San Jose SaberCats game notes
April 18, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
San Jose SaberCats News Release
THE QUICK FACTS
Game: Los Angeles Avengers (3-3) at SaberCats (3-3).
Date: Saturday, April 21, 2007.
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. (PDT).
Site: HP Pavilion at San Jose (14,041).
Officials: Referee: Bill LeMonnier; Umpire: Mike Delaney; Head Linesman: Allen Baynes; Line Judge: Dana McKinzie; Back Judge: Billy Beckett.
Television: FSN will air the game as part of the AFL's regional TV package tape-delayed in the Bay Area on Sunday, Apr. 22 at midnight. Rich Cellini, Mike Pawlawski and Chris Townsend call the action.
Radio: San Jose's flagship station KNBR-1050 and KNBR 680 will carry the game live with Bob Fitzgerald and Keena Turner. The two will host a 30-minute pre-game show starting at 7:00 p.m. (PT).
Internet: A live webcast is available at www.KNBR.com.
Series Record: SaberCats lead 10-5.
Series Streak: SaberCats Won 2.
Last Meeting: SaberCats 66, Los Angeles 58 (Mar. 4, 2007 at STAPLES Center).
Coaches: San Jose, Darren Arbet (9th season; 86-40 regular season, 96-45 overall).
Los Angeles, Ed Hodgkiss (6th season; 46-38 regular season, 46-42 overall).
OVERVIEW: Following a disappointing loss in New Orleans last week, the SaberCats return home to begin a critical stretch of four straight games against Western Division opponents starting with the Los Angeles Avengers on Saturday, Apr. 21. San Jose and L.A. will square off for the second time already this season having met in the season opener with the SaberCats winning 66-58. The game will be televised tape-delayed on FSN Bay Area as part of the AFL's regional package and aired live on KNBR 1050 and 680 starting at 7:30 p.m. Against the VooDoo on Apr. 13, San Jose committed four turnovers that led to 28 points in a 67-54 loss. Mark Grieb threw for a team record and career-high 445 yards in the game, the 9th highest single-game total in league history, but was intercepted three times. The SaberCats return to the friendly confines of HP Pavilion where they are 2-0 this season and have won 8 straight regular season games dating back to last season. San Jose's last home loss in a regular season game came at the hands of the Avengers, 75-61, on Mar. 12, 2006. The SaberCats have won two straight in Los Angeles since then and look to increase their lead to 11-5 in the all-time series. After winning the first five series games at home against the Avengers, Los Angeles has won the last two. The Avengers will be playing their fifth road game of the season already and are 2-2 in previous four.
THE SCHEDULES
2007 SAN JOSE SABERCATS (3-3)
Date Opponent Result Score
Mar. 4 @Los Angeles Won 66-58
Mar. 9 @Chicago Lost 45-48
Mar. 24 @Georgia Lost 62-64
Mar. 31 TAMPA BAY Won 69-49
Apr. 6 COLORADO Won 72-44
Apr. 13 @New Orleans Lost 54-67
Date Opponent Time (PT) Radio/TV
Apr. 21 LOS ANGELES 7:30 pm 1050-680/FSN
Apr. 28 UTAH 7:30 pm 1050/FSN
May 5 @Arizona 7:00 pm 1050-680/FSN
May 12 LAS VEGAS 7:30 pm 1050
May 19 GRAND RAPIDS 7:30 pm 1050
May 25 @Nashville 5:00 pm 1050/FSN+
Jun. 1 ORLANDO 7:30 pm 1050/FSN
Jun. 9 @Utah 6:00 pm 1050/FSN
Jun. 16 ARIZONA 7:30 pm 1050/FSN
Jun. 25 @Las Vegas 1:00 pm 1050/FSN
2007 LOS ANGELES AVENGERS (3-3)
Date Opponent Result Score
Mar. 4 SAN JOSE Lost 58-66
Mar. 12 @Orlando Won (ot) 44-37
Mar. 24 @New Orleans Won 48-36
Apr. 1 @Chicago Lost 31-66
Apr. 6 ARIZONA Won 65-45
Apr. 13 @Utah Lost 63-76
Date Opponent Time (PT) TV
Apr. 21 @San Jose 7:30 pm FSNPT
Apr. 28 GRAND RAPIDS 7:30 pm FSNW
May 6 @Las Vegas 3:00 pm FSNPT
May 12 TAMPA BAY 7:30 pm FSNPT
May 19 GEORGIA 7:30 pm FSNW
May 26 @Kansas City 3:00 pm
Jun. 2 CHICAGO 7:30 pm
Jun. 11 @Arizona 7:00 pm ESPN2
Jun. 17 LAS VEGAS 3:30 pm FSNW
Jun. 23 UTAH 7:30 pm FSNW
THE SERIES: The SaberCats lead the all-time series 10-5 and have won two straight. San Jose opened the 2007 season with a 66-58 win in Los Angeles on Mar. 4...The SaberCats are 5-2 at home against LA, but the Avengers have won each of the last two games played in HP Pavilion...The visiting team has won the last four series games...Seven of the 15 series games have been decided by 6 or fewer points and five games have been decided by a field goal or less...The SaberCats' point total in a 73-72 loss at Los Angeles on Feb. 9, 2003 is their most ever in a defeat...LA was the last Division opponent to sweep the season series from San Jose, winning both games during the 2005 campaign.
SERIES NOTABLES: Two of San Jose's six games with 400-or-more yards of total offense and four of San Jose's 24 70-plus point games have come against the Avengers...The teams combined for 783 yards of offense, the highest combined total in San Jose history, in LA's 71-69 win at STAPLES Center on Feb. 20, 2005. They combined for 762 yards of offense, the 2nd highest total, in another LA win on Mar. 12, 2006 in San Jose...Los Angeles' 14-point win (75-61) on Mar. 12, 2006 was its largest in the series...Four of Mark Grieb's 33 career 300-yard passing games have come against Los Angeles, the most against any team in the league...San Jose's point total in a 73-72 loss at Los Angeles on Feb. 2, 2003 is its highest ever in a defeat, the SaberCats' point total in their 71-69 loss at Los Angeles on Feb. 20, 2005 is the second highest ever in a defeat...Ben Nelson tied a team record with 14 receptions at L.A. on Mar. 4, 2007 and has 32 catches for 435 yards and 7 TDs in three games against the Avengers...The SaberCats' 53-point win (78-25) over the Avengers on May 27, 2000 is the worst loss in Los Angeles history...San Jose also handed L.A. its fifth-worst loss with a 34-point win (78-44) on May 11, 2002...K A.J. Haglund made all 9 PAT tries against L.A. on Mar. 4, 2007 and connected on his 1st AFL field goal attempt (26 yards)...San Jose's 10 regular season wins over Los Angeles is second-most to the 11 wins over Arizona...The SaberCats have won their 10 series games by an average of nearly 17 points (16.9)...San Jose has four of the 11 70-point regular season games allowed by the Avengers: 78 points twice (5/27/00 and 5/11/02), 75 points (7/8/00) and 72 points (2/9/03)...San Jose scored a team record 29 first quarter points vs L.A. (5/27/00) and allowed a team record 35 fourth quarter points to L.A. (2/9/03)...Avengers' WR/DB Kevin Ingram became just the 3rd player to intercept 3 San Jose passes in a game when he did so on May 7, 2005...San Jose scored 20 points in the final minute of play in their loss to the Avengers on Feb. 20, 2005...Lenzie Jackson's 196 receiving yards on Mar. 4, 2007 is the 3rd most by a SaberCats' opponent.
LAST SERIES MEETING: SABERCATS 66, Los Angeles 58 - Sunday, March 4, 2007 - STAPLES Center - Los Angeles (Mar. 4, 2007) - Ben Nelson tied a team record with 14 receptions, including four touchdowns, and Rodney Wright scored three times helping the San Jose SaberCats to a season-opening 66-58 win over the Los Angeles Avengers at STAPLES Center. In a game that saw 124 points scored, it was a defensive stand that preserved the win for San Jose (1-0). Following a missed 25-yard field goal attempt by rookie kicker A.J. Haglund, the Avengers (0-1) gained possession with 22 seconds left in the fourth quarter trailing by 8 points. After an apparent Los Angeles touchdown was nullified by an offensive penalty with 5 seconds left, a desperation Sonny Cumbie pass off the net fell incomplete. But a defensive holding call gave the Avengers another chance and Cumbie's next pass went incomplete as time expired giving San Jose its first opening night win since the 2004 season. Nelson opened the scoring on a 6-yard touchdown catch from Mark Grieb just 33 seconds into the game on San Jose's first offensive play after an onsides kick recovery by the Avengers was negated by an offsides penalty. Nelson's 9-yard scoring catch with 5 seconds left in the first half gave the SaberCats a 38-31 lead at intermission. Grieb and Nelson connected seven times for 97 yards and a pair of scores in the third quarter and Wright scored on a 3-yard run with 1:48 left in the frame to give the SaberCats a 59-45 advantage heading into the fourth quarter. Grieb completed 25 of 37 attempts for 258 yard and six touchdowns for the game. San Jose's offensive line of Dan Loney, Todd Williams and Patrick Afif did not allow a sack and Grieb was rarely pressured. Wright added a pair of rushing scores and caught 7 passes for 54 yards and a TD. Nelson, Wright and James Roe played the entire game as San Jose's three receivers. Cumbie threw for 315 yards and 7 TDs on 25 of 41 passing. Lenzie Jackson was his favorite target hauling in 13 catches for 196 yards and three scores.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
SaberCats.......................... 21 17 21 7 - 66
Avengers........................... 7 24 14 13 - 58
SCORING SUMMARY
SAN Nelson 6 pass from Grieb (Haglund kick)
LAA Jackson 19 pass from Cumbie (Hamilton kick)
SAN Roe 12 pass from Grieb (Haglund kick)
SAN Wright 1 run (Haglund kick)
LAA Ford 6 run (Hamilton kick)
LAA FG Hamilton 17
SAN Kinsinger 1 run (Haglund kick)
LAA Ingram 21 pass from Cumbie (Hamilton kick)
SAN FG Haglund 26
LAA Turner 9 pass from Cumbie (Hamilton kick)
SAN Nelson 9 pass from Grieb (Haglund kick)
LAA Ingram 14 pass from Cumbie (Hamilton kick)
SAN Nelson 24 pass from Grieb (Haglund kick)
LAA Jackson 3 pass from Cumbie (Hamilton kick)
SAN Nelson 12 pass from Grieb (Haglund kick)
SAN Wright 3 run (Haglund kick)
LAA Jackson 23 pass from Cumbie (Hamilton kick)
SAN Wright 8 pass from Grieb (Haglund kick)
LAA Turner 25 pass from Cumbie (Hamilton kick failed)
TEAM STATISTICS SAN LAA
First Downs 23 24
Total Net Yards 273 318
Rush Atts-Net Yards 12-16 8-14
Net Yards Passing 257 304
Comp-Att-Int 25-37-2 25-40-0
KO Returns-Yards 4-81 6-119
MFG Returns-Yards 0-0 0-0
INT for-Yards 0-0 2-3
Penalties-Yards 8-69 15-85
Fumbles-Lost 0-0 0-0
Sacks By-Yards 2-11 0-0
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Passing: SJ - Grieb 25-37-2-257. LA - Cumbie 25-40-0-315.
Rushing: SJ - Wright 5-8; Kinsinger 7-8. LA - Ford 5-15; Ward 2-0; Ingram 1-(-1).
Receiving: SJ - Nelson 14-180; Wright 7-53; Roe 4-24. LA - Jackson 13-196; Ingram 7-67; Turner 4-46; Ford 1-6.
Kick Returns: SJ - Wright 3-79; O.Smith 1-2. LA - Ward 5-78; Ingram 1-41.
ALL-TIME SERIES SCORES
Date Score
Mar. 4, 2007 San Jose 66, @Los Angeles 58
Apr. 29, 2006 San Jose 53, @Los Angeles 36
Mar. 12, 2006 Los Angeles 75, @San Jose 61
May 7, 2005 Los Angeles 54, @San Jose 42
Feb. 20, 2005 @Los Angeles 71, San Jose 69
Mar. 26, 2004 @San Jose 55, Los Angeles 52
Feb. 22, 2004 San Jose 61, @Los Angeles 55
May 17, 2003 @San Jose 47, Los Angeles 43
Feb. 9, 2003 @Los Angeles 73, San Jose 72
June 8, 2002 San Jose 52, @Los Angeles 33
May 11, 2002 @San Jose 78, Los Angeles 44
June 2, 2001 @Los Angeles 47, San Jose 44
Apr. 14, 2001 @San Jose 52, Los Angeles 30
July 8, 2000 San Jose 75, @Los Angeles 72
May 27, 2000 @San Jose 78, Los Angeles 25
THE COACHES
San Jose - Darren Arbet, 9th season
86-40 (.683) reg. season; 96-45 (.681) overall
10-5 (.667) career vs. Los Angeles
7-4 (.636) career vs. Ed Hodgkiss
Two-time Arena Football League Coach of the Year and ArenaBowl champion Darren Arbet enters his ninth season as head coach of the San Jose SaberCats and his second as the club's general manager. Last season Arbet guided the SaberCats to their seventh straight winning season and playoff appearance by going 10-6, the sixth time in his eight seasons the team has posted a double-digit regular season win total. The team also captured its fifth Western Division title under Arbet (sixth overall) and advanced to the semifinal round of the playoffs for the sixth time in the last seven seasons. Arbet has compiled the third-best postseason winning percentage (.667) and is one of just six head coaches in league history to amass 10 playoff victories. Under the direction of Arbet San Jose has enjoyed unmatched success vaulting the franchise to elite status in the AFL. Since the start of the 2000 season, Arbet's second as head coach, the SaberCats have claimed two ArenaBowl championships (2002, 2004), compiled the most regular season wins (80), the second-most playoff wins (10) and have averaged nearly 12 victories a season. In addition, the club has set league records for regular season wins in a season (13 in 2002), overall wins in a season (16 in 2002), consecutive regular season wins in a season (12 in 2002), regular season wins to end a season (11 in 2000) and the longest regular season win streak (15 in 2000-01). Arbet's ties to the AFL date back to the late 1980s when he played two seasons as a fullback/linebacker with the Los Angeles Cobras (1988) and Maryland Commandos (1989) before a wrist injury that required three surgeries ended his career. During his playing days, Arbet lined up against former Philadelphia head coach Michael Trigg, who was a quarterback with the Detroit Drive, and Georgia Force offensive coordinator Steve Thonn, who played WR/DB with the Chicago Bruisers.
Los Angeles - Ed Hodgkiss, 6th season
46-38 (.548) reg. season; 46-42 (.523) overall
4-7 (.364) career vs. San Jose
4-7 (.364) career vs. Darren Arbet
Now in his sixth season as head coach of the Avengers, Hodgkiss has compiled a regular season record of 43-35 and advanced to the AFL Playoffs in four of his previous five seasons as head coach. In 2005, Hodgkiss led the Avengers to their first Western Division title posting a 10-6 record and his 19 wins in his first two seasons were the most of any coach at the time. In 2003, the Avengers won a franchise-best 11 games and earned a first-round playoff bye. Hodgkiss was runner-up for the 2003 and 2005 AFL "Coach of the Year" award. He became the head coach of the Avengers on Oct. 5, 2001, and in his first season as a head coach at any level, he instantly established the Avenger offense as one of the most feared in the AFL, scoring an average of 52.2 points per game. Prior to joining the Avengers, he was the Indiana Firebirds' offensive coordinator for three seasons (1999-2001) and was part of an ArenaBowl championship in 1999.
CHASING 100 - San Jose head coach Darren Arbet earned his 96th career victory with the SaberCats 72-44 win over Colorado on Apr. 6, leaving him just four shy of becoming the 5th head coach to amass 100 career wins. Arbet's squad will have a chance to sweep the season series from Los Angeles for the fourth time in 8 seasons with a win Saturday night. Tampa Bay's Tim Marcum earned his 100th career victory in just 124 games while Utah's Danny White got his 100th in 143 games. It took Colorado's Mike Dailey 165 games to get his 100th win and Chicago's Mike Hohensee won his 100th in game 193. Arbet has coached in 141 games to date.
CAREER COACHING RECORDS
Rk. Coach (Year) Team Record
1. Tim Marcum (19th) Tampa Bay 182-83
2. Danny White (15th) Utah 153-77
3. Mike Hohensee (14th) Chicago 111-95
4. Mike Dailey (11th) Colorado 103-67
5. Darren Arbet (9th) San Jose 96-45
2007 TEAM STATISTICAL COMPARISON
Category (Rank) SaberCats Avengers
Scoring Offense 61.3 (3) 51.3 (13)
Scoring Defense 55.0 (10) 54.3 (t-8)
Total Offense 336.8 (2) 296.0 (9)
Total Defense 271.3 (3) 317.5 (17)
Pass Offense 325.2 (2) 279.0 (8)
Pass Defense 256.2 (4) 301.7 (17)
Rushing Offense 11.7 (16) 17.0 (11)
Rushing Defense 15.2 (4) 15.8 (6)
Pass Rating 117.2 (6) 114.2 (7)
Pass Defense Rating 115.6 (11) 116.9 (13)
Interceptions 4 (t-15) 5 (t-12)
Kickoff Return Avg. 19.2 (4) 14.3 (18)
Field Goal Return Avg. 1.0 (19) 19.0 (7)
Turnover Margin -3 (12) +1 (t-9)
3rd Down Conversions 57.9% (5) 54.3% (7)
4th Down Conversions 66.7% (t-5) 55.6% (11)
Sacks By 6 (t-8) 5 (t-12)
Sacks Against 4 (8) 5 (t-9)
2007 SABERCATS AMONG AFL LEADERS
Player Category No. Rank
Mark Grieb Pass Avg/Game 328.0 2nd
Mark Grieb Completion Pct. 71.4% 3rd
Mark Grieb Passing TDs 39 5th
Mark Grieb Pass Attempts 255 t-3rd
Mark Grieb Pass Yards 1,968 4th
Mark Grieb Pass Completions 182 2nd
Mark Grieb Passer Rating 117.2 7th
Mark Grieb Total Offense 1,986 5th
Mark Grieb Total Offensive TDs 39 6th
A.J. Haglund Kick Scoring 62 4th
A.J. Haglund FG Percentage 85.7% 1st
A.J. Haglund PAT Percentage 91.7% 5th
A.J. Haglund FGs Made 6 t-4th
A.J. Haglund PATs Made 44 4th
A.J. Haglund PAT Attempts 48 7th
Rodney Wright All-Purpose Yards 1,133 4th
Rodney Wright Receptions 61 4th
Rodney Wright KOR Average 22.6 4th
Rodney Wright KOR Yards 498 5th
Rodney Wright KO Returns 22 t-8th
Rodney Wright KOR TDs 1 t-5th
Ben Nelson Receptions 64 2nd
Ben Nelson Receiving Yards 786 3rd
Ben Nelson Receiving Yards/Gm 131.0 2nd
Ben Nelson Receiving TDs 16 t-6th
Ben Nelson Scoring 96 t-9th
Ben Nelson Touchdowns 16 t-9th
Ron Jones Sacks 3.0 t-10th
Marquis Floyd INT Return TDs 1 t-2nd
Marquis Floyd INT Return Yards 46 9th
George Williams Tackles For Loss 4.5 t-5th
Clevan Thomas Passes Defended 10 t-7th
THE IFS...:
If the SaberCats defeat Los Angeles it would...
*Give them a 4-3 season record.
*Be their 11th series win over the Avengers.
*Be their 3rd straight win over the Avengers.
*Give them a 3-0 record at home this season.
*Be their 6th straight win over a Western Division rival.
*Give them a 43-26 regular season record against Western Division opponents.
*Give them a 25-11 regular season home record against Western Division opponents.
*Give them a 66-24 regular season home record.
*Give them a 116-65 all-time regular season record.
*Give them 126-73 all-time record.
RECENT RESULTS:
VooDoo Puts The Hex On San Jose, 67-54
NEW ORLEANS (Apr. 13, 2007) - New Orleans quarterback Steve Bellisari threw seven touchdown passes and ran for another and the VooDoo forced four San Jose turnovers to post a 67-54 victory Friday. One week after throwing four interceptions in relief of Andy Kelly, Bellisari got his first career AFL start and did not turn the ball over leading the VooDoo (4-3) to its highest scoring total since May 14, 2005. San Jose (3-3) took a 7-0 lead on a 3-yard run by Phil Glover, but Bellisari hit James Jordan on a 43-yard scoring play on the VooDoo's second play from scrimmage to tie the game. The pair hooked up on a 38 yard scoring play late in the first to give New Orleans the lead for good at 21-14. Bellisari completed 17-of-28 passes for 267 yards while Jordan had four touchdowns and 144 yards on just six catches. Jacques Rumph also had six catches and added a touchdown. San Jose's Mark Grieb threw for a team record and career-high 445 yards completing 35-of-54 passes with six touchdowns. But his three interceptions and lost fumble on a sack proved to be the difference in the game. James Roe and Rodney Wright each had 12 receptions for San Jose with Roe and Ben Nelson hauling in three scores. All three receivers (Roe-165; Nelson-135; Wright-130) had over 100 receiving yards in the game. San Jose got within seven points at 35-28 to end the first half, but the VooDoo scored 17 unanswered points to increase its lead to 52-28 at the end of three. Several failed onside kick attempts by San Jose in the fourth quarter led to 12 VooDoo points.
MILESTONE WATCH
Name Milestone Needs
Darren Arbet 100 career wins 4
Ben Nelson 8th place career receptions 5
Ben Nelson 50 career TD receptions 8
Rodney Wright 15 career TD receptions 1
Rodney Wright 1,500 career receiving yards 172
Rodney Wright 50 career KO returns 2
Clevan Thomas 35 career INTs 1
Clevan Thomas 300.0 career total tackles 17.0
Clevan Thomas 250 career solo tackles 3
Clevan Thomas 80 career PBUs 2
Omarr Smith 30 career INTs 2
Omarr Smith 325 career solo tackles 1
Omarr Smith 60 career PBUs 3
Matt Kinsinger 35 career rush TDs 1
Matt Kinsinger SJ career rushing leader 43
Mark Grieb 30,000 career pass yards 408
Mark Grieb 600 career TD passes 46
Phil Glover 60 career solo tackles 1
Brian Johnson 200 career rush yards 19
Brian Johnson 20 career rush TDs 2
Craig Whelihan 110 career pass TDs 1
Craig Whelihan 6,000 career pass yds 124
James Roe 600 career receptions 17
James Roe 7,500 career receiving yards 186
James Roe 90 career games played 1
Marquis Floyd 5 career INTs 1
Jason Geathers 20 career solo tackles 3
Ron Jones 5.0 career sacks 1.0
TRENDS:
HOME SWEET HOME - The SaberCats return to HP Pavilion where they are 2-0 this season and have outscored their opponents 141 to 93. Dating back to last season San Jose has won 8 straight regular season home games and owns a 65-24 (.730) all-time regular season home record and is 74-28 (.725) overall. Under head coach Darren Arbet the SaberCats improved to 51-11 (.822) in regular season games at HP Pavilion. San Jose's last regular season home loss was a 75-61 defeat to Los Angeles on Mar. 12, 2006.
HOW THE WEST IS WON - The SaberCats will be playing just their 2nd division game this season with both coming against the Avengers. During their history the SaberCats have posted a 42-26 (.618) regular season record against Western Division opponents and are 24-11 (.686) at home against division foes. Including their playoff win over Arizona last season, the SaberCats have won 5 straight games over Western Division competition.
JUST WIN BABY! - San Jose's success on its home turf can be attributed to the success QB Mark Grieb has enjoyed. During his career as the SaberCats' starting QB the team is 45-7 (.865) at HP Pavilion. Grieb has played a total of 54 regular season games as a SaberCat on the HP turf throwing for 14,307 yards on 1,119-of-1,631 (68.6%) passing with 276 TDs and just 31 INTs.
THE RETURN TRIP - The SaberCats are hoping this trend continues. When playing a home game following a road loss the SaberCats have won 8 straight times and are 17-5 (.773) all-time. San Jose's last loss at home following a road defeat occurred on Apr. 11, 2003, 45-42 to Detroit.
TURNOVERS - San Jose committed a season-high four turnovers to the VooDoo's none in its loss at New Orleans on Apr. 13. In their three wins the SaberCats are +2 in turnover margin while in their three losses they are -6. Only five times in their history have the SaberCats turned the ball over more than they did against the VooDoo.
GOOSE EGG - The SaberCats did something unfamiliar at New Orleans on Apr. 13 - they went an entire quarter of football without scoring a point. San Jose was held scoreless in the decisive third quarter when the VooDoo put 17 on the board to extend a 7-point halftime lead to 52-28 going into the fourth. Dating back to last season the SaberCats had gone 45 straight quarters scoring at least a field goal. The SaberCats responded by scoring four TDs in the final quarter, the 3rd time this season they have found the endzone four times in a single frame. The last time San Jose was held scoreless in a quarter was on Apr. 22, 2006 in the first quarter against the Austin Wranglers. San Jose defeated Los Angeles, 53-36, in the following contest.
PLAYMAKERS - In their history the SaberCats had run more than 58 offensive plays in a game just twice, both times surpassing the 60 mark. They ran a season-high 60 plays at New Orleans on Apr. 13 and also ran 59 plays at Chicago earlier this year on Mar. 9. Already this season San Jose has five games with 50-or-more offensive plays. The team had a record six 50+ offensive play games in 2006.
OFFENSIVE - The SaberCats amassed the 3rd highest net yardage total in their illustrious history with 440 at New Orleans on Apr. 13. San Jose has topped the 300-mark in total offense in each of the last three games and is averaging over 370 yards over that span. San Jose currently ranks 2nd in the AFL with an average of 336.8 yards per game.
MOST NET YARDS, TEAM, GAME
Rank Opponent, Date Yards
1. vs Florida (6/30/01) 444
2. vs Nashville (6/16/01) 443
3. at New Orleans (4/13/07) 440
4. at Los Angeles (2/20/05) 410
5. vs Las Vegas (4/14/06) 405
FINISH FAST - Over the past three seasons the SaberCats have not been above .500 after six games. Their loss at New Orleans dropped them to 3-3, matching their record from the 2005 campaign. San Jose was 2-4 after six games last season. The team has finished strong, however. In 2005 the SaberCats went 6-4 over the final 10 games to finish 9-7. Last season they went 8-2 over the final 10 games, including a 6-game win streak to end the regular season, and finished 10-6.
NOTES:
ROE-LIFIC - James Roe played his most outstanding game of the season on Apr. 13 at New Orleans collecting 12 receptions for 165 yards and 3 TDs. His 165-yard performance is the 3rd highest of his career. Roe apparently enjoys playing against the VooDoo because his second highest receiving total (168) came against New Orleans on Feb. 13, 2005. His career-best 195-yard game came against Nashville on June 16, 2001. In SaberCats history, the 140-yard receiving barrier has only been broken 35 times and James Roe has eclipsed the threshold 10 of those times.
PASSING FANCY - Mark Grieb threw for a team record and career-high 445 yards in San Jose's loss at New Orleans on Apr. 13. The total ranks as the 9th highest in the AFL and is the most yards in a game since Tampa Bay's Shane Stafford threw for 458 in a game against Orlando on Feb. 19, 2006. Only 22 times in the league's history has a QB thrown for over 400 yards in a game and Grieb's effort moves him into 2nd place with three career 400-yard games. Dallas' Clint Dolezel has reached the 400-level six times in his career. Aaron Garcia, Raymond Philyaw, Stafford and Joe Germaine each have two 400-yard games to their credit.
MOST PASS YARDS, AFL, GAME
Yards Player Date
479 Clint Dolezel, Houston vs Milwaukee 5/14/99
470 Sherdrick Bonner, Arizona at L.A. 4/13/03
469 Todd Marinovich, L.A. at Houston 6/23/00
458 Shane Stafford, Tampa Bay vs Orlando 2/19/06
455 Mike Pawlawski, Albany at Iowa 8/2/97
451 Clint Dolezel, Las Vegas at San Jose 3/20/04
449 Clint Dolezel, Texas at Iowa 7/26/97
447 Clint Dolezel, Houston vs Milwaukee 6/20/98
445 Mark Grieb, San Jose at New Orleans 4/13/07
444 Joe Germaine, Utah vs New York 2/11/06
LIKE A GLOVE-R - Phil Glover climbed to the 25 rushing TD plateau for his career with a pair of rushing scores at New Orleans on Apr. 13. Glover increased his San Jose total to 17 and needs 1 more to tie Joey Dozier and current teammate Brian Johnson for 5th place on the SaberCats' all-time rushing TD list. Glover entered the contest with only 2 carries for 3 yards on the season after establishing a San Jose record in 2006 with 55 rushing attempts. He has been mostly utilized on the defensive side of the ball in 2007 as a LB, and recorded his first sack of the season and No. 10.5 career, against New Orleans for an 8-yard loss.
MOST RUSH TDs, TEAM, CAREER
Rank Player Rush TDs
1. Barry Wagner (2000-06) 58
2. Steve Papin (1997-01) 43
3. Derrick Chachere (1995-97, 99-00) 34
4. Matt Kinsinger (2002-05, 07) 32
5. Brian Johnson (2003-04, 06-07) 18
Joey Dozier (2000-01, 05) 18
7. Phil Glover (2006-07) 17
THREE AMIGOS - The SaberCats have a lineage of dazzling playmakers at the receiver position, but the trio in 2007 accomplished something never done before in San Jose history. At New Orleans on Apr. 13, James Roe, Ben Nelson and Rodney Wright became the first trio of receivers to each eclipse the 100-yard mark in receiving yards in the same game. Roe led the squad with 165 yards on 12 catches and 3 TDs. Wright also had 12 receptions for 135 yards and Nelson caught 9 balls for 135 yards and 3 TDs. The combined total yardage of 430 yards is also the most by any three receivers in a SaberCats game.
BLOCK PARTY - San Jose encountered two blocked kicks against the VooDoo on Apr. 13, the team's first two of the season. Both rejections were on PAT attempts and both occurred in the fourth quarter. San Jose has never had two PAT attempts blocked in a game and the only time the club has had more than two blocked kicks in a game was against Arizona on May 30, 2004 when the Rattlers blocked 2 FGs and a PAT. The first block of Friday's game ended kicker A.J. Haglund's made PAT streak at 18.
BIG BEN - Ben Nelson is quickly becoming a receiver in the AFL mentioned in the same breath as Damian Harrell, Chris Jackson and Siaha Burley. Among league leaders he ranks 2nd in receptions (64), 3rd in yardage (786) and 6th in TDs (16). Nelson registered his sixth straight 100-yard receiving game at New Orleans on Apr. 13 with 9 catches for 135 yards - breaking James Hundon's 2002 record for the most consecutive 100-yard games in franchise history. Nelson needs three more 100-yard contests to break James Roe's record for the most in a single season. Nelson has only played in 18 regular season games as a SaberCat and has posted 100 yards or more in 13 of them - he currently sits 4th on the club's all-time 100-yard receiving list and trails Steve Papin by 4 games. He also claimed the 8th spot on San Jose's career receiving yards list, passing Rashied Davis with a total of 2,191 yards.
MOST RECEIVING YARDS, TEAM, CAREER
Rank Player Rcv Yards
1. James Roe (2000-07) 7,314
2. James Hundon (2001-04) 4,648
3. Steve Papin (1997-01) 4,282
4. Barry Wagner (2000-06) 3,873
5. Shalon Baker (1998-05) 3,575
6. Jerry Reese (1995-96, 99-04) 3,485
7. Titus Dixon (1995-97) 2,423
8. Ben Nelson (2006-07) 2,191
9. Rashied Davis (2003-05) 2,083
MOST 100-YARD RECEIVING GAMES, TEAM, CAREER
Rank Player 100-Yd Gm
1. James Roe (2000-07) 28
2. James Hundon (2001-04) 22
3. Steve Papin (1997-01) 17
4. Ben Nelson (2006-07) 13
5. Shalon Baker (1998-05) 10
THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME - SaberCats' QB Mark Grieb is clicking his heels together and repeating the phrase over and over. In two home games, both wins by a combined 48 points, Grieb has completed 84.8 percent of his passes (56-of-66) for 636 yards and 15 TDs for a passer rating of 133.77. In four road games, three of them losses, Grieb has struck at a 66.7 percent clip (126-of-189) for 1,332 yards with 24 TDs and 7 INTs. Those numbers equate to just a 103.31 passer rating. Grieb matched his own team record of 54 pass attempts and completed 35, the 2nd highest total in team history, at New Orleans on Apr. 13. He also matched a career-high with 3 INTs, doing it for the 7th time.
GETTING HIS KICKS - In a game where he became the 1st kicker in team history to have 2 PATs blocked in the same game, A.J. Haglund still converted 6-of-8 PATs on the night and added a solo special teams tackle in San Jose loss at New Orleans on Apr. 13. With 7.5 tackles on the year Haglund still has some ground to make up if he wants to threaten Dan Frantz' 2005 season record of 13.5 tackles (12 solo) for a kicker. Haglund's job, however, is to kick. He currently has a streak of 5 consecutive made FGs, tying Carlos Huerta's record for the 2nd longest in team history. Billy Stoyanovich made 6 straight FGs over a 2-game stretch during the 1997 season. With 62 points on the year Haglund ranks 4th among kickers and he has converted a league-best 85.7 percent of his FG attempts (6-of-7) on the year. Despite his 2 blocked PATs by the VooDoo, Haglund sits 5th connecting on 91.7 percent of his PATs (44-of-48).
GOING NOWHERE FAST - For a team that prides itself on the running game, the output for San Jose at New Orleans on Apr. 13 was unacceptable. The SaberCats were limited to -1 rushing yard by the VooDoo, just the 5th time in team history the SaberCats were held to negative rushing yardage in a game. The last time San Jose failed to gain positive rushing yards in a game also yielded the team record for fewest in a game. The SaberCats totaled -4 against Utah on Jan. 28, 2006, matching the record that was reached twice before. With 70 yards on 42 carries, the SaberCats rank 16th in the AFL with an average of 11.7 ypg.
ALL-PURPOSE PLAYER - When a minor leg injury sidelined Rodney Wright from KO return duties at New Orleans on Apr. 13, Jason Geathers was there to pick up the ball from the slack net. Geathers, who has started five games at LB and played little offense, returned 7 kicks for 92 yards. He does have return experience, though, taking 2 kicks off the net last season in a game against Columbus on May 13. In five games this season Geathers has recorded 14.5 tackles, a PBU and a FR while rushing the ball twice for no yards.
AT NEW ORLEANS
Mark Grieb threw three 3 interceptions in a game for the 7th time in his career, he also had the 550th TD pass of his career and his 35 completions are the second-most in team history...The SaberCats allowed the most points in a road game since Mar. 28, 2005 when Las Vegas put up 75 points...Phil Glover scored two rushing TDs giving him 25 for his career and also had his 10th career sack (10.5)...DE Ron Jones sustained a hamstring injury in the first half and didn't return...Ben Nelson had his 150th career reception and moved past Titus Dixon (40) into 7th place on the team's career TD receptions chart with 42...Marquis Floyd recorded his 55th career solo tackle...James Roe had career TD catch No. 175...Rodney Wright eclipsed the 2,500 mark in career all-purpose yards (2,519) gaining 156...In his 2nd career game DL Jeff Littlejohn posted 3.5 tackles...A.J. Haglund extended his streak of made PATs to 18 before having an attempt blocked. He later had another attempt blocked...Jason Geathers returned kickoffs for just the 2nd time in his career taking 7 attempts for 92 yards. He relieved Rodney Wright who had a tight hamstring.
WHAT'S AHEAD
The SaberCats will continue their stretch of four straight games against Western Division opposition next week when they host the division-leading Blaze on Saturday, Apr. 28. Just like this week, that game will be televised on FSN as part of the AFL's regional TV package. Following a quick road trip to the desert to face the Rattlers on May 5, the SaberCats return to HP Pavilion for a contest with the Las Vegas Gladiators on Saturday, May 12.
LOS ANGELES PLAYERS TO WATCH
QB SONNY CUMBIE - In his second season in the AFL with Los Angeles, the 2006 All-Rookie Team member has been impressive while leading his team to a 3-3 record. In the regular season opener against the SaberCats on March 4, Cumbie played well enough to give the Avengers a chance to win after throwing for 315 yards and 7 TDs on 25-of-41 passing, but L.A. came up short losing 66-58. In three career games against San Jose, the former Texas Tech Red Raider has completed 68 of his 106 pass attempts for 941 yards, 17 TDs and 2 INTs. Cumbie has only thrown 2 INTs on the season, which is the least among starting quarterbacks and he ranks 6th in the league in both passing yards per game (272.2) and pass completion (63.6%). His 2007 passing totals through Week 7 are 1,633 yards, 29 TDs, and 2 INTs with a 112.58 passer rating.
K REMY HAMILTON - One of the most prolific kickers in the history of the AFL, Hamilton is in his 10th season in the league and his sixth with Los Angeles. He has won consecutive Kicker of the Year awards in '05 and '06 and ranks in the top 10 in five statistical kicking categories in 2007. In his last game against the SaberCats on March 4, Hamilton converted on a 17-yard FG and was accurate on 7-of-8 PATs. Hamilton's PAT and FG percentage have been surprisingly down this season, missing a total of 4 PATs (38-42) and hitting less than half of his FGs (6-13). In 13 career games against San Jose, the veteran kicker has made 77-of-89 (86.5%) PATs and 22-of-31 FGs (71%), including five of 40+ yards.
WR LENZIE JACKSON - The Arizona State product has emerged as a top target for QB Sonny Cumbie and the Avengers in his 4th AFL season. Jackson has come out of his shell in 2007, surpassing his three-year career TD total (8) through seven weeks of the season. He led the league in receiving after the Week 1 opener against San Jose on March 4, catching 13 passes for 196 yards and 3 TDs to earn Offensive Player of the Game honors. In two games versus the SaberCats, Jackson has caught 15 balls for 252 yards and 3 TDs. Jackson is second on the team in receiving this season in receptions (52), yards (597) and TDs (10). He has also ran the ball three times, resulting in three rushing TDs.
WR/DB KEVIN INGRAM - The 2005 Ironman of the Year is in his 7th AFL season and his 6th with Los Angeles. Ingram is the most versatile player on the Avengers team playing on offense, defense and returning kicks for special teams. On March 4 against San Jose, Ingram caught 7 passes for 67 yards and 2 TDs while recording 1 solo tackle. As a receiver in 10 career games against the SaberCats, Ingram has hauled in 40 passes for 418 yards and 10 TDs. He has also collected 4 career INTs against San Jose, and became the 3rd opponent in SaberCat history to post 3 INTs on May 7, 2005. Through six games in 2007, Ingram has caught 56 passes for 607 yards and 14 TDs as well as amassing 133 return yards and a TD.
WEEKLY PLAYERS OF THE GAME
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME:
Opp. (Date) Player
@LAA (3/4) WR Lenzie Jackson, Los Angeles
@CHI (3/9) WR Bobby Sippio, CHI; Rodney Wright SJS
@GEO (3/24) WR Chris Jackson, Georgia
v TBY (3/31) QB Mark Grieb, San Jose
v COL (4/6) QB Mark Grieb, San Jose
@NWO (4/13) QB Steve Bellisari, New Orleans
v LAA (4/21)
v UTH (4/28)
@ARZ (5/5)
v LVG (5/12)
v GRR (5/19)
@NAS (5/25)
v ORL (6/1)
@UTH (6/9)
v ARZ (6/16)
@LVG (6/25)
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME:
Opp. (Date) Player
@LAA (3/4) DB Omarr Smith, San Jose
@CHI (3/9) DB Jeremy Unertl, Chicago
@GEO (3/24) DB Willie Gary, Georgia
v TBY (3/31) DB Marquis Floyd, San Jose
v COL (4/6) DB Clevan Thomas, San Jose
@NWO (4/13) DL Henry Taylor, New Orleans
v LAA (4/21)
v UTH (4/28)
@ARZ (5/5)
v LVG (5/12)
v GRR (5/19)
@NAS (5/25)
v ORL (6/1)
@UTH (6/9)
v ARZ (6/16)
@LVG (6/25)
IRONMAN PLAYER OF THE GAME:
Opp. (Date) Player
@LAA (3/4) WR Ben Nelson, San Jose
@CHI (3/9) None selected
@GEO (3/24) FB/LB Matt Heubner, Georgia
v TBY (3/31) K A.J. Haglund, San Jose
v COL (4/6) WR Rodney Wright, San Jose
@NWO (4/13) WR/LB Tremaine Neal, New Orleans
v LAA (4/21)
v UTH (4/28)
@ARZ (5/5)
v LVG (5/12)
v GRR (5/19)
@NAS (5/25)
v ORL (6/1)
@UTH (6/9)
v ARZ (6/16)
@LVG (6/25)
THE SABERCATS RECORD WHEN...:
Scoring Allowing
'07 All-Time '07 All-Time
0 - 9 points 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0
10-19 points 0-0 0-1 0-0 3-0
20-29 points 0-0 0-7 0-0 17-1
30-39 points 0-0 8-16 0-0 27-5
40-49 points 0-1 18-19 2-1 32-15
50-59 points 0-1 37-14 1-0 27-24
60-69 points 2-1 29-7 0-2 4-15
70-79 points 1-0 16-1 0-0 5-5
80+ points 0-0 7-0 0-0 0-0
2007 All-time
Games decided
by 7 or fewer points 0-0 36-32
by 3 or fewer points 0-2 15-22
Leading after the 1st 3-0 71-19
Trailing after the 1st 0-2 24-32
Tied after the 1st 0-1 20-14
Leading at Half 3-0 85-17
Trailing at Half 0-2 26-42
Tied at Half 0-1 4-6
Leading after the 3rd 3-0 92-12
Trailing after the 3rd 0-3 19-49
Tied after the 3rd 0-0 4-4
Scoring First 2-1 67-32
Opp. Score First 1-2 48-33
More Total Offense 2-2 81-36
Less Total Offense 1-1 34-29
More Pass Yards 2-2 71-37
Less Pass Yards 1-1 44-27
Equal Pass Yards 0-0 0-1
More Rushing Yards 3-0 98-28
Less Rushing Yards 0-3 16-34
Equal Rushing Yards 0-0 1-3
Thursday games 0-0 4-1
Friday games 1-2 33-20
Saturday games 1-1 58-25
Sunday games 1-0 18-17
Monday games 0-0 2-2
vs. Western Division 1-0 42-26
vs. Central Division 1-1 29-17
vs. Southern Division 1-2 25-12
vs. Eastern Division 0-0 19-10
Winning coin toss 1-1
Losing coin toss 2-2
Outscoring Opponent 3-0 115-0
Being Outscored 0-3 0-65
Records are for regular season games.
2007 AFL STANDINGS
AMERICAN CONFERENCE
Western Division
Team W L Pct PF PA
Utah 5 2 .714 473 418
San Jose 3 3 .500 368 330
Los Angeles 3 3 .500 308 326
Arizona 1 6 .142 400 429
Las Vegas 1 6 .142 333 444
Central Division
Team W L Pct PF PA
Chicago 5 1 .833 337 271
Kansas City 4 2 .667 327 284
Colorado 4 3 .571 337 377
Nashville 3 4 .428 389 396
Grand Rapids 2 4 .333 302 378
NATIONAL CONFERENCE
Eastern Division
Team W L Pct PF PA
Dallas 7 0 1.000 427 306
Philadelphia 4 2 .667 358 285
Columbus 3 3 .500 335 326
New York 1 5 .167 267 353
Southern Division
Team W L Pct PF PA
Georgia 6 1 .857 441 404
New Orleans 4 3 .571 366 352
Orlando 3 3 .500 289 256
Austin 2 5 .285 379 415
Tampa Bay 1 6 .142 318 404
WEEK SEVEN RESULTS
Friday, April 13
at New Orleans 67, San Jose 54
at Utah 76, Los Angeles 63
Saturday, April 14
at Columbus 72, Austin 49
at Orlando 61, Tampa Bay 37
at Kansas City 52, Grand Rapids 41
Nashville 62, at Arizona 36
Sunday, April 15
Colorado 49, at New York 48
at Georgia 69, Las Vegas 68
Monday, April 16
at Dallas 51, Philadelphia 41
WEEK EIGHT SCHEDULE
Friday, April 20
New York at Orlando, 4:30 pm
Kansas City at Nashville, 5:00 pm
Las Vegas at Colorado, 6:00 pm
Arizona at Utah, 6:00 pm
Saturday, April 21
Dallas at Georgia, 4:00 pm
Chicago at Grand Rapids, 4:00 pm
New Orleans at Austin, 5:35 pm
Los Angeles at San Jose, 7:30 pm
Monday, April 23
Philadelphia at Columbus, 4:30 pm
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 18, 2007
- Arizona Rattlers game notes - Arizona Rattlers
- Georgia Force to Wear Road Uniforms at Home Saturday Night - Georgia Force
- Dallas Strives To Become Fourth Team In League History To Begin Season 8-0 On Saturday - AFL I
- No. One Dallas Meets No. Two Georgia On Saturday - AFL I
- Philadelphia Soul game notes - Philadelphia Soul
- Stafford Makes A difference - Orlando Predators
- New Orleans VooDoo To Host Baby Dolls Clinic and Performance - New Orleans VooDoo
- Angel haunts Dragons - OSC Original by David Holusha
- San Jose SaberCats game notes - San Jose SaberCats
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