Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz
August 2, 2005 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz News Release
QUICK FACTS:
Amarillo Dusters (8-8)
At Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz (10-6)
Date: Saturday, August 6, 2005
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. CST
Site: Cox Convention Center (13,251)
National Anthem: Kim Van Norman
Coin Toss: TBD
Officials: Joe Pester (Referee), Chad Bowers (Umpire), Marc Bovos (Head Linesman), Lee Ross (Line Judge), Scott Gasaway (Back Judge)
Radio: KEBC-AM - 1340 AM - Robert Allen (Play-by-Play)
Webcast: www.kgff.com AND www.okcyarddawgz.com
Series Record: Oklahoma City Leads 2-0
Streaks: Amarillo L-4, Oklahoma City W-2
Coaches: Yard Dawgz: Jeff Jarnigan (10-6, 1st season);
AMA: Steve Perdue (6-7, 1st season)
TEAM WEBSITES: Yard Dawgz: www.okcyarddawgz.com
Dusters: www.dustersfootball.com
THE STAKES: The stakes are the same for both teams as we enter the 2005 af2 playoffs, WIN AND ADVANCE...Both teams are trying to win their first ever playoff game in franchise history. The Dawgz lost in the first round last season to the Peoria Pirates and the Amarillo Dusters are making their first ever appearance in the af2 playoffs.
THE SERIES: This will be the third meeting between these two teams with Oklahoma City having won the two previous meetings.
THE Ifs:
If Oklahoma City defeats Amarillo, it would ...
- Give Oklahoma City a 3-0 series record with Amarillo
- Give Oklahoma City a 7-2 home record in 2005
- Give Jeff Jarnigan a 11-6 career record as head coach
- Give Oklahoma City a three-game win streak
- Set up a second round playoff contest in Tulsa
OKLAHOMA CITY YARD DAWGZ (10-6, WON 2)
Date Opponent Result Score Record
4/1 @ Wilkes-Barre/Scranton L 47-59 0-1
4/9 @ Arkansas W 71-48 1-1
4/16 CENTRAL VALLEY W 48-41 2-1
4/23 QUAD CITY L 43-61 2-2
4/30 @ Tulsa L 34-47 2-3
5/7 @ Memphis L 38-43 2-4
5/21 BOSSIER SHREVEPORT W 52-17 3-4
5/28 @ Quad City W 56-49 4-4
6/4 RIO GRANDE VALLEY W 59-35 5-4
6/11 AMARILLO W 74-67 6-4
6/18 @ Bossier-Shreveport L 46-54 6-5
6/24 MEMPHIS W 50-47 7-5
7/10 @ Amarillo W 77-52 8-5
7/16 LOUISVILLE L 45-47 8-6
7/23 @ Rio Grande Valley W 71-40 9-6
7/30 TULSA W 57-50 10-6
Date Opponent Time Streak Series
8/6 AMARILLO 7:30 L-4 OKC 2-0
AMARILLO DUSTERS (8-8, LOST 4)
Date Opponent Result Score Record
4/1 TULSA W 62-55 1-0
4/8 MEMPHIS L 41-66 1-1
4/23 @ Bossier-Shreveport W 86-66 2-1
4/30 @ San Diego W 49-31 3-1
5/7 QUAD CITY W 58-48 4-1
5/14 @ Memphis L 40-46 4-2
5/21 CENTRAL VALLEY W 68-61 (OT) 5-2
5/28 @ Florida L 63-69 5-3
6/4 SOUTH GEORGIA W 69-63 6-3
6/11 @ Oklahoma City L 67-74 6-4
6/18 BAKERSFIELD W 66-55 7-4
6/25 BOSSIER-SHREVEPORT W 51-38 8-4
7/10 OKLAHOMA CITY L 52-77 8-5
7/16 @ Quad City L 46-52 8-6
7/23 @ Tulsa L 34-42 8-7
7/30 @ Arkansas L 40-44 8-8
Date Opponent Time Streak Series
8/6 @ Oklahoma City 7:30 W-2 OKC 2-0
(All times Central)
YARD DAWGZ HEAD COACH AT A GLANCE: Jeff Jarnigan served as the Defensive Coordinator in 2004 with the Austin Wranglers of the Arena Football League. The Wranglers were one of three expansion teams for the AFL and they finished their inaugural season at 8-8. Defensively, the Wranglers tallied 4.1 stops per game and finished 3rd in the AFL in sacks, 3rd in third downs allowed, 8th in turnover margin and 12th in total defense. After a slow start, the Wrangler pass defense held their opponents to an average of 210 passing yards over the final eight games of the season.
Jarnigan spent the 2001 -2003 seasons as the defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach for the Tulsa Talons of af2. While with Tulsa, Jarnigan's defense was known for its hard-hitting, high-pressure defense that traditionally finished in the top third of the league in several defensive categories. During Jarnigan's three seasons with the Talons, they accumulated a 44-10 record, won two National Conference Central Division championships and won the ArenaCup in 2003.
AMARILLO HEAD COACH AT A GLANCE: Steve Perdue took over the head coaching spot earlier this season, when Don Carthel resigned to accept the head coaching position at West Texas A&M. Perdue, 28, becomes the youngest head coach in af2.
TOP OF THE CHARTS: Players from this week's match-up who rank among the top ten in af2's statistical categories in 2005:
YARD DAWGZ
Player Rank Category Stat
Craig Strickland 5th Total Offense 4254
Craig Strickland 7th Total Offensive Plays 568
Craig Strickland 8th Total Offensive TDs 90
Jarrail Jackson T-6th Scoring 222
Craig Strickland 3rd Total Offensive Avg/Play 7.5
Jarrail Jackson 1st All-Purpose Yards 3165
Jarrail Jackson T-6th Scoring (TDs) 37
Craig Strickland 3rd Passing Avg/Game 265.2
Craig Strickland 5th Pass Yards/Catch 13.1
Craig Strickland 5th Pass Attempts 549
Craig Strickland T-3rd Passing TDs 88
Craig Strickland 4th Pass Rating 115.5
Craig Strickland T-3rd Pass Yards/Att 7.7
Craig Strickland 3rd Passing Yards 4244
Craig Strickland 6th Pass Completion 324
Jarrail Jackson T-3rd Receptions 125
Brandon Daniels 9th Receiving Yards/Catch 14.3
Jarrail Jackson 3rd Receiving Yards 1636
Jarrail Jackson 7th Receiving TDs 33
Jarrail Jackson T-2nd MFG Returns 6
Jarrail Jackson 4th MFG Return Yards 136
Jarrail Jackson 2nd Kick Return Avg 25.3
Jarrail Jackson 4th Kick Return Yards 1393
Jarrail Jackson T-3rd Kick Return TDs 4
Jeromy Flowers T-3rd Fumbles Recovered 3
DUSTERS
Player Rank Category Stat
Julian Reese 8th Total Offense 3748
Julian Reese 6th Total Offensive TDs 93
Chavis McCollister T-6th Scoring 222
Julian Reese 8th Total Offensive Yards 3748
Chavis McCollister T-6th Scorign (TDs) 37
Julian Reese 5th Rushing 223
Julian Reese 1st Rushing Attempts 86
Julian Reese 1st Rushing TDs 28
DeWayne Miles T-6th Yards Per Rush 4.3
Julian Reese T-8th Pass Yards Per Catch 12.6
Julian Reese 6th Pass Completion % 62.7
Julian Reese 5th Pass Rating 113.6
Julian Reese 2nd Pass Yards/Attempt 7.9
Julian Reese 10th Passing Yards 3525
Chavis McCollister 5th Receptions 124
Chavis McCollister 5th Yards Per Catch 15.0
Chavis McCollister 1st Reception Yards 1866
LOOKING BACK: The Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz clinched the #3 seed in the af2 playoffs by defeating the Tulsa Talons 57-50 in front of 12,181 fans at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City. The Dawgz scored the final touchdown on a three-yard run by quarterback Craig Strickland with :21 seconds left in the game. The Dawgz finish the regular season with a 10-6 record and will host the Amarillo Dusters in the first round of the playoffs.
TALE OF THE TAPE: Here's how OKLAHOMA CITY and AMARILLO rank in the league this season.
Statistical YARD DAWGZ DUSTERS
Category Rank Stat Rank Stat
Scoring Offense 6th 54.2 T-1st 55.8
Scoring Defense 8th 47.3 16th 55.3
Total Offense 5th 281.4 3rd 291.1
Total Defense 12th 261.2 16th 276.8
Pass Offense 3rd 266.4 6th 255.4
Pass Defense 15th 247.6 16th 255.4
Rushing Offense 15th 15.0 1st 35.7
Rushing Defense 3rd 13.6 12th 21.3
Pass Rating 4th 115.4 6th 110.8
Pass Def. Rating 12th 106.5 19th 118.8
Kickoff Return Yards 3rd 2017 15th 1566
Turnover Margin T-3rd +11 14th -4
Sacks By T-11th 18 T-7th 21
Sacks Against 16th 26 14th 22
First Downs 7th 300 3rd 321
Opp. First Downs 12th 294 11th 293
Penalty Yards 20th 1235 6th 812
Opp. Penalty Yds 3rd 1055 4th 1015
Red Zone Offense 8th 60-76 (78.9%) 3rd 67-80 (83.7%)
Red Zone Defense 7th 49-64 (76.6%) 5th 55-73( 75.3%)
SAY WHAT: (Notable quotes):
JEFF JARNIGAN, On the win over Tulsa: "A very hard fought game. We were down by 13 and were able to come back and win the game."
CRAIG STRICKLAND, On the game versus Tulsa: "We now have a two game win streak going into the playoffs and we look forward to facing a very good Amarillo team."
DAWG BONES: (A look at team trends and tidbits):
FIRST DRIVE OF THE GAME: This season the Yard Dawgz have taken their first drive of the game and scored eleven out of sixteen times. Below is a chart detailing how the Yard Dawgz have fared on their first drive in each game thus far this season.
YARD DAWGZ FIRST DRIVE OF THE GAME
Date Opponent Result Game Outcome
4/1 @ Wilkes-Barre Turnover (Downs) LOST
4/9 @ Arkansas FIELD GOAL WON
4/16 Central Valley TOUCHDOWN WON
4/23 Quad City Missed Field Goal LOST
4/30 @ Tulsa TOUCHDOWN LOST
5/7 @ Memphis Missed Field Goal LOST
5/21 Bossier-Shreveport Turnover (Downs) WON
5/28 @ Quad City TOUCHDOWN WON
6/4 Rio Grande Valley TOUCHDOWN WON
6/11 Amarillo TOUCHDOWN WON
6/18 @ Bossier-Shreveport TOUCHDOWN LOST
6/24 Memphis TOUCHDOWN WON
7/10 @ Amarillo Missed Field Goal WON
7/16 Louisville TOUCHDOWN LOST
7/23 @ Rio Grande Valley TOUCHDOWN WON
7/30 Tulsa TOUCHDOWN WON
TALE OF TWO HALVES, NOT ANYMORE!!: Earlier this season the Yard Dawgz struggled in the first half against their opponents as they were outscored in the first half in five out of their first six games, however the Dawgz rebounded in the second half. But now, the Dawgz have outscored their opponents in both halves on the season. They have outscored their opponents 400-398 in the first half and 468-359 in the second half.
YARD DAWGZ POINT DIFFERENTIAL BY HALF
Date Opponent First Half Second Half Game Outcome
4/1 @ Wilkes-Barre -5 -7 LOST
4/9 @ Arkansas -12 +35 WON
4/16 Central Valley +1 +6 WON
4/23 Quad City -9 -9 LOST
4/30 @ Tulsa -7 -6 LOST
5/7 @ Memphis -10 +5 LOST
5/21 Bossier-Shreveport +7 +28 WON
5/28 @ Quad City -5 +12 WON
6/4 Rio Grande Valley +2 +22 WON
6/11 Amarillo +8 -1 WON
6/18 @ Bossier-Shreveport 0 -8 LOST
6/24 Memohis +1 +2 WON
7/10 @ Amarillo +17 +8 WON
7/16 Louisville +10 -12 LOST
7/23 @ Rio Grande Valley +7 +21 WON
7/30 Tulsa -6 +13 WON
SEASON TOTALS +2 +109
MAKING HISTORY: Beginning the 2005 season, Yard Dawgz quarterback Craig Strickland had 14,415 yards in his af2 career. In week two versus the Arkansas Twisters Strickland eclipsed the 15,000 yard mark, becoming the first af2 player ever to throw for over 15,000 yards. Below is a look at the yards Strickland has thrown for in each game this season.
CRAIG STRICKLAND PASSING YARDS
Date Opponent Passing Yards Career Yards GAME RESULT
4/1 @ Wilkes-Barre 281 14,696 LOST
4/9 @ Arkansas 352 15,048 WON
4/16 Central Valley 212 15,260 WON
4/23 Quad City 311 15,571 LOST
4/30 @ Tulsa 240 15,811 LOST
5/7 @ Memphis 189 16,000 LOST
5/21 Bossier-Shreveport 180 16,180 WON
5/28 @ Quad City 317 16,497 WON
6/4 Rio Grande Valley 233 16,730 WON
6/11 Amarillo 361 17,091 WON
6/18 @ Bossier-Shreveport 258 17,349 LOST
6/24 Memphis 209 17,558 WON
7/10 @ Amarillo 313 17,871 WON
7/16 Louisville 238 18,109 LOST
7/23 @ Rio Grande Valley 260 18,369 WON
7/30 Tulsa 299 18,668 WON
TEAMS NOT RUNNING WITH THESE DAWGZ: Coming into this week's game versus the Amarillo Dusters, the Yard Dawgz are the #3 ranked rushing defense in af2. They have only given up 218 yards rushing this season for an average of 13.6 yards per game.
MANY HAPPY RETURNS: The Yard Dawgz kick return team is ranked #2 in af2 with a kickoff return average of 22.4 yards per return, and they currently rank 3rd in the league in kickoff return yards with 2017.
NEW HOME SWEET HOME: Due to an arena conflict the Yard Dawgz will host their first round playoff game at the Cox Convention Center, formerly known as The Myriad. The Myriad was the home of the AFL's Oklahoma Wranglers from 2000 to 2001.
HOME SWEET HOME: The Yard Dawgz are now 13-3 all-time in side the friendly confines of the Ford Center.
CATCH AND RUN: The Yard Dawgz make sure that after they catch the ball they get as many yards as possible. This season, the Yard Dawgz rank 2nd in the af2 in pass yards per catch with 12.8.
ANOTHER AWARD FOR THE DAWGZ: B.J. Barre was named U.S. Army Ironman of the Week for his performance against the Amarillo Dusters in week 15.
Barre finished the night with six catches for 103 yards and three touchdowns, rushed three times for 14 yards, and recorded an interception on defense. This marks the second time in his career that Barre has been named Ironman of the Week. Last season, he won the award in week 4 as a member of the Tulsa Talons.
GETTING DEFENSIVE: Jeromy Flowers became the first Yard Dawgz player of 2005 to earn a league award this season as he was named af2 ADT Defensive Player of the Week for his week 10 performance against the Rio Grande Valley Dorados on June 4, 2005. Flowers had two interceptions and three pass defenses to go along with his six tackles in the victory over the Dorados.
Flowers (6-0, 200, Arkansas) has played in nine games for the Dawgz and has compiled 45.0 tackles, two interceptions, and five pass defenses.
DUSTING AWAY THE DUSTERS: The Dawgz completed the season sweep of the Amarillo Dusters on July 10th as they defeated them for the second time this year. The Dawgz outscored the Dusters 151-119 this season. The Dawgz added the Dusters to the list of winless opponents against the Dawgz. The list includes Arkansas (0-2 versus OKC), and Central Valley (0-2 versus OKC).
PLAYERS TO WATCH THIS WEEK:
Yard Dawgz offensive specialist Jarrail Jackson: In week #11, Jackson surpassed the 1,000-yard mark for the season, becoming only the fourth receiver in Yard Dawgz history to achieve this mark.
On July 10th in the first half against Amarillo, Jackson caught seven passes to reach the 100-reception mark on the season and become the only player in Yard Dawgz history to achieve this feat. In week 13 against Memphis Jackson broke the single season reception record by catching nine passes to reach 93 on the season. The previous record was held by Kris Peters, who caught 92 passes in 2004.
YARD DAWGZ PRACTICE PLAN: (A look at the Yard Dawgz schedule this week)
Tuesday: 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. (COX CONVENTION CENTER)
Wednesday: 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. (COX CONVENTION CENTER)
Thursday: 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. (COX CONVENTION CENTER)
Friday: OFF
Saturday: 7:30 p.m. - KICKOFF!!! Vs. Amarillo Dusters (COX CONVENTION CENTER)
**All Times are central**
GAME AWARD WINNERS
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME (selected by media)
Week Opp. Player
1 @ Wilkes-Barre JR Thomas -Wilkes Barre
2 @ Arkansas Craig Strickland-Oklahoma City
3 Central Valley Brandon Daniels-Oklahoma City
4 Quad City Jarrail Jackson-Oklahoma City
5 @ Tulsa Donovan Morgan-Tulsa
6 @ Memphis Brian Jones-Memphis
8 Vs. Bossier Jarrail Jackson - Oklahoma City
9 @ Quad City Jarrail Jackson - Oklahoma City
10 Rio Grande Valley Jarrail Jackson - Oklahoma City
11 Amarillo Craig Strickland - Oklahoma City
12 @ Bossier-Shreveport Reggie Perkins - Bossier-Shreveport
13 Memphis Jarrail Jackson - Oklahoma City
15 @ Amarillo Jarrail Jackson - Oklahoma City
16 Louisville Rob Mager - Louisville
17 @ Rio Grande Valley Craig Strickland - Oklahoma City
18 Tulsa Donovan Morgan - Tulsa
IRONMAN AWARD (selected by media)
Week Opp. Player
1 @ Wilkes-Barre Demetrius Austrum - Wilkes Barre
2 @ Arkansas B.J. Barre-Oklahoma City
3 Central Valley Al Hunt-Oklahoma City
4 Quad City Tim Dodge-Quad City
5 @ Tulsa B.J. Barre-Oklahoma City
6 @ Memphis Ryan Karr-Memphis
8 Vs. Bossier B.J. Barre - Oklahoma City
9 @ Quad City Tim Dodge - Quad City
10 Rio Grande Valley B.J. Barre - Oklahoma City
11 Amarillo Al Hunt - Oklahoma City
12 @ Bossier-Shreveport Adrian Burnette - Bossier-Shreveport
13 Memphis Al Hunt - Oklahoma City
15 @ Amarillo B.J. Barre - Oklahoma City
16 Louisville Al Hunt - Oklahoma City
17 @ Rio Grande Valley Marquis Floyd - Rio Grande Valley
18 Tulsa Al Hunt - Oklahoma City
ADT DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME
(selected by media)
Week Opp. Player
1 @ Wilkes-Barre Ameer Riley - Wilkes Barre
2 @ Arkansas Al Hunt-Oklahoma City
3 Central Valley Clint Merz-Central Valley
4 Quad City Matt Forbes-Quad City
5 @ Tulsa Chris Canty-Tulsa
6 @ Memphis Dahnel Singfield-Memphis
8 Vs. Bossier Rickie Davis - Oklahoma City
9 @ Quad City John Culp - Quad City
10 Rio Grande Valley Jeromy Flowers - Oklahoma City
11 Amarillo Jeromy Flowers - Oklahoma City
12 @ Bossier-Shreveport Joe Wesley - Bossier-Shreveport
13 Memphis B.J. Barre - Oklahoma City
15 @ Amarillo A.J. Haglund - Oklahoma City
16 Louisville Dennis Fryzel - Louisville
17 @ Rio Grande Valley Rickie Davis - Oklahoma City
18 Tulsa Jeromy Flowers - Oklahoma City
af2 WEEKLY AWARD WINNERS
Week Offensive Defensive Ironman
1 Julian Reese-Amarillo Demetrius Austrum-Wilkes-Barre Khreem Smith-Memphis
2 Kevin Prentiss-Memphis Ahmad Willis-Tulsa Tony Stallings-Louisville
3 Jake Eaton-Manchester Matt Forbes-Quad City Matt Jackson-Macon
4 Julian Reese-Amarillo Matt Forbes-Quad City Chris Robinson-Rio Grande Valley
5 Bo Smith-Bossier-Shreveport Travis Coleman-Albany J.J. McKelvey-Manchester
6 Juston Wood-Central Valley William Haith-Manchester Nathan Munson- Bakersfield
7 Kyle Rowley-Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Ryan Bowers-Green Bay Joe Wesley-Bossier-Shreveport
8 Detronn Harris-Birmingham Norman Mason-Rio Grande Valley Robert Kilow-Arkansas
9 Juston Wood - Central Valley Norman Mason - Rio Grande Valley Demetrius Forney - Louisville
10 D Bryant - Albany Jeromy Flowers-Oklahoma City Asi Faoa - San Diego
11 Dwight Counter - Rio Grande Valley Ryan Smith - San Diego Matt Jackson - Macon
12 Sam Clemons - Quad City Dahnel Singfield - Memphis Marquis Floyd - Rio Grande Valley
13 Cesare Manning - Louisville David Crocker - Green Bay Reggie Perkins - Bossier-Shreveport
15 Brian Zbydniewski - South Georgia Chris Canty - Tulsa B.J. Barre - Oklahoma City
16 Donovan Morgan - Tulsa Khreem Smith - Memphis Nick Onaindia - Bakersfield
17 Chris Johnson - Macon Andrew Tippins - Louisville Terrell Adams - Memphis
18 Matt Sauk - Louisville Jim Sodano - Wilkes-Barre DeRonn Finley - Central Valley
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