2000 Buffalo Destroyers season

2000 Buffalo Destroyers season
Head coachDave Whinham (fired Week 4, 0–4 record)
Ray Bentley (5–5 record)
Home fieldHSBC Arena
Results
Record5–9
Division place3rd
Playoff finishLost 1st round
(vs. Rattlers) 34–41

The 2000 Buffalo Destroyers season was the 2nd season for the franchise and the 2nd in Buffalo, New York. They finished with a 5–9 record and qualified for the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. The Destroyers lost to the Arizona Rattlers, 41–34 in the first round.

Coaching

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Dave Whinham began the season at head coach for the Destroyers, but was fired after starting the season 0–4. Former Buffalo Bills linebacker Ray Bentley was hired to coach the team for the remainder of the season and led the Destroyers to a 5–5 finish and a playoff berth.

Preseason schedule

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Week Date Opponent Home/Away Result
1 March 27 Orlando Predators Home L 30–46[1]
2 March 31 Iowa Barnstormers Away L 50–53[2]

Regular season schedule

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Week Date Opponent Home/Away Result
1 April 15 Oklahoma Wranglers Away L 51–62[3]
2 April 22 Iowa Barnstormers Home L 35–56[4]
3 April 29 New England Sea Wolves Away L 31–58[5]
4 May 6 New Jersey Red Dogs Home L 42–62[6]
5 May 12 Albany Firebirds Away L 23–75[7]
6 May 19 San Jose SaberCats Home L 35–61[8]
7 May 26 New England Sea Wolves Home L 34–37[9]
8 June 2 Nashville Kats Away L 28–42[10]
9 June 10 Albany Firebirds Home W 51–48 (OT)[11]
10 June 17 Houston Thunderbears Away W 55–44[12]
11 June 25 New Jersey Red Dogs Away W 79–54[13]
12 June 29 Florida Bobcats Home W 36–33 (OT)[14]
13 Bye Week
14 July 14 Los Angeles Avengers Home W 60–52[15]
15 July 22 San Jose SaberCats Away L 54–83[16]

Playoff schedule

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Round Date Opponent Home/Away Result
1st July 27 (5) Arizona Rattlers Away L 34–41[17]

References

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  1. ^ Wilson, Allen (March 28, 2000). "Exhibition loss shows Destroyers have a ways to go". The Buffalo News. Buffalo, New York. p. 13. Retrieved January 28, 2024 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.
  2. ^ "Barnstormers edge Destroyers, 53-50". The Buffalo News. Buffalo, New York. April 1, 2000. p. 19. Retrieved January 28, 2024 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.
  3. ^ "Destroyers fall in opener". The Buffalo News. Buffalo, New York. April 16, 2000. p. 15. Retrieved January 28, 2024 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.
  4. ^ Wilson, Allen (April 23, 2000). "Destroyers lose game, Nagle". The Buffalo News. Buffalo, New York. p. 11, 18. Retrieved January 28, 2024 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.
  5. ^ "Ex-UB Bull Salisbury picks apart Destroyers". The Buffalo News. Buffalo, New York. April 30, 2000. p. 38. Retrieved January 28, 2024 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.
  6. ^ Wilson, Allen (May 7, 2000). "Destroyers loss may doom Whinham". The Buffalo News. Buffalo, New York. p. 61. Retrieved January 28, 2024 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.
  7. ^ Wilson, Allen (May 13, 2000). "Worst-loss ever for Destroyers spoils Bentley's coaching debut". The Buffalo News. Buffalo, New York. p. 37. Retrieved January 28, 2024 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.
  8. ^ Wilson, Allen (May 20, 2000). "Destroyers destroyed again". The Buffalo News. Buffalo, New York. p. 13, 15. Retrieved January 28, 2024 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.
  9. ^ Wilson, Allen (May 27, 2000). "Destroyers snatch yet another defeat from the jaws of victory". The Buffalo News. Buffalo, New York. p. 17. Retrieved January 28, 2024 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.
  10. ^ "Destroyers lose eighth straight". The Buffalo News. Buffalo, New York. June 3, 2000. p. 15. Retrieved January 28, 2024 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.
  11. ^ Wilson, Allen (June 11, 2000). "Destroyers' first overtime game brings memorable victory". The Buffalo News. Buffalo, New York. p. 69. Retrieved January 28, 2024 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.
  12. ^ "Destroyers finish fast to win second straight". The Buffalo News. Buffalo, New York. June 18, 2000. p. 63. Retrieved January 28, 2024 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.
  13. ^ "Destroyers rout Red Dogs". The Buffalo News. Buffalo, New York. June 26, 2000. p. 49. Retrieved January 28, 2024 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.
  14. ^ Wilson, Allen (June 30, 2000). "Destroyers outlast Bobcats for fourth in row". The Buffalo News. Buffalo, New York. p. 39, 43. Retrieved January 28, 2024 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.
  15. ^ Graham, Tim (July 15, 2000). "Fifth straight victory catapults Destroyers into the playoffs". The Buffalo News. Buffalo, New York. p. 35, 39. Retrieved January 28, 2024 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.
  16. ^ "Destroyers drop finale to SaberCats". The Buffalo News. Buffalo, New York. July 23, 2000. p. 15. Retrieved January 28, 2024 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.
  17. ^ Wilson, Allen (July 28, 2000). "Destroyers ousted from playoffs". The Buffalo News. Buffalo, New York. p. 15, 17. Retrieved January 28, 2024 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.