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San Jose SaberCats game notes

March 22, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
San Jose SaberCats News Release


THE QUICK FACTS:
Game: SaberCats (4-3) at Las Vegas Gladiators (5-3).
Date: Monday, March 28, 2005.
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. (PST).
Site: Thomas & Mack Center (16,606).
Officials: Referee: Pat Garvey; Umpire: Paul King; Head Linesman: Bill Ward; Line Judge: Wayne Mackie; Back Judge: Dino Paganelli.
Television: The game will be televised live in the Bay Area on WB20 with Barry Tompkins (play-by-play) and Keena Turner (commentary) calling the action. The game will be rebroadcast on NBC11 on Sunday, April 3 following Saturday Night Live at 1:00 a.m.
Radio: San Jose's flagship station KNBR-1050 will broadcast the game live with Ted Robinson (play-by-play) and George Atkinson (commentary).
Internet: Log on to www.KNBR.com to hear a live webcast of Sunday's game.
Series Record: SaberCats lead 3-1.
Last Meeting: SaberCats 66, Gladiators 31 on Feb. 5, 2005 in San Jose.
Series Streaks: SaberCats Won 1.
Coaches: San Jose, Darren Arbet (7th season; 68-27 regular season, 77-30 overall). Las Vegas, Ron James (1st season; 5-3 regular season and overall).

OVERVIEW: The SaberCats won their third straight game and climbed above the .500 mark for the first time in 2005 with their 72-48 win over Grand Rapids on Mar. 18. They will now travel to Las Vegas for an important Western Division battle with the Gladiators on Monday, March 28 with first place at stake. The game will be televised live locally on WB20 beginning at 7:00 p.m. (PT). San Jose tallied a season-high point total in its win over Grand Rapids and improved to 19-1 all-time when scoring 70-or-more points in a game. OS Rashied Davis tied a team single-game record with two kickoff return TDs and set career-highs with 5 TDs, 341 all-purpose yards and 235 yards on kickoff returns. He also added a game-high 105 receiving yards, his 2nd straight 100-yard game, on six catches. Overlooked in the offensive output was San Jose's defense, which turned in another solid performance in holding the Rampage to just seven second half points and 220 yards of total offense. The SaberCats shutout Grand Rapids in the fourth quarter and have not yielded a fourth quarter point in their three home games...The SaberCats defeated Las Vegas, 66-31, earlier this season in San Jose on Feb. 5, and are 3-1 all-time against the Gladiators. San Jose's only loss in the series came in Las Vegas, 44-35, on May 16, 2004.

THE SCHEDULES:

2005 San Jose SaberCats (4-3)
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
Mar. 6 @Orlando Won 57-38
Mar. 11 PHILADELPHIA Won 52-26
Mar. 18 GRAND RAPIDS Won 72-48
Date Opponent Time (PT) Radio/TV
Mar. 28 @Las Vegas 7:00 pm 1050/WB
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 Las Vegas Gladiators (5-3)
Game Opponent Result Score
Jan. 30 LOS ANGELES Won 46-37
Feb. 5 @San Jose Lost 31-66
Feb. 11 NEW YORK Won 41-37
Feb. 20 GEORGIA Lost 13-38
Feb. 26 @Nashville Won 40-32
Mar. 4 AUSTIN Lost 41-42
Mar. 12 @Columbus Won 63-34
Mar. 19 @Arizona Won 66-63
Game Opponent Time (PT) TV
Mar. 28 SAN JOSE 7:00 pm
Apr. 3 @Colorado 12:00 pm
Apr. 8 GRAND RAPIDS 7:00 pm
Apr. 17 @Philadelphia 10:00 am NBC
May 1 @Chicago 10:00 am NBC
May 7 DALLAS 7:00 pm
May 14 @Los Angeles 7:30 pm
May 22 ARIZONA 12:00 pm NBC

THE SERIES: The SaberCats won the first meeting between division rivals this year, 66-31, on Feb. 5, 2005 in San Jose and leads the all-time series 3-1...San Jose's only series loss came in Las Vegas on May 16, 2004, a 44-35 setback...The teams have split the two games in Las Vegas with the SaberCats winning 72-37 on Mar. 2, 2003 in the team's first ever meeting...San Jose has scored 217 points (72.3 ppg) in three series wins while scoring just 35 points in its only loss

WHAT'S AHEAD: The SaberCats return to HP Pavilion on Sunday, April 3, for a 6:00 p.m. game and a rematch of ArenaBowl XVIII against the Arizona Rattlers.

SERIES NOTABLES: The Las Vegas franchise was located in New Jersey and known as the Red Dogs before being sold and changing its nickname before the 2001 season. The SaberCats played the New Jersey Red Dogs three times posting a pair of wins...The SaberCats held Las Vegas scoreless in the second half of their 66-31 win on Feb. 5, 2005...San Jose's point total in its 79-62 win over Las Vegas on Mar. 20, 2004 tied for the fifth-highest in team history...The SaberCats tied a league and team record by scoring six times on the ground against Las Vegas on Mar. 20, 2004, and have scored 13 rush TDs in the four series games...FB Matt Kinsinger has rushed for 39 yards and 5 TDs on 12 carries in four games against Las Vegas...Gladiators QB Clint Dolezel threw for a San Jose opponent record 451 yards on Mar. 20, 2004...The SaberCats have had four different players lead the team in receptions in each of the four games (Schexnayder 11 on 2/5/05; Wagner 5 on 5/16/04; Davis 5 on 3/20/04; Roe 8 on 3/2/03)...Mark Grieb tied a career-high and team record with three interceptions at Las Vegas on May 16, 2004...Rashied Davis scored on a 10-yard reception, a 4-yard run and a 57-yard kickoff return, and collected an interception to earn game Ironman honors against Las Vegas on Mar. 20, 2004...Davis also snared his 1st career interception at Las Vegas on Mar. 2, 2003...San Jose has intercepted 8 passes in the four series games against Las Vegas...Barry Wagner has 2 career INTs against the Gladiators with his 50-yard INT return at Las Vegas on May 16, 2004 being the second-longest in team history...The SaberCats are a perfect 24-for-24 in red zone scoring chances in four series games against the Gladiators.

LAST SERIES MEETING: SABERCATS 66, Las Vegas 31 • Saturday, Feb. 5, 2005 • HP Pavilion – Mark Grieb threw six touchdown passes and the SaberCats defense held the Las Vegas Gladiators (1-1) scoreless in the second half to earn their first win of the season, 66-31, before a regular season-record crowd of 16,221 at HP Pavilion at San Jose. The SaberCats won their eighth straight home opener to even their record at 1-1. Grieb completed 15 of 21 passes and threw four touchdowns in the first half to three different receivers. He hit his favorite target of the game Calvin Schexnayder to open up the third quarter and give the SaberCats a 47-31 lead. Las Vegas quarterback Clint Dolezel threw for four touchdowns of his own but also tossed two interceptions, including one to Omarr Smith. Gladiators OS Marcus Nash caught two touchdown passes before being forced to leave the game with an injury sustained while going over the boards reaching for a pass in the second quarter. The second half was dominated by San Jose as Grieb threw two more touchdown passes to Schexnayder to finish his day with 275 total yards passing. Dolezel finished his day completing 18 of his 30 attempts. Coco Blalock led the Gladiators with five catches for 61 yards in the absence of Nash who had amassed 128 yards in the first half alone. Dolezel would throw one more interception, this time to Matt Kinsinger as Las Vegas was unable to reach the SaberCats endzone in the second half. San Jose DS Omarr Smith, who had 7.5 tackles and a pair of break ups to go along with his interception, was named the ADT Defensive Player of the Game while Schexnayder, who totaled 131 yards and three TDs on his 11 receptions, earned Offensive Player of the Game honors. Kinsinger, who ran for a pair of scores and had a game-high 16 yards on 3 rush attempts to go along with his 1st career interception, was tabbed the game's Ironman.

SCORE BY QUARTERS
Gladiators................................ 7 24 0 0 – 31
SaberCats................................ 19 21 7 19 – 66

SCORING SUMMARY
Team Play
SAN Schexnayder 12 pass from Grieb (kick failed)
SAN Kinsinger 8 run (kick failed)
LVG Nash 34 pass from Dolezel (Lewis kick)
SAN Fernandez 2 run (Frantz kick)
SAN Roe 28 pass from Grieb (Frantz kick)
LVG Nash 43 pass from Dolezel (Lewis kick)
SAN Roe 6 pass from Grieb (Frantz kick)
LVG Filer 2 pass from Dolezel (Lewis kick)
SAN Fernandez 1 pass from Grieb (Frantz kick)
LVG Lord 20 pass from Dolezel (Lewis kick)
LVG FG Lewis 17
SAN Schexnayder 10 pass from Grieb (Frantz kick)
SAN Kinsinger 7 run (kick failed)
SAN Schexnayder 11 pass from Grieb (Frantz kick)
SAN Baker 2 run (kick failed)

INDIVIDUAL STASTICS
Passing: LVG – Dolezel 18-30-2-258; Robinson 3-4-0-31. SAN – Grieb 23-31-1-275; Rolovich 2-3-0-19.
Rushing: LVG – Filer 2-10; Carter 1-5; Robinson 1-0; Dolezel 1-(-1). SAN – Kinsinger 3-16; Fernandez 1-2; Baker 4-0.
Receiving: LVG – Blalock 5-61; Nash 4-128; Lord 4-48; Porter 3-27; Filer 3-18; Douglass 1-5; Bullard 1-2. SAN – Schexnayder 11-131; Roe 4-62; Baker 4-53; Wagner 3-39; Fernandez 3-9.
Kick Returns: LVG – Blalock 7-118; Douglass 2-33. SAN – Wagner 3-46; Baker 1-38.

ALL-TIME SERIES SCORES
Date Score
Feb. 5, 2005 @San Jose 66, Las Vegas 31
May 16, 2004 @Las Vegas 44, San Jose 35
Mar. 20, 2004 @San Jose 79, Las Vegas 62
Mar. 2, 2003 San Jose 72, @Las Vegas 37
June 14, 1998 San Jose 51, @New Jersey 33
July 11, 1997 San Jose 51, @New Jersey 36
June 27, 1997 New Jersey 24, @San Jose 22

THE IFS...:
If the SaberCats defeat Las Vegas it would...
*Give them a 4-game winning streak.
*Move their season record to 5-3.
*Be their 2nd straight win over the Gladiators.
*Give them a 4-1 series lead over the Gladiators
*Give San Jose a 39-22 all-time record against Western Division opponents.
*Give San Jose a 15-13 all-time road record against Western Division opponents.
*Give San Jose a 107-58 all-time record.
*Give San Jose a 98-52 all-time regular season record.
*Give San Jose a 44-32 all-time regular season road record.



THE COACHES:
San Jose – Darren Arbet, 7th season
68-27 (.716) reg. season; 77-30 (.720) overall
3-1 (.750) career vs. Las Vegas
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 .720 (77-30) 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 62-19 (.765) 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).

Las Vegas – Ron James, 1st season
5-3 (.625) reg. season and overall
0-1 (.000) career vs. San Jose
Ron James enters his first season as the head coach of the Gladiators and his seventh season in the Arena Football League. A former line coach with the Gladiators and Houston ThunderBears in the AFL, James also coached a combined fourteen years at the collegiate level. A four-year starter at offensive tackle at Siena College, James was a N.C.F.A All-America First Team and two-time First-Team All-Conference selection. He became the first Gladiators coach to win a season opener when Las Vegas defeated Los Angeles, 47-36, on Jan. 30 and he has guided the squad to a franchise-best tying record (5-3) after the first eight games of the season.

RECENT RESULTS: SABERCATS 72, Grand Rapids 48 – San Jose offensive specialist Rashied Davis scored five touchdowns to propel the SaberCats (4-3) to their third straight win, 72-48 over the Grand Rapids Rampage (1-6) on Friday night in an Arena Football League game. Davis amassed 341 all-purpose yards in the game, the third highest single-game total in team history, and scored San Jose's first touchdown on a 53-yard kickoff return to tie the score at 7-7. The team's combined for 56 second quarter points with the SaberCats scoring five times, the last score coming on a 54-yard kickoff return by Davis with no time left on the clock to give San Jose a 49-41 lead at the break. Davis tied a franchise game record with his two kickoff return scores and added a pair of receiving touchdowns and a 1-yard scoring run in the second half as San Jose broke open a close game by outscoring the Rampage 23-7. Rampage QB Michael Bishop, the league's leading rusher, was held to just five yards on three carries. He did complete 20-of-33 passes for 222 yards with five touchdowns. Former Los Angeles Avenger Chris Jackson totaled a career-high 259 all-purpose yards and ended San Jose's string of 26 consecutive games without allowing a kickoff return touchdown by going 55-yards with a second quarter return. It was the second career kickoff return score for Jackson with both coming against San Jose. Rampage defensive back Chuck Wesley intercepted Mark Grieb's second pass of the game leading to a 10-yard Bishop to Josh Bush touchdown pass and a quick 7-0 lead just over three minutes into the contest. Grieb recovered to complete 17-of-26 on the night for 277 yards and six scores. Davis had his second straight 100-yard receiving game totaling a game-high 105 on six receptions.

RECENT ROSTER MOVES
Date Action
Jan. 28 Re-signed OL/DL Cedric Pittman and OL/DL George Williams. Signed WR/LB Shalon Baker from the practice squad. Placed WR/DB 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.
Feb. 19 Activated OL/DL Kevin Jordan from IR.
Mar. 1 Signed DS Wendell Davis to the practice squad. Waived WR/LB Mike Duncan from the practice squad.
Mar. 4 Activated WR/LB Shalon Baker, OL/DL Frank Beede, WR/DB Rodney Wright and OL/DL Devin Wyman from IR. Placed OL/DL Jason Andersen, WR/DB Erin Damond, OL/DL Kevin Jordan and WR/LB Calvin Schexnayder on IR.
Mar. 11 Re-signed OL/DL Devin Wyman.
Mar. 15 Signed WR/LB Kenneth Solomon to the practice squad.

INJURY REPORT
Player Injury Status
Barry Wagner Foot sprain Probable
Sebastian Barrie Shoulder strain Probable
Ryan Fernandez Knee tendonitis Probable

MILESTONES:
*Calvin Schexnayder needs 4 receptions for 600 career.
*James Roe needs 2 TDs to pass Steve Papin as team's all-time leader and 91 yards for 5,000 career all-purpose.
*Mark Grieb needs 15 TD passes for 400 career and 42 completions for 1,500 in SJ career.
*Shalon Baker needs 2 TD receptions for 60 career, 1 TD for 400 career points and 1 rush yard for 100 career.
*Barry Wagner needs 204 all-purpose yards to become AFL's all-time leader, 1 reception to move into 3rd place in SJ career receptions and 1.5 tackles for 300 in SJ career.
*Rashied Davis needs 4 receptions for 100 career and 300 KO return yards for 2,000 career.
*Matt Kinsinger needs 1 rush TD for 30 career and 32 yards for 400 career.
*Clevan Thomas needs 3 INTs to tie Pat McGuirk for team's career lead.


2005 LEAGUE TEAM RANKINGS
Category SaberCats Gladiators
Scoring Offense (Rank) 58.6 (1st) 42.6 (15th)
Scoring Defense 48.4 (9th) 43.6 (1st)
Total Offense 323.0 (1st) 292.8 (6th)
Total Defense 274.1 (9th) 251.6 (2nd)
Pass Offense 309.0 (1st) 270.2 (7th)
Pass Defense 258.3 (9th) 235.5 (3rd)
Rushing Offense 14.0 (13th) 22.5 (6th)
Rushing Defense 15.9 (4th) 16.1 (5th)
Touchdowns 59 (T-1st) 48 (14th)
Pass Rating 114.9 (4th) 101.8 (14th)
Pass Defense Rating 109.1 (10th) 104.7 (8th)
Interceptions 7 (T-10th) 6 (T-12th)
Kickoff Return Avg. 22.1 (1st) 17.5 (9th)
Field Goal Return Avg. 3.0 (16th) 10.3 (14th)
Turnover Margin +3 (6th) -8 (16th)
3rd Down Conversions 37.1 (15th) 42.6 (10th)
4th Down Conversions 58.3 (4th) 43.8 (8th)
Sacks By 4 (T-12th) 13 (2nd)
Sacks Against 7 (T-9th) 1 (1st)

2005 SABERCATS AMONG LEAGUE LEADERS
Player Category No. Rank
Mark Grieb Total Offense 2,173 2nd
Mark Grieb Completion Pct. 66.9 7th
Mark Grieb Pass TDs 37 T-4th
Mark Grieb Passer Rating 118.5 3rd
Mark Grieb Passing Yards 2,166 2nd
Mark Grieb Pass Completions 174 3rd
Mark Grieb Pass Yards/Game 309.4 1st
Mark Grieb Pass Attempts 260 4th
James Roe Scoring 102 10th
James Roe Touchdowns 17 10th
James Roe Receptions 52 10th
James Roe Receiving Yards 709 7th
James Roe Rec. Yards/Game 101.3 5th
James Roe TD Receptions 16 T-9th
Matt Kinsinger Rush TDs 7 2nd
Rashied Davis All-purpose Yards 1,020 8th
Rashied Davis KO Return Avg. 26.7 1st
Rashied Davis Kickoff Returns 21 T-7th
Rashied Davis KO Return Yards 560 4th
Rashied Davis KO Return TDs 3 T-1st
Dan Frantz Kick Scoring 54 9th
Dan Frantz PAT Attempts 56 T-1st
Dan Frantz PATs Made 48 T-4th
Steve Warren Sacks 2.0 T-10th

TRENDS:
ON THE ROAD AGAIN – After two convincing wins at home, the SaberCats take to the road to face the Gladiators. San Jose broke its 6-game regular season road losing streak during its last game away from San Jose, a 58-37 win at Orlando on Feb. 20, and look to win for the second time in five road games in 2005. San Jose has not had a losing road record since going 2-5 during the 1999 season and owns a 43-32 (.573) all-time regular season road record.

THAT 70's SHOW – The SaberCats reached the 70-point mark for the 20th time in franchise history during their 72-48 win over Grand Rapids on Mar. 18 and improved their record to 19-1 when doing so. Two of San Jose's 70-plus point games have come against the Gladiators. San Jose won at Las Vegas, 72-37, on Mar. 2, 2003 and posted the fifth-highest point total in team history in a 79-62 win over the Gladiators in San Jose on Mar. 20, 2004. San Jose's only loss when scoring 70 or more points came at Los Angeles, 73-72, on Feb. 9, 2003.

SHUTDOWN TIME – During their current 3-game winning streak the SaberCats have owned the second half and in particular the fourth quarter. The SaberCats have outscored their last three opponents 64-26 in the second half and 30-6 in the fourth quarter. Orlando's Justin Skaggs caught a fourth quarter TD pass three games ago for the last points scored against San Jose in the final stanza.

MARCH MADNESS – San Jose won its sixth straight game during the month of March and improved its all-time record in March games to 11-1 with a 72-48 win over Grand Rapids on Mar. 18. The SaberCats are 3-1 on the road during the third month of the year with one of their wins coming at Las Vegas, 72-37, on Mar. 2, 2003. The team's only March loss came last season on Mar. 7 at New York, a 64-50 defeat.

JUST WIN – Mark Grieb improved his record as San Jose's starting QB to 56-16 (.778) with a 72-48 win over Grand Rapids on Mar. 18 and he is 11-1 as the starter in games during the month of March. As the SaberCats starter in road games, his record stands at 22-13 (.629)

HOW THE WEST IS WON – Now that division games actually have meaning, San Jose's next two games, against Las Vegas and Arizona, are that much more important. All four division winners will qualify for postseason play and get a first-round home game in 2005. The SaberCats are 38-22 all-time against Western Division foes, but just 14-13 on the road. San Jose is 1-1 this year, beating Las Vegas at home on Feb. 5 and losing at Los Angeles on Feb. 20.

WINNING WAYS – Since the start of the 2000 season the SaberCats are the only team to post 60 regular season wins. San Jose reached the 60-win mark by upending Orlando, 57-38, on Mar. 6 and are 62-19 in that time. The Predators (53) and Arizona Rattlers (53) are the only other teams to crack the 50-win mark in the same time.

BEST RECORDS SINCE 2000
Team Record Pct.
San Jose SaberCats 62-19 .765
Arizona Rattlers 53-29 .646
Orlando Predators 53-29 .646

SPECIAL TEAMS – The SaberCats had their string of 26 consecutive games without allowing a kickoff return TD snapped when Grand Rapids' Chris Jackson went 55-yards with a second quarter return on Mar. 18. Jackson has 2 career KO return scores with both coming against San Jose.

STOPS – Over the last three games the SaberCats have as many defensive stops (16) as touchdowns allowed. Covering the last 34 opponent possessions, San Jose has forced 7 turnovers, 6 turnovers on downs and 3 missed field goals while allowing 16 TDs and a pair of field goals. The SaberCats have allowed just 112 points (37.3/game) over the last three games.

NOTES:
ON THE MARK – QB Mark Grieb threw for 277 yards in San Jose's 72-48 win over Grand Rapids on Mar. 18 becoming the 8th player in AFL history to pass for over 20,000 yards in a career and he continues to lead the AFL with an average of 309.4 yards per game. Grieb also tossed 6 TD passes against the Rampage leaving him 15 shy of becoming the 8th player to throw 400 in a career.

AFL CAREER PASSING YARDS
Rk. Player Team Yards
1. Andy Kelly New Orleans 34,450
2. Aaron Garcia New York 32,295
3. Sherdrick Bonner Arizona 31,679
4. Clint Dolezel Las Vegas 30,186
5. John Kaleo Los Angeles 27,831
6. Todd Hammel Chicago 26,905
7. Jay Gruden -- 21,732
8. Mark Grieb San Jose 20,153

AFL CAREER PASSING TOUCHDOWNS
Rk. Player Team Pass TDs
1. Aaron Garcia New York 672
2. Andy Kelly New Orleans 669
3. Sherdrick Bonner Arizona 632
4. Clint Dolezel Las Vegas 603
5. John Kaleo Los Angeles 459
6. Todd Hammel Chicago 420
7. Jay Gruden -- 400
8. Mark Grieb San Jose 385

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 scoring 377 points (62.8/game) in the last six contests. Under Malley the SaberCats have finished either first or second in the AFL in scoring and have put up four of the top six scoring seasons in league history. San Jose reached the 70-point mark for the 20th time in franchise history in its 72-48 win over Grand Rapids on Mar. 18 and currently leads the circuit with an average of 58.6 points per game. The team has scored 70-or-more points 18 times in 87 regular season games with Malley as the team's OC after scoring 70-plus just twice in 62 games before his arrival.

RAH-RASHIED – OS Rashied Davis must've been eating his Wheaties on Mar. 18. Davis had a night to remember against Grand Rapids as he lit up the Rampage for a career-high five touchdowns in San Jose's 72-48 win. He matched a career-high and team-record with two kickoff return scores, including an electric 54-yard return to put San Jose up 49-41 as time expired in the first half. His second KO return TD tied him with Titus Dixon for 3rd on the team's career list with 7. For the game, Davis racked up a career-high 235 KO return yards – only four yards shy of Dixon's team record of 239 – and a career-high 341 all-purpose yards, the third highest total in team history. In addition, Davis caught six passes for 105 yards, giving him consecutive 100+ receiving yard games for the first time in his career. His 17-yard TD reception in the third quarter capped a scoring trifecta, in which he rushed for a TD, caught a TD pass and returned a kick for a TD in the same game. This is the second time Davis has achieved that feat, joining Steve Papin as the only two players in team history with that distinction. Davis leads San Jose in all-purpose yards with 1,020 and ranks 8th in the league in that category despite spending the first two games of the season strictly playing defense.

TEAM CAREER KO RETURN TOUCHDOWNS
Rk. Player KOR TDs
1. Steve Papin (97-01) 16
2. Clevan Thomas 10
3. Rashied Davis 7
Titus Dixon (95-97) 7

MACK ATTACK – Since inserting Tremain Mack into a starting DS role three games ago, San Jose's defense, which struggled at the start of the season, has been nothing short of amazing. Over the past three games, all San Jose wins, opposing quarterbacks have completed only 51.4 percent of their passes (55-of-107) for 597 net yards (199.0/game) while earning a mere 82.96 passer rating. San Jose's defense has held some of the league's most talented quarterbacks to only 13 touchdowns—low by AFL standards—while picking off four passes. Mack has been named Defensive Player of the Game in each of his first three career starts and earned the AFL's Defensive Player of the Week award in Week 6. He tallied his first career interception on Mar. 11 and recovered his first career fumble on Mar. 18.

SIN CITY – The Gladiators are not the only AFL team to have called Las Vegas home. The Sting played in Las Vegas in 1994 and 1995 before relocating to Anaheim for the 1996 campaign. In the SaberCats' 1995 inaugural season, they beat the Sting, 32-27, in Las Vegas on May 20 for their first ever win. San Jose completed the season sweep by defeating the Sting, 35-31 in San Jose on June 9 of that year.

MORE OR LESS – The SaberCats own the second-best point differential in the league and are one of just two teams in the American Conference (Colorado) to score more points than they allow.

POINT DIFFERENTIALS
Team Record PF PA Diff.
Dallas 6-2 435 353 +82
San Jose 4-3 410 339 +71
Colorado 5-2 382 327 +55
Georgia 6-2 407 361 +46
Tampa Bay 4-3 405 362 +43
New York 5-2 376 334 +42

COUNTDOWN – With three 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 97 wins with only Tampa Bay (135), Orlando (127) 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.

ALL-PURPOSE PLAYER – With Hunkie Cooper recently released by Arizona and George LaFrance long retired, Barry Wagner has his sights set on the league's career all-purpose yardage record. Wagner missed his 2nd straight game when he was inactive against Grand Rapids on Mar. 18 with a bruised foot and had his consecutive games played streak snapped at 144 when he didn't dress against Philadelphia on Mar. 11. Wagner hopes to return to action soon and continue his quest to become the AFL's all-time leader in all-purpose yards. With 20,347 career all-purpose yards, Wagner trails LaFrance by just 133 for 2nd place and 203 behind Cooper for the AFL's all-time lead.

AFL CAREER ALL-PURPOSE YARDAGE LEADERS
Rank Player All-Purpose Yds
1. Hunkie Cooper 20,550
2. George LaFrance 20,480
3. Barry Wagner 20,347

YOUTH MOVEMENT – Rookies Ryan Fernandez and Rodney Wright have joined third-year veteran Rashied Davis to give the SaberCats a potent trio of receivers. The three combined for 13 receptions, 204 yards and 5 TDs in San Jose's 72-48 win over Grand Rapids on Mar. 18 with Fernandez getting his 1st career two-TD reception game and Wright adding his 1st career TD catch. Davis meanwhile added a team-best 6 catches for a game-high 105 yards. The three were together on offense for the first time in San Jose's win over Philadelphia on Mar. 11 and combined for 17 receptions and 157 yards. The Three R's have combined for 65 catches, 768 yards and 12 TDs on the year.

ONE VS. ONE – San Jose's AFL leading scoring offense (56.8 ppg) goes head-to-head with the league's top scoring defense (43.6 ppg) when the SaberCats play at Las Vegas on Mar. 28. The SaberCats have scored 50-or-more points in each of their last six games and have topped the 60-mark four times, including a season-high 72 in a win over Grand Rapids on Mar. 18. Las Vegas meanwhile has allowed more than 42 points in a game just twice and has held opponents to under 40 points five times in eight games. The Gladiators are allowing an averaged of just 38.5 ppg at the Thomas & Mack Center while the SaberCats are scoring 55.0 ppg on the road.

GETTING HIS KICKS – Dan Frantz converted all 10 of his PAT attempts against Grand Rapids on Mar. 18, matching a career-high for PATs made in a game and extending his streak of successful conversions to a career-best 20. Frantz climbed into the top 10 in the AFL in kick scoring and currently ranks 9th with 54 points. He is also tied for the league lead with 56 PAT attempts and tied for 4th with 48 made PATs. Frantz is the 9th leading tackler on the team after recording 2 solo stops against the Rampage to raise his season total to 10.5.

MILESTONES REACHED AGAINST THE RAMPAGE
*Rashied Davis tied a team record with 2 KO return TDs and set career-highs with 5 TDs scored, 235 kickoff return yards (2nd highest game total in team history) and 341 all-purpose yards (3rd highest total in team history). Davis reached 1,700 yards in KO returns and surpassed the 3,000 mark in career all-purpose yards (3,039) while totaling 100-plus receiving yards for the 2nd straight game.
*Rodney Wright caught his first career touchdown pass on an 11-yard throw from QB Mark Grieb.
*Mark Grieb surpassed the 20,000 mark in career pass yards with 277 to become only the 8th player in league history to reach that benchmark.
*Ryan Fernandez had his 1st career two-TD reception game.
*Shalon Baker became the fifth player in team history to record 250 career receptions.
*Tremain Mack earned his third consecutive Defensive Player of the Game honors in his third career start. He also collected his first career fumble recovery and first career TFL.
*Steve Warren recorded his 1st career safety on an 8-yard sack in the fourth quarter.
*Clevan Thomas had San Jose's first MFG return of the season, running back Peter Martinez's 61-yard FG attempt for three yards.
*Dan Frantz increased his streak of consecutive PATs made to 20 with a 10-for-10 performance against the Rampage. He also surpassed 150 PATs made for his career (154).
*Joe Jacobs tallied a FF to move into sole possession of third place on San Jose's all-time list with 6.

LAS VEGAS PLAYERS TO WATCH:
QB CLINT DOLEZEL – Dolezel was the only QB to pass for over 400 yards in a game last season throwing for 451 at San Jose on Mar. 20. His effort was the fourth-highest in AFL history and the second-best in Dolezel's career. It also marked the first time the SaberCats had allowed an opponent to throw for over 400 yards in a game. In seven career games against the SaberCats, Dolezel has completed 176-of-285 attempts (61.7%) for 2,167 yards with 43 TDs. He has, however, thrown at least one INT in each of the seven games for a total of 15, including interceptions to Omarr Smith and Matt Kinsinger in San Jose's 66-31 win on Feb. 5. It was apparent from the first meeting that Dolezel wasn't at 100%. Following the San Jose game, Dolezel was placed on IR with an injury to a finger on his throwing hand forcing him to sit out the next four games. Dolezel seems to be fully recovered from his injury as he returned to the Gladiators lineup in Week 7 and has led them to consecutive victories where they have surpassed the 60-point mark in each game. In the two games since his stint on IR, Dolezel has completed 52-of-69 passes (75.3%) for 553 yards and 14 TDs with only 2 INTs and a passer rating of 125.8.

OS MARCUS NASH – Last year's Offensive Player of the Year did his share of damage against the SaberCats last season. In two games, Nash caught 23 passes for 306 yards with 8 TDs and his 12 receptions, 189 yards and 5 TDs at San Jose on Mar. 20, 2004 were season-highs for a San Jose opponent. Nash hauled in 11 passes when the teams played in Las Vegas on May 16 to break the AFL's single-season record for receptions. In the first half of the game on Feb. 5, Nash continued his dominance over San Jose, catching four passes for 128 yards and two TDs. However, Nash left the game late in the second quarter after injuring his knee while going over the sideboards, preventing him doing more damage in the game. Dolezel's favorite target, Nash has caught 19 passes for 293 yards and 10 TDs in the two games since the QB's return.

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) QB Mark Grieb, San Jose
PHILADELPHIA (Mar 11) WR/LB James Roe, San Jose
GRAND RAPIDS (Mar 18) OS Rashied Davis, San Jose
@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) DS Tremain Mack, San Jose
PHILADELPHIA (Mar 11) DS Tremain Mack, San Jose
GRAND RAPIDS (Mar 18) DS Tremain Mack, San Jose
@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) WR/LB James Roe, San Jose
PHILADELPHIA (Mar 11) FB/LB Matt Kinsinger, San Jose
GRAND RAPIDS (Mar 18) WR/DB Ryan Fernandez, San Jose
@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 1-0
30-39 points 0-1 2-0
40-49 points 0-0 1-0
50-59 points 2-0 0-0
60-69 points 1-2 0-2
70-79 points 1-0 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 3-1
Trailing after the 1st 1-0
Tied after the 1st 0-2

Leading at Half 4-0
Trailing at Half 0-2
Tied at Half 0-1

Leading after the 3rd 4-0
Trailing after the 3rd 0-2
Tied after the 3rd 0-1

Scoring First 3-1
Opp. Score First 1-2

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winning coin toss 1-1
Losing coin toss 3-2

Outscoring Opponent 4-0
Being Outscored 0-3


2005 STANDINGS

AMERICAN CONFERENCE
Western Division
Team W L Pct PF PA
Las Vegas 5 3 .625 341 349
San Jose 4 3 .571 410 339
Los Angeles 4 3 .571 341 366
Arizona 1 7 .125 399 443

Central Division
Team W L Pct PF PA
Colorado 5 2 .714 382 327
Chicago 4 4 .500 374 384
Grand Rapids 1 6 .143 364 450
Nashville 1 6 .143 283 345

NATIONAL CONFERENCE
Eastern Division
Team W L Pct PF PA
Dallas 6 2 .750 435 353
New York 5 2 .714 376 334
Philadelphia 3 5 .375 405 443
Columbus 1 6 .143 297 357

Southern Division
Team W L Pct PF PA
New Orleans 6 2 .750 425 384
Georgia 6 2 .750 407 361
Orlando 5 3 .625 375 357
Tampa Bay 4 3 .571 405 362
Austin 3 5 .375 394 459


WEEK 8 RESULTS

Friday, March 18
Dallas 72, LOS ANGELES 50
SAN JOSE 72, Grand Rapids 48

Saturday, March 19
GEORGIA 49, Orlando 47
AUSTIN 57, New York 47
Las Vegas 66, ARIZONA 63

Sunday, March 20
COLORADO 52, Columbus 37
PHILADELPHIA 69, Tampa Bay 63
New Orleans 46, CHICAGO 40 (ot)

Bye: Nashville


WEEK 9 SCHEDULE

Friday, March 25
Austin at Orlando, 4:30 p.m.
Colorado at Dallas, 5:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 26
New York at Columbus, 4:00 p.m.
Grand Rapids at Philadelphia, 4:00 p.m.
Georgia at New Orleans, 5:00 p.m.
Arizona at Nashville, 5:30 p.m.
Tampa Bay at Los Angeles, 7:30 p.m.

Monday, March 28
San Jose at Las Vegas, 7:00 p.m.

Bye: Chicago


WEEK 10 SCHEDULE

Friday, April 1
New Orleans at Austin, 5:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 2
Chicago at New York, 4:00 p.m.
Georgia at Tampa Bay, 4:30 p.m.

Sunday, April 3
Nashville at Grand Rapids, 12:00 p.m.
Las Vegas at Colorado, 12:00 p.m.
Los Angeles at Orlando, 9:00 a.m.
Philadelphia at Columbus, 9:00 a.m.
Arizona at San Jose, 6:00 p.m.

Bye: Dallas


WEEK 11 SCHEDULE

Friday, April 8
Austin at Georgia, 4:30 p.m.
Nashville at Dallas, 5:30 p.m.
Columbus at Arizona, 7:00 p.m.
Grand Rapids at Las Vegas, 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, April 9
Orlando at Tampa Bay, 4:30 p.m.

Sunday, April 10
San Jose at Chicago, 10:00 a.m.
Philadelphia at Colorado, 10:00 a.m.
New York at Los Angeles, 12:00 p.m.

Bye: New Orleans



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 22, 2005


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