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San Jose SaberCats game notes

May 11, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
San Jose SaberCats News Release


THE QUICK FACTS:
Game: SaberCats (10-3) at Las Vegas Gladiators (6-7).
Date: Sunday, May 16, 2004.
Kickoff: 3:00 p.m. (PDT).
Site: Thomas & Mack Center (16,606).
Officials: Dennis Lipski (Referee); Rick Nelson (Umpire); Rusty Spindel (Head Linesman); Kent Payne (Line Judge); Rich Wilborn (Back Judge).
Television: The game will be televised live in the Bay Area on KNTV (NBC11) with Bob Fitzgerald (play-by-play) and Keena Turner (color) calling the action.
Radio: The game will be broadcast live on San Jose's flagship radio station KNBR 1050 with Barry Tompkins (play-by-play) and George Atkinson (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: SaberCats lead 2-0.
Last Meeting: SaberCats 79, Las Vegas 62 (March 20, 2004 in San Jose).
Series Streaks: SaberCats Won 2.
Coaches: San Jose, Darren Arbet (6th season; 63-22 regular season, 69-25 overall). Las Vegas, Frank Haege (3rd season; 23-20 regular season, 23-22 overall).


OVERVIEW: Despite suffering their worst defeat in almost three years, the SaberCats became the first team in the Arena Football League to clinch a playoff spot. San Jose was dealt a 58-41 loss at Arizona on May 9, its worst setback since losing 59-35 to Orlando on May 26, 2001, and its second straight defeat at the hands of the Rattlers. The SaberCats also failed to reach the 50-point mark for the first time this season, putting up their lowest point total since the 2001 game against Orlando. With the Dallas Desperados loss at Austin on May 9, however, the SaberCats clinched their fifth consecutive playoff berth and their eighth in the team's 10-year history. San Jose's Mark Grieb reached the 17,000 mark in career passing yards and completed the 1,300th pass of his AFL career by going 22-of-35 for 256 yards and three scores. Fred Coleman, playing in place of the injured James Roe, tallied career-highs of nine receptions for 107 yards. Arizona used a 35-0 scoring run over the second and third quarters to overcome a 21-10 deficit and snap San Jose's 3-game winning streak. San Jose continues to have the best record in the AFL at 10-3, one game ahead of New Orleans. The SaberCats will try to avoid their first 2-game losing streak since April 6/11, 2003 when they travel to Las Vegas on Sunday, May 16. The SaberCats beat Las Vegas, 79-62, earlier this year.

THE SCHEDULES:

2004 San Jose SaberCats (10-3)
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
May 9 @Arizona Lost 41-58
Game Opponent Time Radio/TV
May 16 @Las Vegas 3:00 pm 1050/NBC11
May 22 PHILADELPHIA 7:30 pm 1050
May 30 ARIZONA 1:00 pm 1050/NBC

2004 Las Vegas Gladiators (6-7)
Game Opponent Result Score
Feb. 6 @Colorado Lost 42-43
Feb. 14 LOS ANGELES Lost 55-62
Feb. 22 @Grand Rapids Won 51-14
Feb. 29 NEW ORLEANS Won 50-30
Mar. 7 @Georgia Lost 40-55
Mar. 14 ARIZONA Won (ot) 65-64
Mar. 20 @San Jose Lost 62-79
Mar. 27 @Orlando Lost 43-60
Apr. 4 CHICAGO Lost 55-57
Apr. 10 @Arizona Lost 63-80
Apr. 25 DETROIT Won 60-34
May 2 INDIANA Won 60-38
May 8 @Philadelphia Won 63-35
Game Opponent Time (PT) TV
May 16 SAN JOSE 3:00 pm
May 22 @Los Angeles 7:30 pm
May 30 COLUMBUS 1:00 pm NBC

THE SERIES: The SaberCats hold a 2-0 series advantage over Las Vegas having won 79-62 earlier this season on Mar. 20 in San Jose...The SaberCats won the only meeting between the teams in Las Vegas, 72-37, on Mar. 2, 2003...The Las Vegas franchise was formally known as the New Jersey Gladiators and prior to that the New Jersey Red Dogs. San Jose won two of three games with the Red Dogs and never played the New Jersey Gladiators.

WHAT'S AHEAD: The SaberCats close out the regular season with home games against the expansion Philadelphia Soul on May 22 at 7:30 p.m. and fan appreciation night on Sunday, May 30 at 1:00 p.m. against the Arizona Rattlers.

SERIES NOTABLES: San Jose's point total in its 79-62 win over Las Vegas on Mar. 20 was its highest of the season and tied for the 5th highest in franchise history...Omarr Smith's 48-yard interception return for a score against LV on Mar. 20 was the 2nd longest in San Jose history...Las Vegas QB Clint Dolezel threw for a SaberCats opponent record 451 yards and 9 TDs on Mar. 20, 2004...San Jose tied an AFL record with six rushing TDs against LV on Mar. 20...The SaberCats have scored 21 TDs on 25 possessions in the two series meetings with 10 different players reaching the endzone, led by James Roe, Rashied Davis and Barry Wagner with four TDs each...QB Mark Grieb has completed 73.3 percent of his passes (33-of-45) with 7 TDs and no interceptions in two games against LV...Rashied Davis collected his 1st career INT at Las Vegas on Mar. 2, 2003...The SaberCats have scored on all 13 of their red zone opportunities against the Gladiators...San Jose has returned an interception for a TD in each of the two games against Las Vegas. Clevan Thomas went 32-yards with a pick of Jay McDonagh at Las Vegas on Mar. 2, 2003 and Omarr Smith had a 48-yard return of a Clint Dolezel offering at San Jose on Mar. 20, 2004.

LAST SERIES MEETING: SAN JOSE 79, Las Vegas 62 – The SaberCats tied an Arena Football League record with six rushing touchdowns and Omarr Smith returned an interception 48 yards for a score to propel San Jose (5-1) to a 79-62 win over the Las Vegas Gladiators (3-4) on March 20. Matt Kinsinger scored on a pair of 3-yard runs in the first quarter and Barry Wagner added two fourth quarter rushing touchdowns as the SaberCats tied a league game record held by 11 other teams. Wagner's second rushing score of the game was the 44th of his San Jose career moving him ahead of Steve Papin as the team's all-time leader. Keala Keanaaina and Rashied Davis also scored on the ground for the SaberCats. With San Jose leading 34-21 late in the first half and Las Vegas driving, Smith stepped in front of a Clint Dolezel offering at his own 2-yard line and went the distance to give the SaberCats a 41-21 lead at the break. It was the second longest interception return in team history. Davis kept up his torrid play scoring on a 4-yard run, a 57-yard kickoff return and a 10-yard reception in the second half and added his first interception of the year to earn game Ironman honors for the second straight week. Davis leads the AFL with four kickoff return scores on the season. Dolezel threw for a SaberCats opponent record 451 yards and tied a mark with nine scoring strikes on 31-of-52 passing. His two interceptions deep in San Jose territory hurt Las Vegas' chances of pulling out the win. Marcus Nash was his favorite target hauling in 12 passes for 189 yards and five scores. Despite being out gained 456 to 270 in total offense, the SaberCats posted a league season-high in points and tied a team record for the fifth highest game total. Mark Grieb led an efficient San Jose offense completing 15-of-18 for 228 yards and three scores. OS James Hundon caught three passes for 78 yards but had his streak of 22 straight games with a touchdown catch snapped. The SaberCats scored 11 touchdowns and a field goal on their 13 possessions.

SCORE BY QUARTERS
Gladiators................................ 14 7 21 20 – 62
SaberCats................................ 20 21 14 24 – 79

SCORING SUMMARY
SAN Kinsinger 3 run (Frantz kick)
LVG Bryant 45 pass from Dolezel (Gowins kick)
SAN Kinsinger 3 run (Frantz kick)
LVG Nash 10 pass from Dolezel (Gowins kick)
SAN Coleman 7 pass from Grieb (kick failed)
SAN Roe 42 pass from Grieb (Frantz kick)
LVG Nash 7 pass from Dolezel (Gowins kick)
SAN Keanaaina 7 run (Frantz kick)
SAN Smith 48 interception return (Frantz kick)
LVG Nash 2 pass from Dolezel (Gowins kick)
SAN Davis 4 run (Frantz kick)
LVG Bryant 28 pass from Dolezel (Gowins kick)
SAN Davis 57 kickoff return (Frantz kick)
LVG Nash 24 pass from Dolezel (Gowins kick)
SAN FG Frantz 23
LVG Ware 11 pass from Dolezel (pass failed)
SAN Davis 10 pass from Grieb (Frantz kick)
LVG Nash 34 pass from Dolezel (Gowins kick)
SAN Wagner 1 run (Frantz kick)
LVG Bryant 7 pass from Dolezel (Gowins kick)
SAN Wagner 4 run (Frantz kick)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
PASSING: LVG – Dolezel 31-50-2-451. SAN - Grieb 15-18-0-228.
RUSHING: LVG – Dolezel 2-5; Nash 2-0; Glover 1-0. SAN - Keanaaina 3-16; Wagner 4-13; Kinsinger 5-7; Davis 2-6; Grieb 1-0.
RECEIVING: LVG – Nash 12-189; Bryant 8-119; Bonner 7-96; Ware 4-47. SAN – Davis 5-60; Hundon 3-78; Roe 3-56; Wagner 2-17; Kinsinger 1-10; Coleman 1-7.
KICK RETURNS: LVG - Bryant 6-96; Sutton 1-24; Robinson 1-20; Glover 1-0. SAN – Davis 4-123; Coleman 1-21; Jacobs 1-7.

ALL-TIME SERIES SCORES
Date Score
March 20, 2004 @San Jose 79, Las Vegas 62
March 2, 2003 San Jose 72, @Las Vegas 37

THE COACHES:
San Jose – Darren Arbet, 6th season
63-22 (.741) reg. season; 69-25 (.734) overall
2-0 (1.000) career vs. Las Vegas
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 (.741) 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 57-14 (.803) 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).


Las Vegas – Frank Haege, 3rd season
23-20 (.35) reg. season; 23-22 overall (.511)
0-2 (.000) career vs. San Jose
The Las Vegas Gladiators third-year head coach can look back upon his first two seasons in the AFL and boast about his wide array of accomplishments. Haege led the Gladiators to the fourth-best record in the AFL and their first-ever playoff berth in franchise history in 2002. The 2003 season was the first for the Gladiators in Las Vegas and Haege led them to a second consecutive playoff appearance and an 8-8 record. In 2002 the Gladiators 9-5 record and first place finish in the Eastern Division of the National Conference was the biggest turnaround in AFL history. The Gladiators finished the 2002 regular season with seven more victories than the previous season. Haege was named the second head coach of the New Jersey Gladiators on August 23, 2001. Haege brought with him six players and an assistant coach from the Steamwheelers. Previously, he spent two years as the head coach and director of football operations with the Quad City Steamwheelers (af2) in 2000 and 2001. Haege posted a remarkable 37-1 record, including an undefeated 2000 season. Haege is in his tenth season in the Arena Football League.

THE IFS...:
If the SaberCats defeat Las Vegas it would...
*Give them an AFL-best 11-3 record.
*Break their 1-game losing streak.
*Give them a 3-0 series lead over Las Vegas.
*Give them 5-3 road record for the year.
*Give them a 99-53 all-time record.
*Give them a 93-47 all-time regular season record.
*Give them a 43-28 all-time regular season road record.

RECENT RESULTS: ARIZONA 58, SaberCats 41 – Arizona quarterback Sherdrick Bonner threw seven touchdown passes and the Rattlers (9-5) used a 35-0 run over the second and third quarters to post a 58-41 win over the San Jose SaberCats (10-3) on May 9. Bonner's 1-yard scoring run and 9-yard scoring pass to Orshawante Bryant in the last 1:43 of the first half help Arizona overcome a 21-10 deficit and supplied them with a 24-21 advantage at the break. Tom Pace caught a pair of scoring passes and Ironman of the Game Hunkie Cooper added another as the Rattlers outscored San Jose 21-0 in the third quarter to build a 45-21 lead heading into the final stanza. The scoreless third marked just the second time all season the SaberCats failed to score a point in a quarter. Matt Kinsinger scored on a 1-yard run on San Jose's first possession of the game and following a 22-yard Nelson Garner field goal, Grieb connected with Fred Coleman on a 23-yard strike to stake the SaberCats to a 14-3 lead early in the second quarter. Coleman scored on a 1-yard run with 4:50 left in the first half giving San Jose a 21-10 lead but the SaberCats would go scoreless over the next 19:31. Grieb, under heavy pressure from the Arizona defensive line most of the game, completed 22-of-35 for 256 yards with three touchdowns, but was sacked twice. Coleman had a game- and career-high 9 catches for 107 yards and a pair of scores. The SaberCats failed to reach the 50-point mark for the first time all season and had its lowest scoring ouput since a 35-point effort on May 26, 2001 against the Orlando Predators. San Jose still maintains the best overall record in the AFL standings with New Orleans losing to Orlando.

ROSTER MOVES: The SaberCats signed veteran WR/LB Shalon Baker to the active roster on May 7 to take the place of injured James Roe (groin strain). The team also activated OL/DL George Williams from IR, re-signed DS Art Smith and signed former Stanford player Ryan Fernandez to the practice squad. Roe was placed on IR on May 8 and will miss the May 16 game at Las Vegas.

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.
May 7 Signed WR/LB Shalon Baker. Activated OL/DL George Williams from IR. Re-signed DS Art Smith. Signed WR/DB Ryan Fernandez to PS.
May 8 Placed WR/LB James Roe on IR.

INJURY REPORT
Player Injury Status
Brian Johnson Knee contusion Probable
Joe Jacobs Shoulder strain Probable

MILESTONES:
*The SaberCats need 2 wins for 100 overall in franchise history.
*Head Coach Darren Arbet needs 1 win for 70 career.
*WR/DB Barry Wagner needs 29 receiving yards to become AFL's all-time leader; 1 TD catch for 260 career and 50 in San Jose career; 3 rush TDs for 50 in San Jose career; and 8 total TDs for 400 career.
*OL/DL Chuck Reed needs 2.5 sacks for 25 career.
*OS James Hundon needs 3 TD catches for 100 career; 1 reception for 300 career; and 295 receiving yards for new team single-season record.
*QB Mark Grieb needs 6 pass attempts for 2,000 career; 8 TD passes for new team single-season record; and 43 completions for new team single-season record.
*WR/DB Rashied Davis needs 1 reception for 60 career.
*FB/LB Keala Keanaaina needs 8 rush yards for 4th place on team's career list.
FB/LB Matt Kinsinger needs 5 rush attempts for 100 career.
*DS Omarr Smith needs 3 interceptions for 25 career and 4.0 tackles for new team single-season record.


2004 LEAGUE TEAM RANKINGS
Category SaberCats Gladiators
Scoring Offense (Rank) 58.4 (1st) 54.5 (3rd)
Scoring Defense 48.0 (8th) 50.1 (11th)
Total Offense 280.2 (4th) 297.2 (1st)
Total Defense 279.6 (18th) 248.5 (3rd)
Pass Offense 258.2 (5th) 279.4 (1st)
Pass Defense 267.9 (18th) 220.0 (1st)
Rushing Offense 22.1 (9th) 17.8 (11th)
Rushing Defense 11.7 (2nd) 28.5 (16th)
Pass Rating 134.3 (1st) 121.4 (3rd)
Pass Defense Rating 103.7 (4th) 104.8 (6th)
Interceptions 16 (1st) 15 (T-2nd)
Turnover Margin +7 (T-5th) +4 (8th)
Kickoff Return Avg. 21.8 (2nd) 15.5 (18th)
Field Goal Return Avg. 22.3 (4th) 6.8 (19th)
Sacks By 11 (T-8th) 11 (T-8th)
Sacks Against 16 (13th) 3 (1st)

2004 LEAGUE INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS
Player Category No. Rank
Mark Grieb Total Offense 3,349 6th
Mark Grieb Completion Pct. 73.2 1st
Mark Grieb Pass TDs 65 6th
Mark Grieb Passer Rating 136.4 1st
Mark Grieb Passing Yards 3,356 6th
Mark Grieb Pass Yards/Game 258.2 5th
Mark Grieb Pass Yards/Att. 9.2 1st
James Roe Scoring 174 T-5th
James Roe TD Receptions 27 T-5th
James Hundon Rcv. Yards/Catch 14.8 5th
James Hundon Receptions 79 T-10th
James Hundon Receiving Yards 1,170 7th
Rashied Davis All-Purpose Yards 1,765 7th
Rashied Davis KOR Average 24.6 1st
Rashied Davis KOR Touchdowns 4 T-2nd
Barry Wagner Rushing TDs 9 T-7th
Dan Frantz Kick Scoring 109 5th
Dan Frantz PAT Attempts 105 1st
Dan Frantz PAT Makes 91 1st
Omarr Smith Interceptions 8 2nd
Omarr Smith INT Return TDs 1 T-3rd
Omarr Smith Passes Defended 19 T-6th
Sam Hernandez Sacks 4.0 T-7th

TRENDS:
ON THE ROAD AGAIN – San Jose's loss at Arizona on May 9 dropped its road record to 4-3 for the year. The SaberCats have finished above .500 on the road in each of the last four seasons and need a victory at Las Vegas to continue the streak. The last time San Jose was below .500 on the road was in 1999 when the team finished with a 2-5 record. Since the start of the 2000 season the SaberCats have posted a 25-11 (.694) record in regular season road games going 6-1 in both 2000 and 2002, 4-3 in 2001 and 5-3 last season. The team is 42-28 (.600) all-time in regular season road games.

SIN CITY – The SaberCats have had good luck over the years in Las Vegas posting a 2-0 record in Sin City. San Jose defeated the old Las Vegas Sting, 32-27, on May 20, 1995 at the Thomas & Mack Center in the first regular season road game in franchise history. Eight years later, on Mar. 2, 2003, the SaberCats defeated the Gladiators in the same venue, 72-37. San Jose also owns a 4-0 record against teams based in Las Vegas going 2-0 against both the Sting and Gladiators.

HALF CENTURY POINT – The SaberCats had their streak of scoring at least 50 points in every game this season snapped in their 58-41 loss at Arizona on May 9. San Jose's scoring output was its lowest since a 35-point effort against Orlando on May 26, 2001, a span of 57 games.

THAT 70's SHOW – The SaberCats have scored 70-or-more points in a game 19 times in their history and they have done it both times against the Gladiators. San Jose beat Las Vegas, 72-37, in Las Vegas on Mar. 2, 2003 and put up the 5th highest point total in team history in a 79-62 win on Mar. 20, 2004. San Jose owns an 18-1 record in games when scoring 70-or-more points.

LAUNCHING PAD – Opposing starting QBs have thrown 30-or-more passes in nine straight games and 12 of 13 on the season. Arizona's Sherdrick Bonner attempted 31 passes in the Rattlers' win on May 9, and Las Vegas' Clint Dolezel has the SaberCats' opponent record for the season with 50 attempts on Mar. 20. The only starting QB to attempt fewer than 30 passes was New York's Aaron Garcia, who launched 21 passes on Mar. 7. In contrast, Mark Grieb has thrown 30-or-more passes in a game just five times.

THE WEEK AFTER – San Jose has lost 47 regular season games over its 10-year history and the club's all-time record following a defeat stands at 26-20 (.565).

NO TWOS – The SaberCats have not dropped consecutive games since April 6/11, 2003 when they lost at Dallas (67-64) and were beaten by Detroit at home (45-42). San Jose hasn't lost consecutive road games since early in the 2003 campaign with a 73-72 loss at Los Angeles on Feb. 9 and a 51-49 defeat in Georgia on Feb. 16.

NOTES:
PLAYOFF BOUND – Despite losing at Arizona on May 9, the SaberCats became the first team to clinch a playoff berth. The SaberCats secured their fifth straight postseason appearance and 8th in the team's 10-year history with Dallas' loss at Austin on May 9.

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 57-14 (.803) 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.

HISTORY 101 – The Las Vegas franchise was known as the New Jersey Gladiators for two seasons (2001-02) and the New Jersey Red Dogs for three seasons (1998-00). The team relocated to Las Vegas prior to the 2003 campaign. The SaberCats and Red Dogs played three games against each other with San Jose winning twice, both times on the road. The ‘Cats won 51-36 on July 11, 1997 and 51-33 on June 14, 1998.
CHASING 70 – SaberCats head coach Darren Arbet needs one victory to become the 8th head coach in AFL history with 70 career wins. His career winning percentage of .734 is also the highest of any of the seven coaches with more victories.

WINNINGEST AFL COACHES
Rank Coach, Team Record Pct.
1. Tim Marcum, Tampa Bay 165-62 .727
2. Danny White, Arizona 137-64 .682
3. Perry Moss (retired) 86-35 .711
4. Mike Hohensee, Chicago 82-75 .522
5. Mike Trigg, Philadelphia 78-81 .491
6. John Gregory (retired) 73-56 .566
7. Mike Dailey, Colorado 72-50 .590
8. Darren Arbet, San Jose 69-25 .734

CLIMBING THE CHARTS – QB Mark Grieb tossed 3 TD passes in San Jose's loss at Arizona on May 9 and is within striking distance of 8th place on the AFL's career leader board. Grieb increased his career total to 338 and trails Fred McNair by two for 9th place and Mike Perez by three for the 8th slot. Grieb has thrown 65 TD passes on the year, the 3rd highest single-season total in team history, and he needs seven TD passes to match his 2003 team record of 72.

AFL CAREER TD PASS LEADERS
Rank Player TD Passes
1. Aaron Garcia, New York 621
2. Andy Kelly, Detroit 607
3. Sherdrick Bonner Arizona 604
4. Clint Dolezel, Las Vegas 557
5. John Kaleo, Austin 416
6. Todd Hammell, Philadelphia 415
7. Jay Gruden 392
8. Mike Perez 341
9. Fred McNair 340
10. Mark Grieb, San Jose 338
11. Rickey Foggie, Carolina 318
12. Mike Pawlawski 303

MAKING HIS MARK – QB Mark Grieb completed 62.9 percent of his passes (22-of-35) at Arizona on May 9, his lowest completion percentage in any game this season, but still leads the circuit with a percentage of 73.2. Grieb is on pace to break the AFL's season completion percentage record of 69.7, held by Jim Kubiak of Dallas in 2003. Grieb threw for 256 yards in the game eclipsing the 17,000 level for his career (17,232), becoming the 11th player in league history to reach that plateau. Grieb also reached another milestone by completing the 1,300th pass of his career (1,304). Grieb has an opportunity to break his team season records for pass completions, attempts, yards and TDs. He needs to throw 112 passes, 44 completions, 611 yards and 8 TDs to break his own season records which were all set last year.

WAGNER WATCH – Barry Wagner continues his quest to overtake Eddie Brown as the AFL's career leader in receptions and receiving yards. Wagner hauled in 4 passes for 48 yards and a TD, the 259th TD catch of his career, at Arizona on May 9, and over his last three games he has 14 receptions for 151 yards and 2 TDs. Wags had just 17 catches for 185 yards and 1 TD through the first 10 games of the season. Wagner trails Brown by 25 in receptions and needs just 29 receiving yards to overtake Brown as the league's all-time leader.

AFL LEADERS IN CAREER RECEPTIONS
Rank Player Recpts
1. Eddie Brown 949
2. Barry Wagner 924
3. Hunkie Cooper 765
4. Gary Compton 743
5. Darryl Hammond 718

AFL LEADERS IN CAREER RECEIVING YARDS
Rank Player Recpts
1. Eddie Brown 12,726
2. Barry Wagner 12,698
3. Gary Compton 10,247
4. George LaFrance 9,004
5. Hunkie Cooper 8,527

THE JAMES GANG – Only half the Gang was in action at Arizona May 9 as Roe was placed on IR with a groin strain. Hundon managed 6 catches for 73 yards but was held without a TD for just the 3rd game this year. Hundon has played in all 13 games this season and reached the 1,000 mark in receiving yards for the 3rd straight season, matching Steve Papin's team record which was set from 1998-00. Hundon needs one more catch to join Papin and Roe as the only players in franchise history with 300 career receptions and with three more TD catches he would join Roe as the only players with 100 career TD receptions.

CAREER LEADERS IN RECEPTIONS
Rank Player Recpts
1. Steve Papin 326
2. James Roe 304
3. James Hundon 299
4. Barry Wagner 273
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 4,565
2. Steve Papin 4,282
3. James Roe 4,066
4. Jerry Reese 3,485
5. Barry Wagner 3,208

YOU DA (COLE)MAN – Fred Coleman played significant minutes at Arizona filling in for the injured James Roe at WR/LB. Coleman had career-highs of 9 catches and 107 yards with a pair of TDs on May 9, and added a 3rd TD on a 1-yard run to give him 3 TDs for the game. In fact, Coleman has caught a pair of TD passes and has added a rushing score in each of the last three games to account for nine of his 14 TDs on the year. He is 3rd on the team with his TD total and ranks 4th in scoring with 84 points.

PAULEY WANTS A STOP – Rookie Charles Pauley has started the last three games at DS after not playing on the defensive side of the ball since his high school days. Pauley was an accomplished receiver/kick returner at San Jose State during his collegiate days and was the NCAA Division I leader in kickoff return average his senior year. Pauley made his AFL debut at Georgia on Apr. 25 and was credited with 6 solo tackles. He had his most productive game of the season the following week against New Orleans when he had his 1st INT, forced a fumble that was recovered by teammate James Roe and had a PBU. C.P. totaled 3.0 tackles last week in San Jose's loss at Arizona.

RUNNING MAN – FB Keala Keanaaina is inching closer to the 3rd spot on the SaberCats career rushing yardage leader board. K.K. had a 3-yard TD run on his only carry at Arizona on May 9, increasing his career yardage total to 319. He trails Steve Papin by 7 yards for 4th place and is just 10 yards shy of passing Mike Jones for 3rd place on the team's career list. The TD was also the 5th of the season and 15th career, tying Keanaaina with Mike Jones and Joey Dozier for 6th place on the team's career rushing TD chart.

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 319

LAS VEGAS PLAYERS TO WATCH:
QB CLINT DOLEZEL – Dolezel is the only QB to pass for over 400 yards in a game this season. His 451-yard game against San Jose on Mar. 20 is the second-highest of his career and the most passing yards ever allowed by the SaberCats. In fact Dolezel is the first SaberCats opponent to throw for over 400 yards in a game. He currently has 557 career TD passes, the 4th highest total in AFL history, and has twice thrown for nine in a game this season, once against San Jose in the Gladiators 79-62 loss. In five career games against the SaberCats, Dolezel has completed 130-of-208 attempts (62.5%) for 1,620 yards with 34 TDs. He has, however, thrown at least one INT in each of the five games for a total of 10. San Jose DS Omarr Smith intercepted one of Dolezel's passes and ran it back 48-yards for a TD in the last meeting between the teams on Mar. 20.

OS MARCUS NASH – The league leader in touchdowns with 37 also leads the league in receptions with 115 for 1,333 yards. He had 5 TD grabs on 12 catches for 189 yards in the Gladiators loss to San Jose Mar. 20. Nash ran for 1 of his two rushing TDs on the year against Philadelphia on May 8. He also added 4 TD grabs on 13 catches for 184 yards to help the Gladiators beat the Soul 63-35. Nash had a season-high 7 TD grabs against Arizona Apr. 10 and has caught an average of 3 TDs per game this season.

AFL STANDINGS THROUGH WEEK 14

TOP EIGHT MAKE PLAYOFFS
Rk Team W L T Pct PF PA
1. San Jose 10 3 0 .769 759 624
2. New Orleans 9 4 0 .692 590 601
Colorado 9 4 0 .692 636 596
Chicago 9 4 0 .692 702 593
5. Arizona 9 5 0 .643 729 662
6. Austin 8 5 0 .615 683 661
New York 8 5 0 .615 686 593
8. Los Angeles 7 6 0 .538 742 655
Orlando 7 6 0 .538 617 573

Rk Team W L T Pct PF PA
10. Indiana 7 7 0 .500 705 634
Tampa Bay 7 7 0 .500 697 691
12. Dallas 6 7 0 .462 628 683
Las Vegas 6 7 0 .462 709 651
14. Georgia 5 8 0 .385 549 661
Philadelphia 5 8 0 .385 604 633
16. Carolina 4 9 0 .308 620 724
Columbus 4 9 0 .308 613 714
Detroit 4 9 0 .308 622 698
19. Grand Rpids 1 12 0 .077 468 712

Week 14 Schedule

Friday, May 14
Grand Rapids at Columbus, 4:00 pm

Saturday, May 15
Arizona at Detroit, 4:30 pm
Carolina at Philadelphia, 4:30 pm
Georgia at New Orleans, 5:00 pm

Sunday, May 16
San Jose at Las Vegas, 3:00 pm
Los Angeles at New York, 12:00 pm
Dallas at Chicago, 12:00 pm
Colorado at Indiana, 12:00 pm
Orlando at Austin, 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) QB Sherdrick Bonner, Arizona
@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) DS Ricky Parker, Arizona
@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) WR/LB Hunkie Cooper, Arizona
@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 0-1 2-0
50-59 points 4-2 3-2
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 4-1
Trailing after the 1st 5-2
Tied after the 1st 1-0

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

Leading after the 3rd 8-2
Trailing after the 3rd 2-1
Tied after the 3rd 0-0

Scoring First 4-2
Opp. Score First 6-1

More Total Offense 4-3
Less Total Offense 6-0

More Pass Yards 4-3
Less Pass Yards 6-0

More Rushing Yards 7-2
Less Rushing Yards 3-1

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

On NBC 3-2
On WB20 1-0
On NBC11 0-1

vs. West 3-1
vs. Central 4-0
vs. South 3-0
vs. East 0-2

Outscoring Opponent 10-0
Being Outscored 0-3

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