AFL Cleveland Gladiators

Cleveland gains a full game advantage over Pittsburgh in division with 62-58 victory in Milwaukee

July 2, 2011 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Cleveland Gladiators News Release


MILWAUKEE, WI - Quarterback Kurt Rocco bounced off of several would-be tacklers while scrambling in for the game-winning touchdown with three seconds left on the clock to give the Cleveland Gladiators a 62-58 victory over the Milwaukee Mustangs in front of 5,683 at the Bradley Center on Saturday night. Cleveland improves to 9-6 on the season and a full game ahead of the Pittsburgh Power in the East division standings, while the loss drops Milwaukee to 4-11.

After Cleveland led for much of the second half, Milwaukee swung the momentum in their favor after Brand Brinkley returned a blocked PAT attempt back for two points with 1:32 left in the game. Mustangs quarterback Gino Guidugli connected with wide receiver Dwayne Elay Jr. four plays later for their fourth scoring hookup of the game to take a 58-55 lead with 41 seconds to play.

The Cleveland offense took over at their own 12, and Rocco found Robert Redd on a crucial third down to get into Milwaukee territory. Rocco hit Troy Bergeron on a 17-yard strike to get down to the Mustang 8 yard line with just seconds remaining. On the next play, Rocco avoided the rush as the pocket collapsed on him, pump faked and bounced off of defenders to put the Gladiators ahead for good.

Rocco earned Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game honors in leading the Gladiators to victory, going 20-of-36 for 257 yards and four touchdowns in the game. Rocco also ran the ball three times for 12 yards and three scores. Bergeron nabbed seven catches for 113 yards and two scores through the air.

For the defense, Tim Cheatwood totaled two tackles, two sacks, two tackles-for-loss, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Cheatwood now has 10.5 sacks on the season, good for a Cleveland Gladiators' single season franchise record. He also is the franchise career record holder in that same category with 11.5 and is in the top five in the AFL for sacks this season.

Anthony Hoke had a key fumble recovery in the end zone late in the second quarter that tied the game at 21 at the break. Colin Bryant was staunch for the defense with 2.5 tackles, one tackle-for-loss and one sack. Jack linebacker Mike Bragg intercepted his team-leading fifth pass of the season and returned it 16 yards for his second score of 2011.

The road win snapped a five game losing streak for the Gladiators away from Quicken Loans Arena. Their last win away from Cleveland came in a 66-26 victory over Tampa Bay in Week 3 on March 27th. The Gladiators are now 8-0 this season when scoring over 50 points.

The Cleveland Gladiators travel to Philadelphia for their next game to face the division-rival Soul live on NFL Network Friday, July 8th at 8:00 pm.! The Gladiators will return to The Q for a clash with the Pittsburgh Power again on NFL Network on Friday, July 15th at 8:00 p.m. SINGLE-GAME TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW! For more information, visit www.clevelandgladiators.com or call 216.685.9000 today!



Arena Football League Stories from July 2, 2011


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