Gladiators fall to Crush in season opener
February 7, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Las Vegas Gladiators News Release
Las Vegas, February 6, 2004 â Damian Harrell caught two touchdown passes from John Dutton in the final :20 seconds as the Colorado Crush downed the Las Vegas Gladiators 43-42 on Friday night at Pepsi Center in Denver, CO. The Crush scored the final points on a 33-yard pass with :04 seconds remaining after recovering an onside kick.
The difference in the ballgame came on special teams where the Crush scored two touchdowns on recovered kicks off the net and successfully converted two onside kicks.
The Gladiators were led by quarterback Clint Dolezel, who went 22 for 31 for 206 yards and four touchdowns. For Colorado, Dutton was 18-31 for 204 yards and two touchdowns, both to Harrell in the final minute. Harrell, who caught four passes for 52 yards and the aforementioned touchdowns was named the Baby Ruth Real Deal Offensive Player of the Game.
With the Gladiators holding a 21-17 lead at halftime, the Crush marched 41 yards on 12 plays, with FB Chad Dukes taking the ball the final yard to give the Crush the lead 24-21. On the ensuing kickoff, Crush WR/DB Willis Marshall knocked the ball from Gladiator DB Cornelius Bonner and raced into the end zone to put the Crush up by 10.
The Gladiators would score the next 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter, building a 42-31 lead with :20 seconds to play before Dutton and Harrell began their heroics.
Marcus Nash, who was playing his first game in a Gladiator uniform, caught nine passes for 72 yards and three touchdowns.
Kevin McKenzie, who tallied eight catches for 96 yards was named the Army Ironman of the Game, and Ahmed Hawkins, who picked off a Dolezel pass in the fourth quarter, was named the ADT Defensive Player of the Game.
The Gladiators will open their 2004 home schedule on Saturday, February 14 at 12:00 PM PT at the Thomas & Mack Center against the Los Angeles Avengers. The game will be televised regionally on NBC (KVBC-TV in Las Vegas).
Gladiators' 2004 season seats are on sale now. Fans interested in purchasing Gladiators' season seats can do so by calling the Gladiators office at 702-731-4977 or by calling 702-739-FANS.
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