Mustangs Game Notes
Published on March 14, 2011 under Arena Football League (AFL)
Milwaukee Mustangs News Release
Quick Facts
Milwaukee Mustangs (0-0)
Date: March 14, 2011
Kickoff: 6:30 PM
Site: Bradley Center (17,000)
National Anthem: TBA
Coin Toss: TBA
Officials: TBA
Radio: TBA
TV: TBA
Series Record: Chicago leads 3-1 (regular season)
Last Meeting: Milwaukee won 64-54 in 2010 Quarterfinal Playoff Game; split regular season series at one apiece
Streaks: Mustangs - N/A, Rush - N/A
Coaches:
MIL - Bob Landsee (11-5, second season with MIL)
CHI - Bob McMillen (0-0, first season with CHI)
The Mustangs open the regular season against an area rival to attempt to gain an early lead in the East Division standings, and to establish their new nickname as an AFL team to be feared.
The Bradley Center was built through the generosity of the late Jane Bradley Pettit in memory of her father, Harry Lynde Bradley, the co-founder and chairman of the Allen-Bradley Company. The Bradley Center is the only major, public assembly facility in North America with construction underwritten through the philanthropy of a single family. The first game played at the Bradley Center was the Edmonton Oilers vs. Chicago Blackhawks on October 1, 1988. The Bradley Center is home to four sports tenants: the NBA Milwaukee Bucks, the AHL Milwaukee Admirals, the Marquette University Golden Eagles (NCAA) men's basketball team and the Milwaukee Iron Arena Football League team. The facility hosts an estimated 2 million people each year and continues to be the No. 1 entertainment destination in downtown Milwaukee.
Head Coaches: Bob Landsee is starting just his second year as the head coach of the Mustangs, but he led Milwaukee to a 12-6 overall record last year and a Midwest Division crown. Under Landsee, Milwaukee came within one game of reaching the ArenaBowl, which was a notable improvement from a team that finished 5-11 in the AF2 in 2009.
Bob McMillen is starting his first year as head coach of the Rush, but he played 15 seasons in the AFL, earning three championships with three different teams and being selected as one of the 20 Greatest Players in AFL history.
Team Notes and Trends:
Quick Hits: Mustangs "Mustangs" football returns to Milwaukee since the team folded in the 2001 season, but the 2010 "Iron" surprisingly made a strong run for the Arena Bowl ¬Â¦ One of the AFL's career receiving leaders WR DAMIAN HARRELL returns to the Mustangs after gaining 1,265 yards and catching 28 TDs last season ¬Â¦ Former Richmond starting QB ERIC WARD signed with the Mustangs and will start the season for the Mustangs and poses a dual threat of run and pass.
Rush: Head Coach BOB MCMILLEN begins his first season as an AFL head coach ¬Â¦ QB RUSS MICHNA returns after passing for 3,860 yards and 70 TDs a season ago, and leading the AFL in passer rating ¬Â¦ K CHRIS GOULD made 11 of 15 field goals last season, including 113 of 121 extra points ¬Â¦ WR REGGIE GRAY looks to become the go-to receiver for Michna this season and many expect him to become a big receiving threat in the AFL this season ¬Â¦ New LB KELVIN MORRIS had 34.5 tackles, a forced fumble, and 5 interceptions for Arizona last season ¬Â¦ OL VINCE VANCE is an undrafted free agent from Georgia who has the size (6'7, 320) to be a force in the AFL.
Impact Signing: WR BRENT HOLMES joins the Mustangs after putting up very similar receiving numbers to Harrell in Cleveland last season (1,299 yards and 22 touchdowns). He also averaged 13.9 yards on kickoffs, returning one for a 56-yard touchdown. A track star in college, Holmes could make an immediate impact on a Mustangs team looking for young experience.
Quarterback Competition: The biggest question surrounding the 2011 Mustangs season is who will be the quarterback. Gone is Chris Greisen, who signed with the Dallas Cowboys after setting an AFL record for passing yards in a season with 5,146 last year. Three quarterbacks are competing for the starting nod this season: former Richmond QB ERIC WARD, R.J. ARCHER of William & Mary, and ex-Washington St. QB GARY ROGERS. Archer was acquired in a trade with Kansas City on March 9th after spending time on the active roster with the Minnesota Vikings last season. Ward will start against the Rush tonight.
Exciting Passing Game: Wide receivers HARRELL, HOLMES, and ANTOINE BURNS form a trio of potential playmakers this season if Milwaukee is able to create stability at quarterback this season. Burns spent time with the Browns, Seahawks, and Panthers of the NFL before coming to the AFL and set a single-season team record in kickoff return yardage in 2006, along with 2 TDs.
Players to Watch:
MUSTANGS DE JUSTIN BROWN: Brown has spent time in the NFL (Colts), the Canadian Football League, and the AFL with the New Orleans Voodoo and the Dallas Desperados. He hopes to bring that experience to Milwaukee and improve a young defensive line, providing a force at the end position.
MUSTANGS WR DAMIAN HARRELL: The former 2005 and 2006 Arena Football League Offensive Player of the Year is coming off a year in which he caught 100 passes for 1,265 yards and 28 touchdowns for Milwaukee. Harrell holds AFL career records in pass receptions (1,087), receiving yards (14,304), and all-time receiving touchdowns (348). He also has had the most seasons of 1,000-or-more receiving yards in AFL history, with nine.
MUSTANGS CB LEROY SMITH: The Mustangs will be looking for Smith to become a shutdown cornerback without Tracy Belton, who picked off 7 passes a year ago. After experiencing an NFL training camp and the AFL with Tampa Bay and Utah, look for him to step up.
RUSH QB RUSS MICHNA: Michna returns to the Rush after an excellent first season back with the team in 2010. He went 290 for 423 for 3,860 yards, 70 TDs and 11 INT. As a starting QB for the Rush in the 2008 season, Michna passed for 2,721 yards, 57 TDs and 7 INT. He will make the Rush's offense and air attack one to watch in this game and throughout the season.
Arena Football League Stories from March 14, 2011
- Chicago Rush Defeat Milwaukee Mustangs - Chicago Rush
- Mustangs Fall to Rush in Season Opener - Milwaukee Mustangs
- Mustangs Game Notes - Milwaukee Mustangs
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