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Louisville Fire game notes

August 16, 2005 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Louisville Fire News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Louisville Fire (13-5) vs.
Florida Firecats (15-2)
Date: Saturday, August 20, 2005
Kickoff: 7:30 P.M. ET
Site: Germain Arena
Radio: Paul Wilman
Officials:
Series Record: Florida Leads 1-0
Streaks: Fire Won 7; Firecats Won 6
Coach: Tommy Johnson - Fire (27-23; 3-1 playoffs, Third Season)

THE STAKES: It is pretty simple, the winner advances to the 2005 ArenaCuo Championship Game. The Fire is looking for their first ever American Conference Championship.

THE SERIES: This is the second meeting between the two teams this year and all-time. The Firecats defeated the Fire 47-43 on May 21 in Freedom Hall.

THE IFs:
If Louisville defeats Florida, it would ...
- Give the Fire their first ever Conference Championship
- Advance the Fire to the 2005 ArenaCup game
- Give the Fire their first win over Florida
- Make the Fire 4-1 all-time in the playoffs


LOUISVILLE (12 - 5)
Date Opponent Result Score
4/9 @ Rio Grande Valley W 56-42
4/15 SOUTH GEORGIA W 48-46
4/22 @WB/Scranton W 58-50
4/30 BIRMINGHAM W 48-46
5/6 @ Manchester L 46-37
5/14 @ Green Bay L 49-65
5/21 FLORIDA L 43-47
5/27 ALBANY W 62-55 (OT)
6/4 @ Quad City L 47-41
6/11 @ Birmingham W 69-61
6/18 GREEN BAY L 56-49
6/24 @ Albany W 73-63
7/9 SAN DIEGO W 62-40
7/16 @ Oklahoma City W 47-45
7/23 MANCHESTER W 78-61
7/30 QUAD CITY W 70-56
8/6 @ Macon W 55-54
8/12 @ Manchester W 69-56
Date Opponent Time Streak Series
8/20 @ Florida 7:30 L 1 FLO 1 - 0

FLORIDA (15 - 2)
Date Opponent Result Score
4/1 @Macon W 35-32
4/8 @Manchester W 32-26 (OT)
4/16 RIO GRANDE W 30-63
4/23 SOUTH GEORGIA W 37-32
4/30 @ Arkansas W 68-50
5/14 @Bossier-Shreveport L 22-28
5/21 LOUISVILLE W 47-43
5/28 AMARILLO W 69-63
6/4 BIRMINGHAM W 56-40
6/11 @South Georgia W 45-40
6/18 MANCHESTER L 52-29
6/25 MACON W 40-34
7/9 ARKANSAS W 50-41
7/16 WB/SCRANTON W 48-47 (OT)
7/23 @Green Bay W 48-47
7/30 @ Birmingham W 28-27
8/13 WB/Scranton W 59-45
Date Opponent Time Streak Series
8/20 LOUISVILLE 7:30 W 1 FLO 1 - 0


LAST SERIES MEETING: The teams last met on May 21 in Freedom Hall with the Firecats coming out on top 47-43.

SERIES BY THE NUMBERS:
Record vs. Florida: 0-1
Last regular season game: FLO 47 FIRE 43 May 12, 2005 in Freedom Hall
Current streak: Florida won 1.
Fire longest win streak vs. Firecats: 0
Firecats longest win streak vs. Fire: 1 (5/21/05 - Present)
Most points, Fire: 43 (FLO 47 FIRE 43; 5/21/05)
Most points, Firecats: 47 (FLO 47 FIRE 43; 5/21/05)
Most points, both teams: 90 (FLO 47 FIRE 43; 5/21/05)
Fewest points, Fire: 43 (FLO 47 FIRE 43; 5/21/05)
Fewest points, Firecats: 47 (FLO 47 FIRE 43; 5/21/05)
Fewest points, both teams: 90 (FLO 47 FIRE 43; 5/21/05)

HEAD COACH:
Tommy Johnson
Louisville Fire head coach Tommy Johnson, was born in Rome, Ga., and raised in Niceville, Fla. He began his football career as a player at DeFuniak Springs (Fla.) High School. He later transferred to Niceville High School. Johnson then attended the University of Alabama, where he played defensive back. His senior class at U of A was known for having the most wins in a four-year time period (45-5-1). In 1992, he played on the Crimson Tide squad that defeated the University of Miami for the National Championship. Johnson then continued his football career with the Jacksonville Jaguars for a year. He also was given the opportunity to compete in NFL Europe. He started his Arena football career with the Albany Firebirds, and moved on to the Carolina Cobras. Johnson presently holds the record for the longest interception return for a touchdown in AFL history. In 2001, Johnson began his coaching career with the Fire as defensive coordinator. After two seasons as defensive coordinator Johnson was named head coach three games into the 2003 season, when the Fire made the late run winning two of those three games. In 2004, Johnson led the Fire to its first winning season (9-7), first af2 play-offs appearance and first play-off victory over Quad City 52-47.

QUOTES FROM COACH JOHNSON:
On last week's victory: "It's tough to go on the road and win in the playoffs but that is the road we have to take. I thought we played really well in all three facets (offense, defense and special teams)"

On playing for the conference championship: "This is what you play all season for, the chance to win a championship. We need to go out and continue to play Fire football."

DROPBACK: The Fire jumped out to the lead to open the game and never looked back defeating Manchester 69-56.

FORWARD MOTION: If the Fire defeats Florida they will head to Bossier City for the 2005 ArenaCup against Rio Grande Valley or Memphis.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:
MATTHEW SAUK: Sauk shatter the af2 record for touchdown passes in a season last week with eight touchdown passes bringing his season total to 99. Sauk also broke the records for completions and yards with 408 and 4,489 respectively this season.

RECEIVERS: As a rookie Rob Mager set Fire record for touchdown receptions in a season (39), scoring (234 points) and receptions (125). Dennis Fryzel also recorded 105 receptions for 979 yards and 17 touchdowns this season. This is the first time in Fire history two receivers have caught 100 passes.

TEAM TRENDS:
SPREADING THE BALL AROUND: Sauk has thrown at least one touchdown pass to nine different receivers.

BROKEN RECORDS: The Fire has broken several team records this season:
Cesare Manning: Receiving TD's in a game: 7, 6/24/05
Cesare Manning: Points in a game: 42, 6/24/05
Danny Kight: Longest field goal: 61 yards, 6/24/05
Demetrius Forney: Rushing TD's in a game: 5, 5/27/05
Dennis Fryzel: Receptions in a game: 14, 5/21/05
Matthew Sauk: Pass Completions in a game: 36, 5/21/05
Matt Sauk: Passing Yards in a game: 396, 6/18/05
Matt Sauk: Total Offense: 397, 6/18/05
Matt Sauk: Passing TD's in a season: 99
Rob Mager: Receptions in a game: 16, 6/18/05
Rob Mager: Receptions in a game: 17, 7/16/05
Rob Mager: Receiving TD's in a season: 37
Rob Mager: Scoring in a season: 224 points
Team: Total Offense: 405, 6/18/05


OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME AWARD
Week Opp. Player Team
2 @ Rio Grande Cesare Manning FIRE
3 South Georgia Adrian Cockfield SGW
4 @ WB/S Matthew Sauk FIRE
5 Birmingham James Scott FIRE
6 @Manchester Jake Eaton MAN
7 @ Green Bay Matt Huebner GBB
8 Florida Rob Mager FIRE
9 Albany D. Bryant ALB
10 @ Quad City Jeff Hewitt QC
11 @Birmingham Rob Mager FIRE
12 Green Bay Matthew Sauk/ Rob Mager FIRE
13 @ Albany Cesare Manning* FIRE
15 San Diego Matthew Sauk FIRE
16 @ OKC Rob Mager FIRE
17 Manchester Matthew Sauk FIRE
18 Quad City Matthew Sauk* FIRE
1st Round Macon Lionel Hayes MAC
2nd Round Manchester Matthew Sauk FIRE

U.S. ARMY IRONMAN OF THE GAME AWARD
Week Opp. Player Team
2 @ Rio Grande Marquis Floyd RGV
3 South Georgia Tony Stallings FIRE
4 @ WB/S Ameer Riley WB/S
5 Birmingham Demetrius Forney* FIRE
6 @Manchester Marc Bacote MAN
7 @ Green Bay Matt Huebner GBB
8 Florida Cainon Lamb FLO
9 Albany Demetrius Forney FIRE
10 @ Quad City Jack Walker QC
11 @Birmingham Dennis Fryzel FIRE
12 Green Bay Dontrell Jackson GBB
13 @ Albany Dennis Fryzel FIRE
15 San Diego Lawrence Matthews FIRE
16 @ OKC Al Hunt OKC
17 Manchester Lawrence Matthews FIRE
18 Quad City Cesare Manning FIRE
1st Round Macon Damien Purse MAC
2nd Round Manchester Demetrius Forney FIRE

ADT DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME AWARD
Week Opp. Player Team
2 @ Rio Grande Tony Stallings* FIRE
3 South Georgia Rob Green FIRE
4 @WB/S Rob Green FIRE
5 Birmingham Terrance Harris BIR
6 @Manchester Williams Haith MAN
7 @ Green Bay Ryan Bowers GBB
8 Florida Kelly Snell FLO
9 Albany Rob Green FIRE
10 @ Quad City Tim Dodge QC
11 @Birmingham George Williams BIR
12 Green Bay David Crocker GBB
13 @ Albany Marvin Constant FIRE
15 San Diego Nate Green FIRE
16 @ OKC Dennis Fryzel FIRE
17 Manchester Andrew Tippins* FIRE
18 Quad City Paul White FIRE
1st Round Macon Jamaal Garman MAC
2nd Round Manchester Rob Green FIRE
* Denotes won league award

LEAGUE TOP 10s: Players from the Fire and Firecats who rank among af2's statistical leaders:

FIRE
Player Rank Category Stat
FRYZEL, Dennis T-10 Receptions 105
KIGHT, Danny 4 Scoring (Kick) 119
KIGHT, Danny 8 FG Pct. 45
KIGHT, Danny 9 FG Attempt 20
KIGHT, Danny T-4 FG Made 9
KIGHT, Danny 1 PAT Attempt 113
KIGHT, Danny 1 PAT's Made 92
MAGER, Rob 5 Scoring 236
MAGER, Rob 5 Scoring (TD's) 39
MAGER, Rob 10 Reception Yrds. 1439
MAGER, Rob T-3 Receptions 125
MAGER, Rob T-4 Reception TD's 39
MAGER, Rob 4 Receive Yds/Game 110.7
SAUK, Matt 2 Total Offense 4472
SAUK, Matt 4 Total Off. Plays 617
SAUK, Matt 2 Tot. Off. TD's 99
SAUK, Matt 2 Tot. Off. Yrds. 4472
SAUK, Matt T-4 Tot. Off. Avg/P 7.2
SAUK, Matt 1 Pass Avg/Game 280.6
SAUK, Matt 2 Pass Comp. % 67.7
SAUK, Matt 1 Pass Attempts 603
SAUK, Matt 1 Passing TD's 99
SAUK, Matt 3 Pass Rating 118
SAUK, Matt 1 Passing Yrds. 4489
SAUK, Matt T-7 Pass Yds/Att 7.4
SAUK, Matt 1 Passes Complete 408
SAUK, Matt T-5 Passes Intercepted 16
SIYKALA, Kabote T-1 Fumbles Recovered 4
TIPPINS, Andre T-2 Forced Fumbles 5
TIPPINS, Andre T-9 Sacks 4.5


FIRECATS
Player Rank Category Stat
BENTON, Magic T-10 Receptions 105
BENTON, Magic T-8 Reception TD's 32
GORRIE, Steve 1 Rushing 345
GORRIE, Steve 2 Rushing Attempts 81
GORRIE, Steve T-5 Yards Per Rush 4.3
GORRIE, Steve
KORNBLUE, Brandon 10 Scoring (Kick) 82
KORNBLUE, Brandon 9 FG Attempts 22
KORNBLUE, Brandon 6 PAT Kick Attempts 93
KORNBLUE, Brandon 6 PAT Kicks Made 73
MORTANT, Chris 10 Rushing Attempts 46
MORTANT, Chris T-3 Fumbles Rcvd. 3
SNELL, Kelly 5 Tackles 100
SNELL, Kelly 4 Passes Defended 32
WALLACE, Chris 10 Tot. Off. Plays 550
WALLACE, Chris 10 Tot. Off. TD's 83
WALLACE, Chris T-8 Pass Comp. % 60.7
WALLACE, Chris 9 Pass Attempts 527
WALLACE, Chris 7 Passing TD's 80
WALLACE, Chris 10 Pass Rating 107.2
WALLACE, Chris 7 Pass Complete 320
WALLACE, Chris T-9 Pass Intercepted 14
WASHINGTON, Desmond T-2 MFG Return TD's 1


TALE OF THE TAPE: Here's how the Fire and Firecats stacked up at the end of the regular season:
Statistical Louisville Florida
Category Rank Stat Rank Stat
Scoring Offense T - 3 55.6 15 45.1
Scoring Defense 13 51.6 2 39.8
Total Offense 2 292.6 14 250.6
Total Defense 17 279.7 9 257.9
Pass Offense 1 279.8 17 215.6
Pass Defense 17 258.8 13 244.8
Rushing Offense 17 12.8 2 34.9
Rushing Defense T-10 20.9 2 13.1
Pass Rating 3 118.1 9 106.5
Pass Def. Rating 9 100.9 4 91.5
Turnover Margin 5 +10 T-9 -1
Field Goals 3 .450 19 .136
PAT Kicking 7 .808 10 .785
Sacks By 14 16 T-15 15
Sacks Against 1 6 T-2 11
First Downs 1 354 12 296
Opp. First Downs 18 310 8 284
Penalties 9 54.9 3 46.1
Opp. Penalties 9 57.8 10 57.1

FIRE ALL-TIME RECORDS

All-Time Record 35-48

All-Time Home Record 21-19

All-Time Road Record 15-29

All-Time March Record 1-0

All-Time April Record 9-9

All-Time May Record 8-14

All-Time June Record 7-14

All-Time July Record 8-10

All-Time August Record 3-1

All-Time In Playoffs 3-1

All-Time Record in Openers 3-2

All-Time Record on Fridays 12-7

All-Time Record on Saturdays 24-41

All-Time Against 2005 Opponents 21-19



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