Gladiators fall to Avengers, 63-60
May 15, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Las Vegas Gladiators News Release
Los Angeles, Ca, May 14, 2005 â Los Angeles Avenger quarterback John Kaleo threw five touchdowns to lead the Avengers to their first Western Division championship with a victory over the Las Vegas Gladiators, 63-60 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.
Las Vegas was stopped on a crucial fourth and one with less than one minute remaining in the fourth quarter as Marlion Jackson come up inches shy of moving the chains. It was the second time in the game the Gladiators were stopped on offense and became the pivotal point of the game for the Avenger defense.
Gladiators' quarterback Clint Dolezel completed 34-of-44 for 350 yards with seven touchdowns. On his fourth touchdown pass during the first half, Dolezel reached the 70 touchdown plateau for the seventh time in so many years. He is the only quarterback in AFL history to throw 70 or more touchdowns seven times in his career.
Kaleo finished the game completing 20-of-30 for 269 yards despite one interception. He connected with Los Angeles' wide receiver/line backer Greg Hopkins on nine receptions for 128 yards with three touchdowns.
Las Vegas' offensive specialist Marcus Nash caught 12 passes for 132 yards and four touchdowns and fullback/linebacker Marlion Jackson had two catches for 39 yards with one touchdown. He also rushed the ball for 53 yards on three carries including the longest rushing touchdown in Gladiators franchise history for 46 yards with 8:14 remaining in the game to put Las Vegas up for the last time in the game, 60-56.
The kicking game for the Gladiators had its problems as kicker Mark Lewis missed on two extra-point attempts and forced the offense to go for a two-point conversion that failed.
Las Vegas turned the ball over on downs once in the first half, but came back with a Marvin Taylor interception with 6:05 remaining to go up at the midway point, 41-35.
The Gladiators return home to take on Arizona in the final game of the regular season on Sunday, May 22, to take on the Rattlers at the Thomas & Mack Center. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. PT and can be heard on ESPN Radio 920 with Andrew Siciliano and Mike Pritchard calling the game.
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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 15, 2005
- Crush win Central Division title - Colorado Crush
- Destroyers take Soul out of Philly - Columbus Destroyers
- Rush fail to clinch playoff spot in 51-40 loss to Rampage - Chicago Rush
- Late Field Goal lifts Columbus to 55-52 win over Soul - Philadelphia Soul
- Storm Extinguish Dragons to Open Playoff Door - Tampa Bay Storm
- Gladiators fall to Avengers, 63-60 - Las Vegas Gladiators
- Rampage stop Rush, 51-40 - Grand Rapids Rampage
- Avengers Claim First Western Division Crown - OSC Original by Tim Peterson
- Rattlers sting SaberCats - Arizona Rattlers
- Rattlers Defeat SaberCats 54-44 - San Jose SaberCats
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