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San Jose SaberCats game notes

May 25, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
San Jose SaberCats News Release


THE QUICK FACTS:
Game: SaberCats (9-7) at Colorado Crush (10-6).
Date: Sunday, May 29, 2005.
Kickoff: 12:30 p.m. (PDT).
Site: Pepsi Center (18,093).
Officials: Steve Pamon (Referee); Tom Laverty (Umpire); Brent Durbin (Head Linesman); R.G. Detiller (Line Judge); Dino Paganellli (Back Judge); Wes Fritz (Alternate).
Television: Regionally on NBC, locally on KNTV (NBC11) at 12:30 p.m. (PT). Bob Papa (play by play), Ray Bentley (color) and Marty Snider (sideline) call the action.
Radio: San Jose's flagship radio station KNBR-1050 will air the game live in the Bay Area with Bob Fitzgerald (play-by-play) and Keena Turner (color).
Internet: Log on to www.KNBR.com to hear a live webcast of Sunday's game.
Series Record: SaberCats lead 4-0.
Last Meeting: SaberCats 89, Colorado 41 on April 22, 2005 in Denver.
Series Streaks: SaberCats Won 4.
Coaches: San Jose, Darren Arbet (7th season; 82-34 overall; 9-3 postseason). Colorado, Mike Dailey (9th season; 85-58 overall; 6-5 postseason).

OVERVIEW: The SaberCats clinched a playoff berth for the 6th consecutive season and snapped their 3-game losing streak with a 54-48 win over the league-leading Georgia Force on May 21. QB Mark Grieb threw for 235 yards to set a new AFL season record for passing yards with 4,803, breaking Jim Kubiak's 2003 record of 4,762, and James Roe caught 12 passes to raise his season total to 116, breaking his 2003 team record of 115 receptions. San Jose needed a victory to secure a trip to the postseason and Rashied Davis did his part. Davis took the opening kickoff 56-yards for his league-high and team season record tying 6th TD of the season and the SaberCats never trailed in the game. They did, however, have to withstand a second half Georgia rally after building a 27-point halftime lead...The No. 4 seed SaberCats will begin defense of their AFL title on Sunday, May 29 when they travel to Colorado to face the American Conference's top-seeded Crush. It will be the first opening round playoff game on the road for San Jose since 1998 and just the 5th postseason road game in team history. San Jose is 1-3 in road playoff games with its lone victory coming last year in ArenaBowl XVIII. The SaberCats are 4-0 all-time against Colorado, including an 89-41 win in Denver on April 22. The Crush will be hosting their first-ever playoff game and this will be the first postseason meeting between the clubs.

THE SCHEDULES:
2005 San Jose SaberCats (9-7)
Date Opponent Result Score
Jan. 30 @Tampa Bay Lost 33-63 (0-1)
Feb. 5 LAS VEGAS Won 66-31 (1-1)
Feb. 13 @New Orleans Lost 61-62 (1-2)
Feb. 20 @Los Angeles Lost 69-71 (1-3)
Mar. 6 @Orlando Won 57-38 (2-3)
Mar. 11 PHILADELPHIA Won 52-26 (3-3)
Mar. 18 GRAND RAPIDS Won 72-48 (4-3)
Mar. 28 @Las Vegas Won 81-75 (5-3)
Apr. 3 ARIZONA Won 48-27 (6-3)
Apr. 10 @Chicago Lost 39-55 (6-4)
Apr. 15 DALLAS Won 83-71 (7-4)
Apr. 22 @Colorado Won 89-41 (8-4)
Apr. 29 NASHVILLE Lost 55-57 (8-5)
May 7 LOS ANGELES Lost 42-54 (8-6)
May 14 @Arizona Lost 44-54 (8-7)
May 21 GEORGIA Won 54-48 (9-7)
Date Opponent Time Radio/TV
May 29 @Colorado 12:30 p 1050/NBC

2005 Colorado Crush (10-6)
Game Opponent Result Score
Jan. 30 @Orlando Lost 36-39 (0-1)
Feb. 5 GRAND RAPIDS Won 72-56 (1-1)
Feb. 13 CHICAGO Lost 48-51 (1-2)
Feb. 19 @Arizona Won 74-69 (2-2)
Feb. 27 LOS ANGELES Won 58-40 (3-2)
Mar. 12 @Nashville Won 42-35 (4-2)
Mar. 20 COLUMBUS Won 52-37 (5-2)
Mar. 25 @Dallas Won 66-58 (6-2)
Apr. 3 LAS VEGAS Won 61-40 (7-2)
Apr. 10 PHILADELPHIA Won 77-56 (8-2)
Apr. 17 @Chicago Lost 51-75 (8-3)
Apr. 22 SAN JOSE Lost 41-89 (8-4)
Apr. 30 @Grand Rapids Lost 52-58 (8-5)
May 8 @New Orleans Won 63-57 (9-5)
May 13 NASHVILLE Won 52-49 (10-5)
May 21 @New York Lost 28-62 (10-6)
Game Opponent Time TV
May 29 SAN JOSE 12:30 p NBC

THE SERIES: The SaberCats have never lost to the Crush going 4-0 all-time with an average winning margin of 31 points per game...San Jose has outscored Colorado 289-165 in the series and has trailed the Crush only once, 7-6 in the first quarter on Mar. 14 2004...San Jose won the last meeting between the teams by scoring a franchise record point total in its 89-41 win on Apr. 22, 2005. It was also the most points scored by a road team and the third-highest point total in AFL history...This will be the first postseason meeting between the teams and the first home playoff game in Crush history.

SERIES NOTABLES: San Jose has scored the first and last TDs in each of the four series games...San Jose has never been down at halftime and has only trailed once in the series, 7-6 in the first quarter on Mar. 14, 2004...John Dutton set a personal-high and tied a San Jose opponent record with four INTs on Feb. 22, 2003...Mark Grieb set the team-record for highest passer rating in a game with a perfect 158.3 mark doing it twice against Colorado (3/14/04 and 4/22/05)...San Jose accumulated 85 yards on the ground on Apr. 27, 2003, which is the second highest rushing total in team history, and has totaled 183 yards and 13 TD in the series...Colorado tied a San Jose opponent's record with six turnovers (four INT, two fumbles) on Feb. 22, 2003...Rashied Davis played in his first career AFL game against Colorado on Feb. 22, 2003 and scored his first career AFL touchdown...Davis also tied an AFL record with a 58-yard kickoff return score in the fourth quarter of last year's contest...San Jose tied a league and team record with six rushing touchdowns against Colorado on Feb. 22, 2003...San Jose's 89 points against Colorado on Apr. 22, 2005 set a new franchise-high for points in a game and set an AFL record for most points in a game by a visiting team...The SaberCats 89 points was also the third highest total in AFL history...San Jose's 13 touchdowns against Colorado tied an AFL record...Darren Arbet won his 81st career game to move past Michael Trigg into 6th place on the all-time head coaches win list (Apr. 22)...Rodney Wright set a career-high with a 45-yard TD reception, had his first career MFG return for a TD and his first career interception (Apr. 22)...Clevan Thomas (25) picked off two passes against the Crush on Apr. 22, moving him past Pat McGuirk (24) for first place on San Jose's career interceptions list...Mark Grieb (15-of-15) and Nick Rolovich (2-of-2) combined for a perfect 17-of-17 performance, the first time in the league's 19-year history that team finished a game without throwing an incomplete pass...The two also combined to throw nine TD passes, tying a team record...Rashied Davis tied a team-record with seven touchdowns (six receiving, one rushing) against Colorado on Apr. 22...San Jose has had nine INTs in four games against Colorado.

LAST SERIES MEETING: SABERCATS 89, Colorado 41 • Friday, April 22, 2005 • Pepsi Center – Quarterbacks Mark Grieb and Nick Rolovich combined to complete all 17 pass attempts and Rashied Davis tied a team record by scoring seven times as San Jose rolled up its largest point total in an 89-41 win over the Colorado Crush. San Jose scored on the first offensive play of the game when Grieb connected with Rodney Wright on a 45-yard scoring pass just 28 seconds into the contest and the SaberCats never let up as they tied an AFL record by scoring 13 touchdowns. San Jose turned four first half Colorado turnovers into touchdowns and Wright added a score on a 55-yard missed field goal return to help stake San Jose to a comfortable 56-14 halftime lead. Clevan Thomas had two of San Jose's three interceptions in the first half to overtake Pat McGuirk as the club's all-time leader with 25 on his way to Defensive Player of the Game honors. Thomas has five career INTs off Crush QB and former teammate John Dutton. Grieb, who was named Offensive Player of the Game after playing just three quarters, completed all 15 of his attempts for 331 yards and eight TDs with four 45-yard scoring passes. Nick Rolovich replaced Grieb in the fourth quarter and completed both of his pass attempts, including a 6-yard strike to Davis for his first TD pass of the year, for 19 yards. Barry Wagner closed out the scoring with a 1-yard run late in the quarter as San Jose posted the highest point total by a visiting team in league history. Davis ended the game with a career-high six touchdowns and 182 receiving yards on nine catches and added a 3-yard scoring run to match his own team record he shares with James Roe. Colorado's Damian Harrell caught a touchdown pass midway through the final quarter to extend his streak of consecutive games with a scoring reception to 45. Dutton completed 21-of-35 attempts for 224 yards with three TDs before being lifted for Jose Davis in the fourth quarter.

SCORE BY QUARTERS
SaberCats......... 28 28 20 13 – 89
Crush.................. 7 7 14 13 – 41

SCORING SUMMARY
SAN Wright 45 pass from Grieb (Frantz kick)
SAN Davis 3 run (Frantz kick)
COL McCullough 4 pass from Dutton (Rush kick)
SAN Davis 40 pass from Grieb (Frantz kick)
SAN Wright 54 missed field goal return (Frantz kick)
SAN Davis 9 pass from Grieb (Frantz kick)
SAN Davis 45 pass from Grieb (Frantz kick)
SAN Baker 15 pass from Grieb (Frantz kick)
COL McCullough 28 pass from Dutton (Rush kick)
SAN Davis 6 pass from Grieb (Frantz kick)
COL Marshall 53 kickoff return (Rush kick)
SAN Kinsinger 7 run (Frantz kick)
COL Hawkins 1 run (Rush kick)
SAN Davis 45 pass from Grieb (Frantz kick)
SAN Wagner 22 pass from Grieb (kick failed)
COL Marshall 22 pass from Dutton (Rush kick)
SAN Davis 6 pass from Rolovich (kick failed)
COL Harrell 6 pass from Davis (kick blocked)
SAN Wagner 1 run (Frantz kick)

INDIVIDUAL STASTICS
Passing: SAN – Grieb 15-15-0-331; Rolovich 2-2-0-19. COL – Dutton 21-35-3-224; Davis 5-10-0-39.
Rushing: SAN – Kinsinger 3-11; Baker 2-9; Davis 3-6; Buck 1-3; Wagner 1-1. COL – Reese 4-11; Young 3-10; Peaua 1-2; Dutton 1-2; Hawkins 1-1; Davis 1-(-1).
Receiving: SAN – Davis 9-182; Wright 3-81; Baker 3-43; Wagner 1-22; Roe 1-22. COL – Marshall 7-64; Harrell 6-50; McCullough 5-67; McKenzie 5-53; Hawkins 2-33; Barno 1-(-4).
Kick Returns: SAN – Wright 2-56; Davis 1-5. COL – Marshall 8-227; Hawkins 1-8.

ALL-TIME SERIES SCORES
Date Score
April 22, 2005 San Jose 89, @Colorado 41
March 14, 2004 @San Jose 55, Colorado 35
April 27, 2003 San Jose 65, @Colorado 49
February 22, 2003 @San Jose 80, Colorado 40

THE IFS...:
If the SaberCats defeat Colorado it would...
*Advance them to the semifinals for 6th straight season.
*Give them a 10-3 all-time postseason record.
*Give them a 2-3 all-time postseason road record.
*Be their 5th straight win over the Crush.
*Be their 4th straight playoff victory.
*Be their 2nd straight road playoff victory.
*Give them at least 1 playoff win in each of the last six seasons.

THE COACHES:
San Jose – Darren Arbet, 7th season
82-34 (.707) overall; 9-3 (.750) postseason
4-0 (1.000) career vs. Colorado
Now in his seventh season at the helm of the SaberCats, two-time Coach of the Year Darren Arbet became the 7th head coach in AFL history with 80 career victories when San Jose defeated Dallas on Apr. 15, 2005 and surpassed Michael Trigg for 6th place with San Jose's win at Colorado on Apr. 22. His overall winning percentage of .707 (82-34) ranks as one of the best in AFL history and his .750 (9-3) playoff winning percentage is tops among all AFL coaches. 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 67-23 (.744) 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).

Colorado – Mike Dailey, 9th season
85-58 (.594) overall; 6-5 (.545) postseason
3-5 (.375) career vs. San Jose
Dailey is now in his second season in Colorado and ninth as a head coach in the AFL after becoming the Crush's second head coach on June 26, 2003. Dailey joined the Crush following 13 seasons in the Albany/Indiana Firebirds organization, including the final seven as head coach. In his first season in Colorado, Dailey helped guide the Crush to the largest turnaround in AFL history, inheriting a 2-14 team and leading them to an 11-5 record in 2004, tied for the best in the league. He also led the Crush to their first playoff appearance and first win, advancing to the AFL Semifinals before falling nine yards short of up-ending top-seeded Arizona and earning a trip to ArenaBowl XVIII. One of the most successful and well-respected coaches in AFL history, Dailey's teams have compiled an overall record of 85-58 record and he ranks fifth on the AFL's all-time list for coaching wins (regular season and playoffs). Including this season his teams have made seven postseason appearances and he has won four division titles. In 1999, Dailey led the Albany Firebirds to an ArenaBowl title and was named the AFL's Coach of the Year. Dailey has amassed an overall record of 22-12 in his two seasons with the Crush.

RECENT RESULTS: SABERCATS 54, Georgia 48 – In a game the SaberCats (9-7) needed to win, they did just that, defeating the Georgia Force (11-5) 54-48 to break their three-game losing streak and earn their sixth consecutive trip to the playoffs in front of 13,892 fans at HP Pavilion. QB Mark Grieb threw five TD passes and 235 yards, breaking the AFL single-season record for most passing yards. Grieb, the Offensive Player of the Game, completed 21-of-32 passes without an interception and finished the season with 4,803 yards, breaking Jim Kubiak's (4,762) single season passing mark set in 2003. Ironman of the Game James Roe caught 12 passes for 121 yards and three TD's while Rashied Davis added four catches for 57 yards and three scores of his own, including his sixth kickoff return TD of the season, a 56-yard dash to begin the game. It was San Jose's first kickoff return for a TD to open the game since June 22, 2002. The game was starting to look like a blowout when Grieb connected with Davis on a six-yard strike as time expired in the half to give the SaberCats a commanding 40-13 halftime lead. But Georgia's talented rookie duo of Troy Bergeron and Derek Lee, who combined for 19 catches, 222 yards and five TDs in the game, scored four times in the second half as Georgia tried furiously to erase a 27-point halftime deficit. Backup QB Glen Gauntt's 1-yard run with 10 seconds left in the fourth quarter pulled Georgia within six points, but their ensuing onside kick attempt was knocked out-of-bounds by Roe and the SaberCats ran out the clock to seal the win. NOTES: Barry Wagner was named Defensive Player of the Game after registering a TFL, a forced fumble, two PBUs and a team-high 5.5 tackles...Clevan Thomas returned an onside kick 14 yards for the score, his first TD of the season...K Derek Schorejs made his SaberCats debut, converting on 6-of-8 PATs...Mark Grieb increased his team record for most passing TDs in a season to 84 and became the first player in history to reach the 80-TD mark...Rashied Davis tied a team record for most kickoff return TDs in a season with six and finished the season with a team record for TDs (44) and scoring (264)...Jeff Ruffin collected his first career sack...Rex Richards registered his first career assisted tackle.

RECENT ROSTER MOVES
Date Action
Apr. 13 Signed DS Niccolo Concellieri to International PS.
Apr. 14 Signed DS Wendell Davis from PS. Activated WR/LB Yardon Brantley and OL/DL Chuck Reed from IR. Placed DS Tremain Mack, OL/DL Rex Richards and FB/LB Steve Warren on IR.
Apr. 16 Signed FB/LB Joey Dozier.
Apr. 21 Placed OL/DL Sebastian Barrie on IR.
Apr. 28 Activated FB/LB Steve Warren from IR. Placed FB/LB Kevin Buck on IR.
May 5 Activated OL/DL Sam Hernandez from RTR.
May 6 Activated WR/DB Ryan Fernandez and DS Tremain Mack from IR. Placed WR/LB Yardon Brantley and DS Wendell Davis on IR.
May 13 Activated FB/LB Kevin Buck and OL/DL Tony Plantin from IR. Placed FB/LB Steve Warren and OL/DL George Williams on IR.
May 17 Placed K Dan Frantz on IR
May 18 Signed K Derek Schorejs. Re-signed OL/DL Albrey Battle and OL/DL George Williams
May 19 Signed OL/DL Lindell Hawkins to PS.
May 20 Placed WR/DB Ryan Fernandez and OL/DL Tony Plantin on IR. Activated OL/DL Rex Richards and WR/LB Calvin Schexnayder from IR. Re-signed OL/DL Dan Loney and WR/LB James Roe.
May 21 Re-signed OL/DL Joe Jacobs and WR/DB Rashied Davis


2005 FINAL LEAGUE TEAM RANKINGS
Category SaberCats Crush
Scoring Offense (Rank) 59.1 (1) 54.6 (3)
Scoring Defense 51.3 (11) 54.4 (13)
Total Offense 312.4 (2) 275.2 (11)
Total Defense 281.2 (8) 315.4 (17)
Pass Offense 296.4 (1) 263.8 (9)
Pass Defense 265.4 (10) 291.3 (17)
Rushing Offense 15.9 (10) 11.4 (16)
Rushing Defense 15.8 (3) 24.1 (13)
Touchdowns 137 (1) 120 (T-4)
Pass Rating 120.7 (T-1) 111.1 (9)
Pass Defense Rating 110.2 (11) 118.1 (14)
Interceptions 16 (7) 17 (6)
Kickoff Return Avg. 21.8 (1) 17.8 (8)
Field Goal Return Avg. 27.8 (1) 20.0 (5)
Turnover Margin -1 (T-8) +6 (T-4)
3rd Down Conversions 43.7% (13) 54.9% (3)
4th Down Conversions 53.8 (T-6) 30.0 (17)
Sacks By 12 (13) 21 (3)
Sacks Against 19 (12) 6 (3)

2005 SABERCATS AMONG FINAL LEAGUE LEADERS
Player Category No. Rank
Mark Grieb Total Offense 4,823 1
Mark Grieb Completion Pct. 68.6 1
Mark Grieb Pass TDs 84 5
Mark Grieb Passer Rating 122.0 1
Mark Grieb Passing Yards 4,803 1
Mark Grieb Pass Completions 375 3
Mark Grieb Pass Avg/Game 300.2 1
Mark Grieb Pass Attempts 547 5
Mark Grieb Pass Yards/Att 8.8 1
James Roe Receptions 116 T-6
James Roe Receiving Yards 1,440 6
James Roe TD Receptions 30 T-9
James Roe Rcv Yards/Game 90.0 6
Rashied Davis Touchdowns 44 2
Rashied Davis All-purpose Yards 2,589 4
Rashied Davis Scoring 264 2
Rashied Davis KO Return Avg. 25.2 2
Rashied Davis KO Return Yards 1,133 4
Rashied Davis KO Return TDs 6 T-1
Rashied Davis Receiving Yards 1,420 8
Rashied Davis TD Receptions 30 T-8
Rashied Davis Rcv Yards/Catch 14.2 4
Rahsied Davis Rcv Yards/Game 88.8 8
Dan Frantz PAT Attempts 122 1
Dan Frantz PATs Made 103 3
Joe Jacobs Forced Fumbles 3 T-6
Matt Kinsinger Rush TDs 9 T-8
Clevan Thomas Interceptions 6 T-5
Rodney Wright MFG Return Avg. 47.0 1
Rodney Wright MFG Return TDs 1 T-1
Rodney Wright MFG Return Yards 94 7

2005 SEASON REVIEW:
It wasn't easy, but the SaberCats are back in the playoffs for the 6th consecutive year. The title-defense season got off to a rough start for the SaberCats as they dropped three of their first four games. Entering the season, the SaberCats knew they would have a large target on their backs and their first game of the season at Tampa Bay confirmed this. The Storm, thanks to 28-7 second quarter, put a 63-33 hurting on San Jose as they lost the season opener for the first time since 1998. The SaberCats bounced back the following game winning their eighth straight home opener against Las Vegas, 66-31. The SaberCats defense put forth an impressive effort, holding the Gladiators scoreless in the second half. But the road woes continued and the SaberCats lost their next two games. In Week 3 at New Orleans Dan Frantz missed a potential game-winning 32-yard field goal as time expired to seal the 62-61 victory for the VooDoo. Starting DS Omarr Smith sustained a season-ending knee injury adding to the misery. The following week, turnovers put San Jose in a 37-21 halftime hole against the Avengers. Though they mounted a furious fourth quarter comeback, the SaberCats couldn't get over the hump and lost a close contest 69-71, bringing their record to 1-3. In the game, Barry Wagner became the AFL's all-time leader in receptions with 950. QB Mark Grieb completed a team-record tying 31 passes for 399 yards, the third-highest total in franchise history. Needing to regroup after stumbling out of the gates, San Jose's bye-week couldn't have come at a better time. In an important game against the 4-1 Orlando Predators, the SaberCats entered a hostile environment and came away with a much-needed 57-38 win. Barry Wagner returned to the place where he spent the first eight years of his career and scored three times, including the 400th of his illustrious career, helping San Jose improve to 2-3. The win over Orlando was the start of the SaberCats five-game winning streak and concluded their stretch of four of the first five games on the road. San Jose returned to HP Pavilion looking to even their season record. FB/LB's Steve Warren and Matt Kinsinger each rushed for a pair of TDs to help defeat the Philadelphia Soul in convincing fashion, 52-26. With the 1-5 Grand Rapids Rampage coming into town, the SaberCats saw this as the perfect opportunity to move over .500 for the first time in 2005. OS Rashied Davis scored five touchdowns, including two 50+ yard kickoff return TDs and amassed 341 all-purpose yards, the third-highest single game total in team-history to help San Jose defeat the Rampage 72-48. The SaberCats defense held the AFL's leading rusher, QB Michael Bishop, to just 5 yards on 3 carries. The SaberCats hit the road again for their rematch with the Gladiators. What started as a blowout (San Jose led 55-27 midway through the third quarter) turned into a barn-burner. Las Vegas QB Clint Dolezel tied an AFL record with 11 touchdown passes, six of those to OS Marcus Nash who had 229 receiving yards, as the Gladiators came back late in the fourth quarter to tie the score at 68 apiece. But Rashied Davis' 40-yard TD reception—his team-record tying seventh score of the night—with 0:48 second left put the game away for good. With the 81-75 shootout win, the SaberCats improved to 5-3. The SaberCats hosted their arch-rival the Arizona Rattlers to start the second half of the season and, thanks to three rushing TDs by Steve Warren and an outstanding defensive effort, came away with a 48-27 victory. It was San Jose's fifth straight win and gave them sole possession for first place in the Western Division. The SaberCats finally saw their streak come to an end in Chicago. The Rush defeated the SaberCats for the first time in five tries behind a six-touchdown performance by QB Raymond Philyaw. San Jose wouldn't be down for too long, however. In the next two weeks, the SaberCats would topple division-leading teams the Dallas Desperados (Eastern) and the Colorado Crush (Central). Grieb threw a season-high eight TD passes, including the 400th of his AFL career, and the SaberCats posted the second highest point total in team history with an 83-71 win over Dallas. The SaberCats followed up an impressive performance with a near flawless showing against the Colorado Crush on Apr. 22. Operating like a well-oiled machine, San Jose scored a touchdown on all 13 of its possessions to post 89 points, the highest point total in franchise history, the highest point total for a road team in AFL history, and the third-highest point total in league history. Mark Grieb set an AFL record by completing all 15 of his passes for 331 yards and eight TDs. Grieb and backup QB Nick Rolovich combined to complete 17-of-17 passes, the first time in league history a team did not have an incomplete pass. Rashied Davis tied the team record for most TDs in a game for the second time this season, recording seven scores. After their most dominating performance of the year, the SaberCats fell on hard times, losing their next three games in disappointing fashion. San Jose's seemingly unstoppable offense averaged only 47 points in those three losses. Owning a 5-0 record at home, Nashville and Los Angeles both went into HP Pavilion and came away with victories. San Jose's loss to the Avengers severely crippled its chances of winning the Western Division title and dropped the record to 8-6. Going into their final road game of the year against the Rattlers, the SaberCats could have secured a playoff berth with a win and Las Vegas loss. Instead, the SaberCats offense continued to struggle and SaberCats fell to Arizona 44-54. The lone bright spot was Rashied Davis, who set a new team record for points (234) and touchdowns (39) in a season. Thanks to a Las Vegas loss, though, the SaberCats still controlled their own playoff destiny. Desperately needing a win in their season finale to ensure their sixth consecutive trip to the playoffs, the SaberCats got it against the league-leading Georgia Force. San Jose jumped out to a 40-13 halftime lead and held on for a 54-48 victory. Mark Grieb threw for 235 yards, breaking the AFL record for most passing yards in a season with 4,803 and extended his season total to 84 TD passes, the highest total in team history. James Roe grabbed 12 passes for 121 yards and three TDs while Rashied Davis added three scores of his own, including a his sixth kickoff return TD of the season. The SaberCats finished the regular season at 9-7, their sixth consecutive year with a winning record. The 2005 season also saw a number of records go down. Mark Grieb set team records in passing yards (4,803), passing attempts (547), pass completions (375) and touchdowns (84). Rashied Davis set team records in touchdowns (44) and scoring (264) and posted the fourth highest receiving total in team history (1,420). James Roe set a team record in receptions (116) and tied a career-high with 1,440 receiving yards. For the first time in team history, two receivers (Roe and Davis) each had 100+ receptions in a season and the duo combined for most receiving yards in a season by a twosome (2,860).

DRIVE TO ARENABOWL XIX LAS VEGAS
The Drive to ArenaBowl XIX Las Vegas begins on Sunday, May 29 with four divisional round playoff games taking place. The fourth-seeded SaberCats take on the American Conference's top-seeded Crush in Colorado's first-ever home playoff game. It will also be the first postseason meeting between the clubs. All four games begin at 12:30 p.m. (PT) and will be televised on NBC.

American Conference Seminfinals
Sunday, May 29
(4) San Jose at (1) Colorado, 12:30 p.m.
(3) Chicago at (2) Los Angeles, 12:30 p.m.

National Conference Semifinals
Sunday, May 29
(4) Tampa Bay at (1) Georgia, 12:30 p.m.
(3) Orlando at (2) New York, 12:30 p.m.

The highest remaining seed from each conference will host the lowest remaining seed in the Conference Championship games to be held on Saturday, June 4 and Sunday, June 5. The two conference champions will meet in ArenaBowl XIX on Sunday, June 12 in Las Vegas, Nev.

PLAYOFF NOTABLES
PLAYOFF HISTORY – Saturday's victory over Georgia ensured San Jose its 6th consecutive trip to the playoffs and marked the 9th time in their 11-year history they will reach the postseason. The SaberCats are 9-6 overall, including 8-3 at home and 1-3 on the road. Sunday's contest at Colorado will mark only the fifth time in 16 games that the SaberCats have played a road playoff game. Their lone win on the road came last year, when they defeated the Rattlers 69-62 in the ArenaBowl XVIII at Arizona. Prior to last year's ArenaBowl, their previous road playoff game was on Aug. 11, 2001, a 47-71 loss to Nashville in the playoff semifinals.

ROAD TO ARENABOWL – Since the league's inception in 1987 only one team has won the ArenaBowl without hosting a playoff game: The Denver Dynamite in the first-ever ArenaBowl. However, the ArenaBowl was the only playoff game that year. If the SaberCats want to repeat as champs this year, they will have to do so away from the comforts of HP Pavilion. The SaberCats are seeded fourth behind Colorado (#1), Los Angeles (#2) and Chicago (#3), eliminating the possibility of hosting a playoff game. Luckily for San Jose, the ArenaBowl will be at a neutral site (Las Vegas) for the first time in league history meaning the SaberCats will have to play a maximum of two road games.

BACK-TO-BACK – In the 18-year history of the ArenaBowl, only two teams—the Detroit Drive and the Tampa Bay Storm—have successfully defended their title. Detroit won three consecutive ArenaBowls from 1988-1990, while Tampa Bay won back-to-back titles in 1995 and 1996. The SaberCats had a chance to repeat in 2003, but lost to Arizona in the semifinals. San Jose has an opportunity to become the first team in 8-years to win back-to-back championships.

AGAINST THE FIELD – The SaberCats have a 31-16 (.659) combined overall record versus the seven teams in the 2005 playoffs and have a winning record over all but two teams: the New York Dragons (1-2) and the Tampa Bay Storm (5-6). The SaberCats have never lost to Colorado (4-0) and own a combined (12-5) record against potential second round opponents (Los Angeles and Chicago). However, San Jose is 3-4 against playoff teams this season, including 1-3 against American Conference opponents. Their only victory over a playoff-qualifying American Conference opponent was an 89-41 pounding of the Crush in Colorado earlier this year.

ROUND ONE – After dropping their first three games of a playoff season (1995, 1997 and 1998), the SaberCats have won each of their last five, improving their overall record in first games of a postseason to 5-3. In their last five victories, the SaberCats have averaged 62.2 points while holding their opponents to only 47.4 points per game. However, all five of those playoff games have been at home. The SaberCats last opening round loss was, ironically, their last opening round road game against Tampa Bay on Aug. 8, 1998.

TOP DOG – SaberCats head coach Darren Arbet owns the highest postseason winning percentage of any coach in AFL history and his nine playoff wins rank 4th in league annals. Arbet has posted a 9-3 record for a .750 percentage and has advanced his teams to the semifinal round in each of the past five seasons. San Jose has won at least one playoff game during that stretch and has twice won the ArenaBowl (2002, 2004).

KIND NEW FORMAT – The AFL's new conference-aligned playoff format has proven kind to the SaberCats. If last year's format was in effect, the SaberCats would not have qualified for postseason play. In 2004 the top eight teams, regardless of division, qualified for the playoffs. Had that been the case in 2005, the SaberCats would have lost a three-way tie-breaker with Chicago and New Orleans for the 7th and 8th playoff spots.

PLAYOFF EXPERIENCED – Of the 37 players on San Jose's roster (active and IR), 24 of them were members of last year's ArenaBowl-winning squad. The SaberCats have 16 players on their roster who have been with the team during their two championship-winning seasons (2002 and 2004), including seven linemen. Chuck Reed, Frank Beede, Albrey Battle, Joe Jacobs, Sam Hernandez and George Williams all played in both ArenaBowls, while Dan Loney was on IR in 2002.

PLAYOFFS OR BUST – WR/DB Barry Wagner has never missed the playoffs in his 14-year career. He made eight postseason appearances with the Orlando Predators and this marks his 6th straight season with the SaberCats. Only once during his career has he not made it past the quarterfinal round. That came in 1996 when Orlando lost to Arizona. Wagner has played in seven ArenaBowls, five with Orlando and two with San Jose, winning championships in 1998, 2002 and 2004.

BACK TO BACK TO BACK TO BACK? – Although he's on injured reserve and not expected to see action in the postseason, DS Omarr Smith has an opportunity to be on a championship team for a fourth straight year. Smith was a starting two-way player with San Jose in 2002 before moving to Tampa Bay and claiming another title with the Storm in 2003. Smith returned to San Jose last season and claimed a record 3rd consecutive league title as San Jose's starting DS.



TRENDS:
ON THE ROAD AGAIN – If the SaberCats are to repeat as league champions, they will have to do so by winning on the road. San Jose went 3-5 on the road during the regular season, their first non-winning road record since 1999. During last year's title run, the SaberCats posted a 4-4 record during regular season road games, but defeated Arizona on the road to capture their second league title in three years. San Jose is just 1-3 all-time in road playoff games.

PENALTY PARADE – The SaberCats were flagged 13 times for 104 yards in their win over Georgia on May 21, giving the team seven straight games with 10 or more penalties. The SaberCats topped the circuit in 2005 with 163 penalties and 1,044 penalty yards, both of which are team season highs. The old record for penalties in a season was 153 in 2000 and 845 yards in 2001.

FIRST DOWN – San Jose led the league in first downs with 357, just five behind Dallas' 2003 league record of 362, and moved the chains at least 20 times in 13 of their 16 games. The SaberCats had a league-high 30 first downs in a 66-31 win over Las Vegas on Feb. 5.

NO TURNOVERS – The SaberCats did not turn the ball over in their 54-48 win over Georgia on May 21 after coughing the ball up 10 times in their previous three games. San Jose is 6-0 on the year when turning the ball over fewer times than the opposition and 0-6 when committing more turnovers. The team is 3-1 when the turnover battle is even.

LEAD – The SaberCats have scored first in all four games against the Crush and have held the lead for 237 minutes and 58 seconds (out of 240 minutes) in the four series games. Colorado's Chad Dukes scored on a 1-yard run and a successful PAT gave Colorado an early 7-6 lead on Mar. 14, 2004. That was the first, and only, time Colorado has held a lead against San Jose in the series. The SaberCats responded 2:02 later on a Grieb-to-Roe scoring pass and went on to win the game 55-35. In their last meeting on Apr. 22, 2005, San Jose never trailed as they jumped out to a 14-0 lead, led 56-14 at the half and finished the game winning 89-41.

NOTES:
BROKEN RECORDS – The SaberCats front office will be busy this off-season re-writing record books. QB Mark Grieb set the AFL record for most passing yards in a season with 4,803, breaking Jim Kubiak's mark of 4,762 set in 2003. He also set a number of team records, including most touchdown passes in a season (84), passing yards (4,803), attempts (547) and completions (375). Two of Grieb's favorite receivers had career-years as well. James Roe set a new SaberCats record for most receptions in a season (116) and tied a personal-best with 1,440 yards, which is also the second best total in team history. Rashied Davis, who made the move to OS after the second game of the season, set team records in touchdowns (44) and points (264), and tied the team record for kickoff return touchdowns with six. Roe and Davis became the first SaberCats duo to each catch at least 100 passes, and combined for the highest receiving total in team history (2,860), shattering the previous mark of 2,651 by Roe and James Hundon in 2003.
GETTING THE POINTS ACROSS – San Jose's 54-point effort in its win over Georgia on May 21 vaulted the SaberCats into second place on the league's season scoring list. The SaberCats improved their season total to 945, second all-time to their 2003 record of 966. San Jose tied its own league season record of 137 touchdowns scored and averaged a league-best 312.4 yards of offense per game. The SaberCats became the seventh team in AFL history to score 900 or more points in a game and now hold down the top two spots.

MOST POINTS, AFL SEASON
Rank Team (Year) Points
1. San Jose SaberCats (2003) 966
2. San Jose SaberCats (2005) 945
3. Grand Rapids Rampage (2003) 925
4. Los Angeles Avengers (2003) 924
5. Arizona Rattlers (2003) 917
6. Dallas Desperados (2003) 910
7. Los Angeles Avengers (2004) 904

ON THE MARK – For a team that has had just one 4,000-yard passer in its history, it seemed unlikely that Mark Grieb would break the AFL record for most yards in a season. But that's just what the SaberCats QB did by throwing for 235 yards in a win over Georgia on May 21. Grieb upped his season yardage total to 4,803, breaking Jim Kubiak's 2003 record of 4,762 yards in a season. Grieb set a club record with five 300-yard passing games and exceeded the 280-yard mark 10 times during the campaign. His 399-yard performance at Los Angeles on Feb. 20 ranks as the third-highest in team history and he also had back-to-back 331-yard games at Colorado (4/22) and against Nashville (4/29). Andy Kelly of New Orleans and Tampa Bay's Shane Stafford also vaulted into the top 5 in season passing yards this year. Prior to this season, Grieb was the only San Jose QB to eclipse the 4,000-yard level, tossing for 4,111 in 2004.

MOST PASSING YARDS, AFL SEASON
Rk Player Team Yards
1. Mark Grieb, San Jose 2005 4,803
2. Jim Kubiak, Dallas 2003 4,762
3. Andy Kelly, New Orleans 2005 4,657
4. Shane Stafford, Tampa Bay 2005 4,522
5. Aaron Garcia, New York 2001 4,515

KICKIN' IT – Kicker Derek Schorejs (pronounced SHORE-eyes), who replaced the injured Dan Frantz, made his first appearance as a SaberCat on May 21 against the Georgia Force and had a solid debut. Schorejs did not attempt a field goal, but converted on 6-of-8 PATs, including handling a number of bad snaps. The third-year kicker began the season with the Philadelphia Soul and played in seven games, making 2-of-7 field goals and 38-of-46 PATs. San Jose signed Schorejs after Frantz suffered a season-ending knee injury on May 14 against Arizona. Frantz finished the season leading the league in PAT attempts (122) and ranking third in PATs made (103). He currently ranks second on the team's career kick scoring list with 236 points.

DYNAMIC DUO – The SaberCats doubled the number of players with 100 or more receptions in a season in 2005. James Roe and Rashied Davis each reached triple-digits giving San Jose is first set of players with 100 or more catches. Roe entered the season finale against Georgia on May 21 needing 12 catches to break his 2003 team record of 115 catches. He got exactly 12 which resulted in 121 yards and 3 scores. The team's career leader in receptions (420), receiving yards (5,506) and TD catches (130), Roe now holds the top 2 single season reception marks in team history. Inserted into the OS spot after the team started the season 1-3, Davis has flourished in his new role catching 86 passes for 1,241 yards and 27 TDs in 12 games at OS. Davis has been just as dangerous on kickoff returns. He returned his team season-high and league tying 6th kickoff for a TD in season finale and placed 2nd in the league with a 25.2 yards per return average. He became the first San Jose player to record three 300-plus all-purpose yard games and his five 200-plus all-purpose yard games tie him with Titus Dixon for the 4th-best season total in team history.

MOST RECEPTIONS, TEAM, SEASON
Rank Player Recpts
1. James Roe (2005) 116
2. James Roe (2003) 115
3. Rashied Davis (2005) 100
4. James Hundon (2002) 98
5. Steve Papin (1999) 91

WHAT A RUSH – The SaberCats led the league in rushing TDs for the fourth time in the last five seasons and put up the 3rd-highest season total in AFL history with 43. San Jose had a record 10 players score on the ground with Matt Kinsinger leading the way with 9. Veteran Barry Wagner scored six times on just 9 carries and Rashied Davis scored a career-high 8 rush TDs. As good as the ground game was offensively, San Jose's rush defense was equally as good. The SaberCats allowed a league-low nine rush TDs, seven fewer than 2nd place Austin, and allowed just 15.8 yards per game on the ground.

MOST RUSH TDs, AFL, SEASON
Rank Team TDs Allowed
1. Chicago Rush (2004) 49
2. San Jose SaberCats (2003) 47
3. San Jose SaberCats (2005) 43
4. St. Louis Stampede (1996) 41
5. San Jose SaberCats (2004) 38

PICKIN' IT – Starting DS Clevan Thomas finished the 2005 regular season leading the team with 6 interceptions, which tied for 5th place in the AFL. He also led the squad in tackles (52.0) and pass breakups (12). After missing most of the 2004 season with a knee injury, Thomas returned to the lineup in Wk. 3 at New Orleans and started the last 14 contests. Thomas' six interceptions on the year came within a span of eight games, from Mar. 6 to Apr. 22, and includes his 2-interception performance against John Dutton and the Colorado Crush. In that game, Thomas (25) moved past Pat McGuirk (24) into first place on the team's all-time interception list. Interestingly enough, of Thomas' 25 career interceptions, five have come against Dutton, the opposing QB in the first-round of the playoffs. Thomas seems to have Dutton's number, nabbing five passes and also breaking up five more in only three games.

TEAM CAREER INTERCEPION LEADERS
Rank Player INTs
1. Clevan Thomas 25
2. Pat McGuirk 24
3. Barry Wagner 18
4. Tommy Jones 17
5. Omarr Smith 16

VERSUS COLORADO – Mark Grieb has been nothing short of spectacular against Colorado. San Jose's veteran QB is undefeated in four games against the Crush and has completed over 78 percent of his passes (71-of-90) for 1,115 yards with 24 TDs and only 1 INT, racking up an almost perfect 153.2 passer rating...DS Clevan Thomas has five INTs in three games against Colorado, including two picks on Apr. 22, 2005 to give him the SaberCatrs team-record for most INTs in a career (25)...WR/LB James Roe has 20 receptions for 291 yards and 6 TDs with a 12-yard interception return for a score in four games against Colorado...FB Matt Kinsinger has rushed for 68 yards and 4 TDs on 11 carries in four games against Colorado...OS Rashied Davis has appeared in three games against the Crush, hauling in 17 catches for 287 yards and 10 total touchdowns.

COLORADO PLAYERS TO WATCH:
QB JOHN DUTTON – Led San Jose to its first ArenaBowl title in 2002, is trying to repeat that feat and take Colorado to the title game in 2005. A SaberCat from 2000-02, Dutton is well on his way, guiding Colorado to the No. 1 seed in the American Conference. A big QB with a cannon of an arm, Dutton ranks in the top five in the league in total offense (259.1), passing TDs (89), passing yards (4,143) and completions (367). However, the gunslinger has yet to defeat San Jose in four tries and has only completed 75-of-135 (55.5%) passes for 1,011 yards, 14 TDs and nine INTs. Dutton threw a career-high four INTs against the SaberCats on Feb. 22, 2003 in San Jose's 80-40 win over the Crush. That game started a string of 11 consecutive games in which Dutton threw an INT. Earlier this year, Dutton threw three picks as the SaberCats beat the Crush 89-41. In Colorado's regular season finale on May 21, Dutton threw a season-low two TD passes and had a passer rating of 77.4.

OS DAMIAN HARRELL – Dutton's favorite target, Harrell set the AFL record earlier this season by catching a touchdown pass in 42 consecutive games, surpassing the previous mark set by Eddie Brown. The 7-year AFL veteran has been one of the AFL's top receivers the past few years and finished the regular season with 122 catches for 1,486 yards and 41 TDs. Harrell ranks in the top five in the AFL in scoring (246), receptions (122), receiving yards (1,486), and receiving TDs (41). San Jose nearly ended Harrell's consecutive scoring streak in their previous meeting, keeping him off the scoreboard for over three-and-a-half quarters of play. But backup QB Jose Davis found Harrell in the end zone for a six-yard score with just over five minutes remaining in the game. San Jose's secondary held Harrell to only six catches for 50 yards and the lone score. In four games against San Jose, all blowout losses, Harrell has caught 20 passes for 302 yards and eight TD's.

DS RASHAD FLOYD – The Bay Area native and Second-Team All-Arena selection in 2004 leads the Crush in tackles with 129.5 and has added a TFL, three interceptions and 20 pass breakups in 15 games this season. Floyd finished the year ranking second in the AFL in total tackles and fourth in the league in PBUs. In two contests versus the SaberCats, Floyd has a 8.5 tackles, a forced fumble and a PBU.

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) OS Marcus Nash, Las Vegas
ARIZONA (Apr 3) QB Mark Grieb, San Jose
@Chicago (Apr 10) QB Raymond Philyaw, Chicago
DALLAS (Apr 15) QB Mark Grieb, San Jose
@Colorado (Apr 22) QB Mark Grieb, San Jose
NASHVILLE (Apr 29) QB Leon Murray, Nashville
LOS ANGELES (May 7) OS Tony Locke, Los Angeles
@Arizona (May 14) QB Sherdrick Bonner, Arizona
GEORGIA (May 21) QB Mark Grieb, San Jose

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) DS Tremain Mack, San Jose
ARIZONA (Apr 3) OL/DL Joe Jacobs, San Jose
@Chicago (Apr 10) WR/DB Etu Molden, Chicago
DALLAS (Apr 15) WR/LB James Roe, San Jose
@Colorado (Apr 22) DS Clevan Thomas, San Jose
NASHVILLE (Apr 29) DS Khalil Carter, Nashville
LOS ANGELES (May 7) OL/DL Michale Spicer, Los Angeles
@Arizona (May 14) OL/DL Wendall Gaines, Arizona
GEORGIA (May 21) WR/DB Barry Wagner, San Jose

ARMY IRONMAN OF THE GAME:
Opponent (Date) Player
@Tampa Bay (Jan 30) WR/LB Lawrence Samuels, Tmpa Bay
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) OS Rashied Davis, San Jose
ARIZONA (Apr 3) WR/LB James Roe, San Jose
@Chicago (Apr 10) FB/LB Bob McMillen, Chicago
DALLAS (Apr 15) WR/DB Rodney Wright, San Jose
@Colorado (Apr 22) WR/DB Rodney Wright, San Jose
NASHVILLE (Apr 29) WR/DB Rodney Wright, San Jose
LOS ANGELES (May 7) WR/DB Kevin Ingram, Los Angles
@Arizona (May 14) WR/LB Randy Gatewood, ArizonaWR/LB Tom Pace, Arizona
GEORGIA (May 21) WR/LB James Roe, San Jose

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 2-0
30-39 points 0-2 2-0
40-49 points 1-2 3-0
50-59 points 3-1 0-4
60-69 points 1-2 0-2
70-79 points 1-0 2-1
80+ points 3-0 0-0

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

Leading after the 1st 7-3
Trailing after the 1st 1-0
Tied after the 1st 1-4

Leading at Half 9-1
Trailing at Half 0-5
Tied at Half 0-1

Leading after the 3rd 9-0
Trailing after the 3rd 0-6
Tied after the 3rd 0-1

Scoring First 8-4
Opp. Score First 1-3

More Total Offense 5-7
Less Total Offense 4-0

More Pass Yards 5-6
Less Pass Yards 4-0

More Rushing Yards 7-2
Less Rushing Yards 2-5

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

On NBC 1-4
On WB20 2-1
On FSN 6-2

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

Winning coin toss 2-2
Losing coin toss 7-5

Outscoring Opponent 9-0
Being Outscored 0-7

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