Georgia Force improve to 3-3 as they enter bye week

Saturday April 5, 2008

DULUTH, GA – The Georgia Force will enter their bye week with a record of 3-3 after defeating the Kansas City Brigade 70-63. Despite trailing 28-7 early in the first quarter, Georgia tallied 21 points in each of the final three quarters of play to post their third win of the season. The Force were led by WR Carl Morris who tallied career highs in receiving yards (152) and touchdowns (four) on seven receptions while earning Offensive Player of the Game honors. Rookie DB/LB Cam Newton was named Defensive Player of the Game after collaring 4.5 tackles and two interceptions. Newton returned his two interceptions for a combined 59 yards and two touchdowns in the victory.

Georgia found themselves down 21-7 at the end of the first quarter with Kansas City facing third down at the two-yard line. The Brigade opened the game with a two-play scoring drive that ended with a 21-yard pass from rookie QB D. Bryant to WR Jerel Myers. Kansas City DB Jerald Brown intercepted Force QB Chris Greisen on his second pass of the game and returned it five yards for the score. Georgia was stopped on their next offensive possession and the Brigade capitalized to take a 21-0 lead when Bryant connected with WR Charles Frederick. The Force offense managed to score on their ensuing drive when Greisen found rookie WR Tiger Jones from two yards out.

The Force battled back in the second quarter to outscore the Brigade 21-14, putting them within seven at the end of the first half, 35-28. Georgia’s first two scores of the quarter came on a 21-yard touchdown pass to Morris and a 30-yard strike to Jones. Kansas City was able to match Georgia’s score until their third drive of the quarter when the Force created their first defensive stop of the game. Offseason acquisition DE R-Kal Truluck tallied his first sack of the season on the drive to help create the stop. The Force offense responded with a one-yard touchdown run by WR Damien Groce to end the first half.

Georgia tallied 21 points for the second consecutive quarter as they outscored the Brigade 21-7 in the third, and held a 49-42 advantage heading into the fourth quarter. The Force offense opened the half with a 48-yard catch and run by Morris to draw the contest even at 35. The 48-yard touchdown catch marked the longest of Morris’ career, surpassing his previous high of 40 set against Orlando in 2007 (6/15). The Force defense recorded points on a 45-yard interception return by rookie DB/LB Cam Newton to give Georgia their first lead of the game, 42-35. Following a three-yard touchdown run by Kansas City FB Dawan Moss, Greisen and Morris combined for a seven-yard score to cap-off the scoring in the third quarter.

Georgia and Kansas City traded scores in the final quarter of action with each team posting 21 points as the Force held on for a 70-63 win. Morris and Jones combined for Georgia’s offensive scores in the final quarter of play and Newton tallied his second interception for a touchdown with a 14-yard interception return.

SCORE             1          2          3          4          TOTAL
KC                   21        14        7          21        63
GA                   7          21        21        21        70

PASSING
GA – Chris Greisen                  18-28-263-7-1
KC – D. Bryant                         31-45-332-6-2

RECEIVING
GA – Carl Morris                     7-152-4
KC – Jerel Myers                     16-168-4

RUSHING
GA – Matt Huebner                 6-24-0
KC – Dawan Moss                   2-8-1

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME: WR Carl Morris, GA
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME: DB/LB Cam Newton, GA
IRONMAN OF THE GAME: DB James Whitley, GA