San Jose SaberCats game notes
Published on May 23, 2007 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
San Jose SaberCats News Release
THE QUICK FACTS:
Game: SaberCats (8-3) at Nashville Kats (5-7).
Date: Friday, May 25, 2007.
Kickoff: 5:00 p.m. (PDT).
Site: Nashville Arena (15,711).
Officials: Referee: Bill LeMonnier; Umpire: Mike Delaney; Head Linesman: Allen Baynes; Line Judge: Dana McKinzie; Back Judge: Billy Beckett.
Television: FSN Plus will air the game live in the Bay Area with Bob Fitzgerald and Steve Papin calling the action. NBC11 will replay the game at 1:00 a.m. on Sunday, Mar. 27 immediately following Saturday Night Live. FSN+ is available on Comcast Digital Cable channel 410.
Radio: San Jose's flagship station KNBR-1050 will carry the game live with Grant Napear and Mike Pawlawski. The two will host a 30-minute pregame show starting at 4:30.
Opening Line: SaberCats by 6 (over/under 113)
Internet: A live webcast is available at www.KNBR.com.
Series Record: Nashville leads all-time series tied 6-2.
Series Streak: Nashville Won 3.
Last Meeting: Nashville 51, SaberCats 48 (March 25, 2006 in Nashville).
Coaches: San Jose, Darren Arbet (9th season; 91-40 regular season, 101-45 overall).
Nashville, Pat Sperduto (6th season; 46-39-1 regular season; 51-43-1 overall).
OVERVIEW: The SaberCats extended their winning streak to five and tied Chicago for the best record in the American Conference with a 69-44 win over Grand Rapids on May 19. San Jose used a record-setting performance from Mark Grieb and rookie Cleannord Saintil played a major role in his 1st career start at receiver propelling the SaberCats to their 7th win in the last 8 games. Following their 6th straight home win of more than 20 points, the SaberCats travel to Nashville to battle the Kats on Friday, May 25 from the Nashville Arena. FSN Plus will televise the game live and San Jose's flagship radio station KNBR 1050 will air the game live at 5:00 p.m. (PT). Against the Rampage Grieb tied a team record with 9 TD passes and Saintil, starting in place of Ben Nelson, had 4 TDs and 116 yards on his 7 receptions. San Jose's defense allowed fewer than 50 points for the 5th straight game, the longest streak of sub-50 point games allowed since the 1998 campaign. Nashville has had San Jose's number over the years going 6-2 in the eight meetings between the clubs and the SaberCats have never won in the Music City going 0-4. San Jose was the first opponent in Kats history back on May 2, 1997 with Nashville posting a 47-21 win. The teams played in Nashville last season with the Kats escaping with a 51-48 victory on March 25.
THE SCHEDULES
2007 SAN JOSE SABERCATS (8-3)
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)
May 19 GRAND RAPIDS Won 69-44 (8-3)
Date Opponent Time (PT) Radio/TV
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 NASHVILLE KATS (5-7)
Date Opponent Result Score (Rec)
Mar. 1 COLUMBUS Lost 56-58 (0-1)
Mar. 9 PHILADELPHIA Lost 30-63 (0-2)
Mar. 18 UTAH Won 69-55 (1-2)
Mar. 24 @Austin Won 70-63 (2-2)
Apr. 1 @Colorado Lost 48-55 (2-3)
Apr. 7 CHICAGO Lost 54-66 (2-4)
Apr. 14 @Arizona Won 62-36 (3-4)
Apr. 21 KANSAS CITY Won 49-40 (4-4)
Apr. 27 @Dallas Lost 62-69 (4-5)
May 5 @Grand Rapids Lost 55-71 (4-6)
May 11 COLORADO Lost 35-57 (4-7)
May 19 @Chicago Won 44-27 (5-7)
Date Opponent Time (PT) TV
May 25 SAN JOSE 5:00 pm FSN
Jun. 10 @Las Vegas 3:00 pm FSN
Jun. 16 @Kansas City 5:00 pm
Jun. 23 GRAND RAPIDS 5:00 pm AFL Net
THE SERIES: Nashville leads the all-time series 6-2 and holds a 4-2 edge in regular season games...The Kats have never lost to San Jose at home going 4-0 all-time, including a 51-48 win on March 25, 2006, the last time the teams played...Nashville has won three straight in the series, including a 71-47 semifinal playoff win on Aug. 12, 2001 to start their streak...The Kats are 2-0 in playoff tilts against San Jose, eliminating the SaberCats from the postseason 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.
SERIES NOTABLES: Nashville hosted San Jose in the franchise's first ever game back on May 2, 1997 and the Kats posted a 47-21 win for their first ever win...San Jose's point total in that game is the second-lowest in franchise history...Nashville has won the last two series games by a combined 5 points. The Kats won at home 51-48 on Mar. 25, 2006 and 57-55 in San Jose on Apr. 29, 2005...Of the teams San Jose has played more than once on the road, Nashville (0-4) 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...Current SaberCats broadcaster and former player Steve Papin tied a league record with a 58-yard missed field goal return at Nashville on Jun. 16, 1999...There has been at least one kick return (KOR, MFG) for a touchdown in six of the eight series games between the teams for a total of eight...WR James Roe has totaled 478 receiving yards in four games against Nashville, including a career-high 195 on Jun. 16, 2001, the third-highest total in team history...The Kats have registered 3 safeties in the series...San Jose FB Brian Johnson set a career-high with 3 rush TDs at Nashville on Mar. 25, 2006...In eight series games the teams have combined for 34 field goal attempts converting on 12 of them (San Jose 5-of-15; Nashville 7-of-19)...Mark Grieb had one of his finest performances ever in a game against the Kats on Jun. 16, 2001. Grieb completed 16 consecutive passes over the final quarter and overtime helping San Jose erase a 17-point fourth quarter deficit and defeat Nashville 58-57. He threw for 430 yards in the game, a record that stood until he tossed for 445 yards earlier this season at New Orleans on Apr. 13.
LAST SERIES MEETING
Nashville Beats San Jose...Again, 51-48
Nashville 51, SABERCATS 48 - Saturday, March 25 ,2006 - Gaylord Entertainment Center - Quarterback Leon Murray tossed three scoring passes and Nashville's defense turned three San Jose turnovers into 21 points leading the Kats (6-3) to a 51-48 win over the San Jose SaberCats (3-6). Veteran Cory Fleming scored three times for Nashville and totaled 85 receiving yards to become the fourth player in league history to reach 10,000 in his career. San Jose took its only lead of the game early in the second quarter when Mark Grieb connected with Ben Nelson on an 8-yard scoring play for a 13-7 lead. Nelson led all receivers with 9 catches for 138 yards and three touchdowns. Trailing 21-19 at halftime, San Jose's first offensive possession ended in a safety for the Kats when Joe Minucci sacked Grieb in the endzone. T.T. Toliver threw a 3-yard scoring pass to Fleming on the ensuing possession giving Nashville a 30-19 lead. Following a Brian Johnson 1-yard scoring run, the Kats scored on a 21-yard Murray to Toliver hook up and a Dan Alexander 4-yard run to take its largest lead of the game at 44-26 with 8:25 left. Grieb, who completed 26-of-39 passes for 298 yards and four scores, connected with James Roe from 25-yards and following a Nashville fumble that went out of the endzone for a touchback, Johnson scored his third rush touchdown of the game closing the gap to 44-41 with just over two minutes remaining. Following Fleming's 12-yard kickoff return for a score, Grieb hit Nelson on an 8-yard strike for the final points of the game. San Jose's last onside kick attempt failed and the Kats ran out the clock to keep San Jose winless in four games at the Gaylord Entertainment Center.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
SaberCats........................ 7 12 7 22 - 48
Kats................................ 7 14 9 21 - 51
SCORING SUMMARY
NAS Fleming 19 pass from Murray (Witczak kick)
SAN Johnson 2 run (Schmitz kick)
SAN Nelson 17 pass from Grieb (Schmitz kick failed)
NAS Toliver 8 pass from Murray (Witczak kick)
NAS Alexander 1 run (Witczak kick)
SAN Nelson 7 pass from Grieb (Case rush failed)
NAS Team safety
NAS Fleming 3 pass from Toliver (Witczak kick)
SAN Johnson 1 run (Schmitz kick)
NAS Toliver 21 pass from Murray (Witczak kick)
NAS Alexander 4 run (Witczak kick)
SAN Roe 25 pass from Grieb (Johnson rush)
SAN Johnson 3 run (Schmitz kick)
NAS Fleming 14 kickoff return (Witczak kick)
SAN Nelson 8 pass from Grieb (Schmitz kick)
TEAM STATISTICS SAN NAS
First Downs 24 18
Total Net Yards 316 220
Rush Atts-Net Yards 11-21 12-23
Net Yards Passing 295 197
Comp-Att-Int 26-39-1 17-29-2
KO Returns-Yards 7-117 7-81
MFG Returns-Yards 1-14 1-12
INT for-Yards 2-9 1-15
Penalties-Yards 11-70 7-29
Fumbles-Lost 2-2 1-1
Sacks By-Yards 1-5 1-3
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Passing: SJ - Grieb 26-39-1-298. NAS - Murray 16-28-2-199; Toliver 1-1-0-3.
Rushing: SJ - Johnson 7-17; McKenzie 2-5; Grieb 1-0; Wagner 1-(-1). NAS - Carter 4-11; Hillery 3-7; Alexander 5-5.
Receiving: SJ - Nelson 9-138; Wagner 6-40; Roe 5-53; Pauley 3-24; McKenzie 2-42; Gant 1-1. NAS - Fleming 7-85; Toliver 3-51; Bonner 3-27; Nix 2-22; Hillery 2-17.
Kick Returns: SJ - McKenzie 7-117; Wagner 1-14. NAS - Hillery 4-59; Fleing 3-22; Toliver 1-12.
ALL-TIME SERIES SCORES
Date Score
Mar. 25, 2006 @Nashville 51, San Jose 48
Apr. 29, 2005 Nashville 57, @San Jose 55
Aug. 12, 2001 @Nashville 71, San Jose 47 (playoff)
June 16, 2001 @San Jose 58, Nashville 57 (overtime)
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
THE COACHES
San Jose - Darren Arbet, 9th season
91-40 (.695) reg. season; 101-45 (.692) overall
1-5 (.167) career vs. Nashville
1-5 (.167) career vs. Pat Sperduto
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.
Nashville - Pat Sperduto, 6th season
46-39-1 (.541) reg. season; 51-43-1 (.542) overall
5-1 (.833) career vs. San Jose
5-1 (.833) career vs. Darren Arbet
In 2006, Pat Sperduto guided his feisty Kats to the postseason behind strong defense and sound offensive production. The Kats are on the right path in 2007, looking to build off this season's strong defense, solid running attack, last season's playoff run and take his team back to the ArenaBowl, a place the Kats visited in 2000 and 2001. Sperduto is the owner of ArenaBowl hardware himself having captured three champi-onships-two as a player and one as a coach. Under Sperduto's tutelage, his teams have ranked in the top 10 in scoring offense, scoring defense, and rushing defense each year he has been head coach of the Kats. Sperduto's coaching has garnered several players recognition from the AFL, most notably, James Baron being named Lineman of the Year (2001) and AFL Defensive Player of the Year (1999), AFL First-Team performers Jarrick Hillery (2001) and James Baron (2001) Ironman of the Year Darryl Hammond (1999) and Support Staff of the Year (2005). Sperduto was at the helm of the original Kats team from 1999-2001, and joined the coaching and scouting staff of the NFL's Tennessee Titans after the Kats franchise was sold and moved to Atlanta in 2001. In 2004, he was given the responsibility to oversee the startup process of a new AFL team to be placed in Nashville, and in 2005 he returned to the sidelines as head coach and director of football operations for the new Nashville
Kats.
2007 TEAM STATISTICAL COMPARISON
Category (Rank) SaberCats Kats
Scoring Offense 63.3 (2) 52.8 (9)
Scoring Defense 50.4 (6) 55.0 (12)
Total Offense 322.7 (4) 288.9 (12)
Total Defense 280.2 (4) 270.3 (2)
Pass Offense 311.3 (3) 263.7 (13)
Pass Defense 266.2 (7) 254.2 (2)
Rushing Offense 11.5 (17) 25.2 (3)
Rushing Defense 14.0 (4) 16.2 (8)
Pass Rating 124.5 (5) 102.4 (15)
Pass Defense Rating 105.4 (6) 113.3 (11)
Interceptions 14 (8) 16 (t-3)
Kickoff Return Avg. 19.5 (4) 18.0 (9)
Field Goal Return Avg. 3.7 (19) 15.8 (9)
Turnover Margin +8 (4) -3 (12)
3rd Down Conversions 55.6% (2) 48.8% (10)
4th Down Conversions 70.6% (t-1) 63.6% (7)
Sacks By 12 (t-7) 12 (t-7)
Sacks Against 12 (t-11) 15 (t-13)
2007 SABERCATS AMONG AFL LEADERS
Player Category No. Rank
Mark Grieb Pass Avg/Game 314.0 3rd
Mark Grieb Completion Pct. 71.0 2nd
Mark Grieb Passing TDs 74 t-3rd
Mark Grieb Pass Attempts 414 4th
Mark Grieb Pass Yards 3,454 4th
Mark Grieb Pass Completions 294 2nd
Mark Grieb Passer Rating 124.5 5th
Mark Grieb Total Offense 3,477 3rd
Mark Grieb Total Offensive TDs 75 4th
Mark Grieb Pass Yards/Attempt 8.3 3rd
A.J. Haglund Kick Scoring 108 3rd
A.J. Haglund FG Percentage 63.6 2nd
A.J. Haglund PAT Percentage 92.6 6th
A.J. Haglund FGs Made 7 t-9th
A.J. Haglund PATs Made 87 1st
A.J. Haglund PAT Attempts 94 2nd
Ben Nelson Receptions 96 5th
Ben Nelson Receiving Yards 1,208 7th
Ben Nelson Receiving Yards/Gm 120.8 3rd
Ben Nelson Receiving TDs 25 10th
James Roe Receptions 87 t-10th
James Roe Receiving TDs 27 t-6th
Ron Jones Recovered Fumbles 2 t-8th
Ron Jones Sacks 6.0 T-4th
Ron Jones Tackles for Loss 7.5 t-6th
Clevan Thomas Interceptions 5 t-8th
Clevan Thomas Passes Defended 18 t-6th
Clevan Thomas INT Return Yards 72 7th
Clevan Thomas Fumbles Recovered 2 t-8th
Phil Glover Forced Fumbles 5 t-1st
Phil Glover Recovered Fumbles 2 t-8th
Trestin George KOR Average 23.8 1st
Trestin George KOR TDs 2 t-4th
Trestin George KOR Yards 667 9th
George Williams Tackles for Loss 5.5 t-11th
THE IFS...
If the SaberCats defeat Nashville it would...
*Give them a 9-3 season record
*Be their 6th straight win
*Be their 2nd straight road win
*Be their 1st win in Nashville
*Snap a 3-game losing streak to the Kats
*Give them a 3-6 record in the series
*Break a 4-game road losing streak to Central Div. foes
*Give them a 31-17 reg. season record against Central Division opponents
*Give them a 15-11 reg. season road record against Central Division opponents
*Give them a 52-41 regular season road record
*Give them a 121-65 all-time regular season record
*Give them 131-73 all-time record.
RECENT RESULTS
SaberCats Win 5th Straight, Down Rampage 69-44
SAN JOSE, Calif. (May 19, 2007) - San Jose quarterback Mark Grieb tied a team record with nine touchdown passes and the SaberCats rolled to their 5th consecutive win with a 69-44 defeat of the Grand Rapids Rampage on Saturday night. Grieb, who completed 21-of-38 for 311 yards for the game, connected with Jason Geathers and Julius Gant in the first quarter giving San Jose (8-3) a 13-0 lead after the opening frame. It was the third straight game San Jose held its opponent scoreless in the first quarter. The teams combined for 52 points in the second quarter with Grieb throwing four scoring passes, including three to rookie Cleannord Saintil, who made his first start at receiver. Saintil's third scoring catch of the quarter came with no time left on the clock after James Roe recovered a perfectly executed onside kick. Grand Rapids (3-8) pulled within 41-31 at the start of the second quarter when Timon Marshall caught a 28 yard scoring pass from Chad Salisbury, but the Rampage would get no closer. Salisbury would complete 15-of-31 for 202 yards with three touchdowns before being replaced late in the game by recently acquired Adrian McPherson. Marshall, the Rampage's explosive receiver and kick return specialist was held to seven catches for 77 yards and the one score while totaling 101 yards on seven kickoff returns. San Jose's James Roe led all receivers with eight catches for 152 yards and a score while Saintil, playing in place of Ben Nelson, totaled 116 yards and four touchdowns on seven catches. Omarr Smith, who earned Defensive Player of the Game honors, tallied his 31st career interception, two pass breakups a forced fumble and 6.5 tackles leading a defense that limited Grand Rapids to 222 yards of total offense.
MILESTONE WATCH
Name Milestone Needs
Ben Nelson 3,000 career receiving yards 38
Ben Nelson 3rd place career 100-yd games 2
Ben Nelson 200 career receptions 10
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 2
Matt Kinsinger 35 career rush TDs 1
Matt Kinsinger SJ career rushing leader 43
Mark Grieb 2,500 career completions 64
Mark Grieb 600 career TD passes 11
Brian Johnson 100 career rush attempts 1
Brian Johnson 20 career receptions 1
Brian Johnson 5th place career rush attempts 6
Brian Johnson 45 career games played 2
Craig Whelihan 110 career pass TDs 1
Craig Whelihan 6,000 career pass yards 90
Jason Geathers 500 career receiving yards 50
Jason Geathers 10 career TD receptions 2
Jason Geathers 50 career receptions 8
James Roe 200 career TD receptions 12
James Roe 8,000 career receiving yards 150
Phil Glover 100.0 career total tackles 7.0
Phil Glover 30 career rush TDs 4
Phil Glover 55 career games played 2
Ron Jones 10.0 career sacks 3.0
George Williams 50 career solo tackles 2
Marquis Floyd 100.0 career total tackles 15.5
Marquis Floyd 10 career INTs 3
Marquis Floyd 25 career games played 1
Dan Loney 75 career games played 3
Julius Gant 20 career games played 1
Omarr Smith 400.0 career total tackles 2.0
Omarr Smith 2nd place SJ career INTs 2
TRENDS
ON THE ROAD AGAIN - Following two lopsided home wins, the SaberCats take to the road for their final extended road trip of the regular season when they travel to Nashville on Friday. San Jose broke a 3-game road losing streak during its last away game with a win at Arizona on May 5, and they are 2-3 away from HP Pavilion this season. San Jose needs to win two of its final three road games to avoid its first losing road record since 2005 and just the 4th in team history. Two of San Jose's three road defeats have come by a combined 5 points in consecutive games to a pair of the best teams in the AFL. The SaberCats lost 48-45 at Chicago on Mar. 9 and followed that with a 2-point loss, 64-62, at Georgia on Mar. 24. The SaberCats currently own a 51-41 (.554) all-time regular season road record.
NASHVILLE BLUES - The SaberCats have never won in Nashville going 0-4 and the Kats are one of just two teams (New York Dragons 0-2) that San Jose has played more than once on the road that it has never beaten. San Jose was Nashville's opponent in the Kats' first ever game, back on May 2, 1997, and recorded its second-lowest point total in a 47-21 loss. The Kats also won 56-45 on July 16, 1999; 71-47 in a semifinal playoff game on Aug. 12, 2001; and 51-48 in the most recent meeting between the clubs on Mar. 25, 2006.
QUICK STARTS - The SaberCats have not allowed a first quarter point in their last 3 games and have outscored the opposition 90-21 in the opening frame during their current 5-game winning streak. San Jose's 188 first quarter points on the season are the 2nd most in the league behind Utah's 200, and their 90 points allowed is the 3rd fewest behind Orlando's 85 and Colorado's 88. San Jose has an AFL best +98 first quarter point differential and is unbeaten this season (8-0) when leading after the first quarter.
DOIN THE D - With all the SaberCats' offensive exploits noted countless times, it's the defensive unit that has played a large role in the team's current 5-game winning streak. The SaberCats have not allowed an opponent to crack the 50-point mark in any of the past five games while watching their points per game average drop nearly 5 points/game from 55.0 prior to the win streak to a current average of 50.4. The streak of sub-50 point games allowed is also the longest since an 8-game stretch during the 1998 season.
NICE VIEW - If you're not the lead dog the view is always the same. Well, the SaberCats have been leading the pack lately. San Jose has led from start to finish in each of its last four games and has never trailed during its current 5-game winning streak. The SaberCats were tied twice, that coming in the same game against Los Angeles on Apr. 21. San Jose jumped out to a 13-0 lead in its 69-44 win over Grand Rapids on May 19 and has had at least a two-TD advantage from the start in each of their last four contests.
PICKIN IT - After intercepting just 4 passes in the first six games of the year, the SaberCats have totaled 10 INTs over the last five games increasing their season total to 14. The team's recent flurry of thievery has coincided with the success on the field as the team has outpicked its opponents 10 to 2 over the current 5-game winning streak.
THAT 60's SHOW - The SaberCats reached the 60-point mark in a game for the 64th time in franchise history with their 69-44 win over Grand Rapids on May 19, improving their all-time record to 56-8 (.875) in those games. San Jose is 32-1 (.970) at home in games when scoring 60+ points compared to just 24-7 (.774) on the road. The SaberCats have never cracked the 60-point mark in 8 games against Nashville, leaving the Kats as one of just two current AFL teams to hold San Jose without a 60-point game. Philadelphia has held San Jose under 60 in two games while the SaberCats have yet to play Kansas City.
STREAKING - Riding a winning streak is nice, but it's something the SaberCats are used to. San Jose's current 5-game streak matches the 5th longest in a single season in team history, joining the 1995, 2003 and 2005 teams. The franchise record for consecutive wins in a season is 12, also an AFL record, accomplished in 2002. The team also has an 11-game streak (2001), 7-game streak (2006) and 6-game run (2003).
SATURDAY NIGHT'S ALRIGHT - Each of San Jose's wins during its current 5-game winning streak have come when the team played on Saturday. The game against Nashville marks the first Friday night contest for the SaberCats since losing in New Orleans on Apr. 13. The team is 1-2 this season in Friday games, beating Colorado on Apr. 6 and losing at Chicago on Mar. 9, and owns a 33-20 (.623) all-time record on Fridays.
CLOSE THE DEAL - For the 8th time this year the SaberCats held a lead heading into the fourth quarter when they were up 48-38 in an eventual 69-44 defeat of Grand Rapids on May 19, and for the 8th time they posted a victory. San Jose cruised to its 14th straight win 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 97-12 (.890) when holding a lead into the final frame.
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 enter Friday's game at Nashville with a -7 turnover margin on the road and have won the turnover battle just once in their 5 road contests. San Jose was +1 in Arizona on May 5 and not surprisingly came away with a 56-49 win to end a 3-game road losing streak. At home, where the SaberCats are 6-0, they are +15 in margin. Overall San Jose is +8 in turnover margin for a 4th place ranking in the AFL.
NOTES
THE NEXT HUNDRED - One week after winning his 100th career game, San Jose head coach Darren Arbet started on the next 100 by defeating the team he got his 1st victory against. Arbet earned win No. 101 with a 69-44 win over Grand Rapids on May 19 exactly 100 wins after defeating the Rampage, 54-53, back on Apr. 24, 1999. Arbet and the SaberCats have not had much success against this week's opponent, the Nashville Kats. San Jose is 2-6 against the Kats while Arbet has just a 1-5 record against them. Of teams Arbet has faced more than twice, he has the fewest wins and the lowest winning percentage (.167) against Nashville.
CAREER COACHING RECORDS
Rk. Coach (Year) Team Record
1. Tim Marcum (19th) Tampa Bay 186-83
2. Danny White (15th) Utah 153-82
3. Mike Hohensee (14th) Chicago 114-97
4. Mike Dailey (11th) Colorado 107-68
5. Darren Arbet (9th) San Jose 101-45
ON THE MARK - QB Mark Grieb tied a team record and career-high by throwing 9 TD passes in the SaberCats 69-44 win over Grand Rapids on May 19. It was the 4th time Grieb had thrown 9 TD strikes in a game and the first since Apr. 2, 2006 in a win over Arizona. Grieb also surpassed John Kaleo (581) to move into 5th place on the AFL's career list with 589. The TD output moved Grieb's season total to 74 making him the 2nd player in league history to record 70 or more TD passes in six consecutive seasons, and left him 10 shy of tying his 2005 team record of 84. Dallas' Clint Dolezel has thrown 70+ this season for his 7th straight season with over 70 TD passes. Grieb completed just 21-of-38 attempts against the Rampage but did throw for 311 yards, his 36th career 300-yard game and 6th of the season. Grieb is tied with Arizona's Sherdrick Bonner for the 3rd most 300-yard games this year, behind Utah's Joe Germaine (10) and Georgia's Chris Greisen (7).
MOST TD PASSES, AFL, CAREER
Rank Player, Team TDs
1. Clint Dolezel, Dallas 830
2. Sherdrick Bonner, Arizona 820
3. Andy Kelly, New Orleans 806
4. Aaron Garcia, New York 786
5. Mark Grieb, San Jose 589
6. John Kaleo, Tampa Bay 581
7. John Dutton, Colorado 451
ROE-LIFIC - Already the team's career leader in just about every receiving category, James Roe added another record to his list in San Jose's 69-44 win over Grand Rapids on May 19. Roe totaled 152 yards on 8 receptions to surpass the 1,000-yard mark for a club record tying 3rd consecutive season, and team record 5th overall. It was also the 5th highest single-game total in his career and the 31st time he reached triple-digits in receiving yards in a game. Playing on special teams as well, Roe recovered an onside kick near the end of the 1st half to set the stage for another San Jose TD with no time left on the clock. Currently in 17th place on the league's career receptions list, 'The Difference' can make a move this week and move into 14th place with 10 receptions at Nashville and needs 57 receiving yards to surpass Stevie Thomas for 16th place on that all-time list.
MOST PASS RECEPTIONS, AFL, CAREER
Rank Player, Team Recpts
1. Barry Wagner, None 991
2. Eddie Brown, None 950
3. Lawrence Samuels, Tampa Bay 864
4. Damian Harrell, Colorado 856
5. Cory Fleming, None 846
6. Greg Hopkins, None 842
7. Chris Jackson, Georgia 806
8. Darryl Hammond, None 804
9. Mike Horacek, New York 801
10. Hunkie Cooper, None 776
11. Gary Compton, None 750
12. Randy Gatewood, Arizona 687
13. Siaha Burley, Utah 680
14. George LaFrance, None 629
15. Alvin Ashley, None 628
16. Calvin Schexnayder, None 626
17. James Roe, San Jose 620
THE GREAT SAINTIL - Playing in just his 2nd game and making his 1st career start at WR in place of Ben Nelson, rookie Cleannord Saintil had quite the coming-out party. Saintil had 4 TDs among his 7 receptions for 116 yards and put up numbers comparable to some of the SaberCats great receivers in their 1st game. Current broadcaster Steve Papin had 10 catches for 202 yards and 4 TDs in his very first game as a SaberCat back on July 5, 1997 at Anaheim and Titus Dixon had 12 catches, 185 yards and 2 TDs in the team's first ever game on May 12, 1995 against Arizona. On his 1st career reception, Saintil took a 10-yard pass from Mark Grieb and did the rest with Barry Sanders-like moves. He turned the little crossing pattern into a 47-yard TD, the longest pass play for the SaberCats this season and the longest since Aaron Bailey went 47 yards for a score at Chicago on Mar. 9, 2003. The team has had just four pass plays go longer than 47 yards in its 13-year existence.
REWARDED - Linemen do all the dirty work and get no glory for it. That wasn't the case on May 19 when linemen Dan Loney and Julius Gant both scored TDs in San Jose's win over Grand Rapids. Call it hustle or the element of surprise, both men got to experience the joy of scoring a TD in an Arena Football League game. Gant scored his 1st career TD on a 6-yard pass play in the first quarter while Loney scored his 2nd career TD, both ironically on identical plays, when he hustled to the ball and recovered a fumble in the endzone to give San Jose a 69-38 lead late in the 4th quarter. Loney's previous TD came on May 22, 2004 when he recovered a fumble against the Philadelphia Soul. It marked the first time two linemen scored a TD in the same game since Sam Hernandez and Sai Poulivaati scored at Milwaukee on June 26, 1998.
MR. SMITH - DB Omarr Smith snared his 4th interception of the season and 2nd in as many games during San Jose's win over Grand Rapids on May 19. Smith increased his career INT total to 31 moving him into a tie for 17th place on the league's all-time list. Smith, who has 23 of his 31 career picks as a member of the SaberCats, also closed within one of tying Pat McGuirk for 2nd place on the team's list. After being held without an INT or a pass breakup during the team's first four games of the year, Smith has tallied his 4 INTs and 9 PBUs over the last 7 games, in which the SaberCats have won six. With 2 PBUs against the Rampage, Smith moved past Tommy Jones (45) and Barry Wagner (46) into 3rd place on the team's career chart behind Clevan Thomas (83) and McGuirk (64) with 47.
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) 23
4. Barry Wagner (2000-06) 19
5. Tommy Jones (1998-01) 17
MOST PASS BREAKUPS, TEAM, CAREER
Rank Player PBUs
1. Clevan Thomas (2002-07) 83
2. Pat McGuirk (1995-98) 64
3. Omarr Smith (2000-02, 04-07) 47
4. Barry Wagner (2000-06) 46
5. Tommy Jones (1998-01) 45
THE RUNNING MAN - FB Brian Johnson moved past 3-time ArenaBowl champion Bob McMillen on the team's all-time rushing yards list by scampering for 15 on 2 carries in San Jose's win over Grand Rapids on May 19. Johnson upped his career total to 230 and moved ahead of McMillen (224) into 9th place. B.J. also needs just one rush attempt to become the 6th player in team history with over 100. Johnson has shown his versatility as well this season by catching 8 passes out of the backfield, including a 14-yard screen play against the Rampage that gave him 19 for his career. The 280-pound converted lineman moved into a tie with Tom Petithomme for 2nd in career FB receptions just five behind the club's all-time leader Derrick Chachere with 24.
MOST RUSHING YARDS, TEAM, CAREER
Rank Player, Team Yards
1. Derrick Chachere (1995-97, 99-00) 442
2. Tom Petithomme (1995-96, 99) 400
3. Matt Kinsinger (2002-05, 07) 400
4. Mike Jones (1998-02) 328
5. Steve Papin (1997-01) 326
6. Joey Dozier (2000-01, 05) 317
7. Keala Keanaaina (2003-04) 315
8. Barry Wagner (2000-06) 260
9. Brian Johnson (2003-04, 06-07) 230
10. Bob McMillen (2001-02) 224
DOUBLE TROUBLE - San Jose linebackers Phil Glover and Steve Watson have formed a ferocious tandem at their position. Since Watson returned to the lineup four games ago, the two have split time between the 'Mac' and 'Jack' spots and have put up some nasty numbers. Over the last four games, all San Jose wins, Watson has totaled 22.0 tackles with a pair of blocked PAT attempts, becoming the 1st SaberCat to block 2 PATs in the same season. Glover has been no slouch either. He's tallied 15.0 total tackles (12 solo) with a sack, fumble recovery and 3 forced fumbles.
AGAINST GRAND RAPIDS: QB Mark Grieb threw 9 TD passes in a game for the 4th time in his career and surpassed John Kaleo for 5th place on the AFL's career list with 589 and had his 36th career 300-yard game...Cleannord Saintil played in his 2nd game and made his 1st career start hauling in a team season-long 47 yard TD reception on his 1st career catch...Center Dan Loney recovered a fumble in the endzone for his 2nd career TD...Omarr Smith snared his 4th INT of the season and 31st career collecting a pick in his 2nd straight game...OL Julius Gant scored his 1st career TD on a 6-yard reception, his 2nd career catch...Brian Johnson ran for 15 yards to surpass Bob McMillen (224) for 9th place on the team's career list with 230...San Jose has won 12 straight regular season home game...The SaberCats improved to 32-1 at home when scoring 60 or more points in a game and 56-8 overall...James Roe had his 31st career 100-yard receiving game with 152, which was his 5th highest game total.
NASHVILLE PLAYERS TO WATCH
QB JEFF SMOKER - A candidate for Rookie of the Year honors, Smoker is in his first AFL season after spending three years in the NFL with St. Louis and Kansas City. He took over the starting job for Nashville in Week 3 after an erratic start to the season by Clint Stoerner, who was later released by the Kats. The Michigan State product has guided Nashville to a 5-5 record in his 10 starts completing 203-of-337 attempts for 2,746 yards and 46 TDs. Led by Smoker, the Kats offense is ranked 9th in scoring (52.8 ppg) and have scored the 6th most TDs (91) in the AFL. As expected by any rookie in any professional sports league, rookie mistakes will come. Smoker has tossed a league-high tying 13 INTs in 2007.
FB DAN ALEXANDER - Only in his third AFL season, the 6-foot, 220-pound juggernaut out of Nebraska has already busted into the league's record books. Alexander has already shattered the AFL single-season record for rushing TDs (31) and rushing attempts (117). In addition Alexander has established two other rushing records in 2007 - single game highs for TDs (6) and attempts (19) that came on Apr. 20 at the expense of Kansas City. His current total of 31 rushing TDs leads and 283 yards are AFL highs. In 2 career games against San Jose, Alexander has rushed 7 times for 5 yards and two TDs - both coming in last year's contest on Mar. 25 where the Kats won 51-48 in Nashville.
DB AHMAD HAWKINS - One of the best defensive backs in the league, Hawkins is in his 5th AFL season and his first with the Kats. He started the year as a member of the Colorado Crush but was released due to salary cap limitations, a move Colorado would probably like to recant. Hawkins has grabbed a league-best 11 INTs this year - returning two for TDs - and needs just 3 to break the single-season AFL record shared by Clevan Thomas and Eddie Moten. Along with his INTs, Hawkins has accumulated 53.5 tackles, 4 PBUs and a fumble recovery. The Kats pass defense ranks 2nd in the league giving up 254.2 ypg through the air. The University of Virginia product has played in 5 career games against San Jose recording 13 tackles, 3 PBUs, an INT and a forced fumble.
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) QB Mark Grieb, San Jose
@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) DB Omarr Smith, San Jose
@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) WR Cleannord Saintil
@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 6-1 36-15
50-59 points 1-1 38-14 1-0 27-24
60-69 points 5-1 32-7 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 8-0 76-19
Trailing after the 1st 0-2 24-32
Tied after the 1st 0-1 20-14
Leading at Half 8-0 90-17
Trailing at Half 0-2 26-42
Tied at Half 0-1 4-6
Leading after the 3rd 8-0 97-12
Trailing after the 3rd 0-3 19-49
Tied after the 3rd 0-0 4-4
Scoring First 7-1 72-32
Opp. Score First 1-2 48-33
More Total Offense 5-2 84-36
Less Total Offense 3-1 36-29
More Pass Yards 5-2 74-37
Less Pass Yards 3-1 46-27
Equal Pass Yards 0-0 0-1
More Rushing Yards 6-0 101-28
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 6-1 63-25
Sunday games 1-0 18-17
Monday games 0-0 2-2
vs. Western Division 5-0 46-26
vs. Central Division 2-1 30-17
vs. Southern Division 1-2 25-12
vs. Eastern Division 0-0 19-10
Winning coin toss 2-1
Losing coin toss 6-2
Outscoring Opponent 8-0 120-0
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
San Jose 8 3 .727 696 554
Los Angeles 6 5 .545 585 598
Utah 5 7 .417 743 750
Arizona 3 9 .250 680 721
Las Vegas 2 10 .167 545 749
Central Division
Team W L Pct PF PA
Chicago 8 3 .727 600 512
Colorado 8 4 .667 608 606
Kansas City 6 5 .545 578 522
Nashville 5 7 .417 634 660
Grand Rapids 3 8 .273 598 711
NATIONAL CONFERENCE
Eastern Division
Team W L Pct PF PA
Dallas 10 1 .909 677 553
Columbus 6 5 .545 561 537
Philadelphia 5 6 .455 590 539
New York 4 7 .364 554 606
Southern Division
Team W L Pct PF PA
Georgia 9 2 .818 697 615
Orlando 7 4 .636 532 470
Tampa Bay 5 6 .455 517 568
New Orleans 4 7 .364 528 589
Austin 3 8 .273 555 618
WEEK TWELVE SCHEDULE
Friday, May 18
at Tampa Bay 59, Arizona 50
Las Vegas 54, at Utah 53
at Colorado 58, Columbus 40
Saturday, May 19
Nashville 44, at Chicago 27
at Los Angeles 57, Georgia 51
at San Jose 69, Grand Rapids 44
Sunday, May 20
at New York 62, Kansas City 56
Orlando 46, at Austin 45
Monday, May 21
at Philadelphia 78, New Orleans 34
WEEK THIRTEEN SCHEDULE
Friday, May 25
Utah at Orlando, 4:30 pm
San Jose at Nashville, 5:00 pm
Saturday, May 26
Los Angeles at Kansas City, 3:00 pm
Dallas at Columbus, 4:00 pm
Colorado at Grand Rapids, 4:00 pm
Tampa Bay at Georgia, 4:00 pm
Chicago at Arizona, 7:00 pm
Sunday, May 27
Philadelphia at Austin, 1:05 pm
Monday, May 28
New York at New Orleans, 5:00 pm
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 23, 2007
- Quarterbacks with a combined total of 1,594 passing TDs take centerstage on ESPN2 - AFL I
- Rattlers Celebrate Youth Football - Arizona Rattlers
- Schutt Sports Top 12 Poll - AFL I
- AFL week 13 injury report - AFL I
- Four teams look to clinch playoff births in Week 13 - AFL I
- Colorado Crush Vie For Playoff Berth This Weekend - Colorado Crush
- New York Dragons game notes - New York Dragons
- Chicago Rush game notes - Chicago Rush
- San Jose SaberCats game notes - San Jose SaberCats
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
