Rampage 2005 schedule announced

Published on October 28, 2004 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Grand Rapids Rampage News Release


The Grand Rapids Rampage's 2005 schedule has been released and features eight exciting home contests, including games against Central Divisional rivals Chicago, Colorado and the expansion Nashville Kats. Also coming to Grand Rapids are the Arizona Rattlers, Austin Wranglers, Columbus Destroyers, New Orleans VooDoo and the Los Angeles Avengers. The Rampage play three times on NBC, twice at home (Feb. 27 vs. Columbus and March 13 vs. Chicago) and once on the road (May 15 at Chicago).

For the first time since 2002, the Rampage kicks off their season at home, when the Arizona Rattlers slither into Van Andel Arena for a 7:30pm battle. This marks the first time the Rampage have ever played a game in the month of January. They face the Colorado Crush in week two for the third straight season (in 2002 the Rampage traveled to Denver and last season the Crush came to Grand Rapids with the home team losing each contest).

Since there are an odd number of teams in the AFL this season (17), the Rampage have a bye in the third week of the season. Following the bye, the Rampage plays three of the next four weeks at home.

First up, they host the Austin Wranglers on Saturday, February 19 at 7:30pm, then play their first of two home games on NBC on Sunday, February 27 against Columbus (3:00pm). After the Rampage's first ever trip to Tampa to play the Storm (Sunday, March 6), Grand Rapids returns home to play Chicago on Sunday, March 13 on NBC.

The Rampage then face four road games in five weeks. For the third consecutive season, the Rampage head to San Jose (Friday, March 18) to take on the defending ArenaBowl champion SaberCats at 10:30pm. The Rampage then face former head coach Michael Trigg and the Philadelphia Soul on the road (Sunday, March 27).

The Nashville Kats come to Van Andel Arena on Sunday, April 3 in a rematch of ArenaBowl XV. Though the Kats are an expansion team, they are coached by Pat Sperduto and feature many of the same players that the Rampage beat 64-42 for the championship in 2001.

Back on the road for two Friday night games, the Rampage head to Las Vegas, where ArenaBowl XIX will be played, to face former Rampage quarterback Clint Dolezel and 2004 AFL Offensive Player of the Year Marcus Nash. Next, they travel to Atlanta to take on the Georgia Force, who were coached by Rampage assistant head coach Robert Lyles in 2002.

Grand Rapids then comes home to Van Andel Arena for two Saturday night battles against the New Orleans VooDoo and Colorado Crush before heading back out on the road for games at Nashville and Chicago. The Chicago contest will be televised on NBC.

The Rampage close out their 2005 regular season at home against the Los Angeles Avengers. This marks the first time that recently signed, 2003 AFL Offensive Player of the Year Chris Jackson faces his former team.

Additional Rampage radio and television schedules will be announced in upcoming weeks. For Grand Rapids Rampage season tickets, please call the Rampage ticket office toll-free at 1.888.595.4878.

Grand Rapids Rampage 2005 Schedule

Friday, January 28 ARIZONA RATTLERS 7:30pm

Saturday, February 5 at Colorado Crush 3:00pm

February 11-14 BYE

Saturday, February 19 AUSTIN WRANGLERS 7:30pm

Sunday, February 27 COLUMBUS DESTROYERS 3:00pm (NBC)

Sunday, March 6 at Tampa Bay Storm 12:00pm

Sunday, March 13 CHICAGO RUSH 12:00pm (NBC)

Friday, March 18 at San Jose SaberCats 10:30pm

Sunday, March 27 at Philadelphia Soul 3:00pm

Sunday, April 3 NASHVILLE KATS 3:00pm

Friday, April 8 at Las Vegas Gladiators 10:00pm

Friday, April 15 at Georgia Force 7:30pm

Saturday, April 23 NEW ORLEANS VOODOO 7:30pm

Saturday, April 30 COLORADO CRUSH 8:00pm

Saturday, May 7 at Nashville Kats 8:30pm

Sunday, May 15 at Chicago Rush 1:00pm (NBC)

Saturday, May 21 LOS ANGELES AVENGERS 7:30pm

All times are Eastern and are subject to change. Home games in ALL CAPS.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from October 28, 2004


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