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SaberCats Game Notes

April 30, 2002 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
San Jose SaberCats News Release


THE QUICK FACTS:
Game: Georgia Force (1-1) at SaberCats (2-0)
Date: Saturday, May 4, 2002
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. (PDT)
Site: Compaq Center at San Jose (14,041)
Officials: Referee: Bill Athan; Umpire: Rick Nelson; Head Linesman: Royce Cooley; Line Judge: John Hussey; Back Judge: Rob Vernatchi.
Television: No local television.
Radio: San Jose's flagship station The Ticket (KTCT) 1050-AM and KNBR 680-AM will broadcast the game live from Compaq Center. Bob Fitzgerald will handle play-by-play duties with former San Francisco 49er and four-time Super Bowl champion Keena Turner serving as the color analyst.
Internet: Log on to www.ticket1050.com to hear a live webcast of the game.
Series Record: Teams have not played in regular season.
Last Meeting: San Jose 68, Georgia 35 (preseason game; April 12, 2002).
Streaks: Teams have not played in regular season.
Coaches: San Jose, Darren Arbet (32-16 overall, 4th season). Georgia, Robert Lyles (6-7 overall, 2nd season).

OVERVIEW: Fresh off its first-ever win over Tampa Bay and second consecutive 2-0 season start, San Jose returns home for the first of two straight home games. The SaberCats host the Georgia Force, formerly the Nashville Kats, on Saturday, May 4 in Compaq Center. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. (PDT). Saturday night's game marks the first-ever regular season meeting between San Jose and Georgia. The teams met during the preseason with the SaberCats posting a 68-35 win in Georgia's first-ever home game. The SaberCats will battle an opponent from the Southern Division for the second straight week. They improved their record to 9-11 all-time against Southern Division teams with their 61-54 win at Tampa Bay on April 27. The SaberCats will complete their 2002 tour of the Southern Division with games at Orlando (5/17) and Carolina (7/21). For the second straight game the SaberCats used late game heroics to pull out a win. Clevan Thomas intercepted a Sherdrick Bonner pass in his own endzone with just over a minute left to preserve a 52-51 win over Arizona on April 20. Bob McMillen returned an interception 46-yards for the game-winning score with :34 seconds left in the fourth to give the SaberCats a 61-54 win at Tampa Bay on April 27. San Jose and Toronto are the only undefeated teams in the Arena Football League after the first two weeks of the season.

THE SERIES: This game marks the first-ever regular season meeting between San Jose and Georgia. The two met in a preseason game in Atlanta on April 12 with the SaberCats posting a 68-35 win. Georgia is in its first year in the AFL after the franchise was sold and re-located from Nashville (Kats) during the off-season. San Jose does have a history with the former Nashville Kats, however. Nashville eliminated San Jose in the semifinals of the AFL playoffs in each of the last two seasons and won four of six all-time meetings between the squads. Both of San Jose's wins over the Georgia franchise came in San Jose. The SaberCats beat Nashville, 49-41, on May 30, 1998, and 58-57, in overtime, on June 16, 2001. The SaberCats are 2-1 all-time against the Force franchise in San Jose.

SERIES NOTABLES: In two starts against San Jose as a member of the Milwaukee Mustangs, Force quarterback Kevin McDougal completed 45-of-74 (60.8%) passes for 620 yards and 13 touchdowns. He was also intercepted twice in each game. On June 22, 2000 in Milwaukee, McDougal tied a San Jose opponent record by tossing 8 TD passes and threw for 328 yards, the fifth-highest total against the SaberCats. San Jose posted victories in those contests, however...Former SaberCats' DS Cliff Green has played with four teams in his four years in the AFL. Green played with the SaberCats in 1999, Los Angeles in 2000, Nashville in 2001 and made the move to Georgia for the 2002 season. He currently has 8.5 tackles, two PD and an interception in two games with the Force...San Jose QB Mark Grieb completed 16 consecutive passes in the 4th quarter and overtime and amassed a team record 430 passing yards in a 58-57 overtime win over Nashville on June 16, 2001 in San Jose...This game will be the first regular season road game in Force history. Georgia started the season with consecutive home games against Orlando and Carolina.

LAST SERIES MEETING: San Jose 68, GEORGIA 35 (Preseason game, April 12, 2002) – Quarterback Mark Grieb threw three first half touchdown passes to James Hundon and the SaberCats rolled to a 68-35 victory over the Georgia Force in the preseason finale for both squads. The first-ever home game for the Force, who moved from Nashville during the off-season, drew 9,032 at Philips Arena. Grieb connected with Hundon on the first of two 45-yard touchdown strikes on the SaberCats second offensive play to give them an early 7-0 lead. Barry Wagner set up the scoring play by intercepting Eric Zeier's pass attempt in the endzone. The SaberCats would never trail in winning their sixth straight preseason game. Another turnover led to the second 45-yard touchdown pass. Following a spectacular interception by defensive specialist Anthony Cobbs in his own endzone, Grieb and Hundon teamed up again on the first play of the ensuing drive to stake the SaberCats to a 30-12 lead with 1:50 left in the first half. Grieb played the entire first half and completed 8-of-11 passes for 161 yards. Hundon, who was named the game's MVP, caught six balls for 157 yards with his third TD coming on a 25-yard play. John Dutton played the second half at quarterback for San Jose and was just as impressive as Grieb was in the first half. Dutton completed 12-of-15 for 185 yards and four touchdowns as the SaberCats put up 35 second half points in their highest scoring preseason game in history. The SaberCats were unstoppable on offense as they racked up 366 total yards and scored nine touchdowns and two field goals in their 11 offensive possessions. Shalon Baker, who did not play in San Jose's first preseason game, scored three second half touchdowns to spark the SaberCats offensively. Baker was on the receiving end of a 26- and 24-yard Dutton offering and scored on a 1-yard run on a fourth-down play that gave San Jose a 47-15 bulge with just under six minutes left in the third quarter. Markeith Cooper had a big game for the Force hauling in a game-high 10 receptions for 142 yards and three touchdowns. Former NFL quarterback Eric Zeier struggled for Georgia throwing two interceptions and completing just 10-of-20 passes for 98 yards in the first half.

THE IFS...:

If the SaberCats defeat Georgia it would...
*Be San Jose's first win over the Force.
*Be San Jose's 60th regular season victory all-time.
*Give San Jose a 32-18 regular season home record.
*Give San Jose a 10-11 record vs Southern Division foes.
*Give San Jose a 17-12 record in May games.

THE COACHES:

San Jose – Darren Arbet, 4th season 30-14 (.682) regular season; 32-16 (.667) overall 0-0 (.000) career vs. Georgia
Arbet became the SaberCats' winningest head coach when San Jose beat Arizona in the quarterfinals of the AFL playoffs last year. The win gave Arbet 30 victories in 46 career games. He surpassed former head coach Todd Shell, who posted 29 wins in 57 career games. Arbet owns a 32-16 (.667) overall record and is 30-14 (.682) in regular season games. The SaberCats are 24-6 (.800) in regular season games under Arbet since the start of the 2000 season. He was named the AFL's Coach of the Year in 2000 following a league record tying 12 regular season wins, Arbet guided the SaberCats to an AFL record 15 consecutive regular season victories (11 in '00, 4 in '01) and is the only head coach in team history to post a playoff victory.

Georgia – Robert Lyles, 2nd season. 6-7 (.462) reg. season; 6-7 (.462) overall 1-0 (1.000) career vs. San Jose
The first head coach of the Georgia franchise, Lyles comes to Atlanta via Los Angeles where he was the interim head coach of the Avengers following the dismissal of Stan Brock last season. The Avengers won three straight games and five of six under Lyles at one point last year, including the teams first-ever win over San Jose, 47-44, on June 2, 2001. Lyles guided the Force to the first win in team history, 67-49, over Orlando on April 20.

RECENT RESULTS: Bob McMillen returned an interception 46-yards for a touchdown with :34 left in the fourth quarter and the San Jose SaberCats snapped a 5-game losing streak to Tampa Bay with an exciting 61-54 win in front of 11,344 at the Ice Palace. McMillen went from goat to hero after having an apparent touchdown nullified when Keita Crespina batted the ball out of his hands at the 2-yard line and through the endzone for a touchback late in the game. With the score tied 54-54, McMillen hauled in a screen pass from quarterback Mark Grieb, who was 17-of-24 for 334 yards and seven touchdowns, and raced the length of the field only to have Crespina catch him from behind and knock the ball out of the endzone giving the ball to the Storm with just over a minute to play in the fourth quarter. Tampa moved the ball deep into SaberCats territory setting up for a game-winning field goal, but McMillen stepped in front of Shane Stafford's pass at his own 4-yard line and returned the ball for a touchdown. It was the third-longest interception return in San Jose history and gave San Jose its first-ever win over the Storm. San Jose rookie Clevan Thomas tied an AFL record by returning a kickoff 58-yards for a touchdown late in the first half to help stake San Jose to its first lead of the evening at 14-13 after the first quarter. Mike Black, the AFL's career leader in field goals, drilled a 25-yarder at the end of the first half to give Tampa Bay a 30-28 lead at the break. San Jose had two 1-play touchdown drives in the first half and Grieb was 7-of-10 for 126 yards at the intermission. The Storm had the ball for 23:40 of the 30 first half minutes. Sam Hernandez recorded his first sack of the season and 49th of his career stripping Stafford of the ball early in the fourth quarter. Wendell Davis recovered and Grieb hit Wagner on a 26-yard touchdown pass on the next play to give San Jose a 54-44 lead. Tampa Bay responded with a Lawrence Samuels 7-yard scoring grab and Black's 45-yard field goal to tie the game at 54-54. The SaberCats posted consecutive wins to start the season for the second straight year. For the first time in team history the Storm have lost two straight home games to open a season.

ABOUT THE OPPONENT: Former NFL quarterback Eric Zeier, who was signed by the Force in the off-season, left the team prior to the season opener to pursue other football interests. Zeier, who had never played an Arena League game, leaves the quarterback duties to a pair of AFL veterans, Kevin McDougal and Donnie Davis. McDougal was with the Milwaukee Mustangs for four seasons (1998-01) and Davis was with Arizona for three years (1997-99) and served as McDougal's backup at Milwaukee in 2001...Of the 20 Georgia players that dressed for last week's game, 11 played with the Nashville team in 2001...Georgia's bid for a 2-0 start was thwarted by Carolina's Kevin Gaines on April 26. Jarrick Hillery scored on a 2-yard run with :30 left to pull the Force within a point, but McDougal's pass attempt for the 2-point conversion was intercepted by Gaines giving Carolina a 55-54 win.

ROSTER MOVES: San Jose's April 10th trade of OL/DL Ken Talanoa to Toronto was voided after Talanoa failed to report to the Phantoms. The 3-year veteran was later released by the SaberCats...San Jose signed former Iowa State star FB/LB Eddie Williams to the practice squad.

RECENT ROSTER MOVES
Date Action Player
4/26 Signed to PS WR/LB Eddie Williams
4/25 Waived OL/DL Ken Talanoa
4/19 Signed to PS WR/LB James Battle
4/17 Signed to PS WR/LB Eric Del Conte
4/15 Placed on IR WR/LB Shalon Baker
4/15 Placed on IR FB/LB Keala Keanaaina
4/15 Placed on IR OL/DL Chuck Reed
4/15 Placed on IR OL/DL Dan Loney
4/15 Waived WR/LB James Battle
4/15 Waived FB/LB Josh White
4/15 Waived Injured OL/DL Billy Woodard

MILESTONES:

*OL/DL Sam Hernandez needs 1 sack for 50 career.
*QB Mark Grieb needs 6 TD passes for 150 career. Needs 19 pass attempts to become team's career leader.
*WR/LB Jerry Reese needs 1 TD catch to become the team's career leader and 37 receiving yards for 3,100 career.
*WR/LB James Roe needs 2 TD catches for 40 career and 20 receiving yards for 1,600 career.
*WR/DB Barry Wagner needs 1 rush TD for 80 career.
*OL/DL Mike Ulufale needs 2 sacks for 10 career.

INJURY REPORT: OL/DL Joe Jacobs sprained his right ankle in the game at Tampa Bay and did not return. His status is uncertain. No other major injuries were reported.

TRENDS:

GETTING OFFENSIVE – Dating back to last season the SaberCats have reached the 300-yard mark in total offense in eight straight regular season games. During that 8-game span the SaberCats have a record of 7-1. In their history, the SaberCats have reached the 300-yard mark in offense a total of 24 times (98 games) and own a 19-5 record in those contests.

HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE – The SaberCats have won five straight games on their home turf, eight of their last nine and 14 of their last 16. Since the start of the 2000 season San Jose owns a 15-3 (.833) record and under Head Coach Darren Arbet the SaberCats are 19-6 in games played at the Compaq Center.

GOOD ODDS – QB Mark Grieb has completed 70% or more of his passes in 10 of his last 14 regular season starts and has a 9-1 record in those games.

NOTES:

ROOKIE SENSATION – After just his second career game, rookie DS/KR Clevan Thomas is in the AFL record book. Thomas returned a kickoff 58-yards for a score at Tampa Bay on April 27 and joins 14 other players, including former SaberCat Titus Dixon, who have gone the length of the field for a score on a kickoff. Dixon entered the record book on June 14, 1996 when he went the distance against St. Louis.

FLAIR FOR THE DRAMATICS – In a game known for its offense and high-scores, the SaberCats are off to a 2-0 start thanks to big plays by the defense. Against Arizona on April 20, Clevan Thomas intercepted a pass in his own endzone with a minute remaining to preserve a one-point win over Arizona. With less than a minute to play and the game tied, Bob McMillen returned an interception 46-yards for a game-winning touchdown at Tampa Bay on April 27. The return was the third longest and the sixth of 45-yards or longer in team history.

QUICK WORK – In the span of about 3 minutes, 45 seconds, FB/LB Bob McMillen established two game-bests and showed what Ironman football is all about. McMillen hauled in a screen pass with just over four minutes left in the game and rumbled 47-yards before being caught from behind and having the ball punched out of his hands and through the endzone for a Tampa Bay touchback. Later during the Storm's ensuing drive, McMillen stepped in front of a Shane Stafford pass and returned the interception 46-yards for a game-winning score with :34 left. McMillen's previous long reception was 30 yards and he returned an INT 33-yards for a TD vs Anaheim on May 16, 1997. In fact, three of McMillen's four career picks have been returned for TDs.

GOOD GRIEB – Already San Jose's career leader in pass completions (434), passing yards (6,205) and passing touchdowns (124), Mark Grieb will soon overtake Scott Wood and Tony Kimbrough as the career leader in pass attempts. With 676 attempts in his San Jose career, Grieb needs two to surpass Wood and 19 to move ahead of Kimbrough for the all-time lead.

SABERCATS CAREER PASS ATTEMPTS LEADERS
Rank Player Attempts Years
1. Tony Kimbrough 694 1995-96
2. Scott Wood 677 1995-97, 99-00
3. Mark Grieb 676 1999-present J HUN – Offensive specialist James Hundon had his second straight 100-yard receiving game when he caught six passes for a game-high 132 yards. Jhun had 103 receiving yards vs Arizona on April 20 and has six 100-yard receiving games in the eight he's played. The San Jose record for 100-yard receiving games in a season is seven set by James Roe in 2001 and Shalon Baker in 1999. Steve Papin is the career leader with 17.

A PIECE OF REESE – WR/DB Jerry Reese got a piece of the SaberCats career lead in touchdown catches and moved into second place on the teams career receptions chart all in the same game. Reese had four catches against Tampa Bay on April 27 to increase his career total to 208 and move ahead of Titus Dixon, who had 205. Reese also grabbed career TD passes 64 and 65 to tie Steve Papin for the SaberCats career lead in that category. JR also sits in the second spot in career receiving yards, but has a way to go to catch Papin for the top spot. Reese has 3,063 career yards and trails Papin by 1,219.

PAPER OR PLASTIC – OL/DL Sam Hernandez continues to add to his AFL career-best quarterback sack total. Hernandez recorded career sack No. 49 at Tampa Bay on April 20, has never recorded a sack in a regular season game against the Georgia franchise. Hernandez picked up career sack No. 49 last week at Tampa Bay, has had success against the Storm. Five of Hernandez's 48 career sacks have come against Tampa Bay, the second-highest total against any team. During his 9-year career, Hernandez has spent the most time in the Milwaukee backfield posting 5.5 career sacks against the Mustangs and he also has 5.0 career sacks against Grand Rapids. Hernandez has recorded more than one sack in a game 14 times in his 100-game career and he's done it twice against Tampa Bay.

EFFICIENCY – The SaberCats amassed 332 yards of offense and scored 61 points in their win at Tampa Bay and did so on just 29 offensive plays, an average of 11.4 yards per play. San Jose had four 1-play drives that were all 26 yards or longer and had possession of the football for just 19:04 of the games 60 minutes.

PLAYERS/MATCH-UPS TO WATCH:

RON CARPENTER – Georgia WR/DB Ron Carpenter has been a thorn in the SaberCats' paw. In four career games against San Jose, Carpenter has returned four kicks for touchdowns. As a member of the New York CityHawks on July 25, 1998, he returned a KO 51-yards for a touchdown and added a 56-yard MFG return for a score. As if that wasn't enough, he also set a SaberCats opponent record by intercepting three passes in that same game. As a member of Nashville last season, Carpenter returned a KO for a score in each of the two games between the SaberCats and Kats. He went 57-yards with a KO in the semifinal playoff game at Nashville on Aug. 11 and returned a kick 55 yards for a score at San Jose on June 16.

MARK GRIEB vs FORCE SECONDARY – Grieb has thrown two interceptions in a game once as a member of the SaberCats. That came last year against the Nashville Kats on June 16 when Adrian Lunsford and Darryl Hammond picked him off. Since that game Grieb has thrown just one interception in 292 pass attempts and has not thrown a pick in his last 167 attempts. Force DS Cliff Green led the AFL last year with three INTs returned for scores and Ron Carpenter has one already this season when he went 34-yards against Orlando on April 20.

THE KICKING GAME – San Jose's Daron Alcorn became the fifth kicker in AFL history to score 500 points and currently has 505. Alcorn holds the league record for most field goals made in a season with 32 when he was with Portland in 1999. Georgia rookie Stan Whitlock is 0-for-4 in FG attempts and has converted just 11-of-16 (68.8%) PAT attempts on the year.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 30, 2002


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