SaberCats Announce 2004 Schedule
October 28, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
San Jose SaberCats News Release
SAN JOSE, Calif. (Oct. 28, 2003) â The San Jose SaberCats open their 10th season in the Arena Football League and kickoff the AFL's 18th year when they travel to Detroit for a match-up with the Fury on Thursday, February 5. Home games against two of the Arena Football League's newest teams and a visit to last year's ArenaBowl champions also highlight the SaberCats' 2004 season schedule as the AFL announced its 304 game-17 week slate of games today.
"The league has reached a level of parity never seen before," said SaberCats head coach Darren Arbet. "Even with the addition of three expansion teams it will be difficult to win games. But, we have had success here the last few years and we fully expect to continue with the tradition of winning football."
Four of San Jose's eight games at HP Pavilion are scheduled for Saturday night, including the home opener against Grand Rapids on February 28 and games with the expansion New Orleans VooDoo (May 1) and Philadelphia Soul (May 22). In addition the SaberCats will host Western Division rivals the Las Vegas Gladiators (Sat., March 20), Los Angeles Avengers (Fri., March 26) and Arizona Rattlers (Sun., May 30).
The remaining home games are against John Elway's Colorado Crush on Sunday, March 14 and the Chicago Rush on Friday, April 16.
"We have a very competitive home schedule," added Arbet. "Our fans should be excited to see some of the best players in the AFL come to town."
Six of San Jose's eight road games are set to be televised on NBC including a tilt with former head coach Todd Shell and the New York Dragons on Sunday, March 7, and a contest with the defending ArenaBowl champion Tampa Bay Storm on Sunday, April 4.
Also broadcast on NBC will be games at division rivals Los Angeles (Feb. 22), Arizona (May 9) and Las Vegas (May 16). NBC enters its second season broadcasting the AFL on a regional basis with up to 60 contests, including all playoff games, shown. The network will also televise San Jose's regular season finale.
The addition of three expansion franchises for 2004 brings AFL membership to 19 teams meaning at least one team will have an open date each week during the regular season. It also means the 2004 playoffs will go from four rounds to three, including ArenaBowl XVIII, with only eight teams qualifying for the postseason instead of 12. San Jose's open date falls during Week 2 of the season.
"We have a tough task ahead," said Arbet about the schedule. "But it's a challenge we want and are looking forward to."
Season and group tickets for the 2004 season are available by contacting a sales representative at (408) 573-5577. Individual game tickets are set to go on sale in mid December and can be purchased through any Northern California TicketMaster outlet or the HP Pavilion box office. More information is also available at www.sanjosesabercats.com.
2004 SAN JOSE SABERCATS SCHEDULE
Day Date Opponent Time (PT) TV
Thursday February 5 at Detroit Fury 4:30 p.m.
Sunday February 22 at Los Angeles Avengers Noon NBC
Saturday February 28 GRAND RAPIDS RAMPAGE 7:30 p.m.
Sunday March 7 at New York Dragons 9:00 a.m. NBC
Sunday March 14 COLORADO CRUSH TBA
Saturday March 20 LAS VEGAS GLADIATORS 7:30 p.m.
Friday March 26 LOS ANGELES AVENGERS 7:30 p.m.
Sunday April 4 at Tampa Bay Storm 9:00 a.m. NBC
Saturday April 10 at Dallas Desperados 5:30 p.m. NBC
Friday April 16 CHICAGO RUSH 7:30 p.m.
Sunday April 25 at Georgia Force 9:00 a.m. NBC
Saturday May 1 NEW ORLEANS VOODOO 7:30 p.m.
Sunday May 9 at Arizona Rattlers Noon NBC
Sunday May 16 at Las Vegas Gladiators Noon NBC
Saturday May 22 PHILADELPHIA SOUL 7:30 p.m.
Sunday May 30 ARIZONA RATTLERS 1:00 p.m. NBC
Dates and Times Subject To Change All Game Times Pacific
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from October 28, 2003
- Philadelphia Soul Sign First Two Free Agents - Philadelphia Soul
- New Markets Highlight Schedule - AFL I
- Los Angeles Avengers announce 2004 schedule - Los Angeles Avengers
- Rampage Release 2004 Schedule - Grand Rapids Rampage
- Crush Reveal 2004 Schedule - Colorado Crush
- Fury Announce 2004 Schedule - Detroit Fury
- Philadelphia Soul Releases Inaugural Schedule - Philadelphia Soul
- AFL Releases 2004 Schedule - AFL I
- Chicago Rush 2004 Schedule Announced - Chicago Rush
- SaberCats Announce 2004 Schedule - San Jose SaberCats
- Desperados Announce 2004 Schedule - Dallas Desperados
- Firebirds Announce 2004 Schedule - Albany/Indiana Firebirds
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
