Gladiators roll in Columbus, 63-34
March 13, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Las Vegas Gladiators News Release
Columbus, OH - Clint Dolezel returned to the lineup to lead the Las Vegas Gladiators to a convincing 63-34 victory over the Columbus Destroyers on Saturday night at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH.
Marcus Nash was named Offensive Player of the Game, catching 10 passes for 133 yards and five touchdowns. He also added a two-yard touchdown on the ground.
The Destroyers were flagged 16 times for 106 yards including a defensive holding penalty after Dolezel fumbled a second quarter fourth-and-one snap as well as an offensive holding penalty after WR Cornelius White scored a touchdown, negating the score.
The Gladiators led at the half 26-21, but pulled away in the second half, scoring 37 points and only allowing the Destroyers to score 13.
Dolezel finished the game midway through the fourth quarter passing 21-for-29, racking up 273 yards and five touchdowns. Dolezel had missed the previous four weeks with a broken middle finger on his passing hand.
Defensive specialist Jeremy Unertl was named ADT Defensive Player of the game after recording four tackles, breaking up two passes and forcing a fumble.
Frank Carter picked up two more sacks on the evening and leads the AFL with nine on the season. Carter was named U.S. Army Iron Man of the Game and is just four sacks shy of the AFL season record of 13 held by Craig Walls who was a rookie for the Pittsburgh Gladiators in 1987. Carter also rushed for 10 yards and a touchdown on three attempts.
Rodney Filer led the Gladiators in rushing with 29 yards and a touchdown.
Destroyer quarterback Matt D'Orazio passed 23 times, completing 12 for 87 yards and a touchdown. Backup Matt Vena went 8-for-13 for 116 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Sedrick Robinson led the Destroyers offensively, catching 11 passes for 103 yards and three touchdowns, while throwing for another score on an option pass.
Saturday's game marked the first time all season that the Gladiators did not turn the ball over.
The Gladiators remain on the road in week eight, playing in Arizona next Saturday, March 19 at 6 p.m. PT. Their next home game is on Monday, March 28 against the San Jose SaberCats at 7 p.m. PT.
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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 13, 2005
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- Las Vegas upends Columbus, 63-34 at Nationwide Arena - Columbus Destroyers
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