Georgia Force drop season opener to Dallas Desperados

Saturday March 1, 2008

DULUTH, GA - The Georgia Force (0-1) fell to the Dallas Desperados (1-0) in front of a crowd of 10,224, in the Arena at Gwinnett  Center, by a score of 51-41. Early turnovers and a scoreless third quarter put the Force in a hole that they were unable to get themselves out of. QB Chris Greisen completed 25 of 40 passes for 349 yards with five touchdowns to lead the Force passing attack. Prior to leaving the game with an injury (back), DB David Crocker collared a game-high 11 tackles and one interception, while being named ADT Defensive Player of the Game for his efforts.

The Force and the Desperados finished their first quarter of the 2008 AFL season with Dallas leading the Georgia 14-13. Georgia’s opening possession ended with a fumble by WR Carl Morris in Dallas territory. The Desperados were able to capitalize on the turnover when QB Clint Dolezel threw a one-yard touchdown pass to WR/DB Will Pettis. On Georgia’s ensuing possession, QB Chris Greisen threw a bullet to WR Brent Holmes who hauled it in with a one-handed grab at the five-yard line. Holmes then capped the drive with a touchdown catch from Greisen two plays later. On the kickoff Pettis fumbled the return and Force WR Fred Coleman recovered the ball in the endzone for the score to give Georgia a 13-7 advantage.

Dallas managed to outscore Georgia 13-7 in the second quarter and held a 27-20 lead at halftime. The Force scored first in the quarter with a five-yard touchdown pass from Greisen to WR Troy Bergeron. Bergeron finished the game as the team’s leading receiver with nine receptions for 130 yards with one touchdown. Dallas would score the final 13 points of the quarter with touchdown passes to WR Marcus Nash and Pettis from Dolezel.

After not scoring at all in the third quarter, Georgia battled back to score 21 points in the fourth quarter. Greisen threw three touchdown passes in the quarter with two going to Holmes and he found Morris for the third. Holmes finished the game with career highs in receptions (eight), yards (156) and touchdowns (three).

SCORE             1          2          3          4          TOTAL
DAL                  14        13        7          17        51
GA                   13        7          0          21        41

PASSING
GA – Chris Greisen                  25-40-349-5-1
DAL – Clint Dolezel                  27-38-283-7-1

RECEIVING
GA – Troy Bergeron                9-130-1
DAL – Anthony Armstrong        11-135-2

RUSHING
GA – Matt Huebner                 2-2-0
DAL – Josh White                     9-18-0

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME: QB Clint Dolezel, DAL
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME: DB David Crocker, GA
IRONMAN OF THE GAME: WR/DB Will Pettis, DAL