck first when QB Clint Dolezel hit a wide open CoCo Blaylock for a 41-yard touchdown strike, getting the home team ahead 6-0 after a failed extra point attempt. The Gladiators lost regular long-snapper, and six-year AFL veteran, John DeWitt during the first Indiana drive with an unknown leg injury. Indiana recorded their first points when Rush drilled a 21-yard field goal, making the score 6-3 at the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter began with Las Vegas' fullback Frank Carter barreling for a 6-yard touchdown run, but after Dolezel's two point conversion pass went unsuccessful, the score stood at 12-3. The Firebirds cam right back with a rushing score of their own when fullback Charlie Cook found paydirt from nine yards out, getting Indiana within two at 12-10.

With one minute remaining in the game and facing a fourth down and ten, Dolezel found Marcus Nash for an 18-yard scoring toss, extending the Gladiators' lead, 19-10. Indiana got the ball back and began on their own seven with :48 second until the half. On first down, McPherson was forced from the pocket in the endzone and drilled a laser to Brett Bech, moving the ball to the Las Vegas 17-yard line. On the very next play Bech went into traffic and hauled in his first touchdown of the game with under thirty second remaining.

The score got the 'Birds back within two, 19-17, but left enough time for Dolezel to get one more crack at the endzone before intermission. Backed up inside his own five after a holding penalty on the kickoff, the 8-year veteran from East Texas State moved the offense on three consecutive completions before hitting Nash with his second touchdown of the day. The 16-yard catch gave the Gladiators a 26-17 lead entering the half.

Dolezel came out of the gate with a 20-yard screen pass to Carter and had Las Vegas at midfield before a minute could tick off the clock in the second half. Going for it on fourth down from the Indiana 10-yard line, Dolezel threw up a pass that Nash went up and grabbed for his third touchdown of the game, this one giving the Gladiators a 33-17 advantage with 9:03 in the third quarter. With the score, Nash moved past Indiana's Mike Horacek (currently injured) for first place on the team's all-time scoring list.

Knowing that another failed offensive possession would dig a hole for the Firebirds, in a place where the home team is 3-2 this season, Evan Hlavacek brought in an amazing one-handed catch from McPherson for a 25-yard score and the Firebirds were back within nine points, 33-24.

On the next possession, the re-energized Firebirds recovered a Blaylock fumble and took over at their own 24-yard line. DS Anthony Derricks recovered the loose ball for Indiana, the first turnover in the game for either team. However, three plays later, an interception in the endzone by Las Vegas' Cornelius Bonner got the Gladiators back in control with 1:44 left in the third quarter. McPherson has now thrown interceptions in two consecutive games, after failing to throw a single one during the Firebirds' six-game winning streak.

Dolezel took advantage of his defense's forced turnover and hit Maurice Bryant on a 29-yard scoring toss, and after Brian Gowins' extra point, the Gladiators went back up by sixteen points, 40-24, at the end of the third quarter.

With fifteen minutes left to try and get back above .500, and seventeen points needed for the win, Indiana took over at the 19-yard line. McPherson wasted little time, hitting Bech for his second touchdown of the day, this one from 31-yard out. The 'Birds two-point conversion attempt was no good and with 12:52 to play in the game, the Gladiators were ahead, 40-30.

Two Nash catches moved the Gladiators inside the Firebirds' five on the ensuing drive and then Dolezel faked a handoff to Carter before trotting in untouched for his first rushing score. The touchdown struck a dagger into the Indiana faithful who made the trip to Sin City, knowing that a 17-point deficit with under nine minutes to play would be tough to overcome.

Starting inside their own five after their own special teams holding penalty, McPherson threw three incomplete passes and on fourth down was sacked at his own one-yard line, ending the hopes for the Firebirds.

Jarrod Penright recorded a late touchdown run for the Firebirds and totaled 24 rushing yards in the game. Carter also ran in two late scores for Las Vegas, giving the final score from the Thomas and Mack Center, 60-38.

INDIANA FIREBIRDS NEXT WEEK
The Firebirds will remain in Indiana and play host to Colorado on Sunday, May 16th in an AFL on NBC match-up. Kickoff is set for 2:00 PM (CT) and Indiana must finish strong to keep their playoff hopes alive.

QUOTE ME
Firebirds Head Coach Mike Wilpolt on...
The Playoff Push: "With the way things went today, with Orlando and Los Angeles losing, nine wins are going to get you in. Our playoffs start this week."

Sundays Loss: "It's a combination of everything. We gave up a couple sacks, threw a couple interceptions. Defensively, we got them in fourth down, and they converted every time. We're not making plays when we have the opportunity."
FIREBIRDS AMONG 2004 LEADERS
Quarterback Rating:
QB Adrian McPherson 8th in AFL (115.0)
Rushing Yards:
QB Adrian McPherson 5th in AFL (161 yards)
Leading Scorers (Kickers):
K Clay Rush 6th in AFL (101 points)
Touchbacks on Kickoffs:
K Clay Rush 1st in AFL (38)
Interceptions:
WR/DB Brett Bech 8th in AFL (3)
Sacks:
OL/DL Mike Sutton 12th in AFL (3)
Fumble Recoveries:
FB/LB Leroy Thompson T-4th in AFL (4)
Tackles:
DS Anthony Derricks 3rd in AFL (71)
Tackles For a Loss:
OL/DL Ricky Hall T-11th in AFL (2)
Passes Defended:
DS Anthony Derricks 4th in AFL (17)
Forced Fumbles:
WR/LB Brett Bech T-1st in AFL (4)
GAME AWARD WINNERS
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)
4/3 – COL Kevin McKenzie (COL) Anthony Hines Rashad Floyd (COL)
4/11 - CAR Evan Hlavacek Adrian McPherson Jordan Younger and Mike Sutton
4/17 – GRA Jarrod Penright Adrian McPherson Anthony Derricks
4/25 - ARI Randy Gatewood (ARI) Sherdrick Bonner (ARI) Anthony Derricks
5/2 - LVG Frank Carter (LVG) Clint Dolezel (LVG) Cornelius Bonner (LVG)

TRIPLE-THREAT HLAVACEK
TD TRACKER:


Rec. TD Rush TD Return TD Total TD
7 0 4 (1FR, 1 MFG, 2KO) 11
DOUBLE-THREAT
QB Adrian McPherson ranks fifth in the league in rushing with 161 yards and 15 touchdowns. The 20-year old rookie has also shown the ability to be a great passer completing 186 of 310 passes with 44 touchdowns and 5 interceptions, for 2,542 yards. Those stats are good enough to rank McPherson as the leagues 8th best passer. McPherson recorded a perfect QB rating of 158.3 in the win over Carolina.

READY TO RUN
While the Indiana rushing attack has become more balanced, it remains effective. QB Adrian McPherson has led the ground game with 161 yards and 15 touchdowns. Leroy Thompson is having another stellar season with 91 rushing yards. The Firebirds have added a third threat on the ground in 2004 with Jarrod Penright. Penright has rushed for 93 yards this season. The Firebirds are currently second in the AFL in team rushing.

2004 AFL Leading Rushing Statistics
RUSHING TD'S YARDS
1. Dan Curran – NOVD 17 272
2. Bob McMillen - CHI 14 197
3. Chris Avery – GEO 5 182
4. Moye-Moore- ORL 6 179
5. Adrian McPherson 15 161

A GREAT FIREBIRD
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 a touchdown on 4/11 in a victory over Carolina Thompson moved into 4th 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 866
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
Leroy Thompson 344
Nelson Garner 344

INSTANT SUCCESS
Rookie quarterback Adrian McPherson has made ten starts for Indiana, and has been named the Offensive Player of the Game six times. McPherson has had very strong showings in his rookie campaign (186-310, 2,542 yards, 44 TDs), since taking over for 2003 af2 Player of the Year. 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.

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.
§ Adrian McPherson's 332 passing yards in a week nine victory over Colorado rank as the 11th best passing performance in the AFL this season.
§ Clay Rush's 59-yard field goal against Austin was the longest successful field goal in the AFL this season. Rush also converted a 57-yard field goal in week ten.
§ Anthony Hines 196-yard receiving game against Colorado ranks as the fourth best receiving performance this season.
§ Anthony Hines 146-yard receiving effort against Grand Rapids marked the 29th 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 31st highest receiving yardage total in the AFL in 2004.

OFFENSIVE LEAGUE RANKS (OUT OF 19):

CATEGORY INDIANA DETROIT
Yards/Game 12 4
Rushing Yards/Game 2 15
Passing yards/Game 16 4
First Downs/Game 16 2
3rd Down Efficiency 12 9
4th Down Efficiency 7 11
Kickoff Return Average 9 8
Points/Game 9 15
FG % 12 4
HINES HEROICS
With an injury forcing OS Mike Horacek to the bench, rookie Anthony Hines has taken advantage of his opportunity. In his first three games at OS Hines recorded 26 receptions for 398 receiving yards. He is the team leader right now with 58 receptions for 762 yards. Brett Bech is the leader in touchdown receptions with 14.

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 six consecutive victories, Evan Hlavacek (three times) and Jarrod Penright (twice) 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:
§ Three sacks tie him for fourth in team history (currently has 12.0 sacks)
§ With four fumble recoveries this season, Leroy Thompson is in second place all-time for most fumble recoveries in a career and in a season. He has eight career fumble recoveries trailing only Greg Hopkins' nine from 1996-2001 and ties him for tenth in league history behind ten players. Thompson's four fumble recoveries on the season rank him second in team history behind Fred Gayles' five in 1996 and tie him for fifth most in a season all-time in league history behind three players who had five.
OL/DL Chris Snyder:
§ One sack tie him for fourth in team history (currently has 14.0 sacks)
K Clay Rush:
§ Needs nine more field goals to pass Nelson Garner as the team's all-time leading field goal kicker.
QB Adrian McPherson:
§ 7 touchdowns give him the franchise record for touchdowns by a rookie QB. Mike Perez holds the record with 65.
§ Needs 15 rushing attempts to break the franchise single-season record of 65 by Chad Dukes in 1998.
§ Adrian McPherson currently ranks fifth all-time and second amongst quarterbacks behind Mike Pawlawski (1996-2000) with 15 rushing touchdowns, among Firebirds. Two more rushing touchdowns will put him alone in fourth place all-time and first place amongst quarterbacks.
WR/DB Evan Hlavacek:
§ Evan Hlavacek needs 36.5 more tackles to become the Firebirds all-time leading tackler. Hlavacek currently has 226.
§ With one more interception, Evan Hlavacek will move into a tie with Greg Hopkins for fourth place in franchise history with ten career interceptions. Hlavacek has three so far this season.

DEFENSIVE LEADERS
While the offense struggled early in the season, the Indiana defense ranks with the AFL's elite. The Firebirds rank 1st in points allowed. DS Anthony Derricks has led the unit with 71 tackles and OL/DL Ricky Hall leads the line with 18.5 tackles and 1.5 sacks.

FUN FACTS
The Firebirds previous six-game winning streak was the longest in the AFL this season, and the longest in franchise history... Indiana is 1 ½ game behind 4 teams for the final playoff spot ...The Firebirds are T-1st in the AFL in turnover differential with Los Angeles (+13)...the defense is ranked 5th in combined first downs allowed, 3rd and 4th down percentage...the Firebirds are 5th in lowest percentage of passes thrown intercepted, and 11th in highest percentage of intercepting passes defensively... Indiana ranks 12th in total offense and 15th in total defense...The Firebirds have the #1 scoring defense in the league... Adrian McPherson had thrown 177 consecutive passes without an interception during Indiana's 6-game winning streak...Head Coach Mike Wilpolt had the best start by a Firebirds head coach at 6-0... 2004 marks the first time the Firebirds have had two games in which receivers had touchdown catches of more than 45 yards (Bech vs Austin, Hlavacek vs. Carolina)...

MR. PERFECT
Adrian McPherson has not only been the perfect man to lead the Firebirds offense, but he recorded a perfect quarterback rating last week. McPherson earned the coveted 158.3 rating by completing 13 of 15 passes for 194 yards, 5 touchdowns and no interceptions. McPherson completed his first 11 pass attempts.

BIRDS OFF THE NETS
Firebirds DS and return man Anthony Derricks have put up impressive numbers. Hlavacek is currently 21st in the AFL in kickoff return average at 18.4 yards per return, slightly behind teammate Evan Hlavacek who is 14th with 19.8 yards/return. Hlavacek added a return touchdown at New Orleans and against Carolina, and a MFG return score at Austin. Hlavacek now has 11 career kickoff returns for touchdowns, while Derricks brings his 16 career return scores to the team for 2004.

PLAYOFF PUSH
With the ‘Birds resurgence they have propelled themselves into the heart of the playoff race. Indiana is 1 ½ games out of the final spot, with three games left to play. There are three teams at 7-5 and two more at 6-6. Also, most of the teams ahead of the ‘Birds have the unfortunate pleasure of playing each other for the rest of the season.

‘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.

KEY MATCHUP : ADRIAN MCPHERSON vs. DETROIT SECONDARY
In week three McPherson made his AFL debut in a loss at Detroit. This week, McPherson brings a much more impressive AFL resume to Conseco Fieldhouse to battle Detroit. During Indiana's 6-game winning streak McPherson threw 177 consecutive passes without an interception, during the last two games, which both resulted in losses, McPherson threw three interceptions.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:
INDIANA FIREBIRDS:
QB Adrian McPherson:
20-year old rookie QB Adrian McPherson ranks 5th in the league in rushing with 161 yards and 15 scores, he also has passed for 2,542 yards and 44 touchdowns. McPherson recorded a perfect QB rating in the 4/11 win over Carolina.

WR/DB Anthony Hines:
Anthony Hines has developed into one of the leagues top receiving threats in the past two weeks. At Colorado, Hines recorded 13 receptions for 196 yards and three touchdowns. Against Grand Rapids, Hines had a 146-yard receiving effort. Hines added a 50-yard receiving effort in last week's loss.

DS Anthony Derricks:
Derricks has stabilized the #1 scoring defense in the league all season. Derricks leads the unit with 71 tackles. Last week, Derricks added 7 tackles and a fumble recovery.

DETROIT FURY
QB Andy Kelly:
Kelly is in his 11th year in the AFL, and continues to impress. He has completed 59% of his passes for over 3000 yards and 51 touchdowns in 2004.

OS Thabiti Davis:
Davis has been the top target for Kelly in 2004. Davis leads Detroit in receptions and receiving yards at over 1,100.

DS Ron Carpenter:
Carpenter leads Detroit with over 50 tackles in 2004. Detroit as a team, only ranks 15th in scoring defense.

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