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San Jose SaberCats game notes

March 21, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
San Jose SaberCats News Release


THE QUICK FACTS:
Game: San Jose SaberCats (3-5) at Nashville Kats (5-3).
Date: Saturday, March 25, 2006.
Kickoff: 5:00 p.m. (PT).
Site: Gaylord Entertainment Center (15,711).
Officials: Referee: Perry Havener; Umpire: Jeff Carr; Head Linesman: Kelly Saalfeld; Line Judge: Brian Matthews; Back Judge: Jimmy Buchanan.
Television: The game will be televised live in the Bay Area on NBC affiliate KNTV (NBC11) starting at 5:00 p.m. (PT). Bob Fitzgerald will handle play-by-play duties with former SaberCat super star Steve Papin supplying the color commentary.
Radio: San Jose's flagship station KNBR-1050 will broadcast the game live with Joe Castellano handling play-by-play duties and Jerry Reese adding the commentary. The station will air a 30-minute pregame show starting at 4:30 p.m.
Internet: Log on to www.KNBR.com to hear a live webcast of Saturday night's game.
Series Record: Nashville leads 5-2.
Last Meeting: Nashville 57, SaberCats 55 (April 29, 2005 in HP Pavilion).
Series Streaks: Nashville Won 2.
Coaches: San Jose, Darren Arbet (8th season; 76-36 regular season, 85-40 overall). Nashville, Pat Sperduto (5th season; 38-27-1 regular season, 43-30-1 overall).

OVERVIEW: The SaberCats ended the first half of the season with a much-needed win beating the Georgia Force 56-55 in overtime. The victory moved the SaberCats (3-5) into a four-way tie for second place in the Western Division, one-game behind Arizona. San Jose will now travel to Nashville to face the Central Division Kats on Mar. 25 in another critical contest before returning home to battle the Rattlers on Apr. 2. Saturday's 5:00 p.m. (PT) game at Nashville will be shown locally on KNTV (NBC11) and can also be seen on FSN South. San Jose's flagship radio station KNBR 1050 will air the game live. San Jose scored the game-tying touchdown and 2-point conversion with 23 seconds left in regulation time against Georgia then stopped the Force on their 2-point try for the win in OT to snap a 2-game home losing streak. Rookie Ben Nelson continued his solid play with 13 catches for 165 yards and 2 TDs and FB/LB Phil Glover scored a career-high 3 rush TDs, including a 2-yarder in OT to give San Jose the lead. Nashville has won five of the seven series games with San Jose, including all three in the Music City. The last time the teams met in Nashville was on Aug. 11, 2001 with the Kats winning 71-47 in a semifinal playoff game. Nashville won in San Jose 57-55 on Apr. 29, 2005.
THE SCHEDULES:

2006 San Jose SaberCats (3-5)
Date Opponent Result Score (Rec)
Jan. 28 UTAH Lost 35-48 (0-1)
Feb. 6 @Las Vegas Lost 48-51 (0-2)
Feb. 12 @Arizona Won 58-50 (1-2)
Feb. 19 @Grand Rapids Lost 52-66 (1-3)
Feb. 26 @Chicago Lost (ot) 48-54 (1-4)
Mar. 4 @Utah Won 65-50 (2-4)
Mar. 12 LOS ANGELES Lost 61-75 (2-5)
Mar. 17 GEORGIA Won (ot) 56-55 (3-5)
Date Opponent Time (PT) Radio/TV
Mar. 25 @Nashville 5:00 pm 1050/NBC11
Apr. 2 ARIZONA 3:00 pm 1050/NBC
Apr. 7 @Tampa Bay 4:30 pm 1050/20
Apr. 14 LAS VEGAS 7:30 pm 1050/FSN
Apr. 22 AUSTIN 7:30 pm 1050
Apr. 29 @Los Angeles 7:30 pm 1050/20
May 6 COLORADO 7:30 pm 1050
May 13 COLUMBUS 7:30 pm 1050

2006 Nashville Kats (5-3)
Date Opponent Result Score (Rec)
Jan. 28 @New York Won 57-28 (1-0)
Feb. 3 COLUMBUS Won 53-27 (2-0)
Feb. 12 @Chicago Lost (ot) 55-56 (2-1)
Feb. 18 COLORADO Won 58-36 (3-1)
Feb. 25 GRAND RAPIDS Won 47-31 (4-1)
Mar. 4 @Arizona Lost 49-51 (4-2)
Mar. 10 @Utah Lost 34-63 (4-3)
Mar. 17 CHICAGO Won 49-48 (5-3)
Date Opponent Time (PT) TV
Mar. 25 SAN JOSE 5:00 pm FSN
Apr. 1 @Colorado 6:00 pm FSN
Apr. 9 @Las Vegas 12:00 pm FSN
Apr. 14 PHILADELPHIA 5:00 pm CSN, INHD
Apr. 21 KANSAS CITY 5:00 pm
Apr. 29 @Grand Rapids 5:00 pm
May 6 @Los Angeles 7:30 pm
May 13 TAMPA BAY 5:00 pm CSS, INHD

THE SERIES: Nashville leads the all-time series 5-2 with a 3-2 edge in regular season games and a 2-0 mark in playoff tilts...The Kats won last year's meeting, 57-55, on Apr. 29 in San Jose and have won two straight in the series...Nashville is undefeated at home winning all three games...The teams have not played in Nashville since Aug. 11, 2001 when the Kats posted a 71-47 semifinal playoff win...The Kats eliminated San Jose from the playoffs with semifinal wins in both 2000 and 2001...Nashville's first ever regular season game was a 47-21 victory over San Jose on May 2, 1997...One of San Jose's six overtime games was against Nashville, a 58-57 win in San Jose on June 16, 2001.

WHAT'S AHEAD: The SaberCats return to HP Pavilion to battle rival Arizona in a Western Division showdown on Sunday, Apr. 2 at 3:00 p.m. (PT). The game will be regionally televised on NBC (NBC11 locally) and aired on KNBR 1050. Bay Area rockers Third Eye Blind will hold a post game concert immediately following the game and will have the stage for approximately 60 minutes. All fans with a ticket to the game will have the opportunity to witness the free event.

SABERCATS SIDELINE REPORT: Bob Fitzgerald returns as host of the SaberCats Sideline Report, which airs every Sunday during the season on NBC11 at 11:50 p.m. immediately following Sports Sunday. Join Fitz and a special guest every week for this action-packed 8-minute segment.

SERIES NOTABLES: The Kats faced San Jose in their first game in franchise history on May 2, 1997 and earned their first franchise victory with the 47-21 win over the SaberCats...QB Mark Grieb set a personal record with 430 passing yards against Nashville on Jun. 16, 2001...WR/LB James Roe has totaled 375 receiving yards in three games against Nashville, including a career-high 195 on Jun. 16, 2001, the third-highest receiving total in team history...Roe (11) and current assistant coach Shalon Baker (11) became the first San Jose teammates to record double-digits in receptions in the same game when they did it against Nashville on Jun. 16, 2001...San Jose scored only 21 points against the Kats on May 2, 1997, the second lowest point total in team history...The Kats have won all three games played in Nashville by a combined total of 61 points (20.3 ppg)...Of the teams San Jose has played more than once on the road, Nashville (0-3) is one of two clubs it hasn't beaten (New York)...Nashville defeated San Jose two consecutive years in the semifinals of the playoffs (2000, 2001), preventing the SaberCats from reaching their first ArenaBowl...In seven series games the teams have combined for 32 field goal attempts converting on 12 of them (San Jose 5-of-14; Nashville 7-of-18)...There has been a kick return for a touchdown in five of the seven series games between the teams for a total of seven (KO-5, MFG-2)...Current SaberCat broadcaster and former player Steve Papin tied a league record with a 58-yard missed field goal return on Jun. 16, 1999...Current San Jose assistant coach and former player Derrick Chachere was the game's leading rusher with 16 yards when Nashville beat San Jose, 41-27, in the Kats' first ever regular season game on May 2, 1997.

LAST SERIES MEETING: Nashville 57, SaberCats 55 - Friday, April 29, 2005 - HP Pavilion - Nashville QB Leon Murray threw eight TD passes to four different receivers as the visiting Kats handed San Jose its first home loss of the season, 57-55, in front of a crowd of 13,345 fans at HP Pavilion. The Kats entered the contest unbeaten in their last four games and put up their highest point total of the season. Murray, the Offensive Player of the Game, completed 18-of-36 passes for 235 yards with no interceptions. Former SaberCat Fred Coleman led the Kats in receiving, catching six passes for 75 yards and three TD's. T.T. Toliver and Darryl Hammond also figured in the scoring, each hauling in a pair of TDs. San Jose QB Mark Grieb started the game by completing his first eight passes, extending his streak to 28 consecutive completions dating back to Apr. 15 vs. Dallas. However, his streak came to an end as his ninth pass attempt was intercepted by Defensive Player of the Game Kahlil Carter, who had two picks on the night. Grieb finished the night completing 26-of-35 passes for 331 yards with five touchdowns and two interceptions. Rodney Wright earned his third consecutive Ironman of the Game award after catching a game-high 10 passes for 134 yards and a TD. San Jose scored with 14 seconds remaining in the game on a 3-yard run by Steve Warren, moving the SaberCats to within two points, 57-55. But Grieb's pass on the two-point conversion attempt slipped through the fingers of Rashied Davis in the end zone. San Jose's last-ditch attempt failed as the ensuing onside kick attempt was recovered by Nashville, who ran out the clock. San Jose lost for the first time after leading at the half and saw its record fall to 8-5 on the season. NOTES: San Jose had won seven consecutive home games...Grieb threw for 300+ yards for the fifth time this season...Nashville improved its record to 5-2 all-time against San Jose.

Score By Quarters
Kats ....................................... 7 23 14 13 - 57
SaberCats................................ 14 20 7 14 - 55

SCORING SUMMARY
SAN Davis 1 run (Frantz kick)
NAS Hammond 8 pass from Murray (Dodson kick)
SAN Dozier 2 run (Frantz kick)
NAS FG Dodson 27
SAN Davis 45 pass from Grieb (kick blocked)
NAS Toliver 45 pass from Murray (Dodson kick)
NAS Coleman 12 pass from Murray (kick failed)
SAN Davis 15 pass from Grieb (Frantz kick)
NAS Hillery 12 pass from Murray (Dodson kick)
SAN Davis 14 pass from Grieb (Frantz kick)
NAS Coleman 23 pass from Murray (Dodson kick)
SAN Roe 6 pass from Grieb (Frantz kick)
NAS Hammond 20 pass from Murray (Dodson kick)
NAS Toliver11 pass from Murray (kick failed)
SAN Wright 31 pass from Grieb (Frantz kick)
NAS Coleman 13 pass from Murray (Dodson kick)
SAN Warren 3 run (pass failed)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Passing - NA: Murray 18-36-0-235. SJ: Grieb 26-35-2-331.
Rushing - NA: Murray 2-15; Hillery 2-15; Brown 7-11; Alexander 2-0. SJ: Warren 3-7; Grieb 1-7; Davis 1-1; Dozier 2-1.
Receiving - NA: Coleman 6-75; Toliver 4-93; Hammond 4-42; Hillery 3-23; Stephens 1-2. SJ: Wright 10-134; Roe 8-78; Davis 7-116; Baker 1-3.
Kick Returns - NA: Tolliver 3-52; Hillery 2-51; Hammond 1-0. SJ - Wright 5-113; Wagner 1-3.

ALL-TIME SERIES SCORES
Date Score
Apr. 29, 2005 Nashville 57, @San Jose 55
Aug. 11, 2001 @Nashville 71, San Jose 47 (playoff)
June 16, 2001 @San Jose 58, Nashville 57 (ot)
Aug. 12, 2000 Nashville 51, @San Jose 42 (playoff)
July 16, 1999 @Nashville 56, San Jose 45
May 30, 1998 @San Jose 49, Nashville 41
May 2, 1997 @Nashville 47, San Jose 21

2006 TEAM STATISTICAL COMPARISON
Category (AFL Rank) SaberCats Kats
Scoring Offense 52.9 (8) 50.1 (10)
Scoring Defense 56.1 (16) 42.4 (1)
Total Offense 308.6 (4) 259.4 (15)
Total Defense 301.5 (13) 244.8 (1)
Pass Offense 297.9 (4) 229.0 (17)
Pass Defense 285.1 (16) 228.2 (2)
Rushing Offense 10.8 (17) 30.4 (5)
Rushing Defense 16.4 (5) 16.5 (6)
Pass Rating 115.1 (5) 95.7 (14)
Pass Defense Rating 121.7 (16) 89.1 (2)
Interceptions 6 (T-13) 11 (5)
Kickoff Return Avg. 16.5 (12) 18.2 (7)
Field Goal Return Avg. 12.0 (12) 14.0 (10)
Turnover Margin +1 (T-9) +6 (1)
3rd Down Conversions 37.7% (15) 44.2% (12)
4th Down Conversions 37.5% (14) 40.0% (12)
Sacks For 10 (T-4) 18 (1)
Sacks Against 9 (12) 10 (T-13)

2006 SABERCATS AMONG LEAGUE LEADERS
Player Category No. Rank
Mark Grieb Total Offense 304.4 2nd
Mark Grieb Pass TDs 41 5th
Mark Grieb Pass Completions 197 4th
Mark Grieb Passing Yards 2,432 2nd
Mark Grieb Pass Avg/Game 304.0 3rd
Mark Grieb Passer Rating 114.3 7th
Mark Grieb Pass Attempts 302 3rd
Mark Grieb Completion Pct. 65.2 7th
Clevan Thomas Fumbles Recovered 2 T-3rd
Clevan Thomas Fumbles Forced 2 T-5th
Marquis Floyd Fumbles Forced 2 T-5th
Joe Jacobs Sacks 3.0 T-6th
Brian Schmitz PAT Kicks Made 46 T-7th
Brian Schmitz PAT Kick Attempts 52 8th
Phil Glover Rushing TDs 8 T-1st
Phil Glover Rush Attempts 23 10th
Phil Glover Sacks 2.0 T-10th
James Roe TD receptions 14 T-10th

THE IFS...:
If the SaberCats defeat Nashville it would...
*Give them a 4-5 season record.
*Be their 2nd straight win.
*Be their first win in Nashville.
*Give them a 3-5 all-time series record against the Kats.
*Snap a 4-game losing streak to Central Division teams.
*Give them a 29-17 all-time record against Central Division opponents.
*Give them a 15-11 all-time road record against Central Division opponents.
*Give them a 106-61 all-time regular season record.
*Give them a 48-37 all-time reg. season road record.
*Give them a 115-58 all time record.

THE COACHES:
San Jose - Darren Arbet, 8th season
76-36 (.679) reg. season; 85-40 (.680) overall
1-4 (.200) career vs. Nashville
1-4 (.200) career vs. Pat Sperduto
Now in his eighth season at the helm of the SaberCats, two-time Coach of the Year Darren Arbet currently ranks 6th in the AFL with 85 career victories and needs just one more win to tie Perry Moss for 5th place. Last season Arbet led the SaberCats to their 6th consecutive winning season and playoff appearance. Since the start of the 2000 season his teams have compiled a 70-28 (.714) 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). Last season Arbet became the second fastest head coach to reach 80 career wins, doing it in 111 games. Only Tampa Bay's Tim Marcum, who reached the 80-win mark in 96 games, got to that milestone quicker.

Nashville - Pat Sperduto, 5th season
37-27-1 (.577) reg. season; 42-30-1 (.582) overall
4-1 (.800) career vs. San Jose
4-1 (.800) career vs. Darren Arbet
Now in his fifth season as head coach of the Kats, Pat Sperduto owns a 42-30-1 career record. At the helm of the original Kats from 1999 to 2001, Sperduto joined the NFL's Tennessee Titans after the Kats franchise was sold and moved to Atlanta prior to the 2002 season. He was hired to oversee the startup process of the expansion Kats franchise that returned to the field last season. Sperduto took over as head coach from Eddie Khayat in 1999 and led the team to back-to-back ArenaBowl appearances in 2000 and 2001. A three-time ArenaBowl champion, Sperduto won two titles as a player with Tampa Bay and one as a Storm assistant.

ROSTER MOVES: The SaberCats placed linemen Joe Jacobs (low back) and George Williams (knee) on injured reserve Mar. 16 prior to their game against Georgia. Taking their spots on the active roster were OL/DL Albrey Battle and WR/LB Jason Geathers. Battle, a six-year AFL veteran, and Geathers, a rookie, made their season debuts against the Force on Mar. 17. OL/DL Van Brown, who was signed to the roster on Mar. 10 and inactive against Los Angeles on Mar. 12, made his AFL debut against Georgia also.

RECENT ROSTER MOVES
Date Action
Feb. 10 Activated OL/DL Julius Gant, OL/DL Dan Loney, OL/DL Alan Harper and WR/LB Ben Nelson from IR. Placed OL/DL Jeff Ruffin, OL/DL George Williams and WR/LB Kevin McKenzie on IR.
Feb. 11 Activated DS Omarr Smith from IR. Placed FB/LB JaJuan Huddleston on IR.
Feb. 18 Activated WR/LB James Roe from IR. Placed WR/LB Ben Nelson on IR.
Feb. 21 Re-signed OS Atnaf Harris.
Feb. 25 Activated WR/LB Kevin McKenzie and OL/DL George Williams from IR. Placed WR/LB Fred Coleman and OL/DL Alan Harper on IR.
Mar. 3 Activated WR/LB Ben Nelson from IR. Placed WR/LB Calvin Schexnayder on IR
Mar. 8 Waived OL/DL Jeff Ruffin.
Mar. 10 Signed OL/DL Van Brown. Re-signed OL/DL Alan Harper and put OL/DL Chuck Reed on IR.
Mar. 11 Activated WR/DB Barry Wagner from IR. Placed WR/LB Kevin McKenzie on IR.
Mar. 16 Activated OL/DL Albrey Battle and WR/LB Jason Geathers from IR. Placed OL/DL Joe Jacobs and OL/DL George Williams on IR.
INJURY REPORT: At press time the SaberCats had 13 players on injured reserve. League rules stipulate that players on IR must be inactive for two weeks. Last week the SaberCats put OL/DL Joe Jacobs (lower back) and OL/DL George Williams (knee) on IR. The players listed below with an asterisk by their name are eligible to be activated to the 24-man roster for this week's game.

INJURY REPORT
Player Injury Status
Atnaf Harris* L foot stress IR
Chris Lewis* Back strain IR
Rufus Brown* L wrist sprain IR
Fitu Tu'ua* L 3rd finger IR
Rodney Wright* Turf toe IR
JaJuan Huddleston* Finger IR
Fred Coleman* Ankle sprain IR
Alan Harper* Flu symptoms IR
Calvin Schexnayder* R Ankle Sprain IR
Chuck Reed* R Knee Arthritis IR
Kevin McKenzie* Groin strain IR
George Williams L knee IR
Joe Jacobs Lower back IR

MILESTONES
Player Milestone Needs
Mark Grieb 26,000 career pass yards 785
Mark Grieb 25,000 SJ career pass yards 788
Mark Grieb 2,000 career completions 57
Mark Grieb 500 career pass TDs 27
James Roe 500 career receptions 34
James Roe 150 career TD catches 6
Brian Schmitz 60 career FGs made 1
Barry Wagner 50 career INTs 3
Clevan Thomas 30 career INTs 2
Phil Glover 200 career rush yards 1
Karl Bates 10 career sacks 0.5
Terrance Joseph 10 career INTs 1
Omarr Smith 25 career INTs 1
Kevin McKenzie 3,000 career receiving yds 318
Kevin McKenzie 50 career TDs 4

RECENT RESULTS: SABERCATS 56, Georgia 55 (overtime) - Friday, March 17, 2006 - HP Pavilion - Mark Grieb threw four touchdown passes and the San Jose SaberCats (3-5) stopped Georgia's two-point conversion attempt in overtime to post a 56-55 over the Force. Grieb, who completed 30-of-46 attempts for 337 yards on the night, tossed a 17-yard scoring pass to James Roe with 23 seconds left in the fourth quarter to pull the SaberCats within 49-47. The two hooked up on the two-point conversion to tie the game at 49-49. Georgia had one last opportunity to win the game in regulation time but kicker Nelson Garner missed a 35-yard field goal attempt as time expired. San Jose scored on its first overtime possession when game Ironman Phil Glover ran in from 2-yards out, his third rushing touchdown of the game, and Brian Schmitz's PAT gave San Jose a 56-49 lead. Following Offensive Player of the Game Derek Lee's fifth touchdown reception, a 36-yard strike from Matt Nagy, the Force elected to go for the 2-point conversion and the win. Nagy's pass sailed over the head of Lee, bounced off the rebound net and fell harmlessly on the HP Pavilion turf as the SaberCats celebrated their victory snapping a 2-game home losing streak. Trailing 28-17 at halftime, the SaberCats scored the first 16 points of the second half. Rookie Ben Nelson, who had 13 receptions for 165 yards, scored on a 7-yard pass from Grieb to give San Jose a 33-28 lead midway through the third quarter. Nagy completed 22-of-36 for 324 yards with seven touchdowns. His favorite target was Lee, who had 11 catches for 192 yards. Georgia dropped to 4-4 on the year with all four losses coming by a combined five points. San Jose played its sixth overtime game in franchise history and second this year. The SaberCats are 4-2 all-time in overtime games. NOTES: Ben Nelson's 13 catches tie for the second-most in SaberCats history...Rookie lineman Van Brown, signed to the active roster last week, recorded a sack for a safety and pressured Nagy on the games final play...Rookie Jason Geathers made his AFL debut catching 3 passes for 39 yards with 2 PBUs on defense...Phil Glover ran for a career-high 3 TDs...San Jose is 3-1 all-time in overtime games played at HP Pavilion.

Score By Quarters
Force....................................... 14 14 7 14 6 - 55
SaberCats................................ 7 10 16 16 7 - 56

SCORING SUMMARY
SAN Glover 1 run (Schmitz kick)
GEO Lee 24 pass from Nagy (Garner kick)
GEO Jackson 25 pass from Nagy (Garner kick)
SAN FG Schmitz 28
GEO Lee 9 pass from Nagy (Garner kick)
SAN Nelson 30 pass from Grieb (Schmitz kick)
GEO Thomas 8 run (Garner kick)
SAN Wagner 5 pass from Grieb (Schmitz kick)
SAN Brown safety
SAN Nelson 7 pass from Grieb (Schmitz kick)
GEO Jackson 2 pass from Nagy (Garner kick)
GEO Lee 48 pass from Nagy (Garner kick)
SAN Glover 3 run (Case rush)
GEO Lee 23 pass from Nagy (Garner kick)
SAN Roe 17 pass from Grieb (Roe pass)
SAN Glover 2 run (Schmitz kick)
GEO Lee 36 pass from Nagy (pass failed)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Passing - GEO: Nagy 22-36-0-324. SJ: Grieb 30-46-1-337.
Rushing - GEO: Thomas 3-8. SJ: Glover 7-16; Grieb 3-1; Wagner 2-0; Johnson 2-(-3).
Receiving - GEO: Lee 11-192; Jackson 7-97; Elliott 3-27; McClure 1-8. SJ: Nelson 13-165; Roe 6-62; Wagner 6-56; Geathers 3-39; Pauley 2-15.
Kick Returns - GEO: Jackson 5-97; Elliott 2-31. SJ - Wagner 7-87.

TRENDS:
ON THE ROAD AGAIN - The SaberCats return to the road after a 2-game homestand heading to Nashville for Saturday night's showdown. Thanks to their record five-game road trip earlier in the year, the SaberCats do not play consecutive road games the remainder of the season. San Jose is 2-3 on the road in 2006 and has a 47-37 (.560) all-time regular season road record.

OH FOR NASHVILLE - The SaberCats have played three games in the Music City and have lost them all being outscored 174 to 113. San Jose lost 47-21 on May 2, 1997 in the Kats' first ever regular season game. San Jose's point total in that game represents the second-lowest in team history. In the last meeting between the clubs in Nashville, the Kats posted a 71-47 win in a semifinal playoff game on Aug. 11, 2001.

BACK TO BACK - The SaberCats are looking to post consecutive wins for the first time since last April. San Jose beat Dallas, 83-71, on April 15, 2005 and won the next week, 89-41, at Colorado on April 22. Since then, a span of 12 regular season games, the team has not won back-to-back games.

CENTRALLY LOCATED - Saturday's matchup with Nashville is the third for San Jose against a Central Division opponent on the road this year. Dating back to last season, and including playoffs, the SaberCats have lost three straight on the road to Central Division teams and four in-a-row overall. San Jose's last win against a Central Division foe came at Colorado on Apr. 22, 2005, an 89-41 decision. San Jose owns a lifetime mark of 28-17 (.622) against the Central and is 14-11 (.560) on the road.

EXTRA SESSION - After playing just four overtime games in 11 seasons prior to 2006 and not playing an OT contest since the 2001 season, the SaberCats have played two OT games this year. San Jose's OT win over Georgia on Mar. 17 gave the team a 4-2 all-time record in OT games and a 3-1 mark in OT games played at HP Pavilion.

PASSING FANCY - Georgia QB Matt Nagy threw for 324 yards in his team's loss to San Jose on Mar. 17, the fourth straight game San Jose has allowed the opposing starting QB to throw for over 300 yards. L.A.'s Sonny Cumbie (348), Utah's Joe Germaine (367) and Chicago's Matt D'Orazio (351) all preceded Nagy in the 300 club. The SaberCats rank 16th in the AFL in pass defense giving up 285.1 yards per game.

STARTING POINT - Two rookies, WR/LB Jason Geathers and OL/DL Van Brown, made their AFL debuts for San Jose against Georgia on Mar. 17 bringing to seven the number of first-year players to see action in a game for the SaberCats in the first half of the season. Geathers and Brown, along with Marquis Floyd, Ben Nelson and Julius Gant, are all on the active roster, while JaJuan Huddleston and Alan Harper are currently on injured reserve.

RECORD HOLDER - QB Mark Grieb owns the SaberCats and the defunct Anaheim Piranhas record for passing yards in a game with both coming against the Nashville Kats. While with Anaheim in 1997, Grieb threw for 361 yards and 8 TDs completing 25-of-34 passes in a 68-62 loss on June 14. Almost four years to the day later, Grieb threw for 430 yards and 7 TDs completing 30-of-39 attempts in a 58-57 overtime win on June 16, 2001. In that game Grieb completed 16 consecutive passes in the fourth quarter and overtime to lead San Jose back from a 17-point fourth quarter deficit. Current Kats James Baron, Cory Fleming and Darryl Hammond were involved in both games while head coach Pat Sperduto was Nashville's defensive coordinator in 1997.

NOTES:
THE WACKY WEST - It was expected to be a competitive division, and it is with four teams just one game behind division leading Arizona in the standings. The Rattlers have vaulted to the top on the strength of a 3-game winning streak while L.A. has won two straight after a 5-game skid. San Jose will be the only team playing outside the division this week as Utah hosts Las Vegas and Arizona entertains Los Angeles on Mar. 24. A change in the 2006 playoff format has the four division winners receiving a first round playoff bye and hosting a game in the second round. Games within the division take on more importance this year with head-to-head competition factoring as the main tie-breaker. Since the AFL went to a four-division format in 1995, no team with a sub-.500 record has won a division title and just two teams, Orlando (2002) and New York (2003), have won division titles with a .500 mark.

2006 WESTERN DIVISION STANDINGS
Team W L GB Pct Div Conf
Arizona 4 4 -- .500 2-2 3-2
San Jose 3 5 1.0 .375 2-3 2-5
Utah 3 5 1.0 .375 2-2 3-3
Las Vegas 3 5 1.0 .375 1-1 2-2
Los Angeles 3 5 1.0 .375 2-1 3-3

ONE MORE - SaberCats' head coach Darren Arbet is one victory away from tying former Chicago Bruisers, Detroit Drive and Orlando Predators head coach Perry Moss for 5th place on the AFL's career wins list. Arbet won his 85th game on Mar. 17 when his SaberCats posted a 56-55 overtime win over the Georgia Force. Arbet was a member of the Los Angeles Cobras in 1988 when his team forged a tie with the Moss-led Bruisers on July 14, the first tie game in league history. Nashville head coach Pat Sperduto was part of the second tie game in league history when his Kats and the Dallas Desperados played to a 41-41 tie on Apr. 8, 2005.

CAREER COACHING RECORDS
Rk. Coach Team Record
1. Tim Marcum Tampa Bay 179-71
2. Danny White Utah 144-70
3. Mike Hohensee Chicago 98-90
4. Mike Dailey Colorado 94-60
5. Perry Moss None 86-35
6. Darren Arbet San Jose 85-40

LIKE A GLOVE - FB/LB Phil Glover has had a solid first half of the season for San Jose. The 4th year AFL veteran scored a career-high 3 rushing TDs in San Jose's win over Georgia on Mar. 17, the second-highest game total in team history, and is currently tied with Austin QB John Fitzgerald for the most rush TDs in the league with 8. Glover had a career-high 7 carries in the game for a season-best 16 yards against the Force and is San Jose's leading rusher with 53 yards on 23 attempts. He scored on a 2-yard run in OT and added an assisted tackle and a PBU for game Ironman honors.

MATCHUP - Saturday night's game offers an intriguing matchup of the AFL's top defense against one of the league's hottest offenses. Over the past three games San Jose has amassed 1,047 yards of total offense (349.0 ypg) and has scored 182 points (60.7 ppg). Meanwhile, Nashville leads the league allowing just 244.8 yards and 42.4 points per game. Nashville has held an opponent to under 40 points in four games and is undefeated in those contests but in the three games it has allowed more than 50 points, the Kats are winless.

FULL NELSON - Rookie Ben Nelson continues to impress as the team's starting OS. In his third start Nelson hauled in 13 catches, the second-highest single game total in team history, for 165 yards and 2 TDs in San Jose's 56-55 overtime win over Georgia on Mar. 17. Coupled with his 11 catch-162 yard performance against Los Angeles on Mar. 12, Nelson established a San Jose record for most pass receptions in consecutive games with 24 and had the second-highest receiving yardage total with 327. During his three starting assignments, Nelson has totaled 31 catches for 404 yards and 5 TDs.
MOST RECEPTIONS, CONSECUTIVE GAMES
Rk Player Dates Rcpts
1. Ben Nelson Mar. 12-17, 2006 24
2. James Roe Feb. 13-20, 2005 23
3. Steve Papin Jun. 29-July 8, 2000 22
4. James Roe Mar. 26-Apr. 4, 2004 21
James Hundon June 24-30, 2001 21

MOST RECEIVING YARDS, CONSECUTIVE GAMES
Rk Player Dates Yards
1. James Hundon June 24-30, 2001 339
2. Ben Nelson Mar. 12-17, 2006 327
3. Steve Papin Jun. 29-July 8, 2000 323
4. James Hundon Apr. 27-May 4, 2002 316
5. James Roe Feb. 13-20, 2005 315

ON THE MARK - QB Mark Grieb threw for 337 yards in San Jose's 56-55 overtime win against Georgia on Mar. 17, his second straight 300-yard passing game, fourth of the season and 26th of his career. Grieb completed 30 passes, the second-highest game total in franchise history, in 46 attempts and threw an interception late in the first half, his first pick in 2 ½ games covering 86 attempts. Over the last three games Grieb has thrown for 1,025 yards and 20 TDs with just the one INT while completing 83-of-121 attempts (68.6%). Grieb surpassed the 25,000 plateau in career passing yards (25,215) and ranks 2nd to Tampa Bay's Shane Stafford in passing yards this season with 2,432. He also ranks 3rd in attempts (302) and 4th in completions (197). Grieb has played five games, all starts, in his career against Nashville (four with San Jose) and has completed 120-of-179 passes for 1,573 yards with 30 TDs and six INTs. He has a 1-4 record in those games.

MOST COMPLETIONS, TEAM, GAME
Rk Player Date Comps
1. Mark Grieb at Los Angeles 2/20/05 31
Mark Grieb at New York 3/7/04 31
3. Mark Grieb v Georgia 3/17/06 30
Mark Grieb at New Orleans 2/13/05 30
Mark Grieb v Los Angeles 5/17/03 30
Mark Grieb v Nashville 6/16/01 30

IMPRESSIVE DEBUT - Rookie lineman Van Brown, who was signed to the team's active roster on Mar. 10, made his AFL debut a memorable one against Georgia on Mar. 17. Brown started on the defensive line and posted a sack that resulted in a safety when he wrapped up Force QB Matt Nagy early in the third quarter. He also applied pressure to Nagy on Georgia's 2-point conversion attempt in OT. Brown became the 7th player to record a sack in his first game as a SaberCat and the 3rd rookie to turn the trick joining Dan Loney (2002) and Cedric Pittman (2003). Brown's safety was the first recorded by a SaberCat since Steve Warren sacked Grand Rapids QB Michael Bishop in the endzone on Mar. 18, 2005.

ROE-LIFIC - WR/LB James Roe had his string of consecutive 100-yard receiving games stopped at four, one short of tying the club record, but he still totaled 6 catches for 62 yards and a TD in San Jose's 56-55 win against Georgia in overtime on Mar. 17. Roe has at least one TD grab in all six games he's played for a total of 14 and ranks 5th in the AFL in receiving yards/game with 96.3. In five games since his return to the lineup following his opening night injury, Roe has 45 catches for 567 yards and 14 TDs. Despite missing nearly three full games, Roe is on pace for 92 receptions, which would be the 5th highest single season total in SaberCats history.

TEAM CAREER RECEPTIONS
Rank Player Receptions
1. James Roe 466
2. Steve Papin 326
3. Barry Wagner 317
4. James Hundon 307
5. Shalon Baker 263

TEAM CAREER RECEIVING YARDS
Rank Player Receiving Yds
1. James Roe 6,084
2. James Hundon 4,648
3. Steve Papin 4,282
4. Barry Wagner 3,656
5. Shalon Baker 3,575

THE LEGEND CONTINUES - Barry Wagner is back in the lineup and he continues to add to his AFL record totals for receptions, receiving yards, all-purpose yards and TDs. Playing in his second game of the season, the 14-year veteran caught 6 passes for 56 yards and a TD and added 87 yards on 7 KORs for 143 all-purpose yards. Wagner has now scored 407 TDs in his career and has 968 receptions, 13,146 receiving yards and 20,756 all-purpose yards.

AFL CAREER PASS RECEPTIONS
Rank Player Recpts
1. Barry Wagner, San Jose 968
2. Eddie Brown 951
3. Cory Fleming, Nashville 824
4. Darryl Hammond, Nashville 801
5. Greg Hopkins, Los Angeles 798

AFL CAREER RECEIVING YARDS
Rank Player Yards
1. Barry Wagner, San Jose 13,146
2. Eddie Brown 12,730
3. Gary Compton 10,247
4. Greg Hopkins, Los Angeles 9,900
5. George LaFrance 9,004

CONNECTIONS - San Jose OL/DL Wes Stephens played in five games with Nashville last year...Nashville line coach Darrin Kenney played in every game during his three years with San Jose (2001-03) and helped the SaberCats to their first ArenaBowl title in 2002...San Jose WR/LB Fred Coleman (currently on IR) was Nashville's leading receiver in 2005. He spent the 2004 season with the SaberCats before signing a free agent deal with the Kats.
IN THE GEORGIA GAME:
WR/LB Jason Geathers played in his first career AFL game with 3 receptions for 39 yards and 2 PBUs on defense.
QB Mark Grieb surpassed the 25,000 level (25,215) in career passing yards with 337.
Rookie OS Ben Nelson had 13 catches to tie for the second-most in SaberCats history
Rookie Lineman Van Brown, signed to the active roster last week, recorded a sack for a safety, the first safety for San Jose since Mar. 18, 2005 when Steve Warren recorded one against Grand Rapids
FB/LB Phil Glover had career-highs of 7 rush attempts and 3 rush TDs, and was named Ironman of the Game.
San Jose is 3-1 all-time in overtime games played at HP Pavilion.
WR/LB James Roe played in his 75th regular season game.
WR/DB Barry Wagner amassed 87 yards in kickoff returns eclipsing the 2,000 plateau (2,041) in his San Jose career.
OL/DL Albrey Battle made his season debut playing in his 83rd regular season game.

NASHVILLE PLAYERS TO WATCH:
OL/DL JAMES BARON - The 10-year AFL veteran has faced San Jose 11 times during his career with Nashville and Chicago. In those games the 1999 Defensive Player of the Year has compiled nine tackles, 4.0 sacks for 22 yards, two forced fumbles, 2 quarterback hurries, a PBU and a fumble recovery for a TD. A two-time Lineman of the Year (1998 and 2001) and six-time All-AFL pick has 2.0 sacks on the season and ranks 3rd all-time with 41.5. Baron is a part of a Nashville defensive line that ranks first in the league in total defense and sacks.

QB LEON MURRAY - A member of the 2003 All-Rookie team, Murray lost his starting job when the club traded for Clint Stoerner in the offseason. However, an injury to Stoerner two weeks ago put him back at the helm. He made his first start of 2006 against Chicago on Mar. 17 and threw for 189 yards and 4 TDs in a 48-47 win. Murray twice faced San Jose as a member of the Georgia Force, both losses, throwing for 452 yards and nine TDs on 39-of-69 passing with just one INT. In his only game against San Jose as a member of the Kats, he earned Offensive Player of the Game throwing for 8 TDs and 235 yards on 18-of-36 passing with no interceptions leading the Kats to a 57-55 victory over San Jose on April 29, 2005.

OS T.T. TOLIVER - A 2004 AFL All-Ironman player was a member of the Tampa Bay Storm for four seasons before joining the Kats in April of 2005. He leads the Kats in receiving this year with 48 receptions for 727 yards and 16 TDs and has amassed 103 catches for 1,495 yards and 33 TDs in 19 games since his acquisition. In five meetings against the SaberCats, Toliver has 15 receptions for 241 yards with 11 TDs, totaled 371 yards on 21 KORs and added 16.5 tackles a FF and an INT. He led Nashville with 145 all-purpose yards against San Jose on Apr. 29, 2005 in the Kats' two-point win.

WEEKLY PLAYERS OF THE GAME:

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME:
Opp. (Date) Player
v UTAH (1/28) QB Joe Germaine, UTAH
@LVG (2/6) OS Marcus Nash, LVG
@ARZ (2/12) OS Calvin Schexnayder, SJS
@GRR (2/19) WR/DB Timon Marshall, GRR
@CHI (2/26) OS C.J. Johnson, CHI
@UTAH (3/4) QB Mark Grieb, SJS
v LAA (3/12) WR/LB James Roe, SJS
v GEO (3/17) WR/LB Derek Lee, GEO
@NAS (3/25)
v ARZ (4/2)
@TBY (4/7)
v LVG (4/14)
v AUS (4/22)
@LAA (4/29)
v COL (5/6)
v CLB (5/13)

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME:
Opp. (Date) Player
v UTAH (1/28) DS Kelvin Hunter, UTAH
@LVG (2/6) DL Wilky Bazile, LVG
@ARZ (2/12) DS Clevan Thomas, SJS
@GRR (2/19) DS Johnnie Harris, GRR
@CHI (2/26) DS Jeremy Unertl, CHI
@UTAH (3/4) DS Clevan Thomas, SJS
V LAA (3/12) DS Antuan Simmons, LAA
V GEO (3/17) DS Nate Coggins, GEO
@NAS (3/25)
V ARZ (4/2)
@TBY (4/7)
v LVG (4/14)
v AUS (4/22)
@LAA (4/29)
v COL (5/6)
v CLB (5/13)

IRONMAN PLAYER OF THE GAME:
Opp. (Date) Player
v UTAH (1/28) WR/DB Orshawante Bryant, UTAH
@LVG (2/6) WR/DB Coco Blalock, LVG
@ARZ (2/12) WR/DB Charles Pauley, SJS
@GRR (2/19) WR/DB Marquis Floyd, SJS
@CHI (2/26) WR/LB James Roe, SJS
@UTAH (3/4) WR/LB James Roe, SJS
v LAA (3/12) WR/DB Kevin Ingram, LAA
v GEO (3/17) FB/LB Phil Glover, SJS
@NAS (3/25)
v ARZ (4/2)
@TBY (4/7)
v LVG (4/14)
v AUS (4/22)
@LAA (4/29)
v COL (5/6)
v CLB (5/13)

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

Games decided
by 7 or fewer points 1-2
by 3 or fewer points 1-1

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

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

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

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

More Total Offense 1-4
Less Total Offense 2-1

More Pass Yards 1-4
Less Pass Yards 2-1

More Rushing Yards 2-0
Less Rushing Yards 1-4

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

On NBC 0-2
On TV20 2-2
On NBC11 0-0
On FSN 1-1

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

Winning coin toss 2-5
Losing coin toss 1-0

Outscoring Opponent 3-0
Being Outscored 0-5

2006 AFL STANDINGS

AMERICAN CONFERENCE
Western Division
Team W L Pct PF PA
Arizona 4 4 .500 344 370
San Jose 3 5 .375 423 449
Utah 3 5 .375 450 444
Las Vegas 3 5 .375 400 423
Los Angeles 3 5 .375 395 454
Central Division
Team W L Pct PF PA
Colorado 6 2 .750 447 422
Nashville 5 3 .625 401 339
Chicago 3 5 .375 409 421
Grand Rapids 3 5 .375 390 425

NATIONAL CONFERENCE
Eastern Division
Team W L Pct PF PA
Dallas 7 1 .875 480 378
New York 4 4 .500 434 476
Philadelphia 4 4 .500 368 365
Columbus 4 4 .500 352 348
Southern Division
Team W L Pct PF PA
Austin 6 2 .750 431 368
Tampa Bay 5 3 .625 432 437
Georgia 4 4 .500 447 365
Orlando 4 4 .500 406 422
Kansas City 1 7 .125 302 405

WEEK EIGHT RESULTS
Thursday, March 16
GRAND RAPIDS 59, Utah 49
Friday, March 17
NASHVILLE 48, Chicago 47
Arizona 47, LAS VEGAS 33
SAN JOSE 56, Georgia 55 (ot)
Saturday, March 18
COLUMBUS 53, Philadelphia 20
TAMPA BAY 60, New York 44
AUSTIN 64, Kansas City 37
Sunday, March 19
Dallas 87, ORLANDO 62
LOS ANGELES 60, Colorado 57
Home Team In CAPS

WEEK NINE SCHEDULE
Friday, March 24
Kansas City at New York, 4:30 p.m.
Las Vegas at Utah, 6:00 p.m.
Los Angeles at Arizona, 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 25
San Jose at Nashville, 5:00 p.m.
Orlando at Austin, 5:00 p.m.
Philadelphia at Dallas, 5:00 p.m.
Columbus at Colorado, 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 26
Tampa Bay at Georgia, 12:00 p.m.
Grand Rapids at Chicago, 12:00 p.m.
All Times Pacific



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 21, 2006


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