San Jose SaberCats game notes
May 16, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
San Jose SaberCats News Release
THE QUICK FACTS:
Game: Grand Rapids Rampage (3-7) at SaberCats (7-3).
Date: Saturday, May 19, 2007.
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. (PDT).
Site: HP Pavilion at San Jose (14,041).
Officials: Referee: Bill Athan; Umpire: Matt Jordan; Head Linesman: Tim Podraza; Line Judge: Tom Symonette; Back Judge: Jim Buchanan.
Television: There is no local television for Saturday night's game.
Radio: San Jose's flagship station KNBR-1050 will carry the game live with Bob Fitzgerald and Keena Turner calling the action. The two will also host a 30-minute pre-game show starting at 7:00 p.m. Ray Woodson and Dan Dibley co-host a 2-hour extended pre-game show live from HP Pavilion starting at 5:00 p.m.
Opening Line: SaberCats -16½ (over/under 121)
Internet: A live webcast is available at www.KNBR.com.
Series Record: SaberCats lead all-time series tied 7-1.
Series Streak: Grand Rapids Won 1.
Last Meeting: Grand Rapids 66, SaberCats 52 (Feb. 19, 2006 in Grand Rapids).
Coaches: San Jose, Darren Arbet (9th season; 90-40 regular season, 100-45 overall).
Grand Rapids, Sparky McEwen (3rd season; 12-30 regular season and overall).
OVERVIEW: The SaberCats extended their winning streak to four and presented head coach Darren Arbet with his 100th career victory by defeating the Las Vegas Gladiators 61-34 on May 12. Arbet became the 5th coach in AFL history to reach the century mark in career wins and the 3rd fastest to reach that milestone doing it in 145 games. San Jose will now host Arbet's first victim and carry an 11-game regular season home winning streak into Saturday's 7:30 p.m. contest with the Grand Rapids Rampage. The SaberCats flagship radio station KNBR 1050 will air the game live. A stingy defense and efficient offense propelled the SaberCats to their win over the Gladiators. San Jose tied team records by intercepting four passes, returning a pair for touchdowns, and forcing six turnovers in the win. Clevan Thomas tallied his 37th career INT and returned it 45 yards for a score and Omarr Smith snagged his 30th career pick and went 50-yards to paydirt. Marquis Floyd had two INTs and the SaberCats intercepted four passes in a game for the first time since May 1, 2004. Jason Geathers had three 34-yard TD catches and totaled a career-best 132 yards on 8 receptions. The Rampage posted its first ever win over San Jose in eight tries with a 69-52 decision last season in Michigan, but is winless in five trips to HP Pavilion.
THE SCHEDULES
2007 SAN JOSE SABERCATS (7-3)
Date Opponent Result Score (Rec)
Mar. 4 @Los Angeles Won 66-58 (1-0)
Mar. 9 @Chicago Lost 45-48 (1-1)
Mar. 24 @Georgia Lost 62-64 (1-2)
Mar. 31 TAMPA BAY Won 69-49 (2-2)
Apr. 6 COLORADO Won 72-44 (3-2)
Apr. 13 @New Orleans Lost 54-67 (3-3)
Apr. 21 LOS ANGELES Won 73-49 (4-3)
Apr. 28 UTAH Won 69-48 (5-3)
May 5 @Arizona Won 56-49 (6-3)
May 12 LAS VEGAS Won 61-34 (7-3)
Date Opponent Time (PT) Radio/TV
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 GRAND RAPIDS RAMPAGE (3-7)
Date Opponent Result Score (Rec)
Mar. 4 @Colorado Won 44-42 (1-0)
Mar. 8 LAS VEGAS Lost 69-79 (1-1)
Mar. 15 PHILADELPHIA Lost 40-69 (1-2)
Mar. 23 @Utah Lost 42-83 (1-3)
Apr. 7 NEW YORK Won 66-53 (2-3)
Apr. 14 @Kansas City Lost 41-52 (2-4)
Apr. 21 CHICAGO Lost 54-75 (2-5)
Apr. 28 @Los Angeles Lost 71-75 (2-6)
May 5 NASHVILLE Won 71-55 (3-6)
May 11 @Columbus Lost 56-59 (3-7)
Date Opponent Time (PT) TV
May 19 @San Jose 7:30 pm
May 26 COLORADO 4:00 pm AFL Net
Jun. 2 KANSAS CITY 4:00 pm AFL Net
Jun. 9 @Chicago 5:00 pm FSN, CSN
Jun. 16 TAMPA BAY 4:00 pm FSN, SUN
Jun. 23 @Nashville 5:00 pm AFL Net
THE SERIES: The SaberCats lead the all-time series 7-1 and are undefeated at home with a 5-0 record...The Rampage posted its first ever series win the last time the teams played with a 66-52 win in Michigan on Feb. 19, 2006...San Jose has outscored Grand Rapids 307 to 199 in the five games played in HP Pavilion...The teams last played in San Jose on Mar. 18, 2005 with the SaberCats posting a 72-48 win...Four of San Jose's five series wins at HP Pavilion have come by at least 23 points. The exception was a 1-point SaberCats win (56-55) on May 3, 2003...San Jose head coach Darren Arbet recorded his first AFL win against the Rampage on April 24, 1999.
SERIES NOTABLES: The Rampage broke a 7-game losing streak to San Jose and posted its first-ever series win with a 66-52 decision in Grand Rapids on Feb. 19, 2006...The SaberCats have won all five series games at home outscoring the Rampage 307 to 199...Two of San Jose's series wins have come in the final seconds of the game. The SaberCats squeaked out a 54-53 win in Grand Rapids on April 24, 1999 with a last second Carlos Huerta field goal and a Mark Grieb TD pass and 2-point conversion run with no time left gave the SaberCats a 56-55 win on May 3, 2003...Marquis Floyd posted the 2nd longest INT return in team history going 51-yards for a score at Grand Rapids on Feb. 19, 2006. He also added a 44-yard TD reception to earn game Ironman honors...Timon Marshall set a Rampage record and tied an AFL mark by returning a KO 58-yards for a TD on Feb. 19, 2006. He added 2 TD receptions and totaled 262 all-purpose yards...Grand Rapids set a San Jose opponent record by attempting 5 two-point conversions on June 17, 2000 (the record has since been tied by Orlando on 5/17/02)...Rampage lineman Bryant Shaw returned a fumbled San Jose PAT attempt for a 2-point defensive PAT on Feb. 19, 2006, the first defensive PAT allowed by San Jose...The SaberCats shutout the Rampage in the second half of their first ever meeting on May 23, 1998 marking the second time in team history, and third overall, that San Jose has blanked an opponent in a half...The SaberCats defeated Grand Rapids twice in a 12-day span during their AFL record 11-game win streak to close out the 2000 season...San Jose head coach Darren Arbet earned his first career AFL victory when the SaberCats beat the Rampage, 54-53, on April 24, 1999...Mark Grieb has started the last 6 games against the Rampage throwing for 1,514 yards with 34 TDs and just 3 interceptions.
LAST SERIES MEETING
Rampage Post First Ever Win Over San Jose
Rampage 66, SABERCATS 52 - Sunday, February 19, 2006 - Van Andel Arena - Rampage QB Chad Salisbury threw five TD passes and ran for another and the Grand Rapids Rampage posted their first ever win over the San Jose SaberCats with a 66-52 win. Salisbury completed 17 of 29 attempts for 224 yards in the game and had a 1-yard scoring run midway through the fourth quarter to give Grand Rapids a 50-39 lead. San Jose's Mark Grieb threw for 319 yards and five touchdowns completing 25 of 38 attempts. Three of Grieb's scoring passes were to Calvin Schexnayder, including a 10-yard strike with 19 seconds left in the first half to give the SaberCats a 26-22 lead. However, on the ensuing kickoff, Timon Marshall went 58-yards for a score giving the lead back to the Rampage at the break. Phil Glover scored on a 1-yard run on the SaberCats' opening second half possession to put San Jose back on top 32-29, but Marshall's 40-yard scoring catch and Salisbury's 1-yard plunge spanning the final two quarters put Grand Rapids on top for good. San Jose rookie Marquis Floyd hauled in his first career touchdown pass, a 44-yard dart from Grieb to close the gap to 50-46, but Marshall scored again on a 29-yard catch and on the following kickoff, former SaberCat Kenny Solomon sealed the win. Peter Martinez bounced his kick off the bottom iron of the rebound nets, the ball ricocheted to the 4-yard line where Solomon scooped it up and walked into the endzone for the third net recovery score in three weeks for the Rampage. Floyd, who was named Ironman of the Game, scored his first career touchdown when he intercepted a Salisbury pass one yard deep in his own endzone and went the distance to give the SaberCats a 6-0 lead just three minutes into the game.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
SaberCats........................ 13 13 13 13 - 52
Rampage......................... 15 14 14 23 - 69
SCORING SUMMARY
SAN Floyd 51 interception return (Schmitz kick failed)
GRR Hines 10 pass from Salisbury (Martinez kick failed)
SAN Schexnayder 1 run (Schmitz kick)
GRR Ryan 22 pass from Salisbury (Martinez kick failed)
GRR FG Martinez 21
GRR Martin 4 run (Martinez kick)
SAN Schexnayder 19 pass from Grieb (run failed)
SAN Schexnayder 10 pass from Grieb (Schmitz kick)
GRR Marshall 58 kickoff return (Martinez kick)
SAN Glover 1 run (Schmitz kick failed)
GRR Bailey 20 pass from Salisbury (Martinez kick)
SAN Roe 20 pass from Grieb (Schmitz kick)
GRR Marshall 40 pass from Salisbury (Martinez kick)
GRR Salisbury 1 run (Martinez kick)
SAN Floyd 44 pass from Grieb (Schmitz kick)
GRR Marshall 29 pass from Salisbury (Martinez kick)
GRR Solomon 4 net recovery (Martinez kick)
SAN Schexnayder 3 pass from Grieb (rush fumbled)
GRR Shaw defensive PAT return
TEAM STATISTICS SAN GRR
First Downs 23 13
Total Net Yards 311 234
Rush Atts-Net Yards 6-10 7-10
Net Yards Passing 301 224
Comp-Att-Int 25-38-1 17-29-1
KO Returns-Yards 6-91 8-207
MFG Returns-Yards 1-13 0-0
INT for-Yards 1-51 1-0
Penalties-Yards 10-38 9-56
Fumbles-Lost 4-2 2-1
Sacks By-Yards 0-0 2-13
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Passing: SJ - Grieb 25-38-1-314. GR - Salisbury 17-29-1-224.
Rushing: SJ - Glover 3-8; Johnson 1-1; Schexnayder 1-1; Grieb 1-0. GR - Avery 3-6; Bailey 1-2; Ryan 1-1; Salisbury 2-1.
Receiving: SJ-Roe 8-113; Schexnayder 8-88; Floyd 4-80; Coleman 3-18; Pauley 2-15. GR-Hines 6-50; Bailey 5-64; Marshall 4-81; Ryan 1-22; Avery 1-7.
Kick Returns: SJ-Coleman 3-57; Schexnayder 3-34; Thomas 1-13. GR-Marshall 6-181; Solomon 1-21; Ryan 1-5.
ALL-TIME SERIES SCORES
Date Score
Feb. 19, 2006 @Grand Rapids 66, San Jose 52
Mar. 18, 2005 @San Jose 72, Grand Rapids 48
Feb. 28, 2004 @San Jose 62, Grand Rapids 31
May 3, 2003 @San Jose 56, Grand Rapids 55
June 29, 2000 San Jose 52, @Grand Rapids 32
June 17, 2000 @San Jose 68, Grand Rapids 45
Apr. 24, 1999 San Jose 54, @Grand Rapids 53
May 23, 1998 @San Jose 49, Grand Rapids 20
THE COACHES
San Jose - Darren Arbet, 9th season
90-40 (.692) reg. season; 100-45 (.690) overall
6-1 (.857) career vs. Grand Rapids
1-1 (.500) career vs. Sparky McEwen
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.
Grand Rapids - Sparky McEwen, 3rd season
12-30 (.286) reg. season and overall
1-1 (.500) career vs. San Jose
1-1 (.500) career vs. Darren Arbet
McEwen is in his third year as head coach and director of football operations for the Rampage. Last season, the Rampage boasted one of the league's stingiest defenses. The Rampage were tops in the AFL in passing yards allowed per game (243.1) and ranked fifth in the league in total yards allowed per game (274.9). With McEwen at the helm, the defense set several team records, including least passing yards allowed per game, most takeaways in a season (30), most interceptions in a season (19), and most forced fumbles in a season (13). McEwen's ties to the Rampage go back to the team's inaugural season in 1998 when he appeared in five games as the starting quarterback. In 2000, McEwen joined the team as a pro scout and assistant coach. A year later, McEwen was promoted to offensive coordinator and helped guide the Rampage to their ArenaBowl XV win. In 2004, McEwen served as the assistant head coach/offensive coordinator for the af2's Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz directing the league's second-best scoring team (56.8 ppg). McEwen also spent eight years as head coach of Creston High School in Grand Rapids, compiling a 43-30 record for his alma mater. He led Creston to its first winning season in 21 years in 1999, and delivered back-to-back City League titles in 2000 and 2001. McEwen attended Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Mich., from 1987-90.
2007 TEAM STATISTICAL COMPARISON
Category (Rank) SaberCats Rampage
Scoring Offense 62.7 (3) 54.2 (7)
Scoring Defense 51.0 (7) 64.2 (19)
Total Offense 323.6 (4) 268.6 (17)
Total Defense 285.9 (6) 318.3 (18)
Pass Offense 312.5 (2) 254.7 (17)
Pass Defense 271.4 (10) 299.4 (18)
Rushing Offense 11.1 (17) 13.9 (14)
Rushing Defense 14.5 (5) 18.9 (10)
Pass Rating 125.8 (4) 102.1 (14)
Pass Defense Rating 107.5 (8) 128.3 (17)
Interceptions 13 (8) 6 (15)
Kickoff Return Avg. 19.9 (4) 20.7 (2)
Field Goal Return Avg. 5.5 (19) 10.5 (12)
Turnover Margin +8 (4) -7 (16)
3rd Down Conversions 56.9% (2) 45.2% (13)
4th Down Conversions 71.4% (t-3) 60.0% (9)
Sacks By 11 (8) 9 (t-12)
Sacks Against 10 (t-10) 10 (t-10)
2007 SABERCATS AMONG AFL LEADERS
Player Category No. Rank
Mark Grieb Pass Avg/Game 314.3 2nd
Mark Grieb Completion Pct. 72.6% 2nd
Mark Grieb Passing TDs 65 5th
Mark Grieb Pass Attempts 376 4th
Mark Grieb Pass Yards 3,143 3rd
Mark Grieb Pass Completions 273 2nd
Mark Grieb Passer Rating 125.9 2nd
Mark Grieb Total Offense 3,166 3rd
Mark Grieb Total Offensive TDs 66 5th
Mark Grieb Pass Yards/Attempt 8.4 2nd
A.J. Haglund Kick Scoring 99 3rd
A.J. Haglund FG Percentage 63.6% 2nd
A.J. Haglund PAT Percentage 92.9% 4th
A.J. Haglund FGs Made 7 t-8th
A.J. Haglund PATs Made 78 2nd
A.J. Haglund PAT Attempts 84 2nd
Ben Nelson Receptions 96 3rd
Ben Nelson Receiving Yards 1,210 5th
Ben Nelson Receiving Yards/Gm 121.0 5th
Ben Nelson Receiving TDs 25 t-9th
James Roe Receiving TDs 26 t-6th
Marquis Floyd INT Return TDs 1 t-7th
Ron Jones Recovered Fumbles 2 t-6th
Ron Jones Sacks 6.0 t-4th
Ron Jones Tackles for Loss 7.5 t-6th
Clevan Thomas Interceptions 5 t-7th
Clevan Thomas Passes Defended 17 t-6th
Clevan Thomas INT Return Yards 72 6th
Clevan Thomas Fumbles Recovered 2 t-6th
Phil Glover Forced Fumbles 5 t-1st
Phil Glover Recovered Fumbles 2 t-6th
Trestin George KOR Average 25.0 1st
Trestin George KOR TDs 2 t-4th
Trestin George KOR Yards 575 9th
THE IFS...
If the SaberCats defeat Grand Rapids it would...
*Give them an 8-3 season record
*Be their 5th straight win
*End their 1-game losing streak to the Rampage
*Be their 11th straight regular season home win
*Give them an 8-1 series lead over the Rampage
*Keep them unbeaten (6-0) at home against the Rampage
*Give them a 30-17 reg. season record against Central Division opponents
*Give them a 16-6 reg. season home record against Central Division opponents
*Give them a 69-24 regular season home record
*Give them a 120-65 all-time regular season record
*Give them 130-73 all-time record.
RECENT RESULTS
SaberCats Beat Gladiators; Arbet Gets 100th Victory
SAN JOSE, Calif. (May 12, 2007) - Omarr Smith and Clevan Thomas each returned an interception for a touchdown and Mark Grieb threw five scoring passes leading the San Jose SaberCats to a 61-34 win over the Las Vegas Gladiators Saturday night. San Jose (7-3) won its 11th straight regular season home game and fourth straight overall this season giving head coach Darren Arbet his 100th career win. The SaberCats built a 34-0 lead before Las Vegas (1-10) scored with less than a minute remaining in the first half. The Gladiators lost their ninth straight game. Grieb hit Ben Nelson for a 31-yard score just 1:19 into the game and the SaberCats never trailed. Grieb completed 18 of 24 for 280 yards but had his streak of attempts without throwing an interception stopped at 128 when Sarth Benoit snared an offering in the first quarter. Jason Geathers, the Offensive Player of the Game, led San Jose receivers with 8 catches for a career-high 132 yards and three touchdowns. Backup quarterback Craig Whelihan played the final quarter throwing for 34 yards on 4 of 6 passing. Las Vegas struggled offensively turning the ball over on each of its first five possessions. Brian Jones completed 20 of 33 for 232 yards, but was intercepted four times. The Gladiators also lost two fumbles and turned the ball over on downs once. Marquis Floyd had two interceptions and the SaberCats tied a team record with four picks and six forced turnovers.
MILESTONE WATCH
Name Milestone Needs
Ben Nelson 3,000 career reveiving yds 384
Ben Nelson 3rd place career 100-yd games 2
Ben Nelson 200 career receptions 10
Ben Nelson 3rd place career 100-yd games 2
Rodney Wright 15 career TD receptions 1
Rodney Wright 1,500 career receiving yards 172
Rodney Wright 50 career KO returns 2
Clevan Thomas 40 career INTs 3
Clevan Thomas 75 career games played 3
Matt Kinsinger 35 career rush TDs 1
Matt Kinsinger SJ career rushing leader 43
Mark Grieb 2,500 career completions 85
Mark Grieb 600 career TD passes 20
Mark Grieb 5th place AFL career TD passes 2
Brian Johnson 100 career rush attempts 3
Brian Johnson 20 career receptions 2
Brian Johnson 5th place career rush attempts 8
Brian Johnson 9th place career rush yards 10
Craig Whelihan 110 career pass TDs 1
Craig Whelihan 6,000 career pass yds 90
Jason Geathers 500 career receiving yds 73
James Roe 200 career TD receptions 13
Phil Glover 100.0 career total tackles 7.5
Phil Glover 30 career rush TDs 4
Ron Jones 10.0 career sacks 3.0
George Williams 50 career solo tackles 3
Marquis Floyd 100.0 career total tackles 20.0
Marquis Floyd 10 career INTs 3
Dan Loney 75 career games played 4
TRENDS
HOME SWEET HOME - The SaberCats remained perfect at home this season improving to 5-0 with their 61-34 win over Las Vegas on May 12, and stretched their regular season home winning streak to 11, the 2nd longest regular season unbeaten streak in team history. San Jose won 14 consecutive regular season home games from June 16, 2001 to Mar. 28, 2003. San Jose also upped its record to 68-24 (.739) in regular season home games and 77-28 (.733) overall in games at HP Pavilion. Under head coach Darren Arbet the SaberCats improved to 54-11 (.831) in regular season home games. San Jose's last regular season home loss was a 75-61 defeat to Los Angeles on Mar. 12, 2006.
QUICK STARTS - The SaberCats have not allowed a first quarter point in each of the last 2 games and have outscored their opponent 77-21 in the opening frame during their current 4-game win streak. San Jose's 175 first quarter points are the 2nd most in the league behind only Utah's 179 and their 90 first quarter points allowed are the 4th fewest behind Orlando's 78, Colorado's 82 and Kansas City's 88. San Jose has an AFL-best +85 first quarter point differential with Georgia next at +50. In each of the seven games the SaberCats held a lead after the opening quarter they went on to post a victory.
DOIN' THE D - They say defense wins championships, even in the high-scoring AFL. If that's the case the SaberCats are rolling. For the 4th straight game, and the 7th time this season, San Jose held its opponent to fewer than 50 points with its stingiest effort of the season in a 61-34 win over Las Vegas on May 12. During their current 4-game win streak the SaberCats have allowed 180 points, an average of 45.0 per game. Over the first 6 games of the year the team gave up 330 points, an average of 55.0 per game.
TURNOVERS - Holding on to the ball is key in any form of football, especially in the Arena League when every possession is a scoring opportunity. The SaberCats forced 4 Las Vegas turnovers and held the Gladiators on a 4th down in each of their first five possessions to build an insurmountable 34-0 first half lead en route to a 61-34 win. The SaberCats tied a team record by forcing 6 turnovers in the game and were +3 in turnover margin. The SaberCats have forced 16 turnovers and are +11 in margin during their 4-game winning streak.
MARGIN FOR ERROR - Speaking of turnover margin, the SaberCats have been on the plus side in 6 of their 7 wins with a +14 margin overall in those games. In their 3 losses the team has a -6 margin. The Rampage, meanwhile, have not won a game during head coach Sparky McEwen's tenure going 0-25 in games when they have had more turnovers than their opponent.
NICE VIEW - If you're not the lead dog the view is always the same. Well, the SaberCats have enjoyed a pretty nice view during their current 4-game winning streak. During their current run the SaberCats have never trailed and were tied just twice, that coming in the same game against Los Angeles on Apr. 21. San Jose jumped out to a 34-0 lead in their 61-34 win over Las Vegas on May 12 and opened with a two-TD advantage in each of the two previous games.
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 48-7 (.873) at HP Pavilion. Grieb has played a total of 57 regular season games as a SaberCat on the HP turf throwing for 15,167 yards on 1,185-of-1,717 (69%) passing with 295 TDs and just 32 INTs. His career passer rating at home stands at 128.2.
CLOSE THE DEAL - For the 7th time this year the SaberCats held a lead heading into the fourth quarter when they were up 54-13 over Las Vegas on May 12, and for the 7th time they posted a victory. San Jose cruised to a 61-34 win over the Gladiators and won for the 13th straight time when leading after three quarters of play. San Jose last blew a lead after three quarters back on Feb. 26, 2006 in a 54-48 overtime loss at Chicago. The SaberCats have an all-time record of 96-12 (.889) when holding a lead into the final frame.
THAT 60's SHOW - The SaberCats improved their all-time regular season record at HP Pavilion to 31-1 (.969) when scoring 60 or more points in a game with their 61-34 win over Las Vegas on May 12. It was also the 63rd time the club has reached the 60-point mark in a game in its history upping the record to 55-8 (.873) in those games. The SaberCats have reached the 60-point plateau in a game seven times this season, one short of the franchise record of eight set in 2000 and matched in 2003. All but six of the team's 63 60-plus point games have come with Terry Malley as the team's offensive coordinator.
WHAT ARE THE ODDS? - The SaberCats continue to puzzle oddsmakers in Vegas. The team has a 7-2-1 record against the spread this season and is perfect at HP Pavilion - covering the line in all 5 games and winning by an average of nearly 25 points per contest. The two losses ATS came on the road and in both games the SaberCats were tabbed as favorites. The initial line in the game at Arizona was posted at -7.5 for the SaberCats but dropped to 7 before kickoff and the 'Cats won by that margin for a push. They managed to cover the lofty 22.5-point spread when they hosted the Las Vegas Gladiators on May 12, winning by a score of 61-34. The SaberCats have only been underdogs in one game this season (at Georgia) and they covered the 3-point spread, losing 62-64. The defenses of the AFL in 2007 have finally seemed to catch up with the offenses as point scoring has dropped significantly. Through their first 7 games, San Jose's game total went over the O/U 6 times but their last three contests have fallen below the posted total.
RETURN ON INVESTMENT - Kickoffs could be more exciting than usual come Saturday. Grand Rapids' Timon Marshall leads the AFL in KOR yards with 1,543 and KOR scores with 5. Meanwhile, San Jose's Trestin George has emerged as a return threat of his own. George has an AFL-best 25.0 average per return and has taken 2 to the house. If George kept his average with the same number of returns as Marshall, he'd have nearly 100 more KOR yards than the league's leader.
NOTES
JOIN THE CLUB - San Jose head coach Darren Arbet became the 5th member of the Century Club when his SaberCats defeated Las Vegas, 61-34, on May 12, making him the 3rd fastest coach to record 100 career victories. It took Arbet 145 games over 8½ seasons to reach triple-digits, falling short of Tampa Bay's Tim Marcum, who did it in just 124 games, and Utah's Danny White, who reached the milestone in 143 contests. Colorado's Mike Dailey took 165 games to reach 100 while Chicago's Mike Hohensee reached it in 193 games. In games against the four other members of the Club, Arbet owns a 30-15 (.667)
CAREER COACHING RECORDS
Rk. Coach (Year) Team Record
1. Tim Marcum (19th) Tampa Bay 185-83
2. Danny White (15th) Utah 153-81
3. Mike Hohensee (14th) Chicago 114-96
4. Mike Dailey (11th) Colorado 106-68
5. Darren Arbet (9th) San Jose 100-45
INT-EGRAL PART - Clevan Thomas is a key component of the San Jose defense that ranks 7th in total defense (285.9 ypg) and team INTs (13) in 2007. He continues to climb the ladder on the career INTs list, snatching his 5th of the year and his 37th all-time in San Jose's win over Las Vegas on May 12. Thomas returned his pick 45 yards for a score (tied for 8th longest in team history) and ranks 2nd in SaberCats history with 5 INT return TDs. Thomas entered the 2007 campaign tied for 13th place on the AFL career INTs list and has moved into an 8th place tie with former SaberCat Tracey Perkins. Only 11 INTs separate him from the 3rd place incumbent, Barry Wagner, who picked off 48 passes in his career. Thomas leads the team in INTs this season and is in a tie for 7th place among league leaders. He has posted 5 or more INTs in 5 of his 6 seasons in the AFL with San Jose.
MOST INTERCEPTIONS, AFL, CAREER
Rank Player INTs
1. Kenny McEntyre, Kansas City 70
2. Durwood Roquemore, None 50
3. Barry Wagner, None 48
4. Mark Ricks, None 44
5. Corey Johnson, None 41
6. Kevin Gaines, Philadelphia 40
7. Damon Mason, Austin 39
8. Clevan Thomas, San Jose 37
Tracey Perkins, None 37
PICK SIX - Omarr Smith snared his 3rd INT of the season, and the 30th of his career (22nd with San Jose) on May 12 against Las Vegas. He pulled in a Brian Jones offering at the goal line and returned it 50 yards for a score - the 3rd longest INT return for a TD in team history. In his career, Smith has returned 7 INTs for TDs and his 6 with San Jose is a team record. He is currently tied for 15th on the AFL all-time INT chart and needs 3 picks to surpass Pat McGuirk (24) for 2nd place on the SaberCats career list behind Clevan Thomas. Also in the game on Saturday, Smith notched his 300th career tackle as a member of the SaberCats.
A MARQUIS PERFORMER - Staying on the whole INT theme. Lost among the stardom of fellow DBs Clevan Thomas and Omarr Smith is second-year player Marquis Floyd. The 2005 af2 Ironman of the Year tallied his 1st career multi-interception game by snagging 2 of the SaberCats team record tying 4 picks against Las Vegas on May 12. Floyd became the 12th SaberCat to post a multi-INT game and the first since Thomas snared a pair at Las Vegas on Feb. 6, 2006. Floyd had another pick nullified by a penalty that would have tied the team record for most in a game, which hasn't been done since July 31, 1998 when Tommy Jones had 3 at Houston. Floyd is 2nd on the team with his 4 INTs this season and his 7 career picks moved him into an 8th place tie with Shalon Baker on the team's list.
MOST INTERCEPTIONS, TEAM, CAREER
Rank Player INTs
1. Clevan Thomas (2002-07) 37
2. Pat McGuirk (1995-98) 24
3. Omarr Smith (2000-02, 04-07) 22
4. Barry Wagner (2000-06) 19
5. Tommy Jones (1998-01) 17
6. Herschel Currie (1997-99) 10
7. James Roe (2000-07) 8
8. Marquis Floyd (2006-07) 7
Shalon Baker (1998-05) 7
ON THE MARK - QB Mark Grieb continued his torrid pace in games played at HP Pavilion by completing 18-of-24 attempts for 280 yards with 5 TDs in San Jose's 61-34 win over Las Vegas on May 12. In five home games this season Grieb has completed 80.3 percent of his passes (122-of-152) for 1,495 yards with 34 TDs and just 3 INTs for a passer rating of 139.0. Although he has more passing yards (1,648) in five road games, he's also completed just 67.4 percent of his attempts (151-of-224) with 7 INTs and a passer rating of 110.5. Grieb has been extremely efficient during San Jose's 4-game winning streak completing 75.2 percent of his attempts (91-of-121) for 1,175 yards with 26 TDs and just one INT for a rating of 141.4 over the last four games. His only INT during the past four games came last week snapping a string of 128 consecutive attempts without being picked. Grieb also needs just 5 TD passes to become the 2nd player in league history to record 70 or more TD passes in 6 consecutive seasons. Dallas' Clint Dolezel is the leader with 7 straight 70+ TD seasons.
RECORD SETTING - Against Las Vegas on May 12, San Jose receiver Ben Nelson became the 7th player in team history to record 50 career TD receptions, but his streak of consecutive 100-yard games came to a halt. Nelson had posted 100 or more yards in 9 straight games, which established a team record, before being held to 99 yards on 7 catches Saturday night. He currently ranks 4th in AFL with 1,210 receiving yards and is 2nd in the league with 96 receptions. Nelson only needs 254 yards to break James Hundon's 2002 team record for most receiving yards in a season. He claimed the 6th spot on the single-season receptions list, passing the mark he set last year as a rookie with 94 catches. Nelson is on pace to break the SaberCats' record for most catches in a season, held by James Roe (116, 2005), by nearly 40 receptions.
MOST RECEPTIONS, TEAM, SEASON
Rank Player Year Recpts
1. James Roe 2005 116
2. James Roe 2003 115
3. James Roe 2006 113
4. Rashied Davis 2006 100
5. James Hundon 2002 98
6. Ben Nelson 2007 96
MOST TD RECEPTIONS, TEAM, CAREER
Rank Player TDs
1. James Roe (2000-07) 187
2. James Hundon (2001-04) 99
3. Jerry Reese (1995-96, 99-04) 76
4. Steve Papin (1997-01) 65
5. Shalon Baker (1998-05) 61
6. Barry Wagner (2000-06) 55
7. Ben Nelson (2006-07) 51
FORCED UPON YOU - Welcome to the SaberCats record book Phil Glover. San Jose's starting MLB forced a fumble during the team's 61-34 win over Las Vegas on May 12, joining Barry Wagner as the only players in team history to force a fumble in four consecutive games. It was Glover's league-high tying 5th FF of the season and also moved him past Clevan Thomas (2006), Marquis Floyd (2006) and Anthony Cobbs (2003) for the 3rd best single-season total in team history. Wagner's streak came during the 2000 campaign when he totaled a franchise season record 9 FFs on the year. Sam Hernandez holds the second spot on the list with 7 FFs also during the 2000 season.
MOST FORCED FUMBLES, TEAM, CAREER
Rank Player FFs
1. Barry Wagner (2000-06) 19
2. Sam Hernandez (1998-05) 17
3. Joe Jacobs (2001-06) 9
4. Clevan Thomas (2002-07) 8
5. Leonard Nelson (1996-99) 7
6. Phil Glover (2006-07) 6
Marquis Floyd (2006-07) 6
LIGHT AS A GEATHER - Jason Geathers has been light on his feat since being inserted into the starting lineup as one of the SaberCats' three receivers four games ago. Against Las Vegas on May 12, the Miami U product led San Jose in receiving with 132 yards and 3 TDs on 8 catches. It marked the first time Geathers registered more than 100 yards in a game and he now has more than 400 career receiving yards (416) as a SaberCat. His 3 TDs in the game, all on 34-yard strikes from Mark Grieb, surpassed his career total (2) entering the contest. Geathers has totaled 31 receptions for 354 yards and 5 TDs on the season. And not so coincidentally, the team has won all 4 games.
ROE-LIFIC - James Roe, the team's all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards and touchdown receptions, has quietly put together a Hall of Fame career in the green and gold. Now in his 8th season in the AFL and with San Jose, Roe has cracked the top 20 in career receptions and yards and currently ranks 17th in both categories. 'The Difference' played in his 93rd career regular season game last week in the team's win over Las Vegas taking over 2nd place on the team's list ahead of Barry Wagner (92) and behind Mark Grieb, who has competed in 121 games. Roe had a quiet night with just 6 catches for 67 yards and was held without a TD for the first time all season in San Jose's 61-34 win over Las Vegas on May 12. With a team-leading 26 TD catches on the year, Roe became the 4th player in AFL history to have 5 consecutive seasons with 25 or more TD grabs. Barry Wagner (7), Chris Jackson (6) and Damian Harrell (5) are the others.
MOST PASS RECEPTIONS, AFL, CAREER
Rank Player, Team Recpts
1. Barry Wagner, None 991
2. Eddie Brown, None 950
3. Lawrence Samuels, Tampa Bay 855
4. Cory Fleming, None 846
5. Damian Harrell, Colorado 843
6. Greg Hopkins, None 842
7. Darryl Hammond, None 804
8. Chris Jackson, Georgia 798
9. Mike Horacek, New York 794
10. Hunkie Cooper, None 776
11. Gary Compton, None 750
12. Randy Gatewood, Arizona 687
13. Siaha Burley, Utah 669
14. George LaFrance, None 629
15. Alvin Ashley, None 628
16. Calvin Schexnayder, None 626
17. James Roe, San Jose 612
MOST RECEIVING YARDS, AFL, CAREER
Rank Player, Team Yards
1. Barry Wagner, None 13,363
2. Eddie Brown, None 12,730
3. Damian Harrell, Colorado 11,335
4. Chris Jackson, Georgia 10,834
5. Mike Horacek, New York 10,510
6. Gary Compton, None 10,327
7. Greg Hopkins, None 10,300
8. Cory Fleming, None 10,217
9. Lawrence Samuels, Tampa Bay 10,100
10. George LaFrance, None 9,004
11. Randy Gatewood, Arizona 8,999
12. Calvin Schexnayder, None 8,812
13. Siaha Burley, Utah 8,722
14. Darryl Hammond, None 8,608
15. Hunkie Cooper, None 8,600
16. Stevie Thomas, None 7,906
17. James Roe, San Jose 7,698
GEORGE OF THE JUNGLE - Trestin George busted out his infamous 'Gorilla Dance' once again, this time at the expense of the Las Vegas Gladiators on May 12. Following a Gladiator TD that was prompted by George's fumble on the previous kickoff, the former San Jose State Spartan bolted through the front line of blockers to the endzone with 58 seconds left on the clock for his second kickoff return TD of the season. The 54-yard score was the 2nd longest in George's brief career (56 vs. Utah) and his 3rd return of 50 or more yards in just 23 attempts. George leads the AFL with a KOR average of 25.0 yards per return amassing 575 yards on his 23 attempts.
PICKIN IT - Getting back to the INT theme, the SaberCats have intercepted nine passes during their current 4-game winning streak, including a team record tying four in last week's win over Las Vegas. Prior to their current stretch of wins the SaberCats were being out-picked 9 to 4 by their opponents. Since then the tables have turned with the SaberCats getting 9 INTs compared to just one for the opposition. Marquis Floyd and Clevan Thomas each have three INTs in the last four games while Omarr Smith has added a pair and Trestin George has contributed one. The four INTs against Las Vegas matched the team record that was accomplished eight times previously, the last coming against New Orleans on May 1, 2004. The SaberCats are now 7-2 in games when nabbing 4 INTs.
FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH - The SaberCats continue to serve a mixture of veteran play and youthful energy to their opponents 11 weeks into the 2007 season. Entering the season, San Jose had 11 rookies on the roster and 9 of those first-year AFL players have suited up this year. The most recent rookie addition to the active roster was offensive lineman William Obeng. The former San Jose State Spartan spelled the O-line at times during the SaberCats' 61-34 victory against Las Vegas. Obeng became the 9th SaberCats rookie to make his AFL debut this season joining Trestin George, A.J. Haglund, Jeff Littlejohn, Troy Reddick, Patrick Afif, Steve Watson, Todd Williams and Garrett McIntyre.
AGAINST LAS VEGAS
Ben Nelson had his 50th career TD reception (51) but saw his streak of consecutive 100-yard games come to an end...Clevan Thomas had his 300th career tackle and his 37th career INT, tying him for 8th place all-time...Omarr Smith had his 300th career tackle as a SaberCat and had his 30th career INT...Brian Johnson reached the 200 mark in career receiving yards...Jason Geathers reached the 400 mark in career receiving yards and surpassed his career TD total (2) with three...San Jose set a team record for INT return yards with 104, surpassing the old mark of 69...Mark Grieb had has streak of attempts without an INT stopped at 128...The SaberCats tied a team record for the second fewest first half points allowed (6)...Omarr Smith's 50-yard INT return tied for the 3rd longest in team history and Clevan Thomas' 45-yard return tied for the 8th longest...QB Craig Whelihan threw his first pass of the year...San Jose's 6 forced turnovers, 4 INTs and 2 INT return TDs tied team records...OL William Obeng played in his 1st career game and OL Troy Reddick made his 1st career start...Trestin George had his 2nd kickoff return TD of the season...A.J. Haglund's streak of consecutive PATs made ended at 15...Phil Glover had a FF in his 4th straight game and now has a league-best tying 5 on the year...San Jose improved to 4-0 all-time at home against Las Vegas...The SaberCats are now 54-8 when scoring 60 or more points in a game.
GRAND RAPIDS PLAYERS TO WATCH
WR TIMON MARSHALL - Perhaps the most underrated player in the Arena Football League, Marshall possesses all of the qualities of an elite receiver and is the best kickoff return specialist in the game. The 3-year arena player from Kingston, Jamaica is leading the league in nearly every kick return category including TDs (5), yards (1,543) and attempts (65). Marshall only trails San Jose's Trestin George (25.0) and Columbus's Damien Groce (24.0) in kick return average with 23.7 yards per return. Through 10 games, Marshall ranks 5th in the AFL in points scored (180) and his 246.3 all-purpose yards per game is the highest average in the league by almost 70 yards. His 2,463 all-purpose yards on the year is more than half of the Rampage's 4,388 total yards. Marshall also leads the team in receptions with 80 and has recorded 906 receiving yards with 22 TDs - he has also rushed for 2 TDs on 10 carries. In 2 games against San Jose, Marshall has only caught 5 balls for 90 yards and 2 TDs, but has returned 6 kicks for 181 yards and a TD. On Feb. 19 of last year, Marshall was named the Offensive Player of the Game against the SaberCats after posting 262 all-purpose yards and 2 TDs.
QB CHAD SALISBURY - After a concussion sidelined him for three of Grand Rapids' first four games, Salisbury has bounced back and provided the offensive leadership the Rampage desperately needed in any attempt to salvage the franchise's year. Through 7 games, the Pennsylvania native has thrown for 37 TDs and 1,664 yards with 5 INTs on 163-of-247 passing. His QB rating of 114.16 is good for 10th place among league leaders. San Jose has seen Salisbury in action 3 times; he has completed 29 passes in 46 attempts for 374 yards and 9 TDs with 2 INTs. In Grand Rapids' 66-52 win over the SaberCats on Feb. 19, 2006, Salisbury was efficient, completing 17 of his 29 passes for 224 yards and 5 TDs - he also ran for a 1-yard score.
FB/LB CHRIS RYAN - The 305-pound bruiser has logged 91 career games with Grand Rapids and Philadelphia in his 7-year AFL career. Starting at both FB and LB, Ryan is one of the remaining few 'Ironman' players left in the league. He leads the Rampage ground attack; carrying the ball 54 times for 122 yards and 10 TDs in 10 games this season. Defensively, Ryan has accumulated 11.5 total tackles and registered 2 blocked kicks. In 5 career games versus the SaberCats, Ryan has ran the ball 11 times for 24 yards and 3 TDs while also grabbing 4 passes for 29 yards and a score. He has collected 3 tackles and 1 PBU against San Jose on defense, as well as forcing and recovering a fumble in last year's contest at Grand Rapids.
CONNECTIONS - Rampage WR Kenney Solomon spent part of the 2005 season on the SaberCats practice squad after being claimed off waivers from the Georgia Force. Solomon was traded to Grand Rapids on Jan. 22, 2006...OL Todd Williams was traded by San Jose to Grand Rapids at the deadline (May 2). Williams had played in and started the first 6 games of the year on the offensive line for San Jose. He is not expected to play on Saturday...Rampage lineman Winfield Garnett was originally selected by the SaberCats off the Florida Bobcats roster in the 2001 Dispersal Draft. He opted for a season in NFL Europe and never played for San Jose...SaberCats' DL Tim Martin, who is currently on IR, played for the Rampage last season and scored a TD on a fumble recovery in Grand Rapids' win over the SaberCats on Feb. 19. 2006.
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) QB Mark Grieb, San Jose
v UTH (4/28) WR Ben Nelson, San Jose
@ARZ (5/5) QB Mark Grieb, San Jose
v LVG (5/12) WR Jason Geathers, San Jose
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) DB Omarr Smith, San Jose
v UTH (4/28) LB Phil Glover, San Jose
@ARZ (5/5) DB Clevan Thomas, San Jose
v LVG (5/12) DB Clevan Thomas, San Jose
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) WR/LB Jason Geathers, San Jose
v UTH (4/28) WR/LB Jason Geathers, San Jose
@ARZ (5/5) FB/LB Phil Glover, San Jose
v LVG (5/12) FB/LB Phil Glover, San Jose
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 1-0 28-5
40-49 points 0-1 18-19 5-1 35-15
50-59 points 1-1 38-14 1-0 27-24
60-69 points 4-1 31-7 0-2 4-15
70-79 points 2-0 17-1 0-0 5-5
80+ points 0-0 7-0 0-0 0-0
2007 All-time
Games decided
by 7 or fewer points 1-0 37-32
by 3 or fewer points 0-2 15-22
Leading after the 1st 7-0 75-19
Trailing after the 1st 0-2 24-32
Tied after the 1st 0-1 20-14
Leading at Half 7-0 89-17
Trailing at Half 0-2 26-42
Tied at Half 0-1 4-6
Leading after the 3rd 7-0 96-12
Trailing after the 3rd 0-3 19-49
Tied after the 3rd 0-0 4-4
Scoring First 6-1 71-32
Opp. Score First 1-2 48-33
More Total Offense 4-2 83-36
Less Total Offense 3-1 36-29
More Pass Yards 4-2 73-37
Less Pass Yards 3-1 46-27
Equal Pass Yards 0-0 0-1
More Rushing Yards 5-0 100-28
Less Rushing Yards 2-3 18-34
Equal Rushing Yards 0-0 1-3
Thursday games 0-0 4-1
Friday games 1-2 33-20
Saturday games 5-1 62-25
Sunday games 1-0 18-17
Monday games 0-0 2-2
vs. Western Division 5-0 46-26
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 6-2
Outscoring Opponent 7-0 119-0
Being Outscored 0-3 0-65
Records are for regular season games.
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