Sports stats



Las Vegas Game Notes

February 4, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Las Vegas Gladiators News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Game: Las Vegas Gladiators (0-1) vs. Arizona Rattlers (0-1)
Date: Sunday, February 9, 2003
Kickoff: 12:00 p.m.
Site: America West Arena
National Anthem: TBA
Coin Toss: TBA
Officials: Referee: William LeMonnier, Umpire: Dan Ferrell, Head Linesman: Allen Baynes, Line Judge: Dana McKenzie, Back Judge: Billy Beckett, Supervisor: Jim Lapetina
Radio: ESPN Radio 860 (Phoenix) – Kent Derdivanis (play-by-play), Ron Wolfley (color commentary) ESPN Radio 920 (Las Vegas) – Andrew Siciliano (play-by-play), Mike Pritchard (color commentary)
TV: NBC
Coaches: Frank Haege, Las Vegas Gladiators (9-6, 2nd year) Danny White, Arizona Rattlers (100-44, 12th year)

THE SERIES: This will be the second meeting between Las Vegas and Arizona. In the final regular season contest of the 2002 season, Arizona held off New Jersey 53-45.

Last Meeting: With no time remaining, Gladiators QB Jay McDonagh lofted a fade pass in the corner of the endzone for Mike Horacek, who out-leaped two defenders against the sideline, but the lead referee ruled that Horacek's feet landed out-of-bounds and the Arizona Rattlers took a thrilling 53-45 victory.

The matchup between two of the leagues top teams did not disappoint, as the game saw nine lead changes, five in the second half.

THE IFs:

If the Gladiators win, it would...
· Give Las Vegas a 1-1 series record with Arizona
· Give Las Vegas a 1-1 record in 2003
· Give Las Vegas their first win over Arizona
· Give Las Vegas a 1-1 record on the road

LAS VEGAS GLADIATORS, Head Coach: Frank Haege First Season (9-6, 0-1 in playoffs with Gladiators)

The Las Vegas Gladiators second-year head coach can look back upon his rookie year in the AFL and boast about his wide array of accomplishments. Haege led the Gladiators to the fourth-best record in the AFL and their first-ever playoff berth in franchise history. Haege believes that there is still a lot of work to do and will not rest until the job is complete. Haege also serves as the offensive coordinator, quarterbacks, and wide receivers coach.

The Gladiators 9-5 record and first place finish in the Eastern Division of the National Conference was the biggest turnaround in AFL history. The Gladiators finished the 2002 regular season with seven more victories than the previous season.

The Gladiators set franchise marks in almost all offensive categories and earned five road victories in seven tries. In all five victories, New Jersey came back to win after entering the fourth quarter either tied or trailing their opponent. In one of the wildest games of the season, the Gladiators scored 34 points against the New York Dragons in the fourth quarter to tie the game before winning in OT.

Haege was named the second head coach of the New Jersey Gladiators on August 23, 2001. Haege brought with him six players and an assistant coach from the Steamwheelers.

Previously, he spent two years as the head coach and director of football operations with the Quad City Steamwheelers (af2) in 2000 and 2001. Haege posted a remarkable 37-1 record, including an undefeated 2000 season. The Steamwheelers became the first AFL or af2 team to have an undefeated season.

On August 10, 2001, Frank Haege made his mark in the af2 record books by leading the Quad City Steamwheelers to a 55-51 win over the Richmond Speed to secure a second-straight championship.

In 2000, his 19-0 Steamwheelers defeated the Tennessee Valley Vipers 68-59 to win the first-ever ArenaCup, played on August 10, 2000. This completed the perfect season.

Haege will enter his ninth season in Arena Football in 2003, when the Gladiators open the season in February. Haege is no stranger to the Garden State; he coached in the AFL with the New Jersey Red Dogs (1997-99) under John Hufnagel (1997-98), now the quarterbacks coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Prior to joining the Red Dogs in New Jersey, Haege was the defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Fighting Pike, a former AFL franchise in 1996. In 1994, while with the Milwaukee Mustangs, he served as the team's special teams coordinator and FB/LB coach.

Haege has also coached on the collegiate level. He was the offensive coordinator from 1996-1998 at Augsburg College(MN), a Division III school, while coaching Arena Football in the spring.

Prior to his time at Augsburg College, he also coached from 1992-1995 with Bemidji State University (MN), a Division II program, where he directed the secondary. His playing career included one year (1987) as a wide receiver for Vermillion Community College (MN) and three years as a tight end at the University of Wisconsin-Stout (1989-1991).

Haege earned a bachelor's degree in marketing education from UW-Stout in 1992, before completing his master's degree in physical education at Bemidji in 1995.

Haege was born on Oct 11, 1968 in Two Rivers, Wisconsin. He is married (Michele) and resides in Nutley, NJ.

ARIZONA RATTLERS, Head Coach: Danny White Second Season (100-44, 15-8 in playoffs with Arizona)

If there is one name that is synonymous with Arizona Rattlers Football, it is Danny White. A living legend of football in Arizona, Danny is the first and only Head Coach and General Manager of the Rattlers. Entering his 12th season at the helm, Danny has lead the Rattlers to ArenaBowl berths in 1994, 1997, and 2002, emerging as the World Champion in 1994 and 1997. White was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1997, and had his #11 jersey retired by Arizona State University. On Christmas 1999, White was named the Arizona Athlete of the Century by the Arizona Republic newspaper. White was also inducted into the Arena League Hall of Fame in 2002.

It took only three seasons for White to reach the pinnacle of the Arena Football League. He was hired on October 10, 1991 and on September 2, 1994 he became a World Champion, as the Rattlers defeated Orlando 36-31.

Danny and the Rattlers became World Champions for the second time after ArenaBowl XI, when the Rattlers beat the Iowa Barnstormers 55-33. The Rattlers returned to the ArenaBowl in 2002, but fell to the San Jose Sabercats. White finished the 2002 season with an overall record of 115-52 (.688).

The Arena Football League Coach of the Year in only his second season (1993), Danny's 115 wins rank him second all time, and his .694 regular season winning percentage is fourth best in Arena Football history. He also ranks second all time with 15 postseason victories, trailing only Tim Marcum.

Coach White became the second coach in AFL history to win 100 games when the Rattlers defeated the Houston Thunderbears on June 30, 2001. He was an inductee for the Arena Football Hall of Fame class of 2002.

When White was named Head Coach of the expansion Rattlers in 1992, he had no prior coaching or Arena Football experience. But those local football fans who had followed his playing days at Mesa's Westwood High, his collegiate career at ASU, and on through his professional career with the Dallas Cowboys knew his intense desire for excellence. They also knew that if Danny White was anything, he was a winner.

Danny played three seasons for the Sun Devils, leaving as both the school's and the NCAA's all-time passing leader. He also set seven NCAA passing records. In 1973, his passing and running game placed him second in the nation in total offense. Sports Illustrated named White as the second-best rated collegiate quarterback of all-time, behind only Steve Young. The National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame honored White in 1997 as an inductee into the College Hall of Fame. Both Danny and his father, Wilford "Whizzer" White, a former All-American at Arizona State and halfback with the NFL's Chicago Bears, are in the Arizona State University Hall of Fame, as well as the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame. In 1997, Danny (#11) also joined his father as one of only 5 Sun Devil players to have their jersey retired at Arizona State.

White's leadership skills as a quarterback were evident when he broke the Dallas Cowboy's single season touchdown passing record in his first year as a starter (1980). The Cowboys went to the playoffs five times, and won three NFC East titles with Danny taking the snaps. He ended his career as the team's most accurate passer, setting Cowboys' career records for completions and touchdown passes. He still holds 21 Cowboys' records. During the 1982 season, White broke or tied eight club season passing records. He also led the Cowboys to the NFC title game for the third straight year. He also made the Pro Bowl that season. His record as a starter was 67-35, including a 41-11 at Texas stadium.

White is also no stranger to the broadcast booth. He has provided analyst commentary for the Fox Sports Pac-10 Game of the Week, and currently travels around the country as an inspirational public speaker. Not only is Danny a winner on the field as the Head Coach and General Manager of the Arizona Rattlers, but he is also a winner off the field. He is active in the Phoenix community, donating his time and efforts to various local charities.

Danny and his wife JoLynn reside in Gilbert and have four children; Ryan, Geoff, Heather and Reed.

2002 REVIEW:

With new players and an even newer coaching staff, the Gladiators took great strides in 2002. New Jersey, led by head coach Frank Haege, finished the season with the fourth best record in the AFL and a first round bye in the playoffs. The Gladiators 9-5 record and first place finish in the Eastern Division of the National Conference was the best turnaround in AFL history. New Jersey finished the 2002 regular season with seven more victories than the previous season.

The Gladiators named Mike Horacek the MVP of the 2002 season and Dennison Robinson as the Ironman. With one season under his belt in New Jersey, Frank Haege will look to build on an already solid foundation.

Steve Videtich was selected as the Kicker of the Year for his efforts during the 2002 season. Videtich, who won the same award in 1997, had a stellar year for the Gladiators. Videtich scored 130 points (No. 5 amongst kickers). He converted 88-91 PAT's this season and his accuracy percentage (96.7) on extra points ranks him No. 1 all-time in that category among kickers to play in every regular season game. He was also 14 of 25 (56.0%) on field goal attempts. A seven-year veteran, Videtich has scored 861 career points, ranking him 10th on the all-time AFL scoring list.

On opening day in Buffalo, New Jersey QB Jay McDonagh threw for six touchdowns and ran for another, but it was his only turnover that did him in, as the Buffalo Destroyers defeated the Gladiators 53-51. The next weekend, New Jersey defeated the expansion Dallas Desperados 45-44 after McDonagh connected with Alvin Ashley on an 18-yard scoring pass to give New Jersey a come back win in their home opener.

The next week on a Saturday night in Orlando, Damon Mason led his new team to his old hometown and took a game from the Predators, 45-44. It was the second straight week that New Jersey won by a single point and by the same score, but it was the first time a Gladiators team boarded a plane for the return trip home, victorious. The Gladiators then lost their next game to a former Gladiator, Connell Maynor, who came back to East Rutherford and out-did his former team. The Gladiators stood at 2-2 and needed a shot in the arm. The shot in the arm would come from a player named Sedrick Robinson, last season's Rookie of the Year runner-up was given the ball against the New York Dragons. Robinson was a little red blur on the Meadowlands carpet as he willed his team to a 76-69 overtime victory against New York. He returned six kickoffs for 208 yards, three touchdowns; catching 10 passes for 116 yards, two touchdowns and rushing for a four-yard score. His six-touchdown, 36-point, performance helped the Gladiators achieve their first Offensive Player of the Week award and gave New Jersey their first victory within their division and first defeat of the archrival Dragons, 76-69. With the help of Robinson, New Jersey achieved their highest point total (76) ever. The previous team high was 62 points in an overtime victory over the Indiana Firebirds on July 8, 2001. It also doubled the Gladiators previous record of 18 points in one game by any one player. The Gladiators had won a football game, and Haege had found a new secret weapon.

New Jersey then headed north of the border to take on their division rivals, the Toronto Phantoms. McDonagh's four touchdown passes and Horacek's 10 receptions, powered New Jersey to a 45-38 nail-biting win over the Phantoms at the Air Canada Centre, giving them sole possession of first place in the Arena Football League's Eastern Division for the first time in team history.

The following week the Chicago Rush pounded the New Jersey Gladiators 44-14 at the Allstate Arena, handing the Gladiators their worst loss of the season. New Jersey bounced back the following week by routing the defending ArenaBowl champion Grand Rapids Rampage, 70-42 to remain in first place. After outclassing the AFL champions the Gladiators visited a few old friends in Tampa the following week to defeat the Storm and win their second straight game, 55-33 and open up a 6-3 overall record. After losing to Buffalo 52-45 for the second time in as many tries New Jersey then went on a three game winning streak, defeating the Fury in Detroit 62-45 for the first victory. New Jersey continued their road dominance by defeating the Dragons 76-50 to clinch their first playoff berth in franchise history. The Gladiators closed their streak with a 57-55 overtime victory against the Phantoms at Continental Airlines Arena. The Gladiators, who clinched the Arena Football League's Eastern Division title before they had even played a down, needed a safety in overtime to defeat Toronto and sweep the season series. During the winning streak Gladiators OS Mike Horacek was selected as the Offensive Player of the Month in June for his performances.

Horacek secured the Offensive Player of the Month award by starting in all five games in June and was named game MVP in two of those contests (vs. Grand Rapids and at Detroit). Over that span, Horacek caught 36 passes for 401 yards, and 12 touchdowns. His five-touchdown, 30-point, performance against the Fury helped the Gladiators achieve their first Offensive Player of the Month award.

New Jersey finished the regular season 4-2 against the Eastern Division. The Rattlers came to the swamps of New Jersey to defeat the Gladiators 53-45 and put an end to the Gladiators winning streak.

The Gladiators 9-5 record earned them the No. 4 seed in the Arena Football League Playoffs. New Jersey ranked second in total defense by allowing only 245.1 yards per game. The first AFL playoff game at Continental Airlines Arena against the Orlando Predators was a back and forth struggle that wasn't decided until the final minutes of regulation. Orlando defeated New Jersey 49-46 to end the Gladiators otherwise successful season. The Gladiators, winners of the National Conference Eastern Division, finished the campaign with a 9-5 record.

GLADIATORS NEXT WEEK: The Gladiators will make their debut in Las Vegas as they open their home campaign with a Monday night game (Feb. 17) against the Tampa Bay Storm. Kickoff will be at 7:00 PM at Thomas & Mack Center.

TEAM NOTES/TRENDS:

Jay McDonagh: Last week, McDonagh completed 36 of his 61 attempts for 381 yards. In addition to passing for 381 yards, Jay threw for five touchdown passes against the Avengers, (06/02/02).

--McDonagh is first in the AFL in passing offense with 381 total yards.

Mike Horacek: With his 11 receptions against LA, Horacek is tops in the league. --Horacek is tied for second in the league with four TD receptions.

Dennison Robinson: Robinson caught seven passes for 79 yards against the Avengers.

Sedrick Robinson: Robinson caught eight passes for 65 yards against LA.

--Robinson returned three kicks for 68 yards against the Avengers. His longest return was 24 yards.

Steve Videtich: Videtich made six of seven XP in week one.

KEY DATES IN GLADIATORS HISTORY:

December 15,2000 – Jim Ferraro purchases the New Jersey franchise.

December 28, 2000 – New Jersey announces the name of the franchise

February 1, 2001 – Chris Mara hired to be the Gladiators to be the President/General Manager.

August 23, 2001- The Gladiators announce Frank Haege will be the team's new head coach and second head coach in franchise history.

September 2, 2001- Adopt-A-Player program is born. This program places both players and coaches in local schools where they discuss important issues that the students will be faced with, such as peer pressure, drug and alcohol abuse and staying in school.

September 26, 2001- New Jersey Gladiators Name Art Haege Defensive Line Coach and Midwest Scout.

September 26, 2001- New Jersey Gladiators Name Brian Schwartze Special Teams Coordinator and Offensive Line Coach.

October 1, 2001- Ron James is announced as the Gladiators new defensive coordinator.

December 10, 2001 – Gladiators drafted five players in 2001 Dispersal Draft, Sedrick Robinson, Karl Bates, Chris Janek, Shatony Sargeant, Jeff Miller.

January 8, 2002- Gladiators sign for New York Jets quarterback Glenn Foley.

April 28, 2002 – The New Jersey Gladiators snap a three game losing streak with a 45-44 home opener victory against the Dallas Desperados. The win was the first under the Frank Haege regime.

May 4, 2002 – Gladiators first road win in franchise history. (New Jersey 45, Orlando 44 @ Orlando).

July 5, 2002 – Mike Horacek became the first Gladiator to earn Player of the Month (June).

July 6, 2002 - The Gladiators set a franchise high for points scored with a 76-point effort against the New York Dragons at Nassau Coliseum. NJ 76, NY 50.

July 12, 2002 – New Jersey Gladiators clinched their first AFL Eastern Division Title when the Carolina Cobras defeated the Buffalo Destroyers.

August 3, 2002 – The New Jersey Gladiators played in their first post-season game in franchise history, a 49-46 loss to the Orlando Predators.

December 20, 2002 – The New Jersey Gladiators announced they were moving to Las Vegas to play at the Thomas & Mack Center.

December 20, 2002 – Mary Ellen Garling is hired as General Manager of the Las Vegas Gladiators

January 21, 2003 – Gladiators announce that all 2003 games will be broadcast on ESPN Radio 920 in Las Vegas.

January 24, 2003 – Gladiators announce that Andrew Siciliano and Mike Pritchard will handle to call on ESPN Radio 920.

February 2, 2003 – Gladiators play their first game as the Las Vegas Gladiators in a 60-48 loss to the LA Avengers in Los Angeles.

• Discuss this story on the Arena Football League (1987-2008) message board...

Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 4, 2003


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Las Vegas Gladiators Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central