Las Vegas Gladiators Game Notes
May 6, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Las Vegas Gladiators News Release
GLADIATORS VS. FURY: THE FACTS
Date: Sunday, May 11, 2003
Kickoff: 3:00 PM ET/12 PM PT
Site: The Palace of Auburn Hills (Auburn Hills, MI)
Television: None
Radio: ESPN Radio 920 (Las Vegas) â Andrew Siciliano (play-by-play), Mike Pritchard (color commentary)
Officials: Referee: Pat Garvey, Umpire: Stephen Pamon, Head Linesman: Rusty Spindel, Line Judge: Dennis Lipski, Back Judge: Rich Wilborn
THE SERIES â GLADIATORS VS. FURY
This will be the fourth regular season meeting between the Gladiators and the Fury. The Gladiators hold a 3-0 edge over the Fury. The Gladiators captured the team's first meeting this season as they scored the first 20 points en route to a 58-45 victory in Las Vegas. Jay McDonagh threw for 248 yards on 20-of-29 completions with six touchdowns and no interceptions. Also, Damon Mason forced two fumbles leading to two touchdowns in the first quarter.
WHAT'S AT STAKE
Las Vegas is currently tied with Detroit for first place in the Eastern Division and look to take sole possession with a victory.
If the Gladiators win, it would...
⢠Give Las Vegas a 4-0 record against the Fury
⢠Give Las Vegas an 8-7 record
⢠Give Las Vegas a 4-4 road record
GLADIATORS LAST WEEK
GLADIATORS UPENDED BY DRAGONS
Las Vegas, NV, May 3, 2003 â Walter Church hit Todd Doxzon on a two-point conversion with :39 seconds remaining in the game to lift the New York Dragons to a 43-42 victory over the Las Vegas Gladiators Saturday night at the Thomas & Mack Center. The Gladiators had a chance to win the game on the final play, but Steve Videtich's 36-yard field goal with :04 seconds remaining hit the right upright and bounced away.
The loss drops the Gladiators (7-7) back into a first place tie with Detroit in the Eastern Division. New York (6-8) moves to within one game with two games remaining.
The Dragons began their game winning possession with 1:58 remaining and Las Vegas leading 42-35. Church, who was making his first start of the year in place of injured Aaron Garcia, led New York on a four play, 40-yard drive, finally hitting Damien Groce on a 12-yard touchdown pass to bring them within one and set up the game-winning two-point conversion attempt.
Chris Anthony, who was named the game's Ironman, led the Dragons on both sides of the ball, catching six passes for 123 yards, two touchdowns and recording one interception.
Las Vegas jumped out to an early lead, scoring the first 14 points of the game, but momentum shifted with less than :10 seconds to play in the first half. Following a Sedrick Robinson touchdown run to give the Gladiators a 28-14 lead, Donvetis Franklin, who was named the game's MVP, took the kickoff off the net two yards deep in the end zone and raced 52 yards for a touchdown to cut the lead to seven. It was the first time all season that the Gladiators have allowed a kickoff return for a score.
With the momentum and the ball to start the second half, the Dragons needed only three plays to pull within one as Church hit Groce from eight yards out to make the score 28-27.
The Gladiators answered on their first possession of the half as McDonagh led them on a nine-play, 45-yard touchdown drive to push the lead to eight. It would be the last score by either team in the quarter as each team turned the ball over on their next two possessions. The Gladiators picked off Church twice, once by Chris Pope and once by Damon Mason, but a fumble by Robinson and an Anthony's interception of McDonagh as the quarter ended allowed the Dragons to maintain their eight-point deficit.
New York tied the game on their first fourth-quarter drive when Rodney Filer pushed the ball over from five yards out and Church hit Anthony on the two-point conversion. The Gladiators put together another long, nine-play drive, setting up McDonagh third rushing touchdown of the game for the go-ahead score with 1:58 left.
McDonagh, who was under constant pressure by the New York defensive line, finished the game 22-30 for 170 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He also led Las Vegas on the ground, rushing for 27 yards and three scores. Mike Horacek led the Gladiators receivers with seven catches for 56 yards.
Church completed 12-24 for 203 yards and four scores, but was picked off three times.
GLADIATORS NEXT WEEK
The Gladiators return home for their final regular season game when they take on the Buffalo Destroyers on Sunday, May 18, at the Thomas & Mack Center. Kickoff is schedule for 3:00 PM and can be heard on ESPN Radio 920 in Las Vegas.
THE COACHES
Frank Haege (Second Season 16-11, 0-1 in playoffs)
The Las Vegas Gladiators second-year head coach Frank Haege 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. 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 Las Vegas.
Al Luginbill (First Season, 7-7 record)
Al Luginbill enters his first season as head coach and general manager of the Detroit Fury...first season coaching in the Arena Football League...brings over 33 years of football experience to the Fury...began coaching career at Pasadena City College...guided Pasadena City College to Jr. Rose Bowl Championship in final season as a head coach...moved on to Arizona State University and worked as an assistant coach from 1977-1984 with a one year stint at Wyoming...left ASU to pursue a job with the San Diego State University Athletic department...after three years on the administrative side, he was given the control over the slumping Aztec football program...served as head coach of SDSU for five years...only coach in SDSU to ever have five consecutive winning seasons...then he joined the NFL Europe (World League) to serve as head coach and director of football operations of Amsterdam Admirals (1995-2000)...moved back to States and took a job with up-start XFL...guided the Los Angeles Xtreme to XFL's first and only league championship... Luginbill is credited with finding and developing NFL stars such as Marshall Faulk (San Diego St. Player) and Kurt Warner (NFL Europe / Amsterdam Player).
GLADIATORS' NOTES AND TRENDS
Take It To The House
QB Jay McDonagh has made a living throwing the ball this season, but his running ability around the goal line has provided the Gladiators with an additional threat inside the red zone. Against the Dragons, McDonagh broke the team record for rushing touchdowns in a game with three, and in doing so, he also established a new Gladiators' record for rushing touchdowns in a season with 14.
Top Of The Charts
OS Mike Horacek is now leading the league in receptions with 114. Horacek is currently four catches shy of breaking his own team record of 118, set last year, and 28 away from the league record in a season set by Eddie Brown at 138.
Double Dip
Going four games without a double figure reception game for OS Mike Horacek has not faired well for the Gladiators. (@GR 5, @ Orl 4, vs. Det 9 and vs. NY 7). Las Vegas is currently 1-3 in those games.
One To Remember
FB Chris Pope had his first career interception against the Dragons last week. Pope is currently in his fifth season in the AFL and also contributed with his second rushing touchdown of the season.
Home Sweet Home
For a few of the Gladiators, Michigan is a familiar place to be. Quarterback Jay McDonagh and WR/DB Sean Riley both went to college at Western Michigan. For WR/LB Jeremy Wilkinson and WR/DB Chuck Winters, Michigan is a little more than just a familiar place, it is home. Wilkinson was born in Lapeer, Michigan, and went on to star at Northern Michigan University and Winters was born in Detroit, played for the Fury, and played his college ball at the University of Michigan.
Fourth Quarter Blue
Leading after three quarters had been a recipe for success for the Gladiators prior to the New York Dragons coming to town. The Gladiators were 6-0 when they had the lead going into the fourth quarter, but for the first time all season, the Gladiators could not hold the lead. The Gladiators led 35-27 heading into the final stanza, but New York outscored Las Vegas 16-7 to squeak out the victory 43-42.
• Discuss this story on the Arena Football League (1987-2008) message board...
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 6, 2003
- Chris Jackson honored as AFL 'Offensive Player of the Week' - Los Angeles Avengers
- Las Vegas Gladiators Game Notes - Las Vegas Gladiators
- Carolina Cobras Game Notes - Carolina Cobras
- New York Dragons Game Notes - New York Dragons
- Georgia Force Game Notes - Georgia Force
- Detroit Fury Game Notes - Detroit Fury
- AFL Names Players of the Week - AFL I
- Walker, Bowick Latest to Stay in Chicago - Chicago Rush
- Crush Place Harrell on IR, Activate Green - Colorado Crush
- Chicago Rush Game Notes - Chicago Rush
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.
