Must-see matchups: week seven
March 10, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release
ARIZONA SECONDARY vs. TAMPA BAY QB SHANE STAFFORD
Not many quarterbacks in the AFL can claim to be hotter than Tampa Bay QB SHANE STAFFORD (6-3, 210, Connecticut). But this Sunday, the Arizona Rattlers (1-5) secondary will look to cool him off when they travel to St. Pete Times Forum to face the Storm (3-2) at noon ET on NBC.
The former Husky quarterback has guided the No. 3 scoring offense (56.6 PPG) by completing 128-of-196 passes (65.3%) for 1,364 yards, 29 touchdowns and only one interception. His ability to protect the football, strong arm and pocket awareness make him one of the elite signal callers in the AFL.
Arizona head coach TODD SHELL has his No. 2 defense (240.0 YPG) primed to rise to the occasion in the NBC spotlight. Veteran DS CLARENCE LAWSON (5-8, 180, Utah) and DS TERRENCE JOSEPH (6-1, 201, Tulsa) help lead the secondary that ranks No. 3 in passing yards allowed (224.8 YPG) and will look to shut down OS FREDDIE SOLOMON (5-11, 185, South Carolina State) and WR/DB CLIF DELL (5-11, 190, South Florida), who have combined for 20 touchdowns.
CHICAGO DEFENSE vs. GRAND RAPIDS QB MICHAEL BISHOP
Former Heisman Trophy runner-up and Grand Rapids Rampage QB MICHAEL BISHOP (6-2, 220, Kansas State) could be the most exciting player in the AFL, but Chicago head coach MIKE HOHENSEE and the Rush defense have other plans when the Rampage (1-4) host the Central Division rival Chicago Rush (3-3) this Sunday at noon ET on NBC.
Bishop recorded the first 100-yard rushing game in AFL history at Colorado in Week 2 of the 2005 season. The League rushing leader, with 27 carries for 217 yards and five touchdowns, is currently on pace for 813 rushing yards this season, which would shatter the current rushing record (429, MAJOR HARRIS). Entering Week 7, he has completed 68-of-129 passes for 1,025 yards and 22 touchdowns.
Defending Lineman of the Year JOHN MOYER (6-3, 265, Eastern Illinois) and the "Toughest Man in Football" FB/LB BOB MC MILLEN (6-3, 260, Illinois Benedictine) will look to pressure and pound the AFL's most elusive quarterback. Moyer led the AFL in sacks (10.0) in 2004 and McMillen is known as one of the most physical two-way players in the League.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 10, 2005
- Roster moves prepare Gladiators for Destroyers - Las Vegas Gladiators
- VooDoo plans fun-filled experience for Sunday's game against Orlando - New Orleans VooDoo
- Must-see matchups: week seven - AFL I
- Quick hitters: week seven - AFL I
- Preds radio broadcast on national radio - Orlando Predators
- Tampa Bay Storm game notes - Tampa Bay Storm
- Soul trade for defensive specialist Calvin Coleman - Philadelphia Soul
- Georgia, New York face off in National Conference battle this Saturday - AFL I
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