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San Jose SaberCats game notes

May 4, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
San Jose SaberCats News Release


THE QUICK FACTS:
Game: SaberCats (10-2) at Arizona Rattlers (8-5).
Date: Sunday, May 9, 2004.
Kickoff: 12:00 p.m. (PDT).
Site: America West Arena (16,321).
Officials: Bill McCabe (Referee); Doug Wilson (Umpire); Royce Cooley (Head Linesman); Roger McMinn (Line Judge); Jimmy Buchanan (Back Judge)
Television: An NBC regional telecast with Eli Gold (play-by-play), Charles Davis (color) and Mark Curtis.
Radio: The game will be broadcast live on San Jose's flagship radio station KNBR 1050 with Bob Fitzgerald (play-by-play) and Keena Turner (analyst).
SaberCats Sideline Report: SSR returns and can be seen on NBC11 every Sunday at 11:50 p.m. with host Bob Fitzgerald and a special guest.
Internet: Log on to www.KNBR.com to hear a live webcast of the game.
Series Record: Arizona leads the series 11-10.
Last Meeting: Arizona 66, San Jose 49 (Semifinal playoff game; June 8, 2003 in San Jose).
Series Streaks: Arizona Won 1.
Coaches: San Jose, Darren Arbet (6th season; 63-21 regular season, 69-24 overall). Arizona, Danny White (13th season; 118-55 regular season, 136-64 overall).


OVERVIEW: The SaberCats moved into the top spot in the league's overall standings with a 68-34 victory over the New Orleans VooDoo on May 1, and tied an AFL record for consecutive seasons with double-digit wins by posting 10-or-more in their fifth straight season. San Jose used a balanced attack to defeat the VooDoo, scoring five times through the air and five times on the ground. Offensive Player of the Week Mark Grieb tossed five TD passes and was one of five players to rush for a score as the SaberCats outscored the VooDoo 54-7 over the final two-and-a-half quarters to improve their record to 10-2. Grieb completed all 10 of his passes in the second half for 155 yards and three TDs and ended the game 23-of-29 for 290 yards and five scores. San Jose's defense also came up big forcing five VooDoo turnovers, including a team game record-tying four interceptions, which all resulted in San Jose touchdowns. San Jose travels to Arizona on May 9 for an NBC regional telecast at Noon (PT) to continue the AFL's second-longest running rivalry. Sunday marks the 22nd meeting between the Rattlers and SaberCats with Arizona holding an 11-10 series advantage. The rivalry is behind only the Orlando/Tampa Bay series. The SaberCats can clinch their fifth straight Western Division title and a playoff berth with a victory over the Rattlers, who have won five straight games.
THE SCHEDULES:
2004 San Jose SaberCats (10-2)
Game Opponent Result Score
Feb. 5 @Detroit Won 58-43
Feb. 22 @Los Angeles Won 61-55
Feb. 28 GRAND RAPIDS Won 62-31
Mar. 7 @New York Lost 50-64
Mar. 14 COLORADO Won 55-35
Mar. 20 LAS VEGAS Won 79-62
Mar. 26 LOS ANGELES Won 55-52
Apr. 4 @Tampa Bay Won 62-55
Apr. 10 @Dallas Lost 54-58
Apr. 16 CHICAGO Won 51-43
Apr. 25 @Georgia Won 63-34
May 1 NEW ORLEANS Won 68-34
Game Opponent Time Radio/TV
May 9 @Arizona 12:00 pm 1050/NBC
May 16 @Las Vegas 12:00 pm 1050/NBC
May 22 PHILADELPHIA 7:30 pm 1050
May 30 ARIZONA 1:00 pm 1050/NBC

2004 Arizona Rattlers (8-5)
Game Opponent Result Score
Feb. 8 LOS ANGELES Lost 32-51
Feb. 13 DETROIT Lost 31-48
Feb. 21 @Carolina Won 45-38
Feb. 29 NEW YORK Won 53-41
Mar. 5 COLUMBUS Won 65-42
Mar. 14 @Las Vegas Lost (ot) 64-65
Mar. 18 NEW ORLEANS Lost 45-49
Mar. 27 @Colorado Lost 46-54
Apr. 4 @Grand Rapids Won 51-41
Apr. 10 LAS VEGAS Won 80-63
Apr. 18 DALLAS Won 71-48
Apr. 25 @Indiana Won 46-43
May 1 @Los Angeles Won 43-38
Game Opponent Time (PT) TV
May 9 SAN JOSE 12:00 pm NBC
May 15 @Detroit 4:30 pm
May 30 @San Jose 1:00 pm NBC

THE SERIES: Arizona leads the all-time series 11-10 and holds a 10-8 edge in regular season games...The Rattlers won the last meeting between the teams, 66-49, in a semifinal playoff game in San Jose on June 8, 2003...San Jose has won eight of the last 10 after Arizona won nine of the first 11 meetings between the clubs...The Rattlers have a 5-3 record in games played in America West Arena, but the SaberCats have won three of the last four...Arizona's last home win (59-52) in the series came on July 12, 2002 and ended San Jose's 12-game winning streak...This will be the 22nd meeting between the teams and the series is the second-longest running in the league to only Orlando/Tampa Bay, who have played 35 series games (includes playoffs).

WHAT'S AHEAD: The SaberCats play their final regular season road game on Sunday, May 9, when they travel to Las Vegas to battle the Gladiators. San Jose concludes the 2004 campaign with home games against the expansion Philadelphia Soul on May 22 and fan appreciation night on Sunday, May 30 against the Arizona Rattlers.

SERIES NOTABLES: The SaberCats and Rattlers are the only teams to win Western Division titles in the nine years since the AFL went to a four-division format in 1995. San Jose won its fourth straight division title in 2003 and also won the title in 1995. Arizona won four straight division titles from 1996 to 1999...The Rattlers have dealt the SaberCats their worst two defeats in franchise history: 75-37 (38 pts) on June 5, 1999 in Arizona and 59-22 (37 pts) on June 9, 1997 in San Jose...San Jose's 38-point win on August 18, 2002 in ArenaBowl XVI (52-14) was Arizona's worst defeat since a 71-21 loss at Orlando on July 17, 1992...San Jose has played the most games (21) and has the most wins (10) against Arizona than any other opponent...San Jose played its first-ever regular season game against Arizona on May 12, 1995 losing to the Rattlers, 43-37, in overtime...Twelve of the 21 series games have been decided by 11 or fewer points while the other nine games have seen the winning team victorious by an average of 25.8 points per game...San Jose's point total in its 73-63 win at Arizona on July 6, 2001 is the most allowed by the Rattlers in a home game in team history...Arizona and San Jose combined to return back-to-back kickoffs for TDs, the only time in SaberCats history that has happened, on Aug. 6, 1995. Arizona's Hunkie Cooper and Titus Dixon did the honors in a 41-40 Rattlers win.

LAST SERIES MEETING: Arizona 66, SABERCATS 49 (Semifinal Playoff • Sunday, June 8, 2003 • HP Pavilion) – Sherdrick Bonner passed for eight TDs, five to Randy Gatewood, as Arizona defeated the SaberCats, 66-49, in a semifinal game. The Rattlers seeded 6th at the beginning of the playoffs, earned a second consecutive ArenaBowl berth. Bonner, the game's MVP, connected on 21-of-30 for 321 yards and his 3-yard pass to Orshawante Bryant would give the Rattlers a lead they would not relinquish, 21-14, to open the second quarter. Two key turnovers by San Jose (13-5) allowed Arizona to hold a 10-point margin, 38-28, at the end of the first half. Mark Grieb passed for 254 yards on 19-of-39 passing. He had seven TDs and one interception, but Bonner had no picks by the outstanding San Jose defense. Bonner's 49-yard strike to Gatewood to end the third quarter gave the Rattlers a 52-42 margin. Gatewood had 12 catches for 227 yards and collected the one interception off Grieb. San Jose went four downs and out to close out the first quarter, giving Bonner an opportunity to connect with Bryant for the go-ahead score at 13:34 of the second. On San Jose's ensuing possession, Matt Kinsinger took a pitch from Grieb and in running right was hit by Nikia Adderson who knocked the ball out and Wendell Gaines recovered at the Arizona eight. Bonner then connected with Gatewood for 28 yards and a score, finishing a five-play drive, giving the Rattlers a 28-14 lead at 7:18 of the second. San Jose started fast scoring on its first two offensive plays. Following a missed field goal attempt and a 44-yard return by Clevan Thomas, Grieb hit James Roe on a 10-yard scoring play. Arizona tied the game on its next possession, but Grieb hooked up with Kevin McKenzie on a 39-yard play for a 14-7 lead midway through the first.

SCORE BY QUARTERS
Rattlers.................................... 14 24 14 14 – 66
SaberCats................................ 14 14 14 7 – 49

SCORING SUMMARY
SAN Roe 10 pass from Grieb (Alcorn kick)
ARZ Gatewood 31 pass from Bonner (Garner kick)
SAN McKenzie 39 pass from Grieb (Alcorn kick)
ARZ Pace 19 pass from Bonner (Garner kick)
ARZ Bryant 3 pass from Bonner (Garner kick)
ARZ Gatewood 28 pass from Bonner (Garner kick)
SAN McKenzie 11 pass from Grieb (Alcorn kick)
ARZ Pace 15 pass from Bonner (Garner kick)
SAN McKenzie 9 pass from Grieb (Alcorn kick)
ARZ FG Garner 36
SAN Roe 13 pass from Grieb (Alcorn kick)
ARZ Gatewood 4 pass from Bonner (Garner kick)
SAN McKenzie 23 pass from Grieb (Alcorn kick)
ARZ Gatewood 49 pass from Bonner (Garner kick)
SAN Wagner 6 pass from Grieb (Alcorn kick)
ARZ Gatewood 34 pass from Bonner (Garner kick)
ARZ Kelly 4 run (Garner kick)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
PASSING: ARZ - Bonner 21-30-0-321. SAN - Grieb 19-39-1-254.
RUSHING: ARZ - Kelly 5-20; Bonner 1-5; Peaua 1-2; Cooper 1-(-1). SAN - Keanaaina 1-1; Kinsinger 1-(-1).
RECEIVING: ARZ - Gatewood 12-227; Bryant 4-24; Pace 3-54; Kelly 1-16; Gaines 1-0. SAN - McKenzie 6-112; Roe 6-75; Hundon 4-39; Wagner 3-28.
KICK RETURNS: ARZ - Bryant 6-85; Pace 1-11. SAN - Thomas 4-119; McKenzie 4-68; Hundon 1-0.

ALL-TIME SERIES SCORES
Date Score
June 8, 2003 Arizona 66, @San Jose 49 (po)
March 23, 2003 @San Jose 59, Arizona 58
Feb. 2, 2003 San Jose 49, @Arizona 28
Aug. 18, 2002 @San Jose 52, Arizona 14 (ABXVI)
July 12, 2002 @Arizona 59, San Jose 52
April 20, 2002 @San Jose 52, Arizona 51
Aug. 4, 2001 @San Jose 68, Arizona 49 (po)
July 6, 2001 San Jose 73, @Arizona 63
April 21, 2001 @San Jose 48, Arizona 37
June 1, 2000 San Jose 55, @Arizona 34
April 29, 2000 Arizona 51, @San Jose 42
June 12, 1999 @Arizona 75, San Jose 37
May 15, 1999 @San Jose 54, Arizona 50
June 6, 1998 @Arizona 48, San Jose 26
May 9, 1998 Arizona 62, @San Jose 43
June 9, 1997 Arizona 59, @San Jose 22
May 24, 1997 @Arizona 59, San Jose 50
Aug. 2, 1996 @San Jose 30, Arizona 29
May 4, 1996 @Arizona 61, San Jose 59
Aug. 6, 1995 Arizona 41, @San Jose 40
May 12, 1995 Arizona 43, @San Jose 37 (ot)


THE COACHES:
San Jose – Darren Arbet, 6th season
63-21 (.750) reg. season; 69-24 (.742) overall
9-4 (.692) career vs. Arizona
One of the most successful coaches in the Arena Football League, two-time Coach of the Year Darren Arbet enters his sixth season at the helm of the SaberCats. Owner of the highest regular season winning percentage (.750) in league history among coaches with at least 20 victories, his 69 career wins also rank him 8th in league annals. Named AFL Coach of the Year in 2000 and 2002, Arbet has guided the SaberCats to five straight double-digit win seasons – matching the longest streak in league history – and his teams have compiled a 57-13 (.814) regular season record since the start of the 2000 campaign. Under his direction the SaberCats have set league records for most regular season wins (13 – 2002), most wins in a season (16- 2002), most consecutive wins in a regular season (12 – 2002), most wins to end a season (11 – 2000) and the longest regular season win streak (15 – 2000-01).

Arizona – Danny White, 13th season
118-55 reg. season (.682); 136-64 overall (.680)
11-10 (.524) career vs. San Jose
White is the only head coach in team history. In 2001, he became the 2nd head coach in AFL history to reach 100 career wins he also won his 100th regular season game in the 2002 season finale. White's 136 career wins are second only to Tampa Bay's Tim Marcum, who has 156 career victories, and his 18 playoff wins are second to Marcum's 23. White has led the Rattlers to 11 consecutive postseason appearances and two AFL championships (1994 and 1997) while capturing Coach of the Year honors in 1993.

THE IFS...:
If the SaberCats defeat Arizona it would...
*Give them an AFL-best 11-2 record.
*Give them a 4-game winning streak.
*Even the all-time series at 11-11.
*Be their 2nd straight road win.
*Give them 5-2 road record for the year.
*Give them a 99-52 all-time record.
*Give them a 93-46 all-time regular season record.
*Give them a 43-27 all-time regular season road record.

RECENT RESULTS: SABERCATS 68, New Orleans 34 - The San Jose SaberCats outscored the New Orleans VooDoo 40-7 in the second half to post a 68-34 win in a battle of the top two teams in the Arena Football League on Saturday night. Mark Grieb had a perfect second half to propel the San Jose offense. Grieb completed all 10 of his passes for 155 yards and three scores as the SaberCats scored on each of their six possessions over the final two quarters. He finished the game 23-of-29 for 290 yards with five touchdowns to earn Offensive Player of the Game honors. San Jose's balanced offensive attack produced five rushing touchdowns and five passing scores as the SaberCats overcame an early 13-0 deficit to improve to 10-2. New Orleans jumped out to a quick two-score lead following a 39-yard John Fitzgerald to Ira Gooch scoring toss and a 2-yard Dan Curran run. Curran's score was set up by a Calvin Coleman interception in his own endzone on San Jose's first series. San Jose closed out the first half with a pair of touchdowns in the final minute to grab its first lead of the game. Fred Coleman scored on a 2-yard run with 52 seconds left and, following the first of two Omarr Smith interceptions, Grieb connected with James Roe on a 3-yard scoring pass to give San Jose a 28-27 lead at the break. Matt Kinsinger scored on a 4-yard run to open the second half scoring blitz and the SaberCats capitalized on back-to-back New Orleans turnovers to build a 48-27 lead late in the third quarter. The SaberCats turned five New Orleans turnovers into touchdowns and intercepted a team record tying four passes. Omarr Smith, the Defensive Player of the Game, intercepted two passes to increase his league-leading total to eight. Ironman of the Game Fred Coleman caught a pair of scoring passes in the fourth quarter and Barry Wagner scored on a 1-yard run as the SaberCats shutout the VooDoo 20-0 in the final stanza.

ROSTER MOVES: The SaberCats signed former QB Scott Wood to the practice squad on April 30 as an insurance policy for the upcoming playoffs. The team also activated OL/DL Frank Beede and FB/LB Keala Keanaaina from IR while placing OL/DL Rob Gatrell (elbow strain) and DS Wendell Davis (shoulder strain) on IR.

RECENT ROSTER MOVES
Date Action
Apr. 8 Released WR/LB Shalon Baker from practice squad
Apr. 15 Activated OL/DL Rob Gatrell and FB/LB Brian Johnson from IR. Placed OL/DL Frank Beede and FB/LB Keala Keanaain on IR
Apr. 16 Signed DS Art Smith from practice squad
Apr. 23 Activated OL/DL Kevin Jordan and DS Trayvon Waller from the IR. Placed FB/LB Kevin Buck, DS Art Smith and OL/DL George Williams on IR
Apr. 30 Signed QB Scott Wood to practice squad. Activated OL/DL Frank Beede and FB/LB Keala Keanaaina from IR. Placed OL/DL Rob Gatrell and DS Wendell Davis on IR.

INJURY REPORT
Player Injury Status
Keala Keanaaina Turf toe Probable
Chuck Reed Ankle sprain Probable

MILESTONES:
*The SaberCats need 2 wins for 100 overall in franchise history.
*Head Coach Darren Arbet needs 1 wins for 70 career.
*WR/DB Barry Wagner needs 77 receiving yards to become AFL's all-time leader, 3 solo tackles for 600 career and 2 TD catches for 50 in San Jose career.
*OL/DL Chuck Reed needs 2.5 sacks for 25 career.
*WR/LB James Roe needs 116 receiving yards for 1,000 season, 19 TDs to pass Steve Papin (126) for team career lead and 23 receptions to pass Steve Papin (326) for team career lead.
*OS James Hundon needs 3 TD catches for 100 career, 8 receiving yards for 4,500 career and 7 receptions for 300 career.
*QB Mark Grieb needs 24 pass yards for 17,000 career, and 6 completions for 1,200 in San Jose career.
*DS Omarr Smith needs 6 interceptions for 20 in San Jose career.

2004 LEAGUE TEAM RANKINGS
Category SaberCats Rattlers
Scoring Offense (Rank) 59.8 (1st) 51.6 (7th)
Scoring Defense 47.2 (7th) 47.8 (9th)
Total Offense 279.5 (5th) 270.8 (7th)
Total Defense 282.5 (19th) 258.2 (5th)
Pass Offense 256.1 (6th) 254.3 (7th)
Pass Defense 270.4 (19th) 236.8 (8th)
Rushing Offense 23.4 (9th) 16.5 (12th)
Rushing Defense 12.1 (2nd) 21.3 (10th)
Pass Rating 134.9 (1st) 113.1 (8th)
Pass Defense Rating 101.0 (2nd) 113.5 (12th)
Interceptions 16 (1st) 10 (T-8th)
Turnover Margin +7 (5th) +5 (7th)
Kickoff Return Avg. 22.0 (1st) 17.7 (9th)
Field Goal Return Avg. 22.3 (4th) 16.8 (13th)
Sacks By 11 (T-6th) 11 (T-6th)
Sacks Against 14 (T-13th) 5 (5th)

2004 LEAGUE INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS
Player Category No. Rank
Mark Grieb Total Offense 3,093 7th
Mark Grieb Completion Pct. 74.2 1st
Mark Grieb Pass TDs 62 6th
Mark Grieb Passer Rating 137.6 1st
Mark Grieb Passing Yards 3,100 7th
Mark Grieb Pass Completions 245 7th
James Roe Scoring 174 4th
James Roe Receptions 75 10th
James Roe TD Receptions 27 4th
James Hundon Yards/Game 91.4 6th
James Hundon Yards/Reception 15.0 5th
James Hundon Receiving Yards 1,097 6th
Rashied Davis All-Purpose Yards 1,672 8th
Rashied Davis KOR Average 25.2 1st
Rashied Davis MFG Average 25.5 7th
Rashied Davis KOR Touchdowns 4 T-2nd
Barry Wagner Rushing TDs 9 T-5th
Barry Wagner MFG Average 34.0 3rd
Dan Frantz Kick Scoring 106 3rd
Dan Frantz FG Made 6 10th
Dan Frantz PAT Attempts 102 1st
Dan Frantz PAT Makes 88 1st
Omarr Smith Interceptions 8 1st
Omarr Smith INT Return TDs 1 T-3rd
Omarr Smith Passes Defended 19 5th
Sam Hernandez Sacks 4.0 T-6th

TRENDS:
ON THE ROAD AGAIN – The SaberCats will look to extend their road winning streak to two when they visit Arizona on May 9. San Jose owns the second best road record in the AFL at 4-2 (LA, 5-1) and beat the Rattlers in Arizona, 49-28, the last time the teams met in the desert. Since the start of the 2000 season the SaberCats have posted a 25-10 (.714) record in regular season road games. They went 6-1 on the road in both 2000 and 2002, had a 4-3 record in 2001 and went 5-3 last season. The team is 42-27 (.609) all-time in regular season road games.

HALF CENTURY POINT – San Jose kept its season-long streak of scoring at least 50 points going in their 68-34 win over New Orleans on May 1. The SaberCats are the only team to reach the half century mark in every game this season and have scored 50-or-more points in a game at least 11 times in each of the past five seasons. The SaberCats have reached the 50-point mark 83 times in their 138 regular season game history and are 68-15 (.819) when scoring 50-or-more points in a game.

JUST WIN – San Jose's win over New Orleans on May 1 gave Mark Grieb a career record of 51-10 (.836) in 61 regular season starts as the SaberCats' QB. Grieb owns a 21-8 (.724) record as the starter in road games and is 3-1 versus the Rattlers in Arizona. Grieb also has a 5-2 record in head-to-head battles with Arizona QB Sherdrick Bonner.

HEAD OR TAILS – The SaberCats have won the coin toss in each of their last six games and have gone 5-1 in that span, including wins in their last three games. San Jose has won the opening toss eight times on the year and has posted a 7-1 mark.

PICKIN' IT – The SaberCats intercepted a team record tying four passes in their win over New Orleans on May 1 and have at least one pick in each of the last seven games. San Jose has recorded an INT in 10 of 12 games this season and lead the circuit with 16.

THAT SIXTIES SHOW – San Jose reached the 60 point mark for the 6th time this season and the 42nd time in team history in their 68-34 win over New Orleans on May 1. The SaberCats now own a 38-4 (.905) record in games where they score 60-or-more points.

THE DEFENSE NEVER RESTS – The SaberCats have allowed exactly 34 points in each of their last two games and gave up 43 in the game before. Over their current three-game win streak the defense is allowing an average of just 37 points per game. For the season San Jose ranks 7th in points allowed at 47.2 ppg.

NOTES:
DOUBLE TROUBLE – San Jose's win over New Orleans on May 1 was the clubs 10th of the year matching a league record for consecutive seasons with double-digit regular season victories. The SaberCats have now won 10-or-more games in five straight seasons, matching the record held by the Arizona Ratters from 1996 to 2000, and have a 57-13 (.814) record since the start of the 2000 season. San Jose won 12 games in 2000, 10 in 2001, 13 in 2002 and 12 last season.

RATTLED – San Jose has played Arizona 18 times in the regular season - by far the most of any other opponent (LA is second with 10). The SaberCats are 8-10 in those meetings, making the Rattlers one of only three teams San Jose has a losing regular season record against (Tampa 3-4, New York 1-2). However, the SaberCats have a 2-1 edge in the playoffs, including 2002's victory in ArenaBowl XVI.

WORTH THE WAIT – Sunday's Week 14 match-up is by far the latest in the season that San Jose and Arizona have met. Their latest meeting prior to 2004 was Week 4 (1997 and 1999).

GOOD GRIEB! – Mark Grieb completed 23-of-29 passes (79.3 percent) in San Jose's 68-34 win over New Orleans on May 1, and had a perfect second half. Grieb went 10-for-10 over the final two quarters for 155 yards and three TDs as the SaberCats outscored the VooDoo 40-7. Grieb completed his final pass attempt in the second quarter, a 3-yard scoring strike to James Roe, and has now completed 11 consecutive passes for 158 yards and four TDs. He has completed over 70 percent of his passes in 10 of 12 games and has gone over the 75 percent mark six times. Grieb continues to lead the league in completion percentage at 74.2 and tops the circuit with a 137.6 pass efficiency rating. The league record for completion percentage in a season is 69.7 by Jim Kubiak of Dallas in 2003 and the passer rating record is 131.7 by Indiana's Raymond Philyaw in 2001.

NO PAPER OR PLASTIC – Sam Hernandez, the AFL's career leader in sacks, has never registered a sack against the Rattlers in a regular season game. Hernandez, who leads the team with 4.0 sacks on the year, has increased his career total to 58.0. Hernandez did tally a sack against Sherdrick Bonner and the Rattlers in ArenaBowl XVI on August 18, 2002.

PAYBACK – Sunday's game marks the fifth time that San Jose has faced a team that eliminated them from the playoffs the previous year. The SaberCats are 2-2 in those games - all at home. This will be the first re-match on the road.

Year Eliminated By Next Game Result
1995 Orlando Predators W, 42-25
1997 Iowa Barnstormers L, 41-44
1998 Tampa Bay Storm L, 48-52
2000 Nashville Kats W, 58-57 ot

OMARR THE INTERCEPTOR – Omarr Smith equaled his game career-high with two interceptions and increased his league-leading total to eight in San Jose's 68-34 win over New Orleans on May 1. His season total is tied for the 4th highest in franchise history and he also matched his season career-high set last season with Tampa Bay. Smith upped his San Jose career total to 14 leaving him two picks behind Barry Wagner for 4th place on the team's all-time list.

TEAM CAREER INTERCEPTION LEADERS
Rank Player Ints
1. Pat McGuirk 24
2. Clevan Thomas 19
3. Tommy Jones 17
4. Barry Wagner 16
5. Omarr Smith 14

SAN JOSE STATE CONNECTION – All three former San Jose State University players on the active roster intercepted a pass in the SaberCats' win over New Orleans on May 1. The SaberCats had former Spartans Omarr Smith, Rashied Davis and Charles Pauley all in the defensive backfield together at certain times during the game. Smith earned Defensive Player of the Game honors with his 2-INT, seven-tackle performance and Davis posted his 3rd INT of the season, a PBU and 5.0 tackles. Pauley, playing in just his second game of the season, started at DS for the second straight week and posted his 1st career pick, a PBU, forced a fumble and had 5.0 tackles to lead the defensive effort.

THE JAMES GANG – Hundon tallied a team-high seven catches for 105 yards and a TD and Roe had just two catches, but both went for scores to give the Ironman of the Year candidate 100 for his career. Roe's biggest catch of the game came early in the second quarter when he snared a 7-yard TD pass from Mark Grieb on a fourth-and-goal play with San Jose trailing 20-7. It was the 99th career TD catch for Roe, who added his 100th on a 3-yard TD catch just before halftime to give the SaberCats their first lead of the game. Hundon moved with 7 receptions of the 300 mark and is also closing in on 4,500 career receiving yards. Jhun trails Roe by three for the team's career lead in TD receptions.

CAREER LEADERS IN RECEPTIONS
Rank Player Recpts
1. Steve Papin 326
2. James Roe 304
3. James Hundon 293
4. Barry Wagner 269
5. Jerry Reese 243

CAREER LEADERS IN TD RECEPTIONS
Rank Player Rcv TDs
1. James Roe 100
2. James Hundon 97
3. Jerry Reese 76
4. Steve Papin 65
5. Shalon Baker 55

CAREER LEADERS IN RECEIVING YARDS
Rank Player Rcv Yards
1. James Hundon 4,492
2. Steve Papin 4,282
3. James Roe 4,066
4. Jerry Reese 3,485
5. Barry Wagner 3,160

RUNNING MAN – FB Keala Keanaaina, the league leader in rushing last season, totaled 13 yards on 3 carries in San Jose's win over New Orleans on May 1 to move past Matt Kinsinger into 5th place on the team's career rushing yardage list. Keanaaina now has 66 yards on the season, good for 3rd on the team, and 316 in his career. K.K. ran for a career-high 43 yards when the SaberCats defeated Arizona, 59-58, on Mar. 23, 2003 and had a career-long 32 yard run on his first career rush attempt at Arizona on Feb. 2, 2003. Keala is 10 yards behind Steve Papin for 4th place and 12 yards behind Mike Jones for 3rd on the team's career rushing yardage list.

CAREER LEADERS IN RUSHING YARDS
Rank Player Rush Yards
1. Derrick Chachere 442
2. Tom Petithomme 400
3. Mike Jones 328
4. Steve Papin 326
5. Keala Keanaaina 316
6. Matt Kinsinger 309

THE CHASE – QB Mark Grieb tossed 5 TD passes in San Jose's 68-34 win over New Orleans on May 1 and continues to move up the AFL's career leader board for scoring tosses. The output increased Grieb's career total to 335 moving him closer to 9th place on the AFL's all-time list. Grieb trails Fred McNair by 10 and Mike Perez by 11 TD passes for the next two spots on the chart.

AFL CAREER TD PASS LEADERS
Rank Player TD Passes
1. Aaron Garcia, New York 614
2. Andy Kelly, Detroit 600
3. Sherdrick Bonner Arizona 597
4. Clint Dolezel, Las Vegas 552
5. Todd Hammell, Philadelphia 414
6. John Kaleo, Austin 411
7. Jay Gruden 392
8. Mike Perez 341
9. Fred McNair 340
10. Mark Grieb, San Jose 335
11. Rickey Foggie, Carolina 316
12. Mike Pawlawski 303

SPREAD THE WEALTH – For the first time in franchise history the SaberCats had five different players rush for a TD in the same game. Keala Keanaaina, Matt Kinsinger, Fred Coleman, Barry Wagner and Mark Grieb each scored on the ground as the SaberCats tied a team record for the second-most rush TDs in a game. The SaberCats now have 29 rushing scores on the season, second only to Chicago's 35, and they have scored 30-or-more times on the ground in each of the previous five seasons, leading the league every season. San Jose scored a league record 47 rushing TDs last season.

ARIZONA PLAYERS TO WATCH:
QB SHERDRICK BONNER – In 18 career games against San Jose, the 2003 first-team All-AFL quarterback has thrown for 3,969 yards and has completed 59.3 percent (315-of-531) of his passes with 78 TDs and 11 interceptions. He has thrown six or more TD passes in a game eight times and has thrown for over 300 yards three times. Bonner completed 21-of-30 for 321 yards and 8 TDs in Arizona's 66-49 semifinal playoff win on June 8, 2003, the last time the teams played. This season Bonner has completed 292-of-451 for 3,220 yards, but has an uncharacteristic 8 INTs.

WR/LB HUNKIE COOPER – The two-time AFL Ironman of the Year (99, 00) has feasted on San Jose. In 20 career games against the SaberCats, Cooper has returned 5 kickoffs for TDs and 2 interceptions for scores. He's also caught 12 TD passes and rushed for five other scores. In fact, Cooper is the only San Jose opponent to return a kickoff and an interception for a TD in the same game. Hunkie turned the trick on April 21, 2001 when he scampered 56 yards for a TD on a kickoff and returned an INT 31 yards for a score. Despite his efforts, the SaberCats pulled out a 48-37 win.


AFL STANDINGS THROUGH WEEK 13

TOP EIGHT MAKE PLAYOFFS
Rk Team W L T Pct PF PA
1. San Jose 10 2 0 .833 718 566
2. New Orleans 9 3 0 .750 550 556
3. Colorado 9 4 0 .692 636 596
4. Chicago 8 4 0 .667 639 558
5. Arizona 8 5 0 .615 671 621
6. Austin 7 5 0 .583 635 625
Los Angeles 7 5 0 .583 687 592
New York 7 5 0 .583 625 554

Rk Team W L T Pct PF PA
9. Dallas 6 6 0 .500 592 635
Orlando 6 6 0 .500 572 533
11. Indiana 6 7 0 .462 637 575
Tampa Bay 6 7 0 .462 634 636
13. Las Vegas 5 7 0 .417 646 616
Philadelphia 5 7 0 .417 569 570
15. Carolina 4 8 0 .333 581 663
Columbus 4 8 0 .333 562 642
Detroit 4 8 0 .333 563 630
Georgia 4 8 0 .333 477 610
19. Grand Rpids 1 11 0 .083 433 649

Week 14 Schedule

Saturday, May 8
Carolina at New York, 4:00 pm
Chicago at Grand Rapids, 4:30 pm
Las Vegas at Philadelphia, 4:30 pm
Detroit at Indiana, 5:00 pm

Sunday, May 9
Los Angeles at Tampa Bay, 12:00 pm
San Jose at Arizona, 12:00 pm
Dallas at Austin, 12:00 pm
Georgia at Columbus, 12:00 pm
Orlando at New Orleans, 12:00 pm


WEEKLY PLAYERS OF THE GAME:

BABY RUTH OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME:
Opponent (Date) Player
@Detroit (Feb. 5) QB Mark Grieb, San Jose
@Los Angeles (Feb. 22) OS Joe Douglass, Los Angeles
GRND RAPIDS (Feb. 28) QB Mark Grieb, San Jose
@New York (Mar. 7) QB Aaron Garcia, New York
COLORADO (Mar. 14) QB Mark Grieb, San Jose
LAS VEGAS (Mar. 20) OS Marcus Nash, Las Vegas
LOS ANGELES (Mar. 26) QB Mark Grieb, San Jose
@Tampa Bay (Apr. 4) WR James Roe, San Jose
@Dallas (Apr. 10) WR Bobby Sippio, Dallas
CHICAGO (Apr. 16) QB Mark Grieb, San Jose
@Georgia (Apr. 25) QB Mark Grieb, San Jose
NEW ORLEANS (May 1) QB Mark Grieb, San Jose
@Arizona (May 9)
@Las Vegas (May 16)
PHILADELPHIA (May 22)
ARIZONA (May 30)

ADT DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME:
Opponent (Date) Player
@Detroit (Feb. 5) DS Omarr Smith, San Jose
@Los Angeles (Feb. 22) DL Sam Hernandez, San Jose
GRND RAPIDS (Feb. 28) DS Clevan Thomas, San Jose
@New York (Mar. 7) DS Terrance Joseph, New York
COLORADO (Mar. 14) DL Joe Jacobs, San Jose
LAS VEGAS (Mar. 20) DS Omarr Smith, San Jose
LOS ANGELES (Mar. 26) DL Silas DeMary, Los Angeles
@Tampa Bay (Apr. 4) DS Omarr Smith, San Jose
@Dallas (Apr. 10) FB Duke Pettijohn, Dallas
CHICAGO (Apr. 16) DS Omarr Smith, San Jose
@Georgia (Apr. 25) DL Joe Jacobs, San Jose
NEW ORLEANS (May 1) DS Omarr Smith, San Jose
@Arizona (May 9)
@Las Vegas (May 16)
PHILADELPHIA (May 22)
ARIZONA (May 30)

ARMY IRONMAN OF THE GAME:
Opponent (Date) Player
@Detroit (Feb. 5) FB/LB Cameron Chance, Detroit
@Los Angeles (Feb. 22) WR/DB/KR Rashied Davis, San Jose
GRND RAPIDS (Feb. 28) WR/DB Barry Wagner, San Jose
@New York (Mar. 7) WR/DB Lincoln Dupree, New York
COLORADO (Mar. 14) WR/DB/KR Rashied Davis, San Jose
LAS VEGAS (Mar. 20) WR/DB/KR Rashied Davis, San Jose
LOS ANGELES (Mar. 26) WR/LB James Roe, San Jose
@Tampa Bay (Apr. 4) WR/DB T.T. Toliver, Tampa Bay
@Dallas (Apr. 10) FB/LB Kevin Aldridge, Dallas
CHICAGO (Apr. 16) OL/DL Dan Loney, San Jose
@Georgia (Apr. 25) WR/DB/KR Rashied Davis, San Jose
NEW ORLEANS (May 1) WR/LB Fred Coleman, San Jose
@Arizona (May 9)
@Las Vegas (May 16)
PHILADELPHIA (May 22)
ARIZONA (May 30)


THE SABERCATS RECORD WHEN...:

Scoring Allowing
0 - 9 points 0-0 0-0
10-19 points 0-0 0-0
20-29 points 0-0 0-0
30-39 points 0-0 4-0
40-49 points 0-0 2-0
50-59 points 4-2 3-1
60-69 points 5-0 1-1
70-79 points 1-0 0-0
80+ points 0-0 0-0

Games decided
by 7 or fewer points 3-1
by 3 or fewer points 1-0

Leading after the 1st 4-0
Trailing after the 1st 5-2
Tied after the 1st 1-0

Leading at Half 6-2
Trailing at Half 3-0
Tied at Half 1-0

Leading after the 3rd 8-2
Trailing after the 3rd 2-0
Tied after the 3rd 0-0

Scoring First 4-1
Opp. Score First 6-1

More Total Offense 4-2
Less Total Offense 6-0

More Pass Yards 4-2
Less Pass Yards 6-0

More Rushing Yards 7-2
Less Rushing Yards 3-0

Thursday games 1-0
Friday games 2-0
Saturday games 3-1
Sunday games 4-1

On NBC 3-1
On WB20 1-0
On NBC11 0-1

vs. West 3-0
vs. Central 4-0
vs. South 3-0
vs. East 0-2

Outscoring Opponent 10-0
Being Outscored 0-2

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