Gladiators pull out victory against Soul, 56-49
Published on April 17, 2005 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Las Vegas Gladiators News Release
Philadelphia, PA, April 17, 2005 â Las Vegas Gladiators quarterback Clint Dolezel found WR/LB Joe Douglass for as 27-yard touchdown with one second remaining in the game to defeat the Philadelphia Soul 56-49 in front of 16,514 at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia.
The Gladiators trailed by 14 points in the first half before scoring two touchdowns in the last :53 to head into the break trailing 27-21. The Gladiators defense also stopped the Soul twice late in the half and forced them to kick field-goals both times.
The Gladiators took the lead early in the second half 28-27 and never again let the Soul lead. Philadelphia tied the game at 49 with :12 to go in the fourth quarter after Philadelphia's Marcus Knight caught a 2-yard touchdown pass from Soul quarterback Tony Graziani and added a two-point conversion.
Dolezel finished the game 28-of-43 for 341 yards with eight touchdowns and was named the Offensive Player of the Game.
Gladiators' offensive specialist Marcus Nash left the game midway through the first quarter with a strained hamstring after only two catches for 19 yards. Nash re-entered the game during the fourth quarter, but saw limited action.
Las Vegas' WR/LB Ricky Ross picked up the slack catching eight passes for 92 yards and three touchdowns. Eight other Gladiators had receptions including U.S. Army Ironman of the Game Cornelius Bonner. He caught one pass for a 45-yard touchdown with one interception to go along with three and a half tackles and two pass breakups.
During the first quarter, Gladiators' WR/DB T.J. Hill caught his first two passes of the year, including a touchdown. He became the 11th Gladiator of the season to catch a touchdown pass, eclipsing a franchise record that was set in 2002. Later in the game, FB/LB Marlon Jackson became the 12th Gladiator with a touchdown after he rumbled for a 34-yard touchdown reception.
The Soul's FB/LB Chris Ryan led both teams in rushing with 21 yards on eight attempts with three touchdowns.
Graziani completed 17-of-31 passes for 214 yards and three touchdowns with one interception.
The Gladiators are on a bye next week, but travel to Chicago to take on the Rush in Week 14 on Sunday, May 1. Kickoff is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. PT and can be heard on ESPN Radio 920 with Andrew Siciliano and Mike Pritchard calling the game.
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