Must-See Matchups
Published on March 13, 2003 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release
In a race with each other to become the first professional quarterback to throw for 500 career touchdowns, Detroit Fury QB ANDY KELLY and New York QB AARON GARCIA face off this Sunday on NBC at noon ET.
Passing for 1,576 yards and 38 touchdowns this season, Kelly (6-3, 220, Tennessee) has guided the Fury to a 3-3 record, the best start in team history. As the AFL's all-time leading passer, his career numbers are equally impressive. The former Volunteer needs just seven passing strikes to become the first professional quarterback to throw for 500 touchdowns (493). In Week 5, this nine-year veteran became the first AFL passer to exceed the 25,000-yard passing mark (25,458).
Garcia (6-1, 195, Sacramento State) is on pace for a record-setting 117-touchdown, 5,355-yard performance in 2003, averaging close to 335 yards and more than seven touchdowns per game. The former Hornet currently owns the best touchdown-interception ratio in the League, 44-2. Garcia needs 12 passing touchdowns to reach the 500-mark (488). Although no passer has ever thrown a dozen touchdowns in one contest, Garcia's single-game passing touchdowns record comes close -- 11, vs. Carolina on July 7, 2001. The eight-year veteran needs 491 passing yards to become the second quarterback to reach the 25,000-plateau (24,509).
COLORADO OS DAMIAN HARRELL vs. ARIZONA WR/DB RANDY GATEWOOD
Colorado OS DAMIAN HARRELL (6-3, 195, Florida State) has earned a "bull's eye" from defensive coordinators around the AFL for his six-week performance in the Mile-High City. The former Seminole earned February Offensive Player of the Month and currently leads the AFL in scoring (126) and touchdowns (20) while leading the Crush in receptions (42) and receiving yards (678). Arizona Rattlers WR/DB RANDY GATEWOOD (6-0, 185, UNLV) is a perennial All-Arena candidate who has already grabbed Ironman of the Week (Week 2) and ADT Defensive Player of the Week (Week 6) honors this season. The former Running Rebel has three two-interception games and leads the Rattlers interceptions (6). Gatewood, a 2002 All-Ironman Team selection, continues to demonstrate his versatility by providing a reliable target (17 receptions and 7 TDs) for QB SHERDRICK BONNER. These two veterans will lock horns numerous times on NBC this Sunday at 6 p.m. ET.
ORLANDO DS KENNY MCENTYRE vs. TAMPA BAY OS FREDDIE SOLOMON
Tampa Bay Storm OS FREDDIE SOLOMON (5-11, 185, South Carolina State) has emerged as one of the most dangerous scoring threats in the AFL. The former South Carolina State standout currently leads the Storm with 42 receptions for 637 yards and 12 TDs, but he also adds 464 return yards that includes a 55-yard TD return and two rushing touchdowns. Orlando Predators DS KENNY "THE GLOVE" MCENTYRE (5-11, 180, Kansas State) is one of the best covermen in the AFL. The former two-time Defensive Player of the Year has been blanketing opponent's top receivers since he came into the League in 1998. The former Wildcat standout leads the Predators with 35.0 total tackles and two interceptions. This is one showdown that will keep NBC's isolation camera busy on Sunday at noon ET.
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