Riptide Game Notes
May 15, 2002 - arenafootball2 (af2)
San Diego Riptide News Release
QUICK FACTS:
San Diego Riptide (3-3) at Fresno Frenzy (1-5)
Date: Saturday, May 18, 2002
Kickoff: 7:30 pm (PDT)
Site: Selland Arena (8,911)
Officials: Jeff Hansen (referee); Kevin Matthews (umpire); Scott Monaco (head linesman); Steve Hoslette (line judge); Mike Cuttone (back judge)
Radio: KSDO 1130 AM (Chris Ello, Bill Werndl)
By Phone: 1.800.846.4700 Team Code: 4101
Series History: Riptide 1-0 Last time: SDG 69, FRN 52 at Fresno (4/11/02)
COACHES: Riptide: Cree Morris (3-3, 1st year)
Frenzy: Rick Worman (1-5, 1st year)
This weeks opponent Fresno Frenzy
The Riptide head north to Fresno for the second time this season to take on the Frenzy. The first time, April 11, San Diego won their first game of their franchise history 69-52 with QB Kane Claunch hurling seven touchdowns.
The Frenzy won their first game of the season last week 61-52 against the Wichita Stealth.
Fresno is lead by offensive specialist Lamont Webb, who is second in the af2 in all-purpose yards with 1,216 and QB Ricky Ray, who has thrown 20 TDs, ran in seven more with just four interceptions thrown.
Last week at Hawaii Riptide 52, Islanders 50 HONOLULU Hawaii took a 50-49 lead after Darnell Arceneaux hit Robert Kemfort on a 9-yard lob with seven seconds remaining. On the ensuing kickoff, Ryan Smith returned it 32 yards to midfield with two and a half seconds left. Then Ryan Geisler stepped out and up to nail the game-winning 40-yard field goal as time expired to lift the Riptide to a 52-50 victory.
I knew he (Geisler) was going to make it, said Game MVP Kane Claunch, who completed 18-of-26 for 242 yards with four scores from the air and one from the ground. I told everyone to grab a hand and believe. Ryan put it right down the center.
The game was pretty much a back and forth battle from the beginning. The Riptide defense held the Islanders to a missed field goal attempt on their first drive and Ryan Smith returned the errant field goal 42 yards to set up Melvin Blues one-yard burst.
Hawaii countered with a four-yard plunge by Derek Zoller. The Islanders jumped back on the scoreboard on the Riptides first play from scrimmage when a bad center-QB snap resulted in a 20-yard fumble return for a score by Chris Paogofie.
The Riptide answered back 38 seconds later when Claunch connected with Mark Butler on a 24-yard strike. On the ensuing kickoff, Brian Berg forced a fumble that set up Claunchs one-yard dive and the Riptide went ahead 19-13 near the close of the first quarter.
Hawaii recaptured the lead, briefly at 20-19, when Arceneaux ran in his first of three rushing scores. Claunch needed only two plays to find the end zone again, this time he looked for his tight end Ryan Cuthbert for a 17-yard leaping touchdown.
But then on the following kickoff, Game Ironman Darrell Jones returned it 56 yards and the Islanders took another one-point lead, 27-26.
San Diego slowed the pace down and gobbled up nearly four and a half minutes before Jason Burk scooted five yards to put the Riptide up 33-27.
The Islanders turned over the ball and then the Riptide did the same. Hawaii failed to gain a first down, but Jake Higgins hit a 27-yard field goal to close the Riptide lead to three with less than a minute to go in the first half.
The Riptide failed to score with remaining 55 seconds of the half, but had another four and a half minute drive that resulted in an Altie Parker six-yard touchdown from Claunch in the beginning of the third quarter.
The Islanders used up over five minutes before Arceneaux rambled 10 yards to keep Hawaii within three at 40-37. San Diegos offense sputtered and lost five yards on their next drive, but Geisler booted a 45-yard field goal to increase the Riptide lead to 43-37 with 39 seconds left in the third.
Hawaii chewed up over four minutes of clock, but failed to score on fourth and goal, so Claunch launched a 38-yard bomb to Butler on the following play to give the Riptide their biggest lead of the night, 49-37.
Arceneaux took the Islanders down the field, keeping Hawaii alive with a five-yard pass to Taulia Lave on fourth and two and then rushing 11 yards to close the gap to five, 49-44.
San Diego faced a fourth and four on their following possession with less than a minute from the Islander 11. The Riptide faked a field goal, but Wesley Phillips shovel pass to Rico Curtis came up a yard short and Hawaii received the ball at their own eight with 43 seconds left.
The Islanders drove 42 yards on seven plays in just 36 seconds with Arceneaux completing another pass on fourth down and eventually the apparent game winner to Kemfort before Geisler sealed the Riptide victory.
MVP: Kane Claunch, SDG
IRONMAN: Darrell Jones, HAW
ADT Def. Player: Aazaar Abdul-Rahim, SDG
THE CLAUNCH LAUNCH
Riptide QB Kane Claunch has a great two-game stretch and in turn, San Diego has their first two-game winning streak in team history.
Game Cmp Att Cmp% Yds TD INT Rating
5/04 13 17 76.5 222 6 0 157.48
5/11 18 26 69.2 242 4 0 138.14
Totals 31 43 72.1 464 10 0 146.71
CLAUNCH VS. THE WEST DIVISION
The Riptide have now played each of their West Division opponents and the will play five straight games against divisional opponents. Heres a look on how Claunch has done against Bakersfield, Fresno and Hawaii.
Game Cmp Att Cmp% Yds TD INT Rating
4/06 BAK 16 32 50.0 292 4 3 73.96
4/11 @FRN 13 22 59.1 219 7 1 113.45
5/11 @HAW 18 26 69.2 242 4 0 138.14
Totals 47 80 58.8 753 15 3 114.22
GETTING A KICK WITH GEISLER Last week in Hawaii, the Riptide were 2-for-2 in field goal attempts. Before the game, the team was just 1-of-10 and 0-for-9 from 40 yards or more. Both of Ryan Geislers field goals were from at least 40 yards, including the 40-yard game winner.
Overall Under 40 yards 40 or more
1st 5 games 1-10 1-1 0-9
Vs. Hawaii 2-2 0-0 2-2
Totals 3-12 1-1 2-11
TEAM RYAN WINS IT AGAINST HAWAII
The teamwork of all three of the Riptide Ryans contributed to San Diegos 52-50 win last Saturday in Hawaii. Ryan Geisler hit both field goal attempts, including the game winner at time expired. Ryan Smith had 261 all-purpose yards, including a 32-yard kickoff return to set up Geislers game winner. Finally, Ryan Cuthbert caught a 17-yard touchdown and registered 1 ½ tackles.
SHORT FIELD PRODUCES RIPTIDE POINTS
Against the Islanders (5/11), the Riptides first three touchdowns all came when they started that possession with the ball inside Hawaii territory. Ryan Smith had a 42-yard missed field goal return to the Islander 14 that set up Melvin Blues 1-yard rushing score.
On their next scoring drive, San Diegos Rico Curtis had a 17-yard return and an Islander personal foul placed the ball at the Hawaii 24. A play later Kane Claunch hit Mark Butler on a 24-yard touchdown.
On the ensuing kickoff, Brian Berg stripped out the ball from the Hawaiian returner and Aazaar Abdul-Rahim scooped it up at the Islander 14. Three plays later, Claunch plunged in from a yard out.
RIGHT PLACE, RIGHT TIME FOR ABDUL-RAHIM
In Hawaii (5/11), Aazaar Abdul-Rahim scooped up two loose fumbles for the Riptide and recorded a game-high 7.0 tackles. As a result, he was named as the ADT Defensive Player of the Game for his efforts.
RIPTIDE FIRST 3 GAMES VS. LAST 3
The San Diego Riptide have made great strides since their opening three games. Below is some stats on how San Diego has improved since then.
Stat 1st 3 games Last 3 games
Riptide Record 1-2 2-1
Completion % 50.5 63.9
Passer Rating 91.46 127.49
Interceptions Thrown 5 1
3rd down conversions 8/20 (40%) 9/18 (50%)
Touchdowns Scored 21 25
Turnovers 9 5
Turnover Margin Even +2
RIPTIDE FIRE OFF POINTS IN A HURRY
The Riptide registered 68 points against Louisville (5/04) despite having the ball for just 19:46 and only 25 offensive plays. Each scoring drive was less than four plays and the most time consumed was 3:38 when Claunch and Smith hooked up for a 19-yard score.
The Riptides longest drive (7 plays, 5:17) resulted in a fumble. Two San Diego scores came from the defense (fumble return and INT return) and another two on special teams (kickoff return and safety).
GREAT RETURNS
Against Louisville (5/04), the Riptide returned touchdowns three different ways on their way to winning 68-27. Marty Graham had an af2-record 58-yard kickoff return near the end of the first half. Rico Curtis followed in the third quarter with a 17-yard fumble return for a score. Finally in the fourth, Ryan Smith picked off a pass and raced 52 yards for another Riptide score.
RICO SAUVE
Rico Curtis was named the af2s Built-Ford Tough Player of the Week after a dominating two-way performance in the Riptides 68-27 win over Louisville (5/04). Curtis is the lone Riptide player to be selected as one of the teams BFT players all six games this season.
THE SAFETY DANCE
The Riptide have recorded safetys in three of their six games this season. At Fresno (4/11), a botched snap on a field goal attempt resulted in a safety. The following week against Tulsa (4/20), Ryan Cuthbert forced the Talons returner on the opening kickoff back into the end zone for another safety. And finally, last week against Louisville (5/04), Brad Greetis blocked a field goal. The ball went out of bounds for a safety.
SAFTEY DANCE II
After each of the Riptides three safeties, the team has taken the free kick and gone done for scores. Below is how the Riptide scored on each drive after the defense recorded a safety.
Game Plays Score
Fresno 1 Burk 8yd run PAT good
Tulsa 5 Curtis 1yd run PAT failed
Louisville 2 Curtis 35yd pass (Claunch) PAT failed
MARTY BALL
In the Riptides 49-43 overtime loss to Bakersfield (4/06), Marty Graham recorded an af2-record 400 all-purpose yards and many other of the top marks this season in numerous af2 single-game marks. Below is a list of the top statistics that Graham achieved in the season opener.
Game (all vs. Bakersfield) Stat af2 Rank
All-purpose yards 400 1st
Kickoff yards 199 3rd
Combined Ret. Yards 199 3rd
Rec yards/reception 28.1 1st
KO yards/return 28.4 1st
Combined yards/return 28.4 1st
Yards/touch 25.0 1st
GREAT RETURNS, PART II
Ryan Smith recorded one of the best kickoff return performances in af2 history on against Arkansas (4/27). It ranks seventh all-time in league annuals. Below is a list of the top seven return yardage games.
Player Team Opp Date Yds
Brian McDonald LOU at Iowa 7/07/01 240
Brian McDonald LOU Iowa 7/14/01 234
Archie Turner BAT at BIRM 6/29/01 234
Johnny Loper MEM at RICH 7/13/01 233
Anthony Stringfield NORF CAR 6/22/01 233
Lamont Webb FRN QC 4/27/02 231
Ryan Smith SDG at ARK 4/27/02 227
GOLDEN GRAHAM
Despite the loss to Bakersfield on April 6, the Riptide OS set an af2 record for most all-purpose yards in a single game (400) and grabbed four touchdowns. He averaged more than 25 yards per touch in the contest with TD grabs of 40, 16, 36 and 46 yards (his other three catches went for 26,19 and 14).
Marty Graham vs. Bakersfield (April 6, 2002)
Category Touches Yards Avg. TDs
Receiving 7 197 28.1 4
Returns 7 199 28.4 0
Rushing 2 4 2.0 0
All-Purpose 16 400 25.1 4
af2 all-purpose yardage games (All-time)
Yards Player, team Opponent, date
400 Marty Graham, SD 4/06/02 vs. Bakersfield
378 Lamont Webb, FRN 4/27/02 vs. QC
356 Ira Gooch, QC 5/11/02 at PEO
351 Archie Turner, BAT 7/07/01 at Memphis
LOCAL PLAYERS KEY FOR RIPTIDE
In addition to the six former Aztecs, the Riptide roster is stock full of local players. Of the 23-man roster (including IR players), have 16 connections to the San Diego area (by schooling and/or professional experience).
Player Local Connection
Aazaar Abdul-Rahim SDSU
Brandon Bejarano SDSU
Brian Berg SDSU
Jason Burk Mt. Carmel High/Palomar JC
Kevin Burton SDSU
Rico Curtis SDSU
Michael Duncan El Camino High/Palomar JC
Jerry Garrett Oceanside High/Palomar JC
Marty Graham Torrey Pines High/SDSU
Brad Greetis Orange Glen High/Palomar JC
Steve Hendrickson San Diego Chargers
Jason Henry San Dieguito High/ Palomar JC
Trevor Misipeka Temecula Valley High
Scottie Nicholson SDSU
Altie Parker Crawford High
Ryan Smith Escondido High/Palomar JC
RIPTIDE AZTEC ARMY
Nearly a third of the Riptide roster consist of former San Diego State Aztec players.
Pos Player
DS Aazaar Abdul-Rahim
OL/DL Brandon Bejarano
FB/LB Brian Berg
DS Kevin Burton
WR/LB Rico Curtis
OS Marty Graham
WR/LB Scottie Nicholson
COMET CONNECTIONS
The Riptide have five players who played for Palomar Junior College. This is where 2001 AFL Ironman of the Year, Damon Porter (Chicago Rush) played. Riptide OL/DL Steve Hendrickson is an assistant coach for the Comets football team, making six players with Palomar connections
Pos. Player
FB/LB Jason Burk
DS Michael Duncan
WR/LB Jerry Garrett
OL/DL Brad Greetis
OL/DL Steve Hendrickson
OL/DL Jason Henry
WR/DB Ryan Smith
NEXT WEEKS OPPONENT Bakersfield Blitz
The Riptide return home after their two longest road trips of the season to take one Bakersfield, who beat San Diego 49-43 in the season opener.
The Blitz had a bye last week and take on red-hot Peoria, who defeated the powerhouse Quad City Steamwheelers last week.
LONGEST af2 GAME IN HISTORY
April 6s Riptide-Blitz games overtime period lasted 10:38, which put the game at 70 minutes and 38 seconds. This marks the longest game in the history of the league.
WHERE TO LISTEN TO THE RIPTIDE GAME
If you cannot make it to this Saturdays game, you have three options to listen to the Riptide-Islanders game.
RADIO KSDO 1130 AM
Join Chris Ello and Bill Werndl for the pre-game show at 7:00pm and at 7:30pm get ready for all the high-scoring Arena football action.
INTERNET sandiegoriptide.com
Log-on to the Riptides official homepage (sandiegoriptide.com) to listen to every second of tonights game anywhere that the Internet is available on the planet.
TELEPHONE 1.800.846.4700 Team Code: 4101
Theres no need to have Internet access to listen to the Riptide games. To hear live play-by-play of all 16 Riptide games make a toll-free to 1-800-846-4700 and enter 4101 as the Riptide 'Team Code'.
BUILT FORD TOUGH AWARD
The award honors the players who made a game-saving tackle or score-saving tackle, threw a key block on the big play or exhibited physical sacrifice or consistent tough blocking and tackling on both sides of the ball.
Riptide Built-Ford Tough Players of the Game
4/06 vs. Blitz Brian Berg, Rico Curtis, Ryan Cuthbert
4/13 at Frenzy Brian Berg, Rico Curtis, Scottie Nicholson, Altie Parker, Jason Burk
4/20 vs. Talons Kane Claunch, Rico Curtis, Marty Graham 4/27 at Twisters Rico Curtis, Altie Parker, Ryan Smith 5/04 vs. Fire Brian Berg, Rico Curtis, Brad Greetis, Ryan Smith
5/11 at Hawaii Brian Berg, Ryan Cuthbert, Rico Curtis, Ryan Geisler, Ryan Smith
RIPTIDE WITH af2 WEEKLY HONORS
Built-Ford Tough Player of the Week
Week 6 5/04 vs. Louisville Rico Curtis
ADT DEFENSIVE PLAYER AWARD
This is a brand new award that honors the top defensive player of the game/week/year. ADT Security Services, Inc., a unit of Tyco Fire and Security Services will sponsor this award and become one of the af2s primary sponsors. Below are Riptide players that were voted on by the attending media as that games ADT Defensive Player of the Game.
ADT Defensive Players of the Game
4/13 at Frenzy Ryan Cuthbert
4/20 vs. Talons Rico Curtis
5/04 vs. Fire Ryan Smith
5/11 at Islanders Aazaar Abdul-Rahim
INJURY REPORT
Player Injury Status
Kevin Burton Knee Injured Reserve
Jerry Garrett Knee Injured Reserve
Nathan Gallow Ankle Questionable
Jason Henry Elbow Questionable
Ryan Smith Pneumonia Probable
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