Sports stats



AFL I Arena Football League (1987-2008)

L.A.'s Jackson Continues Trend

February 13, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release


ACTION JACKSON: Los Angeles Avengers' OS CHRIS JACKSON has scored at least one touchdown in every AFL game he has played. In 35 games, Jackson has accounted for 78 touchdowns. All but three of those scores came as a pass receiver. Jackson's other touchdowns came as a rusher, kick returner and passer. He has caught a touchdown in all but one game with the Avengers (June 8, 2002, vs. San Jose), but he ran back the opening kickoff 51 yards to keep the streak alive.

Jackson is the Avengers' all-time leading receiver and scorer. He has racked up 253 receptions for 3,489 yards and scored 468 points in his four-year career. On NBC this Sunday at 3 p.m. ET, he faces the expansion Colorado Crush at the Pepsi Center in Denver.

GO-WIN: Last Sunday's game-winning field goal by Grand Rapids kicker BRIAN GOWINS was the fourth of his career. The last time he connected for a win was on July 14, 2001 vs. the Oklahoma Wranglers (72-70 final). His counterpart in this Sunday's Grand Rapids-New York matchup, six-year veteran KENNY STUCKER, has never kicked a game-winner.

AGE IS JUST A NUMBER: When Georgia WR/LB DARRYL HAMMOND steps onto the field this Sunday to face defending ArenaBowl champion San Jose, he will do so as the AFL's oldest active player at age 36. But, Hammond – a seasoned veteran who scored three times, three different ways in just 17 seconds against Carolina last June -- won't be alone. To date, there are 10 players 35-or-older on active team rosters, including three with Las Vegas.

PLAYERS ON AFL ROSTERS AGE 35-OR-OLDER
Player Team Position Age
Darryl Hammond Georgia Force WR/LB 36
Tony Bowick Chicago Rush OL/DL 36
Todd Hammel Las Vegas Gladiators QB 36
Rick Cunningham Las Vegas Gladiators OL/DL 36
Jay Gruden Orlando Predators QB 35
Robert Stewart Arizona Rattlers OL/DL 35
Otis Moore Colorado Crush OL/DL 35
Darion Conner Tampa Bay Storm OL/DL 35
Barry Wagner San Jose SaberCats WR/DB 35
Jerry Crafts Las Vegas Gladiators OL/DL 35

DEFENSE, DEFENSE: Despite their 0-2 record, the Rush is one of only two teams to allow less than 50 points in each game. Chicago has allowed 47 (against Orlando) and 46 points (at Dallas). The Georgia Force has allowed only 40 and 38 points in its first two contests (78).

THAT 70'S SHOW: The SaberCats surpassed the 70-point mark in a game for the 14th time in team history last week in their 73-72 loss at Los Angeles, and for the first time they were not victorious. San Jose's highest scoring output in a loss came in their 68-64 defeat at Oklahoma on April 21, 2000. San Jose's 72 points represents the second-highest total in the League this season, behind L.A. Their combined total score of 145 ranks at No. 11 (tie) for the most in AFL history.

SAN JOSE'S MALLEY FACTOR: Since TERRY MALLEY took over as the SaberCats offensive coordinator with six games remaining in the 1999 season, the team has reached the 60-point mark 25 times in 57 games (includes playoffs). Prior to his arrival, the SaberCats had scored 60-or-more points in a game six times in 65 games. San Jose's all-time record when reaching the 60-point plateau is 28-3.

HUNKIE WATCH: Arizona WR/LB HUNKIE COOPER continues his assault on the AFL record book. Cooper ranks among the Top 3 all-time in all-purpose yards, combined kick return touchdowns, and interception returns for touchdowns. He is tied for No. 1 in kickoff returns (George LaFrance, 460).

COOPER'S POSITION IN THE RECORD BOOKS
Category Career Rank Needed to Overtake Next Position
All-Purpose Yards 18,486 No. 2 1,995 (George LaFrance, 20,480)
Combined Kick Return TDs 19 No. 3 5 (Steve Papin, 23)
Interception Return TDs 6 No. 3 1 will tie for No. 2 (Mark Ricks, 7)2 will tie for No. 1 (Greg Hopkins, 8)

BLOCK THAT KICK: When lineman JAMES BARON blocked Dallas' JASON WELLS 34-yard field goal attempt last week, it was the first blocked kick in Rush history. For Baron, it was the fourth blocked kick of his career with the last one on May 18, 2001 vs. Los Angeles. In that game, he recovered the blocked kick in the end zone for a touchdown.

ADVANTAGE DOLEZEL: Sunday will mark the fifth time in regular-season play that Grand Rapids Rampage quarterback CLINT DOLEZEL will square up against New York Dragons QB AARON GARCIA. Dolezel has a 3-1 record against Garcia, who's lone victory over Dolezel came on April 23, 1999 when the Iowa Barnstormers defeated the Houston ThunderBears, 69-36. In the four meetings between the signal callers, this is how they measured up:

DOLEZEL-GARCIA MATCHUP COMPARISON
Player Comp. Att. Yds. TD INT
Dolezel 82 125 1,191 17 4
Garcia 69 117 933 20 2

FRIENDS... FOR THE MOST PART: Indiana Firebirds Head Coach MIKE DAILEY and Chicago Rush Head Coach MIKE HOHENSEE are friends. In fact, Dailey was on Hohensee's staff in the early-mid 90's and took over the Firebirds when Hohensee stepped down as head coach in 1997. Dailey holds a 5-3 advantage in the all-time series. In addition, both field generals earned their first victories with the Firebirds. Rest assured, no friendship will stand in the way of a notch in the win column.

• Discuss this story on the Arena Football League (1987-2008) message board...

Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 13, 2003


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central