Georgia Force knock off Los Angeles 58-34 for first win of the season
Saturday March 15, 2008
DULUTH, GA – The Georgia Force secured their first victory of the season by a score of 58-34 over the Los Angeles Avengers. Georgia was led by their defense that recorded two turnovers, two defensive stops and one safety in the win. Georgia’s defense was led by rookie and Defensive Player of the Game, DB/LB Cam Newton, who tallied 3.5 tackles and his first career interception and fumble recovery. The Force offense kept up their end of the bargain by scoring a season-high 58 points and producing a season-high 389 total yards of offense. QB Chris Greisen completed 26 of 41 passes for 366 yards with a season-high seven touchdowns as he guided the Force offense to their most productive game of the season. Greisen quickly became acquainted with newly acquired WR Charles Pauley as he hauled in 10 catches for 134 yards with two touchdowns in his Force debut, and earned Offensive Player of the Game honors for his performance. Fellow WR Troy Bergeron also had a very productive day with seven receptions for 151 yards with three touchdowns in the win.
For the first time this season, the Force managed to produce the first points of the game. Georgia moved the ball down the field on the opening game and WR Willis Marshall powered the ball in the endzone from one-yard out for the touchdown. The Force defense provided a stop on the Avengers ensuing drive after facing eight plays inside their own five-yard line. Georgia was unable to capitalize on the turnover as Pauley fumbled on the Force’s next drive to end the scoring opportunity. The first quarter ended with Georgia leading Los Angeles by a score of 6-0.
Georgia’s defense stood strong in the second quarter as they held Los Angeles to only seven points. The defense manufactured two defensive stops in the quarter, including Newton’s first career interception. Los Angeles only score of the quarter came after the Pauley fumble in the first quarter, when QB Sonny Cumbie connected with WR/DB Kevin Ingram from 14 yards out. Georgia responded with a 43-yard touchdown pass from Greisen to Pauley to re-gain the lead. Following Newton’s interception, Greisen lofted a 43-yard touchdown pass to Bergeron to put the Force up 19-7. Georgia’s defense produced another stop and K Carlos Martinez split the uprights from 19 yards for his first field goal of the season. The seven point allowed in the first half tied a Force single-game record, which had been accomplished on three other occasions (last time: at Carolina, 6/14/02).
The Force offense produced 20 points in the third quarter to improve their lead to, 42-21, heading into the final quarter of action. The two teams traded scores to begin the quarter, with Greisen finding Pauley and Bergeron for scores. Force DE Jermaine Smith collared his first sack of the season when he dragged Cumbie to the ground for a five-yard loss on the Avengers second drive of the quarter. On Los Angeles’ third possession of the frame, Cumbie completed a pass to WR Jarrett Hicks to the Force 25-yard line where he fumbled and Newton recovered the ball for the Force. Georgia capitalized on the turnover with a four-yard pass from Greisen to OL James Clark for a touchdown to finish off the quarter.
Georgia and Los Angeles battled back and forth in the final quarter of the game, but the Force’s explosive offense and opportune defense held off the Avengers for a 58-34 victory. The contest was capped off with a safety by LB Eric Johnson with one minute remaining in the game.
