COLUMBUS -- The Columbus Destroyers will open their inaugural Arena Football League schedule on the road against the Indiana Firebirds on Feb. 7, the team announced Tuesday.

The Destroyers, coached by former Ohio State, Iowa State, Tampa and Colorado State head coach Earle Bruce, play their first home game on Feb. 13 against the Carolina Cobras.

The Destroyers were based in Buffalo last season. They will play their home games at Nationwide Arena.

Bruce has said that he intends to stock the lineup with former Ohio State players. The Destroyers have already named ex-Buckeyes Chris Spielman and Jim Lachey to the team's management team.

The Destroyers, who will play in the Eastern Division, meet division rivals Carolina, Dallas, New York and Philadelphia twice.

The team's first nationally televised (NBC) broadcast will be Feb. 29 against the Dallas Desperados. The defending ArenaBowl champion Tampa Bay Storm come to Nationwide Arena on April 25.

The 18th season of the Arena League has each of the 19 teams playing 16 games, eight at home and eight on the road, with one bye week. Expansion teams include Austin, Philadelphia and New Orleans.

The 2004 playoffs will go from four rounds to three, with only eight teams making the postseason.

Originally published Wednesday, October 29, 2003