San Jose SaberCats game notes
June 20, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
San Jose SaberCats News Release
THE QUICK FACTS:
Game: SaberCats (12-3) at Las Vegas Gladiators (2-13).
Date: Monday, June 25, 2007.
Kickoff: 1:30 p.m. (PDT).
Site: Orleans Arena (9,004).
Officials: Referee: Dave Cutaia; Umpire: Doug Wilson; Head Linesman: Greg Shields; Line Judge: Dave Chesney; Back Judge: James Cole.
Television: FSN Bay Area will televise the game live from the Orleans Arena at 1:30 p.m. Bob Fitzgerald and Steve Papin call the action.
Radio: KNBR-1050 will carry the game live with Grant Napear and Troy Clardy calling the action. The two will host a 30-minute pregame show starting at 1:00 p.m.
Opening Line: SaberCats -17½ (over/under 106).
Internet: A live webcast is available at www.KNBR.com.
Series Record: SaberCats lead all-time series 6-2.
Series Streak: SaberCats Won 2.
Last Meeting: SaberCats 61, Las Vegas 34 (May 12, 2007 in HP Pavilion).
Coaches: San Jose, Darren Arbet (9th season; 95-40 regular season, 105-45 overall).
Las Vegas, Danton Barto (1st season; 2-13 regular season & overall).
OVERVIEW: The SaberCats extended their winning streak to nine and defeated their rival Arizona Rattlers for a 5th straight time with a 66-26 win on Jun. 16. With the win the SaberCats became the first American Conference team to go undefeated at home since the AFL adopted the 16-game schedule in 2003 and won their 14th straight regular season home game, tying their own record for the second-longest stretch in AFL history. San Jose concludes its 2007 season with a Monday matinee at the Las Vegas Gladiators on Jun. 25 from the Orleans Arena. Game time is set for 1:30 p.m. with FSN Bay Area televising live and in HD, and KNBR 1050 bringing all the action. The SaberCats need a win to clinch the top overall seed in the Conference and home field advantage during the post season. A Chicago loss at Kansas City on Saturday will also clinch the top spot for San Jose. The SaberCats outscored Arizona 52-13 over the final three quarters in posting their 8th win of the year by 20 or more points. The team's defense produced 6 stops on the night with 3 interceptions, including a 36-yard TD return by Omarr Smith and Clevan Thomas' 40th career pick. WR James Roe collected 106 yards and 4 TDs on 9 catches to set single season records in all 3 categories. San Jose defeated Las Vegas earlier this season, 61-34, on May 12 and has won 11 straight games over Western Division competition. San Jose leads the series 6-2 and has won two straight.
THE SCHEDULES
2007 SAN JOSE SABERCATS (11-3)
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)
May 25 @Nashville Won 48-34 (9-3)
Jun. 1 ORLANDO Won 59-52 (10-3)
Jun. 9 @Utah Won 70-49 (11-3)
Jun. 16 ARIZONA Won 66-26 (12-3)
Date Opponent Time (PT) Radio/TV
Jun. 25 @Las Vegas 1:30 pm 1050/FSN
2007 LAS VEGAS GLADIATORS (2-13)
Date Opponent Result Score (Rec)
Mar. 4 @Austin Lost 36-57 (0-1)
Mar. 8 @Grand Rapids Won 79-69 (1-1)
Mar. 18 NEW ORLEANS Lost 31-59 (1-2)
Mar. 23 @Arizona Lost 41-68 (1-3)
Apr. 1 UTAH Lost 47-57 (1-4)
Apr. 8 KANSAS CITY Lost 31-65 (1-5)
Apr. 15 @Georgia Lost 68-69 (1-6)
Apr. 20 @Colorado Lost 53-63 (1-7)
Apr. 29 ORLANDO Lost 34-69 (1-8)
May 6 LOS ANGELES Lost 37-59 (1-9)
May 12 @San Jose Lost 34-61 (1-10)
May 18 @Utah Won 54-53 (2-10)
Jun. 3 ARIZONA Lost 20-41 (2-11)
Jun. 10 NASHVILLE Lost 48-63 (2-12)
Jun. 17 @Los Angeles Lost 42-60 (2-13)
Date Opponent Time (PT) TV
Jun. 25 SAN JOSE 1:30 pm FSN
THE SERIES: San Jose leads the all-time series 6-2 and has won two straight, including a 61-34 win in the earlier meeting this season between the clubs in San Jose on May 12...The Gladiators' only 2 series wins have come in Las Vegas by a combined total of 12 points...The SaberCats have scored 428 points, an average of 71.3 points per game, in their six wins and just 83 points, an average of 41.5 points per game, in their two losses...Three of San Jose's 26 70-plus point games and two of the team's nine highest scoring games have come against Las Vegas...This will be the 3rd straight Monday contest for the teams in Las Vegas. The Gladiators won 51-48 last year on Feb. 6 and the SaberCats posted an 81-75 win on Mar. 28, 2005.
SERIES NOTABLES:
The SaberCats have scored at least 61 points in each of their six series wins and scored just 83 points combined in their two losses...In their six wins the SaberCats have scored 20 or more points in a quarter 11 times...San Jose has scored first in each of the last seven series games...The combined point total (156) in San Jose's 81-75 win at Las Vegas on Mar. 28, 2005 represents the sixth-highest scoring game in AFL history and the second-highest in San Jose history. The teams also combined for a SaberCats record 60 fourth quarter points...Las Vegas has twice amassed over 400 yards of total offense in the series, including a SaberCats opponent record 456 on Mar. 20, 2004, and has outgained San Jose in six of the eight meetings...San Jose has intercepted at least 1 pass in each series game and has 2 or more in seven of the eight games for a total of 19 with 6 being returned for TDs. The SaberCats tied a team record with 4 picks against Las Vegas on May 12, 2007...DB Clevan Thomas has 6 of his 40 career INTs and Omarr Smith has 4 of his 32 career INTs against Las Vegas with each player returning a pair for a TD...Marquis Floyd's 1st career multi-INT game came against Las Vegas on May 12, 2007...QB Mark Grieb has started all eight series games against Las Vegas completing 163-of-236 attempts (69.1%) for 2,191 yards and 36 TDs...Jason Geathers had three 34-yard scoring catches against the Glads on May 12, 2007 establishing a mark for career-long reception...If former SaberCat Nick Rolovich starts for Las Vegas on Monday, he will be the 5th QB to start for Las Vegas against San Jose in the last five series games...Current SaberCats' backup QB Craig Whelihan is one of the five, having started against the SaberCats on Feb. 6, 2006 and leading Las Vegas to its last series win, 51-48, by throwing for four TDs and rushing for two...The Gladiators overcame a 21-0 deficit to defeat the SaberCats 44-35 in Las Vegas on May 16, 2004.
LAST SERIES MEETING:
SABERCATS BEAT GLADIATORS 61-34
San Jose Coach 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.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Gladiators........................ 0 6 7 21 - 34
SaberCats........................ 21 19 14 7 - 61
SCORING SUMMARY
SAN Nelson 31 pass from Grieb (Haglund kick)
SAN Smith 50 interception return (Haglund kick)
SAN Geathers 34 pass from Grieb (Haglund kick)
SAN Glover 1 run (Haglund rush failed)
SAN Thomas 45 interception return (Haglund kick)
LVG Davis 2 run (Azar kick failed)
SAN Geathers 34 pass from Grieb (Haglund kick)
LVG Davis 25 pass from Jones (Azar kick)
SAN Nelson 11 pass from Grieb (Haglund kick)
SAN Geathers 34 pass from Grieb (Haglund kick)
LVG Davis 5 pass from Rolovich (Azar kick)
LVG Haugabrook 3 run (Azar kick)
LVG LaTendresse 10 pass from Rolovich (Azar kick)
SAN George 54 kickoff return (Haglund kick)
TEAM STATISTICS LVG SAN
First Downs 22 14
Total Net Yards 353 318
Rush Atts-Net Yards 5-34 4-6
Net Yards Passing 319 312
Comp-Att-Int 28-48-4 22-30-1
KO Returns-Yards 9-140 6-133
MFG Returns-Yards 0-0 0-0
INT for-Yards 1-10 4-104
Penalties-Yards 3-13 6-43
Fumbles-Lost 2-2 3-2
Sacks By-Yards 0-0 0-0
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Passing: LV - Jones 20-33-4-233; Rolovich 8-15-0-86. SJ - Grieb 18-24-1-280.
Rushing: LV - Haugabrook 2-16; Jones 1-16; Davis 1-2; Rue 1-0. SJ - Johnson 2-3; Grieb 1-2; Glover 1-1.
Receiving: LV - Davis 11-135; LaTendresse 11-109; Haugabrook 3-41; Quattlebaum 2-23; Rue 1-11. SJ - Geathers 8-132; Nelson 7-97; Roe 6-67; Johnson 1-16.
Kick Returns: LV - Haugabrook 9-140. SJ - George 5-133; Gant 1-0.
ALL-TIME SERIES SCORES
Date Score
May 12, 2007 @San Jose 61, Las Vegas 34
April 14, 2006 @San Jose 69, Las Vegas 59
Feb. 6, 2006 @Las Vegas 51, San Jose 48
Mar. 28, 2005 San Jose 81, @Las Vegas 75
Feb. 5, 2005 @San Jose 66, Las Vegas 31
May 16, 2004 @Las Vegas 44, San Jose 35
Mar. 20, 2004 @San Jose 79, Las Vegas 62
Mar. 2, 2003 San Jose 72, @Las Vegas 37
THE COACHES
San Jose - Darren Arbet, 9th season
95-40 (.704) reg. season; 105-45 (.700) overall
6-2 (.750) career vs. Las Vegas
1-0 (1.000) career vs. Danton Barto
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.
Las Vegas - Danton Barto, 1st season
2-13 (.133) reg. season and overall
0-1 (.000) career vs. San Jose
0-1 (.000) career vs. Darren Arbet
Barto was named Head Coach of the Las Vegas Gladiators on June 18, 2006 after spending the previous five seasons as the Head Coach of the af2's Memphis Xplorers. He compiled a 49-35 regular season record and a 4-2 postseason mark at that level and was the winningest af2 coach over the last three seasons. He was named the af2 Coach of the Year in 2005 as he led the Xplorers to their best season in franchise history; a 13-3 regular season mark, a Midwest Division title and the 2005 ArenaCup Championship. In 2004, Memphis won ten games and earned their first trip to the playoffs, before falling to the eventual champion Florida Firecats on a last second field goal miss. Barto was promoted from defensive coordinator to the head coach position prior to the 2002 season and won his first three games in what turned out to be a 5-11 season. Coach Barto is still considered a University of Memphis legend; he played for the Tigers from 1990-1993. He currently is the only player to be named to the All-American team three different years. He is still ranked number one in career tackles for the University of Memphis with 473. Coach Barto also enjoyed a 5-year professional career in the CFL and AFL leagues. In the CFL, he played for the Shreveport Pirates, Memphis Mad Dogs, Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the Ottawa Rough Riders. In the AFL, he played for the Connecticut Coyotes in 1996.
2007 TEAM STATISTICAL COMPARISON
Category (Rank) SaberCats Gladiators
Scoring Offense 62.6 (t-1) 43.7 (19)
Scoring Defense 47.7 (3) 60.9 (18)
Total Offense 308.8 (6) 295.3 (10)
Total Defense 281.3 (6) 307.8 (17)
Pass Offense 296.9 (3) 283.3 (7)
Pass Defense 265.3 (6) 280.5 (12)
Rushing Offense 11.9 (16) 12.0 (15)
Rushing Defense 15.9 (6) 27.3 (19)
Pass Rating 124.9 (5) 99.5 (18)
Pass Defense Rating 100.3 (4) 130.9 (19)
Interceptions 21 (3) 6 (19)
Kickoff Return Avg. 19.1 (5) 15.6 (18)
Field Goal Return Avg. 3.7 (19) 8.0 (16)
Turnover Margin +17 (t-2) -20 (19)
3rd Down Conversions 53.8% (5) 43.2% (18)
4th Down Conversions 65.0% (2) 40.0% (17)
Sacks By 18 (t-3) 7 (t-18)
Sacks Against 15 (t-10) 31 (19)
2007 SABERCATS AMONG AFL LEADERS
Player Category No. Rank
Mark Grieb Pass Avg/Game 299.1 3rd
Mark Grieb Completion Pct. 71.0 2nd
Mark Grieb Passing TDs 99 t-3rd
Mark Grieb Pass Attempts 548 4th
Mark Grieb Pass Yards 4,486 3rd
Mark Grieb Pass Completions 389 2nd
Mark Grieb Passer Rating 125.0 5th
Mark Grieb Total Offense 4,513 3rd
Mark Grieb Total Offensive TDs 101 3rd
Mark Grieb Pass Yards/Attempt 8.2 6th
A.J. Haglund Kick Scoring 145 2nd
A.J. Haglund FG Percentage 56.2 t-4th
A.J. Haglund PAT Percentage 92.2 5th
A.J. Haglund FGs Made 9 t-9th
A.J. Haglund PATs Made 118 1st
A.J. Haglund PAT Attempts 128 1st
James Roe Receiving Yards 1,512 6th
James Roe Scoring (TDs) 39 t-8th
James Roe Scoring (points) 234 t-8th
James Roe Receptions 124 t-6th
James Roe Receiving TDs 39 t-5th
Ron Jones Fumbles Recovered 3 t-6th
Ron Jones Fumbles Forced 4 7th
Ron Jones Sacks 7.0 t-8th
Ron Jones Tackles for Loss 9.5 t-7th
Clevan Thomas Interceptions 8 6th
Clevan Thomas Passes Defended 29 3rd
Clevan Thomas Fumbles Forced 5 t-3rd
Clevan Thomas INT Return Yards 89 8th
Phil Glover Fumbles Forced 5 t-3rd
Phil Glover Fumbles Recovered 3 t-6th
Trestin George KOR Average 23.6 1st
Trestin George KOR Yards 872 7th
Trestin George KOR TDs 2 t-7th
Marquis Floyd Interceptions 6 t-9th
Rodney Wright KOR Average 20.9 5th
Omarr Smith INT Return TDs 2 t-3rd
Omarr Smith INT Return Yards 86 9th
THE IFS...
If the SaberCats defeat Las Vegas it would...
*Give them a 13-3 season record
*Clinch the top seed in American Conference playoffs
*Be their 10th straight win
*Be their 4th straight road win
*Be their 3rd straight win over the Gladiators
*Give them a 7-2 series lead
*Be their 12th straight win over a Western Div. opponent
*Give them an undefeated season record (8-0) vs Western Division foes
*Give them a 49-26 all-time reg. season record vs. West Division competition
*Give them a 54-41 regular season road record
*Give them a 125-65 all-time regular season record
*Give them 135-73 all-time overall record
RECENT RESULTS
SABERCATS BEAT RATTLERS, 66-26
Defense Stifling In 9th Straight Win
SAN JOSE, Calif. (June 16, 2007) - Mark Grieb threw six touchdown passes and the SaberCats held the Arizona Rattlers to six second half points posting their 9th straight win with a 66-26 win on Saturday in an Arena Football League game. San Jose (12-3) got an interception from Steve Watson on the game's first offensive play and Matt Kinsinger scored on a 2-yard pass five plays later for a 7-0 lead just over three and a half minutes into the contest. The SaberCats won their 14th straight regular season home game matching their own record for the second-most in AFL history. The Rattlers (4-12), playing without Sherdrick Bonner and Bo Kelly, stayed close in the first quarter behind a pair of scoring passes from Chris Sanders, who completed 22-of-49 attempts for 252 yards. Kinsinger and Brian Johnson scored on 1-yard runs, Grieb tossed a 23-yard touchdown pass to Rodney Wright and A.J. Haglund booted a 22-yard field goal as the SaberCats outscored Arizona 24-7 in the second quarter to take a 38-20 halftime lead. Grieb completed 21-of-28 attempts for 239 yards with no interceptions. James Roe caught nine passes for 106 yards and four scores setting team season records in receptions and touchdowns. San Jose forced a turnover on downs and intercepted a pair of passes on the Rattlers final three possessions to hold Arizona to a season-low point total. Omarr Smith returned a pick 36-yards for a score early in the fourth quarter and Clevan Thomas snared his 40th career pick on the ensuing possession. The SaberCats posted their fifth straight win over the Rattlers and improved to 58-8 all-time when scoring 60-or-more points in a regular season game.
TRENDS
STREAKING - San Jose now enjoys the AFL's longest winning streak this season at nine games following its 66-26 win over Arizona on Jun. 16, breaking a tie with Chicago, who posted 8 straight wins following a season opening loss. San Jose's current 9-game run is also the longest single-season streak in the AFL since its own 12-game unbeaten streak back in 2002 and is the 3rd longest in team history. The franchise record for consecutive wins in a season is 12, also an AFL record, and the team also put an 11-game streak together in 2001. The streaks are based on regular season play.
THE UNBEATEN - With their 66-26 win over Arizona on Jun. 16, the SaberCats became the first American Conference team to win all 8 regular season home games since the AFL adopted the 16-game schedule in 2003. Dallas also posted an unblemished home slate this season while Georgia has the chance to go 8-0 with a win over New Orleans on Jun. 24. Prior to this season only the 2005 Georgia and Tampa Bay squads were able to go 8-0 at home. San Jose went 7-0 at home during the 2002 regular season and posted 3 playoff wins to capture the franchise's first title.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN - Riding a 9-game winning streak, which includes three wins on the road, the SaberCats conclude the 2007 regular season with a visit to Las Vegas on Monday afternoon. San Jose's win at Utah on Jun. 9 gave the team a 4-3 road record and secured its 10th non-losing road record in the franchise's 13-year history. A win at Las Vegas will give the SaberCats their first winning road record since 2003 (5-3) and their 8th overall. 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 53-41 (.564) all-time regular season road record.
HOW THE WEST IS WON - San Jose's 66-26 win over Arizona on Jun. 16 kept its record against Western Division foes perfect this season at 7-0, and dating back to last season and including playoffs, ran its winning streak against division competition to 11 straight games. The SaberCats improved their all-time regular season record to 48-26 (.649) against Western Division teams and they are 20-15 (.571) on the road. The SaberCats have never gone an entire season without losing a game to a division opponent.
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE - Due in large part to their 40-point win over Arizona on Jun. 16 and outscoring their opponents by 192 points in 8 home wins, the SaberCats lead the AFL in per game average scoring differential at +14.9 by scoring an average of 62.6 points per game and allowing 47.7 ppg. It's no coincidence that the five teams with the best records in the league rank in the top 5 while Las Vegas, the team with the worst record (2-13) sits alone at the bottom of the rankings with a -17.2 differential.
TOP AVERAGE SCORING DIFFERENTIALS
Team Avg. For Avg. Against Diff.
San Jose (12-3) 62.6 47.7 +14.9
Dallas (14-1) 62.6 49.9 +12.7
Georgia (13-2) 62.6 52.9 +9.7
Chicago (11-4) 54.7 46.5 +8.2
Kansas City (10-5) 54.6 48.5 +6.1
CRAZY 8's - The SaberCats' 40-point win over Arizona on Jun. 16 was their largest victory of the season and most lopsided since a 40-point defeat of the Colorado Crush on Feb. 22, 2003. The margin of victory tied for the fifth-highest in team history and also gave San Jose its 8th win this season by 20 or more points, equaling an AFL record. The 1998 Tampa Bay Storm also won 8 games by 20 or more points. The 2000 SaberCats squad posted 7 victories by 20+ points.
TO THE POINT - The top 3 teams in the AFL in terms of record are also the top 3 teams in scoring with the same number of points scored after 15 games. San Jose, Dallas and Georgia have all scored 939 points, which ranks as the third-highest single-season total in league history, and just 21 points behind San Jose's 2003 record of 960. With an average of 62.6 ppg on the year, all three teams have the opportunity to crack the 1,000-point barrier for the year, which would be a first in AFL history.
MOST POINTS, AFL, SEASON
Rank Team Year Points
1. San Jose SaberCats 2003 960
2. San Jose SaberCats 2005 945
3. San Jose SaberCats 2007 939
Dallas Desperados 2007 939
Georgia Force 2007 939
PICKIN IT - After intercepting just 4 passes in the first six games of the year, the SaberCats have totaled 17 INTs over the last nine games and have pilfered at least one pass in each game during their current winning streak outpicking the opposition 17 to 4 over the last 9 games. Clevan Thomas had an INT in his 3rd straight game and nabbed his 40th career, Steve Watson came up with his 1st career pick and Omarr Smith returned his 36-yards for a score in San Jose's 66-26 win over Arizona on Jun. 16. San Jose ranks 3rd in the AFL with 21 INTs and its 4 returned for TDs ranks as the 2nd most in the league.
TAKETH AWAY - San Jose's 3 interceptions against the Rattlers on Jun. 16 increased its season takeaway total to 37, the 2nd highest total in the AFL this season and the 3rd highest in franchise history. The SaberCats have 21 INTs and 16 fumble recoveries on the year and sit 4 takeaways behind Chicago for the top spot in the AFL. Over their current 9-game winning streak, the SaberCats have forced 29 turnovers and are +20 in turnover margin. Overall this season the SaberCats are tied with Orlando for 2nd with a +17 turnover margin. The 1998 SaberCats set the franchise record with 41 takeaways.
ON THE MARK - Mark Grieb improved his regular season record as San Jose's starting QB to 83-29 (.741) and remained perfect at 16-0 during the month of June with San Jose's 66-26 win over Arizona on Jun. 16. During his SaberCats career Grieb has started 54 regular season road games and owns a 32-22 (.592) record with a 6-2 (.750) mark against Las Vegas.
SEASON ENDERS - Monday's contest will be just the 3rd season-ending road game for the SaberCats in their 13-year history. San Jose last played a season-ending game on the road in 2002 beating Carolina, 58-41, before winning three straight playoff games en route to its first ArenaBowl title. In 1998 the SaberCats won at Houston in the season-ender to qualify for postseason play. Overall the SaberCats are 8-4 (.667) in season-ending games and have won two straight.
JUNE BUGGIN - San Jose's 66-26 win over Arizona on Jun. 16 was the team's 11th straight regular season victory during the sixth month of the year and 16th win in its last 17 June games. Prior to this season the SaberCats hadn't played a regular season game in the month of June since the 2002 season, but they now own a 27-11 (.710) regular season record during the month.
DO THE D - The SaberCats allowed the Arizona Rattlers to score just 26 points in their 66-26 win on Jun. 16, the fewest allowed this season and the least since a 52-26 win over the Philadelphia Soul on Mar. 11, 2005. It was also the 11th time the SaberCats held an opponent to under 50 points this year, tying the 1995 team record for 2nd most sub-50 point allowed games. The 1996 squad posted 12 games with fewer than 50 points allowed. The SaberCats lost 48-45 at Chicago on Mar. 9, but have reeled off 10 straight wins when allowing fewer than 50 points. San Jose owns an all-time record of 87-21 (.805) when giving up fewer than 50 points in a game.
NOTES
JUST WIN - The SaberCats raised their season record to 12-3 with their 66-26 win over Arizona on Jun. 16, matching the 2000 and 2003 teams for the 2nd highest single season win total in team history. San Jose won a franchise-best 13 games in 2002. San Jose's 7 seasons with 10 or more regular season wins matched Tampa Bay for the second-most, one behind both Orlando and Arizona. All seven of San Jose's 10+ win seasons have come since the 2000 campaign and the SaberCats have the league's best regular season record over that span at 89-32.
REGULAR SEASON RECORDS SINCE 2000
Team Record Pct
San Jose SaberCats 89-32 .735
Orlando Predators 76-45 .628
Arizona Rattlers 71-51 .582
Tampa Bay Storm 70-51 .578
Chicago Rush (2001) 62-45 .579
Los Angeles Avengers 60-61 .496
Dallas Desperados (2002) 58-34-1 .626
TITLE TOWN - The SaberCats clinched their 2nd straight Western Division title and 7th overall with their 59-52 win over Orlando on Jun. 1 and own the most division crowns of any team since the AFL went to a 4-division format 13 seasons ago in 1995. Arizona, Tampa Bay and the defunct Albany Firebirds each own five titles while Orlando and Iowa have four each. The 2007 Eastern Division champion Dallas Desperados captured their 2nd straight and 3rd overall and the 2007 Southern Division champion Georgia Force won a second title. We are still waiting to see who wins the Central Division with Chicago and Kansas City playing for that honor this weekend. The AFL's tie-break format was used to determine winners in case of a first-place tie.
GETTING GRIEBY - San Jose QB Mark Grieb tossed his 99th scoring pass of the season and breached the 32,000 barrier in career pass yards with a 239-yard, 6 TD performance against Arizona on June 16. Grieb completed 21 of his 28 pass attempts without throwing an INT, extending his streak of attempts without a pick to 83. With 8 more completions on the season, Grieb can break his old team record (396) for the most in a year and 11 completions will give him 400. With a single TD pass, he will become the 5th player in AFL history to throw 100 or more in a season and with 15 passing yards he will become the only AFL player to throw for more than 4,500 in three consecutive seasons. Grieb is already the only QB in league history to pass for 4,000+ yards in 4 straight seasons, but Colorado gunslinger John Dutton could also reach the mark this year. Through 15 games, Grieb ranks 2nd in the AFL in completions (389) and completion percentage (71.0%), and 3rd in passing average (299.1 ypg), passing yards (4,486) and passing TDs (99). He has a QB rating of 125.0 (5th), which is the highest for Grieb since the 2004 season when he finished with a 133.5 rating.
MOST TD PASSES, AFL, SEASON
Rank Player Year TDs
1. Chris Greisen, Georgia 2007 111
2. Clint Dolezel, Dallas 2005 105
3. Aaron Garcia, New York 2001 104
4. Joe Germaine, Utah 2007 102
5. Aaron Garcia, New York 2003 100
6. Mark Grieb, San Jose 2007 99
Clint Dolezel, Dallas 2007 99
ROE-LIFIC - SaberCats' WR James Roe caught his 200th career TD pass and posted his 650th career reception as San Jose defeated the Arizona Rattlers, 66-26, on June 16. Roe extended his streak of 100-yard games to five after catching 9 passes for 106 yards and 4 TDs in the contest. With the 9 catches, "The Difference" broke his previous season record for receptions (116) and now has 124 on the season, which is also tied for 5th best in the league. Roe also established a new franchise mark for TD catches in a season with 39, bettering James Hundon's 2002 record of 35. Roe also snagged 2nd place for the highest overall TD total in a season from Steve Papin, who had 38 in 2000 - only Rashied Davis, who scored 44 TDs in 2005, had more in a SaberCats' season. Roe leads San Jose in 2007 with 234 total points scored which is the 2nd highest non-kicking point total in team history.
MOST RECEPTIONS, TEAM, SEASON
Rank Player Year Recpts
1. James Roe 2007 124
2. James Roe 2005 116
3. James Roe 2003 115
MOST RECEIVING YARDS, TEAM, SEASON
Rank Player Year Yards
1. James Roe 2007 1,512
2. James Hundon 2002 1,464
3. James Roe 2005 1,440
MOST RECEIVING TDs, TEAM, SEASON
Rank Player Year TDs
1. James Roe 2007 39
2. James Hundon 2002 35
3. James Roe 2006 31
PICK SIX - SaberCats' DB Omarr Smith tallied his 8th career INT return for a TD when he scampered 36 yards into the endzone against Arizona on June 16. Smith snatched a Chris Sanders offering midway through the 4th quarter to give San Jose a 40-point lead. It was Smith's San Jose career-best 7th INT return for a TD, he also had one in 2003 while with the Tampa Bay Storm. The pick was also the 5th of the season for Smith, elevating his career total with the SaberCats to 24, which ties Pat McGuirk for 2nd place in the team's history - Clevan Thomas holds the top spot with 40 career INTs. It was the 32nd career INT overall for Smith, moving him into a tie with Rashad Floyd and Dameon Porter for 16th place on the AFL's career list. Smith also recorded his 70th career PBU and 100th assisted tackle in the game.
MOVIN' ON UP - DB Clevan Thomas became the 8th player in AFL history to record 40 career INTs with a pick on June 16 against Arizona. Thomas still holds the 8th spot on the league's career list, one pick behind Damon Mason, Corey Johnson and Kevin Gaines. Clevan's 8th INT of the year moved him into 6th place among the league's top 10 and is also the 2nd highest season total in his 6-year career. Thomas had a league record 13 picks in 2003 and has intercepted 5 or more passes in a season 5 times. Thomas is just 2 INTs shy of the 5th spot and only 10 INTs separate him from the 2nd place spot - Kansas City's Kenny McEntyre holds the record with 73 career INTs. Thomas also had 8.5 tackles and 3 PBU's against the Rattlers. His second breakup of the game was the 90th of his career, leaving him 9 PBUs shy of the century mark.
MOST INTERCEPTIONS, AFL, CAREER
Rank Player INTs
1. Kenny McEntyre, Kansas City 73
2. Durwood Roquemore, None 50
3. Barry Wagner, None 48
4. Mark Ricks, None 44
5. Kevin Gaines, Philadelphia 41
Corey Johnson, None 41
7. Damon Mason, Austin 41
8. Clevan Thomas, San Jose 40
STEVIE WONDER - SaberCats' LB Steve Watson could be labeled as a rookie phenom in his first season in the AFL. Against the Arizona Rattlers on June 16, Watson totaled 2.5 tackles, 2 QB hurries and posted his first career INT and PBU. On the game's first offensive play, Watson intercepted QB Chris Sanders to set up San Jose's first scoring drive that led to a Matt Kinsinger TD catch. He is the only SaberCat that isn't a DB to record an INT this season. Seeing action on both special teams and at the LB position, the former All-af2 athlete has accounted for 56.0 total tackles in 2007 - the highest season total in SaberCats' history by a non-DB, the 8th most by a rookie in the AFL and the 2nd highest total by a rookie non-DB. In 11 games, Watson has accumulated 56.0 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, 2 blocked kicks, 1 INT, 1 PBU and a fumble recovery.
BROKEN RECORD - Kicker A.J. Haglund set an AFL record by booting his 118th PAT of the year during the 4th quarter of the SaberCats' victory over Arizona on June 16. The previous record (117) was held by the Desperados' Carlos Martinez from 2006. With 128 PAT attempts on the season, Haglund has now tried for more than any other kicker in SaberCats' history - Daron Alcorn attempted 126 in 2003. Haglund also connected on a 22-yard FG as time expired in the first half, pushing his FG total to 9 on the season. With his 9 PATs and lone FG on the night, the rookie kicker broke the team record for total kicking points (142) that was set by Carlos Huerta in 1999. His 145 total points leaves him one behind the league leader, Austin's Mark Lewis, in the kick scoring category. Haglund wasn't done breaking records either. The 2006 af2 Kicker of the Year provided solid kickoff return coverage in the game as well, accounting for 1.5 total tackles for the evening. This elevated his yearly tackle total to 14.5, which smashed the team record for most tackles in a season by a kicker that Dan Frantz (13.5) held since 2005.
CASE OF THE RUNS - FB Matt Kinsinger provided solid pass blocking and helped convert all 9 PATs and a FG as the deep snapper in his third game back from injury against Arizona on June 16. Kinsinger also ran the ball 2 times, inching closer to the 2nd place spot on the team's rush attempts list. With 142 career attempts, he needs 4 carries to surpass Steve Papin (145) for 2nd place and stands 15 rushes short of Derrick Chachere's career record of 154. Kinsinger's TD run gave him 35 for his career as well as sole possession of the 3rd place spot on the team's career rushing TDs list. Steve Papin sits in the 2nd place position with 43 and Barry Wagner holds the top spot with 58 rushing TDs. Kinsinger also caught a 2-yard TD pass to open the scoring, his 2nd career TD catch and 1st since the 2002 campaign.
FROM THE HORSE'S MOUTH - FB Brian Johnson, nicknamed "The Horse" by teammates, rumbled into San Jose's record books after running the ball 3 times for 1 yard and a TD in the SaberCats' 66-26 victory against Arizona on June 16. The three carries moved Johnson into sole possession of 5th place on the team's career rush attempts list with 107, passing Mike Jones who had 104 from 1998-2002. Johnson's TD run was the 25th of his 4-year career. He leads the SaberCats' ground game in 2007 with 98 yards and 9 TDs on 43 carries.
MOST RUSH ATTEMPTS, TEAM, CAREER
Rank Player, Year(s) Attempts
1. Derrick Chachere (1995-97, 99-00) 154
2. Steve Papin (1997-01) 145
3 Matt Kinsinger (2002-05, 07) 142
4. Barry Wagner (2000-06) 136
5. Brian Johnson (2003-04, 06-07) 107
MOST RUSH YARDS, TEAM, CAREER
Rank Player, Year(s) Yards
1. Derrick Chachere (1995-97, 99-00) 442
2. Matt Kinsinger (2002-05, 07) 428
3. Tom Petithomme (1995-96, 99) 400
4. Mike Jones (1998-02) 328
5. Steve Papin (1997-01) 326
AGAINST ARIZONA
Mark Grieb tossed his 99th scoring pass of the season and reached the 32,000 level in career pass yards...James Roe caught his 200th career touchdown pass and posted his 650th career reception and set team season records with 124 receptions and 39 TD catches...A.J. Haglund set an AFL record by making 118 PATs on the year, breaking Carlos Martinez' 2006 record of 117...Omarr Smith had his 8th career INT return for a TD (7 with San Jose) and recorded his 70th career PBU and 100th assisted tackle...Clevan Thomas tallied his 90th career PBU and intercepted his 40th career pass...Brian Johnson moved into sole possession of 5th in team career rush attempts and scored his 25th career rush TD...The SaberCats improved to 58-8 when scoring 60 or more points in a game and became the 1st American Conference team to go 8-0 at home in a season.
2007 AFL PLAYOFF FORMAT/STANDINGS
San Jose clinches the top spot in the Conference with a win OR a Chicago loss. Utah gets the final playoff spot with a win OR a Nashville loss. Nashville is in with a win AND a Utah loss. San Jose, Chicago, Los Angeles and KC have all secured a first home playoff game.
American Conference Playoff Standings
1) d-San Jose 12-3
2) p-Chicago 11-4
3) p-Kansas City 10-5
4) p-Los Angeles 9-6
5) p-Colorado 8-7
6) Utah 7-8
7) Nashville 6-9
8) Grand Rapids 4-11
9) Arizona 4-12
10) Las Vegas 2-13
Dallas clinches the top spot in the conference with a win OR a Georgia loss. Georgia gets the top seed with a win AND a Dallas loss. Columbus gets the 6th seed with a win OR a loss by fewer than 8 points AND a New Orleans win. New York gets in with a win by 9 or more points OR a win and New Orleans win.
National Conference Playoff Standings
1) d-Dallas 14-1
2) d-Georgia 13-2
3) p-Orlando 8-7 ahead of TAM based on head-to-head sweep
4) p-Tampa Bay 8-7
5) p-Philadelphia 7-8
6) Columbus 6-9
7) New York 5-10 ahead of NVD based on head-to-head victory
8) New Orleans 5-10
9) Austin 4-11
d-clinched division; p-clinched playoff spot
Playoffs are separated into Conferences with the Division Champions receiving a bye in the Wild Card Round. The top seeded Wild Card teams host the lowest seeded Wild Card teams.
Winners of the Wild Card Rounds within each Conference advance to the Divisional Round with the highest seeded teams hosting the lowest seeded Wild Card teams.
Winners of the Divisional Rounds within each Conference advance to the Conference Championships with the highest seeded team hosting the lowest seeded team.
Winners advance to ArenaBowl XXI.
LAS VEGAS PLAYERS TO WATCH
QB BRIAN JONES - The Gladiators have experimented with three different QBs in 2007 and will throw their rookie signal-caller back into the fire against San Jose on June 25. Jones lost his starting job after his first meeting with the SaberCats on May 12 when he threw for 232 yards and a TD along with 4 INTs. Seeing action in 14 games this season (5 starts), the former Toledo player has completed 145-of-218 passes for 1,735 yards and 25 TDs with 8 INTs. Jones enjoyed the best game of his young career when he made his first start against the Georgia Force on Apr. 15. He threw for 366 yards, 8 TDs and no INTs in a 68-69 losing effort where the Gladiators were posted as 21-point underdogs. Jones leads the team in rushing TDs with seven, but has been sacked a league leading 17 times. Jones takes over the reigns from former SaberCat Nick Rolovich, who started four times, including an upset of the Utah Blaze on May 18 when he threw for 327 yards and 7 TDs in a 54-53 win.
WR TRAVIS LATENDRESSE - This AFL rookie is making a name for himself during the second half of the season, despite being a member of a team that doesn't have much to play for. He was placed on the Gladiators' active roster on May 4 and has led the team in receiving since accepting a starting role. In 6 games this season, LaTendresse has caught 54 passes for 802 yards and 14 TDs. He has posted 200 or more receiving yards in his last two games and is averaging 133.7 yards per contest. In his only career outing versus the SaberCats, LaTendresse caught 11 balls for 108 yards and a TD. LaTendresse is an Oak Ridge High (Calif.) graduate and played with San Francisco 49er QB Alex Smith at Utah for three seasons.
WR THABITI DAVIS - A member of the All-Rookie team in 2003, Davis is in his 5th AFL season and has been the Gladiators' top offensive threat in 2007. He began his indoor career with the Orlando Predators and has spent time with New Orleans, Detroit and Columbus. Playing in all 15 games for Las Vegas this season, the former Wake Forest Demon Deacon leads the team with 117 receptions, 1,208 yards and 17 TDs. His reception total ranks him in the 9th spot among league leaders. In three games against San Jose, Davis has recorded 21 catches for 221 yards and 4 TDs. He enjoyed his best performance versus the SaberCats in San Jose's 61-34 victory over Vegas on May 12 when he totaled 11 catches for 108 and 2 TDs.
SABERCATS MILESTONE WATCH
Name Milestone Needs
Rodney Wright 25 career games played 1
Rodney Wright 20 career TD receptions 2
Rodney Wright 1,800 career receiving yards 82
Matt Kinsinger 150 career receiving yards 6
Matt Kinsinger SJ career rushing leader 15
Matt Kinsinger 3rd place SJ career rush TDs 2
Matt Kinsinger 500 career rush yards 21
Mark Grieb 100 season TD passes 1
Mark Grieb 4,500 season pass yards 14
Mark Grieb 400 season completions 11
Mark Grieb 135 career games played 1
Brian Johnson 20 career receptions 1
Brian Johnson 250 career rush yards 4
Craig Whelihan 800 career pass attempts 8
Craig Whelihan 110 career pass TDs 1
Craig Whelihan 6,000 career pass yards 79
Craig Whelihan 500 career completions 32
James Roe 8,500 career receiving yards 172
James Roe 1st place SJ season TDs 5
Phil Glover 30 career rush TDs 2
Phil Glover 30 career SJ games played 1
Ron Jones 10.0 career sacks 2.0
Marquis Floyd 90 career solo tackles 3
Marquis Floyd 10 career INTs 1
Omarr Smith 2nd place SJ career INTs 1
Jason Geathers 600 career receiving yards 18
Jason Geathers 20 career games played 1
A.J. Haglund 10 career FGs made 1
Trestin George 1,000 career KOR yards 117
Ben Nelson 200 career receptions 10
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) QB Mark Grieb, San Jose
v ORL (6/1) WR James Roe, San Jose
@UTH (6/9) QB Mark Grieb, San Jose
v ARZ (6/16) QB Mark Grieb, San Jose
@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) DB Ahmad Hawkins, Nashville
v ORL (6/1) LB Steve Watson, San Jose
@UTH (6/9) DE Alan Harper, San Jose
v ARZ (6/16) DB Omarr Smith, San Jose
@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) DB Marquis Floyd, San Jose
v ORL (6/1) FB/LB Phil Glover, San Jose
@UTH (6/9) NG George Williams, San Jose
v ARZ (6/16) K A.J. Haglund, San Jose
@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 1-0 18-1
30-39 points 0-0 8-16 2-0 29-5
40-49 points 1-1 19-19 7-1 37-15
50-59 points 2-1 39-14 2-0 28-24
60-69 points 6-1 33-7 0-2 4-15
70-79 points 3-0 18-1 0-0 5-5
80+ points 0-0 7-0 0-0 0-0
2007 All-time
Games decided
by 7 or fewer points 2-0 38-32
by 3 or fewer points 0-2 15-22
Leading after the 1st 11-0 79-19
Trailing after the 1st 1-2 25-32
Tied after the 1st 0-1 20-14
Leading at Half 10-0 92-17
Trailing at Half 1-2 27-42
Tied at Half 1-1 5-6
Leading after the 3rd 11-0 100-12
Trailing after the 3rd 0-3 19-49
Tied after the 3rd 1-0 4-4
Scoring First 10-1 75-32
Opp. Score First 2-2 49-33
More Total Offense 7-2 86-36
Less Total Offense 5-1 38-29
More Pass Yards 6-2 75-37
Less Pass Yards 5-1 48-27
Equal Pass Yards 1-0 1-1
More Rushing Yards 7-0 102-28
Less Rushing Yards 5-3 21-34
Equal Rushing Yards 0-0 1-3
Thursday games 0-0 4-1
Friday games 3-2 35-20
Saturday games 8-1 65-25
Sunday games 1-0 18-17
Monday games 0-0 2-2
vs. Western Division 7-0 48-26
vs. Central Division 3-1 31-17
vs. Southern Division 2-2 26-12
vs. Eastern Division 0-0 19-10
Winning coin toss 4-1
Losing coin toss 8-2
Outscoring Opponent 12-0 124-0
Being Outscored 0-3 0-65
Records are for regular season games.
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