Carl Bond, Shane Stafford Honored By Arena Football League

WireImage photo

STORRS, Conn. (March 7, 2006) — Former University of Connecticut football player Carl Bond on Tuesday was named the Arena Football League’s Offensive Player of the Week, marking the second consecutive week that a former Husky has received that honor. Last week, Shane Stafford was so recognized.

Playing for the Columbus Destroyers, Bond had nine receptions for a career-high 190 receiving yards and three touchdowns on Friday night as the Destroyers downed the New York Dragons, 65-54. Coming through in the clutch, Bond had 142 yards in the second half and all three of his touchdowns, including the eventual game-winning score.

The previous week, Shane Stafford was named the AFL’s Offensive Player of the Week after guiding the Tampa Bay Storm to a 58-48 win over the previously undefeated Austin Wranglers. Stafford, no stranger to this honor, completed 26-of-41 passes for 424 yards with seven touchdowns and just one interception. With that performance, Stafford became the first player in AFL history to throw for 400-plus yards in consecutive weeks. In the Storm’s previous game, Stafford had thrown for 458 yards in a losing effort against the rival Orlando Predators.

Fans nationwide can see Stafford on Sunday, March 12 at noon on NBC when Tampa Bay plays host to the Dallas Desperados.

LEFT: Perhaps the three greatest quarterbacks in UConn history (Dan Orlovsky, Matt DeGennaro and Shane Stafford) gathered at Rentschler Field at halftime of the USF game on Nov. 26...RIGHT: Stafford in action for the Storm (WireImage photo).