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San Jose SaberCats game notes

February 28, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
San Jose SaberCats News Release


THE QUICK FACTS:
Game: SaberCats (1-3) at Orlando Predators (4-1).
Date: Sunday, March 6, 2005.
Kickoff: 9:00 a.m. (PST).
Site: TD Waterhouse Centre (13,692).
Officials: Referee: Jerome Boger; Umpire: Rick Nelson; Head Linesman: Kavin McGrath; Line Judge: Darrel Leftwich; Back Judge: Rich Wilborn
Television: NBC Sports will broadcast the game live with Bob Papa (play-by-play), Mike Pawlawski (commentator) and Pat Clarke (sideline).
Radio: San Jose's flagship station KNBR-1050 will broadcast the game live with Ted Robinson (play-by-play) and George Atkinson (commentary).
SaberCats Sideline Report: Bob Fitzgerald hosts the SaberCats Sideline Report show every Sunday night on KNTV (NBC11) at 11:55 p.m. immediately following Sunday Sports Final.
Internet: Log on to www.KNBR.com to hear a live webcast of Sunday's game.
Series Record: SaberCats lead 4-2.
Last Meeting: SaberCats 52, Predators 40 in a semifinal playoff game on August 10, 2002 in San Jose.
Series Streaks: SaberCats Won 2.
Coaches: San Jose, Darren Arbet (7th season; 65-27 regular season, 74-30 overall). Orlando, Jay Gruden (6th season; 49-28 regular season, 57-31 overall).

OVERVIEW: The SaberCats conclude their franchise record tying 3-game road trip with a regionally televised NBC contest at Orlando on Sunday, Mar. 6 at 9:00 a.m. (PT). With their loss at Los Angeles on Feb. 20, the SaberCats fell to 1-3 on the year matching the 1998 squad for the worst four-game start in franchise history. The 1998 team won six of the last 10 games that year and qualified for the postseason...Barry Wagner passed Eddie Brown as the AFL's all-time receptions leader by grabbing 7 passes to up his career total to 952. Brown amassed 949 catches in his 10-year career with the Albany/Indiana franchise. Wagner also became the 4th player in San Jose history to register 300 career receptions (301)...QB Mark Grieb equaled a team record and tied his career-high with 31 completions in the game for 399 yards, the 3rd highest game total in club history, and seven TDs...San Jose has now lost five consecutive regular season road games and six of the last seven...San Jose and Orlando have not played each other since the 2002 season when the ‘Cats won both tilts, including a semifinal playoff win to propel them to their first league championship game...San Jose is 5-1 all-time following a bye week.

THE SCHEDULES:

2005 San Jose SaberCats (1-3)
Date Opponent Result Score
Jan. 30 @Tampa Bay Lost 33-63
Feb. 5 LAS VEGAS Won 66-31
Feb. 13 @New Orleans Lost 61-62
Feb. 20 @Los Angeles Lost 69-71
Date Opponent Time (PT) Radio/TV
Mar. 6 @Orlando 9:00 am 1050/NBC
Mar. 11 PHILADELPHIA 7:30 pm 1050
Mar. 18 GRAND RAPIDS 7:30 pm 1050
Mar. 28 @Las Vegas 7:00 pm 1050
Apr. 3 ARIZONA 6:00 pm 1050-680
Apr. 10 @Chicago 10:00 am 1050/NBC
Apr. 15 DALLAS 7:30 pm 1050
Apr. 22 @Colorado 6:00 pm 1050
Apr. 29 NASHVILLE 7:30 pm 1050
May 7 LOS ANGELES 7:30 pm 1050-680
May 14 @Arizona 7:00 pm 1050
May 21 GEORGIA 7:30 pm 1050

2005 Orlando Predators (4-1)
Game Opponent Result Score
Jan. 30 COLORADO Won 39-36
Feb. 6 @Arizona Won 51-40
Feb. 11 TAMPA BAY Won 61-46
Feb. 17 @Dallas Lost 28-42
Feb. 25 @Chicago Won 48-35
Game Opponent Time (PT) TV
Mar. 6 SAN JOSE 9:00 am NBC
Mar. 13 @New Orleans 12:00 pm
Mar. 19 @Georgia 10:00 am
Mar. 25 AUSTIN 4:30 pm
Apr. 3 LOS ANGELES 9:00 am NBC
Apr. 9 @Tampa Bay 4:30 pm
Apr. 15 NEW YORK 4:30 pm
Apr. 22 GEORGIA 4:30 pm
May 1 @Philadelphia 10:00 am
May 7 @Austin 5:30 pm
May 20 NEW ORLEANS 4:30 pm

THE SERIES: San Jose leads the all-time series 4-2 and has won the last two games, but the club's have not played each other since 2002...The SaberCats have won 3 of the 4 regular season games between the teams and defeated the Predators, 77-45, in the only series game played in Orlando (May 17, 2002)...San Jose won the last game between the teams, 52-40, in a semifinal playoff game on Aug. 10, 2002, to advance to its first ever ArenaBowl.

WHAT'S AHEAD: Following their game at Orlando, the SaberCats will end the season with 7 of their remaining 11 games on the HP Pavilion turf.

SERIES NOTABLES: The teams have not played each other since the 2002 season when the SaberCats won both games, including a 52-40 semifinal playoff win to advance to their first ArenaBowl...In their four series victories the SaberCats have outscored Orlando 225 to 137, but have failed to reach the 40-point mark in their two losses...Barry Wagner has appeared in five of the six series games (3 with San Jose; 2 with Orlando). In three games against his former team, Wagner has 11 receptions for 167 yards and 2 TDs with 9 rushes for 27 yards and 3 scores. In two games against his current team, he totaled 13 catches for 195 yards and a TD and ran the ball 9 times for 17 yards and a pair of scores...San Jose's point total in its 77-45 win at Orlando on May 17, 2002 is the highest in a road game in franchise history and tied for the 9th highest overall...San Jose's Clevan Thomas (2002-03) and Orlando's Kenny McEntyre (2000-01, 2004) have won the last five AFL Defensive Player of the Year awards...Thomas matched a SaberCats playoff record by intercepting two passes against the Predators on Aug. 10, 2002...In his only game as a SaberCat against Orlando, which San Jose won 77-45, QB Mark Grieb went 17-of-29 for 190 yards with 6 TDs and 0 INTs. Grieb also had a relief stint against the Predators as a member of the Anaheim Piranhas going 3-of-9 for 38 yards on June 20, 1997.

LAST SERIES MEETING: SABERCATS 52, Orlando 40 • Saturday, August 10, 2002 • HP Pavilion – John Dutton threw for 326 yards and four TDs and was named the game's MVP as the San Jose SaberCats advanced to the ArenaBowl for the first time in franchise history with a 52-40 semifinal victory over the Orlando Predators. Dutton completed 25 passes in 36 attempts and didn't throw an interception. San Jose led 24-13 after Daron Acorn's 35-yard field goal at the halftime buzzer and increased the lead to 31-13 early in the third quarter on a 38-yard touchdown pass from Dutton to Barry Wagner. Orlando quickly got back in the game by scoring twice in less than a minute. The first was a 30-yard touchdown pass from Jay Gruden to Antonio Stanley, and then Angel Rubio recovered a fumble in the endzone on the ensuing kickoff to bring Orlando within 31-27 midway through the third quarter. After two TD throws by Dutton and one by Gruden, San Jose led 45-34 entering the final quarter. The Predators scored with 14:30 left on a 38-yard pass from Gruden to Stanley to make it 45-40, but Connell Maynor's rush attempt on a fake PAT kick was unsuccessful and the Predators would not score again. Wagner's 2-yard run with 10:45 remaining closed out the scoring. San Jose's Omarr Smith caught three passes for 27 yards, intercepted a pass and deflected three others on defense to earn game Ironman honors and rookie Clevan Thomas intercepted two Gruden passes in the fourth quarter to tie a team playoff record. Gruden completed 17-of-36 passes for 267 yards and five TDs but was intercepted a total of three times. The SaberCats advanced to their first league championship game by scoring 50 or more points in every contest.

Score By Quarters
Predators................................. 13 0 21 6 – 40
SaberCats................................ 14 10 21 7 – 52

SCORING SUMMARY
Team Play
SAN Hundon 13 pass from Dutton (Alcorn kick)
ORL Dell 42 pass from Gruden (Gatto kick)
SAN Kinsinger 3 run (Alcorn kick)
ORL Moore 8 pass from Gruden (kick failed)
SAN Baker 2 run (Alcorn kick)
SAN FG Alcorn 35
SAN Wagner 38 pass from Dutton (Alcorn kick)
ORL Stanley 30 pass from Gruden (Gatto kick)
ORL Rubio 0 net recovery (Gatto kick)
SAN Roe 17 pass from Dutton (Alcorn kick)
ORL Dell 5 pass from Gruden (Gatto kick)
SAN Hundon 35 pass from Dutton (Alcorn kick)
ORL Stanley 38 pass from Gruden (rush failed)
SAN Wagner 2 run (Alcorn kick)

INDIVIDUAL STASTICS
Passing: ORL – Gruden 17-36-3-267. SAN – Dutton 25-36-0-326.
Rushing: ORL – Dell 1-(-1). SAN – Wagner 4-5; Kinsinger 2-5; Baker 2-2.
Receiving: ORL – Stanley 6-101; Dell 3-56; Burley 3-45; Lord 2-36; Moore 2-30; Dorsey 1-(-1). SAN – Hundon 9-109; Roe 7-82; Wagner 5-90; Smith 3-37; Baker 1-8.
Kick Returns: ORL – Stanley 3-54; Burley 3-49; Lord 1-0. SAN – Thomas 5-120; Hundon 1-0.

ALL-TIME SERIES SCORES
Date Score
Aug. 10, 2002 @San Jose 52, Orlando 40 (PO)
May 17, 2002 San Jose 77, @Orlando 45
May 26, 2001 Orlando 59, @San Jose 35
May 24, 1996 @San Jose 42, Orlando 25
Aug. 13, 1995 Orlando 55, @San Jose 37 (PO)
July 22, 1995 @San Jose 54, Orlando 27

THE IFS...:
If the SaberCats defeat Orlando it would...
*Snap San Jose's 5-game reg. season road losing streak.
*Be San Jose's 3rd straight win over the Predators.
*Give San Jose a 5-2 series lead.
*Give San Jose a 20-10 all-time record against Southern Division teams.
*Give San Jose a 10-6 all-time road record against Southern Division teams.
*Give San Jose a 95-52 all-time regular season record.
*Give San Jose a 43-32 all-time reg. season road record.

THE COACHES:
San Jose – Darren Arbet, 7th season
65-27 (.707) reg. season; 74-30 (.712) overall
2-1 (.667) career vs. Orlando
Now in his seventh season at the helm of the SaberCats, two-time Coach of the Year Darren Arbet surpassed John Gregory for sole possession of 7th place in career coaching victories when he won No. 74 on Feb. 5, 2005 and his career overall winning percentage of .712 (74-30) ranks as one of the best in AFL history. Last season Arbet led his club to its second league title in three years and the SaberCats tied a league record by winning 10 or more regular season games for the fifth consecutive season. Since the start of the 2000 season his teams have compiled a 59-19 (.756) regular season record and 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).

Orlando – Jay Gruden, 6th season
49-28 (.636) reg. season; 57-31 (.648) overall
1-0 (1.000) career vs. San Jose
Gruden is now in his second stint and begins his 6th year overall as Head Coach and Director of Football Operations for the Orlando Predators. After a Hall of Fame career as a quarterback for the Tampa Bay Storm, Gruden began his coaching career in 1997 by serving as offensive assistant for the Nashville Kats. One season later, the Predators made him the youngest head coach in the AFL. Gruden would go on to lead the Predators to three consecutive appearances in the ArenaBowl and a pair of championships. After guiding the Predators to a fourth consecutive trip to the playoffs in 2001, Gruden announced his intentions to resign in order to return to the playing field after a five-year layoff. In two seasons as Predators quarterback, Gruden directed Orlando to back-to-back appearances in the semifinals, falling one game short of his goal of returning to the ArenaBowl as a player. Off-season surgery, combined with the tragic loss of former Head Coach Fran Papasedero in a June 19, 2003 traffic accident, resulted in Gruden returning to the sideline. Gruden will take a 57-31 (.648) all-time coaching record into the game. He is 49-28 in regular season games.

RECENT RESULTS: Los Angeles 71, SABERCATS 69 – Los Angeles quarterback John Kaleo threw seven touchdown passes and the Avengers withstood a furious fourth quarter comeback by the San Jose SaberCats to post a 71-69 win at STAPLES Center. Kaleo tossed four scoring passes in the second quarter and WR/LB Greg Hopkins returned an interception three yards for a touchdown helping Los Angeles erase a 14-3 first quarter deficit by outscoring San Jose 34-7 in the second stanza. The Avengers were aided in the second quarter by four consecutive San Jose turnovers, including two interceptions by Hopkins from his linebacker position. "He (Hopkins) plays it (linebacker) as well as anybody," said SaberCats quarterback Mark Grieb. "He does a nice job of stepping up and that's it. I just have to be able to see that better and not give it up to him." Kaleo's seventh scoring pass of the game, a 25-yard strike to Jerome Riley with 2:05 left in the fourth quarter, gave Los Angeles it's biggest lead of the game at 68-49 and set the stage for a frantic last minute of play. Following the one-minute warning San Jose scored twice in eight seconds to draw close. Grieb threw a 41-yard TD pass to James Roe and following an onside kick recovery by lineman Albrey Battle, Grieb teamed with Rashied Davis on a 38-yard scoring play to get San Jose within 68-62 with 52 seconds left. Remy Hamilton upped the Avengers lead to 71-62 by connecting on a 19-yard field goal with 34 seconds left. Barry Wagner caught a 13-yard pass on San Jose's next possession to become the AFL's career leader in receptions with 950. He passed former Albany/Indiana Firebird Eddie Brown, who amassed 949 catches in his career. Wagner ended the drive by catching a 9-yard scoring pass with 18 seconds left. "It's great," said Wagner of his record, "but it doesn't mean anything right now." Dan Frantz' onside kick attempt sailed out of bounds and the Avengers ran out the clock to break a 3-game losing streak to the SaberCats. Grieb tied a team record and career-high with 31 completions for 399 yards, the third-highest game total in franchise history, and seven TDs on 46 attempts. James Roe was his favorite target hauling in a game-high 10 passes for 147 yards and three scores. San Jose's 1-3 record matches the 1996 club for the worst four-game start in franchise history.

ROSTER MOVES: Prior to their game at New Orleans the SaberCats activated two-time Defensive Player of the Year Clevan Thomas from IR. Thomas was put on IR last March after sustaining a torn ACL in a game at New York on Mar. 7. The club also signed veteran OL/DL Tony Plantin to the 24-man roster off the practice squad and placed OL/DL Cedric Pittman (patellar tendon) on IR. DS Tremain Mack was also waived.

RECENT ROSTER MOVES
Date Action
Jan. 26 Signed WR/LB Shalon Baker, WR/LB Mike Duncan and WR/LB George Williams to the practice squad.
Jan. 28 Re-signed OL/DL Cedric Pittman and OL/DL George Williams. Signed WR/LB Shalon Baker from the practice squad. Placed OS James Hundon on IR.
Feb. 4 Activated OL/DL Frank Beede from Refused to Report. Placed OL/DL Kevin Jordan on IR. Signed OL/DL Tony Plantin to practice squad.
Feb. 11 Signed OL/DL Tony Plantin from the practice squad. Activated DS Clevan Thomas from IR. Placed OL/DL Cedric Pittman on IR. Waived DS Tremain Mack.
Feb. 15 Signed WR/LB Dave Klemic to practice squad.
Feb. 17 Signed DS Tremain Mack. Placed DS Omarr Smith on IR.
Feb. 18 Activated OL/DL Sebastian Barrie, WR/LB Yardon Brantley and WR/DB Erin Damond from IR. Placed WR/LB Shalon Baker, OL/DL Frank Beede, WR/DB Rodney Wright and OL/DL Devin Wyman on IR.

INJURY REPORT
Player Injury Status
James Hundon Cervical Spine OUT (IR)
Cedric Pittman Patellar dislocation OUT (IR)
Shalon Baker Shoulder sprain OUT (IR)
Frank Beede Thumb sprain OUT (IR)
Devin Wyman Knee sprain OUT (IR)
Omarr Smith Ruptured patellar OUT (IR)
Rodney Wright Hamstring strain OUT (IR)

MILESTONES:
*Calvin Schexnayder needs 4 receptions for 600 career.
*Barry Wagner needs 3 TDs for 400 career; 1 rush TD for 120 career, 46 receiving yards for 13,000 career and 7 receptions to pass Hundon for 3rd place in SJ career list.
*Rashied Davis needs 14 receptions for 100 career and 158 receiving yards for 1,000 career.
*Shalon Baker needs 2 receptions for 250 career and 2 TD receptions for 60 career.
*James Roe needs 6 TDs and 122 receiving yards to become team's all-time leader in both categories.
*Dan Frantz needs 14 points to move into 3rd place all-time and 9 made PATs to move into 2nd place all-time.
*Mark Grieb needs 19 completions for 1,500 career and 689 yards for 20,000 career
*Matt Kinsinger needs 1 rush attempt for 100 in SJ career and 4 rush yards for 350 in SJ career.

2005 LEAGUE TEAM RANKINGS
Category SaberCats Predators
Scoring Offense (Rank) 57.2 (2nd) 45.4 (14th)
Scoring Defense 56.8 (15th) 39.8 (1st)
Total Offense 343.5 (1st) 250.6 (15th)
Total Defense 320.0 (14th) 240.6 (3rd)
Pass Offense 332.2 (1st) 215.6 (15th)
Pass Defense 301.8 (15th) 229.2 (3rd)
Rushing Offense 11.2 (14th) 35.0 (3rd)
Rushing Defense 18.2 (8th) 11.4 (2nd)
Touchdowns 34 (3rd) 23 (5th)
Pass Rating 109.3 (10th) 97.0 (14th)
Pass Defense Rating 122.6 (15th) 91.9 (3rd)
Interceptions 3 (T-12th) 4 (T-9th)
Kickoff Return Avg. 21.7 (2nd) 13.9 (17th)
Field Goal Return Avg. 0.0 (T-13th) 1.0 (12th)
Turnover Margin -2 (12th) 0 (9th)
Sacks By 2 (T-9th) 8 (3rd)
Sacks Against 5 (13th) 11 (17th)

2005 SABERCATS AMONG LEAGUE LEADERS
Player Category No. Rank
Mark Grieb Total Offense 1,330 2nd
Mark Grieb Completion Pct. 66.1 6th
Mark Grieb Pass TDs 23 T-3rd
Mark Grieb Passer Rating 112.8 8th
Mark Grieb Passing Yards 1,324 2nd
Mark Grieb Pass Completions 109 3rd
Mark Grieb Pass Yards/Game 331.0 1st
James Roe Scoring 78 2nd
James Roe Touchdowns 13 2nd
James Roe Receptions 34 T-8th
James Roe Receiving Yards 460 4th
James Roe TD Receptions 12 T-2nd
Matt Kinsinger Rush TDs 4 T-5th
Rashied Davis KO Return Avg. 27.0 2nd
Rashied Davis KO Return TDs 1 T-2nd
Barry Wagner KO Returns 13 T-9th
Barry Wagner KO Return Yards 252 8th

TRENDS:
ON THE ROAD...AGAIN – San Jose concludes its stretch of three consecutive road games with its contest at Orlando on Mar. 6. Dating back to last season the SaberCats have lost five straight regular season road games and six out of the last seven. San Jose lost its final three road games in 1996 and its first three in 1997 for a record six straight regular season road losses. San Jose's 3-game road trip also matches the longest in team history.

SPECIAL TEAMS – San Jose's kickoff return coverage has been special over the past two seasons. San Jose and Philadelphia were the only teams to NOT allow a kickoff return TD in 2004 and the SaberCats are at it again. Including playoffs, the SaberCats have not allowed a KOR score in the last 25 games. The last time an opponent scored on a kickoff return was on May 31, 2003 when Georgia's Markeith Cooper scampered 56 yards in a quarterfinal playoff game.

BYE, BYE – The SaberCats hope to say good-bye to their recent road woes and following a bye week has been particularly advantageous. The team has had a bye week six times in the previous 10 seasons and the club is 5-1 all-time following an open date, including wins in each of the last four games after a bye. The SaberCats are 2-1 on the road following their off week with their only loss coming on July 19, 1996, a 48-43 setback at Milwaukee.

TOTAL OFFENSE – The SaberCats amassed 410 yards of total offense in their loss at Los Angeles on Feb. 20, the 3rd highest single-game output in team history, and the teams combined for 783 total net yards setting a new San Jose record. The SaberCats have reached the 300-yard mark in each of their first four games and top the circuit with an average of 343.5 yards per game.

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS – Despite having a 1-3 record the SaberCats have outscored their opponents on the season. San Jose has scored a total of 229 points on the year while allowing 227. San Jose's last two losses have come by a combined three points.

TWO GAMES UNDER – The SaberCats have not been two games under .500 since the end of the 1999 season when the squad lost its final three games of the year to finish with a 6-8 record in Darren Arbet's first season as head coach.

WINNING WAYS – San Jose and Orlando are two of just three teams win 50 or more regular season games since the start of the 2000 season. The SaberCats have won 59 games and the Predators have 52 wins. Arizona is the only other team to crack the 50-win mark over the last six seasons.

Team Record Pct.
San Jose SaberCats 59-19 .756
Arizona Rattlers 53-26 .671
Orlando Predators 52-27 .658

IN THE SIXTIES – San Jose reached the 60-point mark for the 3rd straight game in its 71-69 loss at Los Angeles on Feb. 20, matching the second longest consecutive 60-plus point games streak in team history. The SaberCats scored 60 or more points in a game four straight times during the 2002 campaign (5/11 to 6/1) to set the team record. It was also the 45th time in franchise history cracking the 60-point barrier, but dropped the team's all time record to 39-6 when scoring 60 or more.

DOWN SOUTH – Two of San Jose's three losses on the season have come on the road to teams from the Southern Division. The SaberCats lost their opener at Tampa Bay on Jan. 30 and were defeated 62-61 in New Orleans on Feb. 13. San Jose owns a 19-9 all-time record against Southern Division foes and is 9-6 on the road.

NOTES:
RETURN TO ORLANDO – Barry Wagner makes his return to Orlando where he spent the first eight years of his 15-year AFL career (1992-99). Wagner still holds over 30 Predators game, season and career records and won six straight Ironman of the Year awards (1992-97) and two MVP's (1995, 97). Wagner signed with San Jose following the 1999 season.

CATCH THIS – Barry Wagner added another chapter to his AFL record book at Los Angeles on Feb. 20. Wagner caught 7 passes to overtake former Albany/Indiana Firebird Eddie Brown as the league's career leader with 952. Brown totaled 949 during his 10-year AFL career. Wagner also became the 4th player in San Jose history to record 300 career receptions by raising his total to 301 in a SaberCats uniform.

TEAM CAREER RECEPTION LEADERS
Rank Player Receptions
1. James Roe 338
2. Steve Papin 326
3. James Hundon 307
4. Barry Wagner 301
5. Shalon Baker 248

MORE WAGS – Now that he has the AFL's receptions record, Wagner has his sights set on the all-purpose yardage mark. Wagner totaled 69 all-purpose yards at Los Angeles on Feb. 20 to increase his career total to 20,268, leaving him just 212 yards shy of tying George LaFrance for 2nd place on the AFL's career chart. Arizona's Hunkie Cooper is the career leader with 20,550.

AFL CAREER ALL-PURPOSE YARDAGE
Rank Player All-Purpose Yds
1. Hunkie Cooper 20,550
2. George LaFrance 20,480
3. Barry Wagner 20,268

PASSING FANCY – QB Mark Grieb matched a team record and tied his career-high with 31 completions at Los Angeles on Feb. 20. He also threw for 399 yards, the 3rd highest game total in team history and 7 TDs on 46 attempts. With 109 completions and an average of 331.0 passing yards a game through the first quarter of the season, Grieb is on pace to obliterate the league season records in both categories. At his current clip, Grieb would throw 436 completions for more than 5,200 yards. Andy Kelly set the completions record with 392 for Detroit in 2003 and Dallas' Jim Kubiak threw for 4,762 yards also in 2003.

MOST PASS YARDS, AFL SEASON
Rk Name Year Yards
1. Jim Kubiak, Dalls 2003 4,762
2. Aaron Garcia, New York 2001 4,515
3. Clint Dolezel, Las Vegas 2004 4,450
4. Clint Dolezel, Grand Rapids 2003 4,430
5. Clint Dolezel, Houston 1999 4,336

CALL IT A COMEBACK – The SaberCats nearly made history with a comeback of epic proportions at Los Angeles on Feb. 20. Trailing 51-35 the SaberCats, behind QB Mark Grieb, scored a team record 34 fourth quarter points and were an onside kick recovery away from having a chance to win the contest. Grieb spearheaded the comeback by completing 16 passes in the quarter, which was one more than he had completed in the first three quarters combined, for 219 yards and 5 TDs. San Jose scored three TDs in the final minute of play, including two within eight seconds. Grieb tossed a 41-yard TD to James Roe at the one-minute warning and following an onside kick recovery by OL/DL Albrey Battle, Grieb hit Rashied Davis on a 38-yard scoring play.

‘ROE' LIFIC – Starting at OS for a second straight game, James Roe once again led the team with 10 receptions, 147 yards and 3 TDs at Los Angeles on Feb. 20. It was the 17th career 100-plus receiving yard game for Roe tying him with Steve Papin for 2nd place all-time. James Hundon had 22 games with over 100 receiving yards in his career. Roe also extended his franchise record of double-digit reception games to 12 with his effort at L.A. In two games as the team's OS Roe has 23 catches for 315 yards with 8 TDs. Roe is among the league leaders in scoring (78), touchdowns (13), receptions (34) and receiving yards (460). Already the team's career leader in receptions with 328 and receiving TDs with 112, Roe needs just 122 receiving yards to catch Hundon as the club's all-time leader in that category.

TEAM CAREER RECEIVING YARDS
Rank Player Recv. Yards
1. James Hundon 4,648
2. James Roe 4,526
3. Steve Papin 4,282
4. Jerry Reese 3,485
5. Barry Wagner 3,464

TEAM CAREER RECEIVING TOUCHDOWNS
Rank Player Recv. TDs
1. James Roe 112
2. James Hundon 99
3. Jerry Reese 76
4. Steve Papin 65
5. Shalon Baker 58

IT'S HOW YOU FINISH – San Jose's 1-3 record on the season matches the 1998 team for the worst four-game start in franchise history. The 1998 SaberCats went on to win six of their last 10 games to qualify for the playoffs with a 7-7 record. In league history only one defending ArenaBowl champion has started a season with a 1-3 record. The 2001 Orlando Predators began their title defense with a 1-3 start and went on the end the year with an 8-6 record and a playoff berth.

GIMME YOUR BEST SHOT – The SaberCats rank 2nd in the league in scoring at 57.2 ppg and have scored 60 or more points in each of the last three games...Orlando has allowed the fewest points at 39.8 per game and have not given up more than 46 in a game.

D-FENCE – The last AFL Defensive Player of the Year not named Clevan Thomas or Kenny McEntyre was six years ago when Nashville's James Baron won the award following the 1999 season. Since then Orlando's McEntyre has won the award three times (2000-01, 2004) and San Jose's Thomas captured it twice (2002-03). Thomas has played in two games, both victories, against the Predators posting 8.0 tackles, 2 interceptions and 4 PBUs. In those two games the SaberCats have allowed just 42.5 points per game. McEntyre has played in three games against the SaberCats with 9.5 total tackles and 3 PBUs. San Jose has averaged 54.7 points in the three games against the reigning Defensive Player of the Year.

RAH-SHEED – With close to 50 family and friends in attendance at STAPLES Center on Feb. 20, WR/DB Rashied Davis put on quite a show. After breaking a bone in his hand during training camp, Davis was forced to play only defense the first two games due to a soft cast on his hand. Now that the injury has healed, look out. Davis returned kicks for the first time this season and made an immediate impact. He returned his first attempt of the year 55-yards for a score, the 5th kickoff return TD of his career, and totaled 216 yards, the 2nd highest game total in team history, on 8 attempts. Not only was Davis a threat on kickoff returns, he also shined as a receiver setting career-highs with 8 receptions, 117 yards and 2 TDs. For the game Davis totaled 333 all-purpose yards, the 4th highest single game total in team history and just the 8th time a SaberCat has amassed over 300 all-purpose yards in a game.

MOST ALL-PURPOSE YARDS, GAME
Rk Player, Date Yards
1. Steve Papin, at Los Angeles 7/8/00 380
2. Steve Papin, vs New England 6/9/00 356
3. Titus Dixon, at Milwaukee 7/19/96 337
4. Rashied Davis, at L.A. 2/20/05 333
5. Steve Papin, vs Florida 6/19/99 327

WHAT A RUSH – Matt Kinsinger, the only true FB/LB on the team's roster, has done the bulk of the duty offensively. Kinsinger leads the team with 27 yards and 4 TDs on 6 rush attempts. His only carry at Los Angeles was a 5-yard TD, the 25th rushing score in his career as a SaberCat. With his next rush attempt Kinsinger will become the 5th player in team history to rush the ball 100 times.

TEAM CAREER RUSH YARD LEADERS
Rk. Player Rush Yds
1. Derrick Chachere 442
2. Tom Petithomme 400
3. Matt Kinsinger 346
4. Mike Jones 328
5. Steve Papin 326

TEAM CAREER RUSH ATTEMPT LEADERS
Rk. Player Rush Atts
1. Derrick Chachere 154
2. Steve Papin 145
3. Barry Wagner 116
4. Mike Jones 104
5. Matt Kinsinger 99

TEAM CAREER RUSH TD LEADERS
Rk. Player Rush TDs
1. Barry Wagner 50
2. Steve Papin 43
3. Derrick Chachere 34
4. Matt Kinsinger 25
5. Tom Petithomme 16

SHAKE SHAKE SHAKE – After missing the game at New Orleans on Feb. 13 with a bruised foot, Calvin Schexnayder returned to catch 6 passes for 66 yards and a TD at Los Angeles on Feb. 20. Shakes currently ranks 2nd on the team in receptions (21), receiving yards (271) and TD catches (5) and is nearing a career milestone. With four more receptions, Schexnayder will become the 10th player in league history to register 600 career catches. Schexnayder also ranks 8th all-time with 8,287 receiving yards.

COUNTDOWN – With six more regular season wins the SaberCats will become the fourth franchise in AFL history to post 100 victories in regular season play. San Jose currently has 94 wins with only Tampa Bay (133), Orlando (126) and Arizona (122) having more. Tampa Bay and Orlando both came into existence in 1991 while Arizona joined the league in 1992. San Jose didn't join the AFL until 1995.

THE KICKING GAME – K Dan Frantz was a perfect 9-of-9 on PAT attempts and for the third time in four games he failed to attempt a field goal at Los Angeles on Feb. 20. The SaberCats are the only team in the AFL not to make a field goal so far in 2005. Frantz has been sharp however. For the second consecutive game Frantz had a successful onside kick at Los Angeles and the team has recovered 2 of 8 onside kick attempts this year.

THE MALLEY FACTOR – After putting up the lowest point total in offensive coordinator Terry Malley's tenure in a season opening 63-33 loss at Tampa Bay on Jan. 30, the SaberCats have responded by topping the 60-point mark in each of the last three games. Since Malley took over as the team's OC 84 regular season games ago, the SaberCats have scored 60 or more points in a game 39 times. Prior to Malley taking over, the team scored 60-or-more points just six times in 62 regular season games. The team record for consecutive 60-plus point games is four, which was accomplished during the 2002 season.

ORLANDO PLAYERS TO WATCH:
DS KENNY MCENTYRE – One of the top defensive specialists in AFL history, ‘The Glove,' as he is known, is a three-time Defensive Player of the Year award winner (2000-01, 2004) and has also been a first team All-AFL pick in each of the last five years (2000-04). McEntyre is the AFL's all-time interceptions leader with 56 and has returned a league-high tying 10 of those for scores. However, in three games against the SaberCats, McEntyre has not intercepted a pass and has totaled 9.5 tackles and 3 PBUs.

QB JOE HAMILTON – The 1999 Heisman Trophy runner-up enters his second season leading the Predators offense. Hamilton has guided the Predators to a 4-1 record in 2005 by completing 100-of-161 passes for 1,128 yards and 19 TDs with 6 INTs. He is also a threat outside the pocket as the team's third leading rusher with 31 yards and 4 TDs on 14 carries. His rush yards and attempts are more than any San Jose player. This will be Hamilton's first game against San Jose.






WEEKLY PLAYERS OF THE GAME:

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME:
Opponent (Date) Player
@Tampa Bay (Jan 30) QB Shane Stafford, Tampa Bay
LAS VEGAS (Feb 5) OS Calvin Schexnayder, San Jose
@New Orleans (Feb 13) QB Andy Kelly, New Orleans
@Los Angeles (Feb 20) WR/DB Tony Locke, Los Angeles
@Orlando (Mar 6)
PHILADELPHIA (Mar 11)
GRAND RAPIDS (Mar 18)
@Las Vegas (Mar 28)
ARIZONA (Apr 3)
@Chicago (Apr 10)
DALLAS (Apr 15)
@Colorado (Apr 22)
NASHVILLE (Apr 29)
LOS ANGELES (May 7)
@Arizona (May 14)
GEORGIA (May 21)


ADT DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME:
Opponent (Date) Player
@Tampa Bay (Jan 30) DS Tramain Jones, Tampa Bay
LAS VEGAS (Feb 5) DS Omarr Smith, San Jose
@New Orleans (Feb 13) OL/DL B.J. Cohen, New Orleans
@Los Angeles (Feb 20) WR/LB Greg Hopkins, Los Angeles
@Orlando (Mar 6)
PHILADELPHIA (Mar 11)
GRAND RAPIDS (Mar 18)
@Las Vegas (Mar 28)
ARIZONA (Apr 3)
@Chicago (Apr 10)
DALLAS (Apr 15)
@Colorado (Apr 22)
NASHVILLE (Apr 29)
LOS ANGELES (May 7)
@Arizona (May 14)
GEORGIA (May 21)


ARMY IRONMAN OF THE GAME:
Opponent (Date) Player
@Tampa Bay (Jan 30) WR/LB Lawrence Samuels, TBY
LAS VEGAS (Feb 5) FB/LB Matt Kinsinger, San Jose
@New Orleans (Feb 13) WR/LB Thabiti Davis, New Orleans
@Los Angeles (Feb 20) WR/LB Greg Hopkins, Los Angeles
@Orlando (Mar 6)
PHILADELPHIA (Mar 11)
GRAND RAPIDS (Mar 18)
@Las Vegas (Mar 28)
ARIZONA (Apr 3)
@Chicago (Apr 10)
DALLAS (Apr 15)
@Colorado (Apr 22)
NASHVILLE (Apr 29)
LOS ANGELES (May 7)
@Arizona (May 14)
GEORGIA (May 21)


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 0-1 1-0
40-49 points 0-0 0-0
50-59 points 0-0 0-0
60-69 points 1-2 0-2
70-79 points 0-0 0-1
80+ points 0-0 0-0

Games decided
by 7 or fewer points 0-0
by 3 or fewer points 0-2

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

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

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

Scoring First 1-1
Opp. Score First 0-2

More Total Offense 0-3
Less Total Offense 1-0

More Pass Yards 0-3
Less Pass Yards 1-0

More Rushing Yards 1-1
Less Rushing Yards 0-2

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

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

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

Winning coin toss 0-1
Losing coin toss 1-2

Outscoring Opponent 1-0
Being Outscored 0-3

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 28, 2005


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