Gladiators roll, beating Grand Rapids, 66-41
March 11, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Las Vegas Gladiators News Release
(Las Vegas, NV) - The Las Vegas Gladiators (3-4) overwhelmed the visiting Grand Rapids Rampage (2-5) 66-41 in front of a charged up crowd at the Thomas and Mack Center on Friday night. With the win, Las Vegas assured themselves of maintaining a share of the Western Division lead.
Rookie quarterback Jason Fife continued his outstanding play, connecting on 15 of 23 attempts for 171 yards and a total of eight touchdowns, five through the air and three on the ground. Fife was awarded the Offensive Player of the Game for his efforts. Fife leads the Gladiators with six rushing touchdowns in only three appearances this season. Marcus Nash had a team-high nine grabs for 90 yards and two scores.
After building a 28-21 halftime lead, the Gladiators threw the knockout punch in the third quarter, outscoring Grand Rapids 28-6. The "red and black" played a complete game on both sides of the ball and did not have a turnover in a game for the first time this season. Defensively, Las Vegas forced three turnovers and for the second game in a row scored on the defensive side of the ball, when WR/DB Anthony Arceneaux drilled Rampage OS Anthony Hines jarring the ball loose, allowing WR/LB Joe Douglass to scoop it up and scamper in for a 16 yard touchdown in the third quarter.
The Rampage were led by WR/DB Timon Marshall, who ended the game with 12 catches for 145 yards and with two finding the endzone. Quarterback Chad Salisbury finished 28 of 47 for 306 yards five touchdown passes but threw two interceptions.
The 44 points surrendered, marks the lowest point total given up by the Gladiators this season. Arceneaux was awarded the ADT Defensive Player of the Game. Arceneaux recorded his first interception of the season, forced a fumble that lead to the defensive score, had four tackles, and one pass breakup. Veteran WR/LB Coco Blalock added three catches for 43 yards and two touchdowns while return two kickoffs for 71 yards and adding 1.5 tackles on defense to earn Ironman of the Game honors.
The Gladiators will be back in action on Friday, March 17 at the Thomas & Mack Center when they take on Western Division rival Arizona in a game for 1st place in the West.
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