| 2010 Milwaukee Iron season | |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Bob Landsee |
| Home field | Bradley Center (regular season) U.S. Cellular Arena (playoffs) |
| Results | |
| Record | 10–5 |
| Division place | 1st NC Midwest |
| Playoff finish | Won Conference semifinals (Rush) 64–54 Lost Conference Championship (Shock) 57–60 |
| Team OPY | Chris Greisen |
The 2010 Milwaukee Iron season was the second season for the franchise, and the first in the Arena Football League (AFL), coming from the AF2, which dissolved following the 2009 season. The team was coached by Bob Landsee and played their home games at Bradley Center. For the opening round of the playoffs, the Iron played at U.S. Cellular Arena. [1] The Iron won the Midwest Division to qualify for the playoffs, and defeated the Chicago Rush in the conference semifinals, 64–54. Advancing to the National Conference Championship, their season ended after losing on the road to the top-seeded Spokane Shock, 57–60.
| Team | W | L | PCT | PF | PA | DIV | CON | Home | Away |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| y-Milwaukee Iron | 11 | 5 | .687 | 1043 | 903 | 5–1 | 8–3 | 7–1 | 4–4 |
| x-Chicago Rush | 10 | 6 | .625 | 906 | 873 | 4–2 | 8–3 | 5–3 | 5–3 |
| Cleveland Gladiators | 7 | 9 | .438 | 938 | 906 | 2–4 | 4–6 | 4–4 | 3–5 |
| Iowa Barnstormers | 7 | 9 | .438 | 829 | 833 | 1–5 | 3–7 | 2–6 | 5–3 |
y - Clinched division
x - Clinched playoff berth
The Iron started their season on the road against the Shock on April 2. Their first home game took place on April 16 against the Barnstormers. The conclusion of their regular season took place in Cleveland against the Gladiators on July 31. [2]
| Week | Day | Date | Kickoff | Opponent | Results | Location | Report | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Score | Record | ||||||||
| 1 | Friday | April 2 | 11:00 pm | at Spokane Shock | W 74–62 | 1–0 | Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena | ||
| 2 | Bye | ||||||||
| 3 | Friday | April 16 | 8:30 pm | Iowa Barnstormers | W 65–48 | 2–0 | Bradley Center | ||
| 4 | Saturday | April 24 | 8:00 pm | Tampa Bay Storm | W 72–61 | 3–0 | Bradley Center | ||
| 5 | Saturday | May 1 | 8:30 pm | at Alabama Vipers | L 67–75 | 3–1 | Von Braun Center | ||
| 6 | Friday | May 7 | 8:30 pm | Chicago Rush | W 71–48 | 4–1 | Bradley Center | ||
| 7 | Friday | May 14 | 8:00 pm | Utah Blaze | W 56–55 (OT) | 5–1 | Bradley Center | ||
| 8 | Friday | May 21 | 7:30 pm | at Orlando Predators | L 54–58 | 5–2 | Amway Arena | ||
| 9 | Saturday | May 29 | 8:00 pm | Dallas Vigilantes | W 63–38 | 6–2 | Bradley Center | ||
| 10 | Saturday | June 5 | 10:30 pm | at Arizona Rattlers | L 67–68 (OT) | 6–3 | US Airways Center | ||
| 11 | Saturday | June 12 | 8:00 pm | Cleveland Gladiators | W 84–58 | 7–3 | Bradley Center | ||
| 12 | Saturday | June 19 | 8:00 pm | at Chicago Rush | L 56–63 | 7–4 | Allstate Arena | ||
| 13 | Saturday | June 26 | 8:00 pm | Spokane Shock | L 48–62 | 7–5 | Bradley Center | ||
| 14 | Saturday | July 3 | 7:00 pm | at Utah Blaze | W 82–56 | 8–5 | Maverik Center | ||
| 15 | Bye | ||||||||
| 16 | Saturday | July 17 | 8:00 pm | Orlando Predators | W 57–41 | 9–5 | Bradley Center | ||
| 17 | Saturday | July 24 | 8:05 pm | at Iowa Barnstormers | W 75–67 | 10–5 | Wells Fargo Arena | ||
| 18 | Saturday | July 31 | 7:00 pm | at Cleveland Gladiators | W 54–47 | 11–5 | Quicken Loans Arena | ||
| Round | Day | Date | Kickoff | Opponent | Score | Location | Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NC Semifinals | Saturday | August 7 | 8:00 pm | Chicago Rush | W 64–54 | U.S. Cellular Arena | |
| NC Championship | Thursday | August 12 | 8:00 pm | at Spokane Shock | L 57–60 | Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena |
All times are EDT
| 2010 Milwaukee Iron roster | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Quarterbacks
Fullbacks
Wide receivers | Offensive linemen
Defensive linemen
| Linebackers
Defensive backs
Kickers
| Injured reserve
Refuse to report
League suspension
Other league exempt
Inactive reserve
Rookies in italics | |||
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | 6 | 28 | 14 | 26 | 74 |
| Shock | 7 | 14 | 7 | 34 | 62 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
The Iron took down the previous year's ArenaCup champions behind the arm of Chris Greisen. Scoring was scarce in the 1st quarter, with each team putting only a touchdown on the board. In the 2nd quarter, both teams combined for five touchdowns in the final minute before halftime, with the Iron intercepting a pass and returning for a touchdown as time expired, allowing them to take a 34–21 lead. In the 2nd half, the two teams matched one touchdown with another until the 4th quarter when the Shock made it a one-possession game. However a late interception by the Iron, followed by a touchdown on the ensuing drive, sealed the win for them, despite giving up a touchdown to Spokane as time expired.
Chris Greisen threw for 317 yards and 9 touchdowns and did not throw a single interception. Nate Forse was the leading receiver for the Iron with 128 yards and 3 touchdowns.
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barnstormers | 6 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 48 |
| Iron | 16 | 14 | 14 | 21 | 65 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Two Midwestern foes found themselves head to head this weekend. The Iowa Barnstormers traveled to Milwaukee, Wisconsin to take on the Iron in their first of two meetings this season. Milwaukee won their home opener in front of the crowd of 5,032 Iron faithful. QB Chris Greisen continued his dominance at the quarterback position, throwing 25-of-36 for 382 yards and seven touchdowns. Greisen has yet to throw an interception this season. While Greisen continues to shine, it is his offensive counterparts that are successful in bringing the ball into the end zone. WRs Nate Forse and Anthony “Tiger” Jones have proven to be Greisen's perfect receiving duo. Jones brought in three touchdowns on 12 catches for 171 yards this weekend, while Forse made 10 catches for 146 yards and three scores. Greisen's seventh touchdown was caught by Alvance Robinson. Not to be outdone, Milwaukee's defense also helped to hold off and Barnstormers serge. Marcus Everett intercepted QB Ryan Vena's first possession of the game, eventually leading to an Iron score. Milwaukee managed to pull ahead 13–0 before the Barnstormers got into the game. WR Todd Blythe, known for his athletic catches, caught a pass deep in the corner of the end zone to bring the score to 6–13, but Milwaukee would never once trail throughout the game.
Iowa's QB Vena was intercepted twice, including a game-highlighting play. Milwaukee's Virgil Gray nabbed an erratic Vena pass in the end zone, not only disrupting a score for the Barnstormers, but also proceeded to run the ball back 58 yards for a score of his own. Despite two players leaving with injuries in the second half, Milwaukee was able to hold off the Barnstormers and come away with the 17-point win.
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Storm | 14 | 20 | 14 | 13 | 61 |
| Iron | 14 | 17 | 21 | 20 | 72 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Trailing at halftime for the first time in the season by a score of 34–31, the Iron capitalized on Tampa Bay's turnovers to stay undefeated and keep up with the also undefeated Chicago Rush. One key turnover for Milwaukee was a fumble recovery inside their own 5-yard line after the defense had just been flagged for an illegal defense, which gave the Storm an automatic 1st down instead of facing 4th and goal. Following the turnover, quarterback Chris Greisen led the Iron to the end zone by taking it there himself for his first rushing touchdown of the season. Taking an 11-point lead in the 4th quarter, the Iron were ahead for good. Griesen finished with 270 passing yards and 8 total touchdowns. Carlton Brown and Perry Kyles each had an interception on defense.
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | 7 | 33 | 13 | 14 | 67 |
| Vipers | 7 | 28 | 19 | 21 | 75 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
The Iron suffered their first loss of the season after dropping a close game to the Vipers. After a high-scoring 2nd quarter, Milwaukee led 40–35 at halftime, but after 3 quarters they trailed by just one point. A fumble by Anthony Jones was recovered by the Vipers on the Iron's first drive of the 4th quarter, allowing the Vipers to add to their lead on the ensuing drive. The Iron pulled to within 8 points following an 8-yard receiving touchdown by Jones, but on Alabama's next drive, Larry Shipp scored on a 48-yard rushing play to increase the Vipers' lead to 75–60 with 1:14 left. The Iron put together another touchdown drive ending on a 14-yard pass to Nate Forse with 39 seconds on the clock, but Milwaukee's onside kick attempt was recovered by the Vipers, who ran out the clock to end the game. Chris Greisen completed 33 passes for 360 yards and 9 touchdowns. Nate Forse was the leading receiver for the second consecutive game with 207 yards and 4 touchdowns.
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rush | 20 | 7 | 7 | 14 | 48 |
| Iron | 7 | 20 | 34 | 10 | 71 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Though the game was tied 27–27 at halftime, the Iron took control of the game in the 3rd quarter. They scored on the opening drive of the half with a 38-yard touchdown catch by Alvance Robinson. Later, Marcus Everett intercepted a pass and returned it 6 yards for a touchdown. On the ensuing kickoff, Tyre Young stripped the ball from the Chicago returner. Nate Forse recovered the fumble in the end zone for another Iron touchdown. On the Rush's next drive, Marcus Everett picked off a pass with one hand and returned it 46 yards for the score. On the final play of the quarter, Chris Greisen hooked up with Forse for a 20-yard passing touchdown, giving the Iron a 61–34 lead. Milwaukee went on to win the game 71–48, giving Chicago their first loss of the season, and moving the Iron into first place in the Midwest Division. Greisen finished with 339 yards and 5 touchdowns, while Forse caught for 171 yards and 3 touchdowns. Young had 5 carries in the game, two of which were touchdowns.
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blaze | 7 | 20 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 55 |
| Iron | 13 | 14 | 14 | 7 | 8 | 56 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
In their first ever nationally televised game, it took overtime for the Iron to defeat the blaze. Milwaukee won the overtime coin toss but decided to give Utah the ball first. Utah's Aaron Boone caught his seventh touchdown of the game to give his team a 55–48 lead. Greisen, who threw for 308 yards and six touchdowns, then hit a wide-open Jones in the middle of the field for a 43-yard touchdown to make the score 55–54. Greisen then connected with Nate Forse for the two-point conversion to end the game. Overshadowed in the crazy ending was the fact Milwaukee wide receiver Damian Harrell set the Arena Football League all-time record for career receiving yards. He had six catches for 75 yards to increase his all-time total to 13,398 yards.
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | 7 | 15 | 10 | 22 | 54 |
| Predators | 17 | 7 | 7 | 27 | 58 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Orlando quarterback Nick Hill connected with Bobby Sippio for the winning touchdown with four seconds left as the Orlando Predators knocked off the Milwaukee Iron in a game that saw three touchdowns in the final 25 seconds. Hill scored on a two-yard run with 25 seconds left to give the Predators a 51–47 lead. The Iron answered when Chris Greisen hit Tiger Jones for a 35-yard touchdown pass with 14 seconds to play to make it 54–51. But Milwaukee's defense could not hold and Orlando pulled out the victory. Milwaukee receiver Damian Harrell became the AFL's all-time leader for receptions. He entered the game needing seven catches and finished with 13 receptions for a season-high 144 yards and three touchdowns.
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vigilantes | 7 | 10 | 7 | 14 | 38 |
| Iron | 13 | 14 | 16 | 20 | 63 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
In a battle of the two preseason favorites, Milwaukee quarterback Chris Greisen threw for 295 yards and six touchdowns in a 63–38 blowout of the Vigilantes. The Iron never trailed in Antoine Burns's season debut after returning from the DL. Burns caught eight passes for a team-high 3 touchdowns and 121 yards and filled in nicely for Damian Harrell, who did not play because of a sore hamstring. Nate Forse caught 10 passes for 103 yards and two touchdowns as well.
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | 6 | 24 | 13 | 17 | 7 | 67 |
| Rattlers | 13 | 21 | 7 | 19 | 8 | 68 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gladiators | 14 | 27 | 7 | 6 | 54 |
| Iron | 13 | 28 | 21 | 20 | 82 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | 14 | 21 | 14 | 7 | 56 |
| Rush | 7 | 14 | 21 | 21 | 63 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shock | 21 | 13 | 21 | 7 | 62 |
| Iron | 7 | 14 | 20 | 7 | 48 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | 21 | 27 | 20 | 14 | 82 |
| Blaze | 14 | 21 | 7 | 14 | 56 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Predators | 14 | 6 | 7 | 14 | 41 |
| Iron | 6 | 30 | 7 | 14 | 57 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
With the win, the Iron clinched a playoff berth.
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | 21 | 14 | 13 | 27 | 75 |
| Barnstormers | 21 | 20 | 6 | 20 | 67 |
at Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines, Iowa
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
By defeating the Barnstormers and because of a loss by the Chicago Rush in the same week, the Iron clinched the Midwest Division.
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | 14 | 13 | 7 | 20 | 54 |
| Gladiators | 6 | 21 | 14 | 6 | 47 |
at Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland Ohio
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rush | 14 | 19 | 7 | 14 | 54 |
| Iron | 20 | 24 | 7 | 13 | 64 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | 7 | 16 | 21 | 13 | 57 |
| Shock | 23 | 16 | 7 | 14 | 60 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
The 2010 Orlando Predators season was the 19th season for the franchise in the Arena Football League. The team was coached by Pat O'Hara and played their home games at Amway Arena. The Predators clinched a playoff berth for the 18th consecutive season by finishing fourth in the American Conference. In the opening round of the playoffs, the Predators defeated the Jacksonville Sharks with a last-second touchdown to win 73–69. Orlando then traveled to Tampa Bay to face the rival Storm for the third time in the season in the conference championship, but lost 62–63 after a would-be game-winning field goal fell short as time expired.
The 2010 Tampa Bay Storm season was the 23rd season for the franchise in the Arena Football League. The team was coached by Tim Marcum and played their home games at the St. Pete Times Forum.
The 2010 Jacksonville Sharks season was the inaugural season for the franchise in the Arena Football League. The team was coached by Les Moss and played their home games at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena. The Sharks put together a 12–4 record, winning the South division and was also the top team in the American Conference. However, the Sharks lost a back-and-forth game at home to the Orlando Predators in the opening playoff round by a score of 69–73.
The 2010 Alabama Vipers season was the 10th season for the franchise, and the first under their current name, as well as the first in the Arena Football League. The team was coached by Dean Cokinos and played their home games at Von Braun Center. The Vipers failed to make the playoffs after posting a 7–9 record and finishing 5th in the American Conference.
The 2010 Bossier–Shreveport Battle Wings season was the 9th season for the franchise, and the first in the Arena Football League, coming from the AF2, which dissolved following the 2009 season. The team was coached by Jon Norris and played their home games at CenturyTel Center. With a 3–13 record, the Battle Wings failed to qualify for the playoffs, finishing last in the American Conference.
The 2010 Dallas Vigilantes season was the inaugural season for the franchise in the Arena Football League (AFL). With many players of the old Desperados team that put up a 15–1 record in recent years returning, Dallas fans had high hopes for the Vigilantes carrying on with the Desperados' success. However, after a 1–5 start and an altercation with one of his players, head coach Rich Ingold was fired, and replaced by James Fuller for the remainder of the season. Eventually Clint Dolezel was named as head coach for the 2011 season after the Vigilantes went 2–8 in their final ten games to finish the 2010 season 3–13, despite winning their last game of the season on the road, 62–56 against the Bossier–Shreveport Battle Wings. Two of Dallas's three wins that season came on the road.
The 2010 Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz season is the 7th season for the franchise, and the first in the Arena Football League, coming from the AF2, which dissolved following the 2009 season. The team was coached by Sparky McEwen and played their home games at the Cox Convention Center. The Yard Dawgz did not qualify for the postseason after finishing with a 6–10 record and placing 6th in the American Conference.
The 2010 Tulsa Talons season was the 10th season for the franchise, and the first in the Arena Football League, coming from the AF2, which dissolved following the 2009 season. The team was coached by Mitch Allner and played their home games at BOK Center. Finishing first in the Southwest Division, the Talons were the only team from their division to make the playoffs, but lost 38–68 at home to the Tampa Bay Storm in the conference semifinals.
The 2010 Chicago Rush season was the tenth season for the franchise in the Arena Football League. The team was coached by Mike Hohensee and played their home games at Allstate Arena. For the 10th consecutive season, the Rush qualified for the playoffs. In the conference semifinals, they lost to the Milwaukee Iron, 54–64.
The 2010 Cleveland Gladiators season was the 11th season for the franchise in the Arena Football League, and the second while in Cleveland. The team was coached by Steve Thonn and played their home games at Quicken Loans Arena. The Gladiators missed out on the playoffs by finishing 5th in the National Conference with a 7–9 record.
The 2010 Iowa Barnstormers season was the 10th season for the franchise, and the sixth in the Arena Football League, after three total seasons from 2001–2009 in the AF2, which dissolved following the 2009 season. The team was coached by John Gregory and played their home games at Wells Fargo Arena. The Barnstormers failed to make the playoffs when they finished the regular season 6th in the National Conference with a 7–9 record.
The 2010 Arizona Rattlers season was the 19th season for the franchise in the Arena Football League. The team was coached by Kevin Guy and played their home games at US Airways Center. The Rattlers made the playoffs with a 10–6 record, fourth best in the National Conference, but were defeated by the top-seeded Spokane Shock in the conference semifinals, 49–57.
The 2010 Spokane Shock season was the fifth season for the franchise, and the first in the current incarnation of the Arena Football League, coming from the AF2, which dissolved following the 2009 season. The team is coached by Rob Keefe and played their home games at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena.
The 2010 Utah Blaze season is the 4th season for the franchise in the Arena Football League. The team was coached by Ernesto Purnsley, who was fired on June 1, 2010, with Ron James named as his replacement. Home games are played at the Maverik Center, which was known as the "E Center" prior to being renamed on June 8, 2010. The Blaze missed out on the postseason after finishing the season 2–14, the worst record in the league.
The 2011 Orlando Predators season was the 20th season for the franchise in the Arena Football League. The team was coached by Pat O'Hara. This was the Predators' first season at Amway Center. The Predators finished the regular season 11–7, qualifying for the playoffs for the 19th consecutive season. As the 4th seed in the American Conference, they lost to the Jacksonville Sharks in the conference semifinals, 48–63.
The 2011 Jacksonville Sharks season was the second season for the franchise in the Arena Football League. The team was coached by Les Moss and played their home games at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena. In the regular season, the Sharks went 14–4, qualifying for the playoffs as the top seed in the American Conference. After defeating the Orlando Predators in the conference semifinals, they beat the Georgia Force in the American Conference championship. Advancing to ArenaBowl XXIV, the Sharks triumphed over the Arizona Rattlers on a last-second game-winning touchdown pass to win their first ArenaBowl championship.
The 2011 Cleveland Gladiators season was the twelfth season for the franchise in the Arena Football League and the third while in Cleveland. The team was coached by Steve Thonn and played their home games at Quicken Loans Arena. The Gladiators finished the regular season 10–8, and qualified for the playoffs as the 2nd seed in the American Conference. They lost to the Georgia Force in the conference semifinals, 41–50.
The 2011 Philadelphia Soul season was the 6th season for the franchise in the Arena Football League. The team was coached by Mike Hohensee and played their home games at Wells Fargo Center. This was the first season for the Soul since they won ArenaBowl XXII in 2008, after the league went on hiatus in 2009 and the franchise was not active in 2010. The Soul finished the season 6–12, and missed the playoffs.
The 2011 Pittsburgh Power season was the first season for the franchise in the Arena Football League. The team was coached by Chris Siegfried and played their home games at Consol Energy Center. In their inaugural season, the Power finished 9–9, missing the playoffs.
The 2011 Chicago Rush season was the 10th season for the franchise in the Arena Football League. The team was coached by Bob McMillen and played their home games at Allstate Arena. The Rush finished the regular season 13–5, qualifying for the playoffs for the 10th consecutive season. As the 2nd seed, they defeated the Dallas Vigilantes 54–41 in the conference semifinals before losing to the Arizona Rattlers 48–54 in the conference championship.
