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Las Vegas Gladiators game notes

May 11, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Las Vegas Gladiators News Release


GLADIATORS VS. SABERCATS: THE FACTS

Date: Sunday, May 16, 2004
Kickoff: 3:00 PM PT
Site: Thomas & Mack Center (Las Vegas, NV)
Officials Referee: Dennis Lipski, Umpire: Rick Nelson, Head Linesman: Rusty Spindel, Line Judge: Kent Payne, Back Judge: Rich Wilborn


THE GAME CAN BE HEARD...
On ESPN Radio 920 in Las Vegas with Andrew Siciliano handling play-by-play and Mike Pritchard with color commentary.


THE SERIES – GLADIATORS VS. SABERCATS

This will be the third all-time meeting between the two teams. The Gladiators and SaberCats faced off in week seven of the 2004 AFL season in San Jose. The SaberCats capitalized on two Gladiator turnovers and six rushing touchdowns to come away with a convincing 79-62 victory.

WHAT'S AT STAKE

If the Gladiators win, it would
· Give the Gladiators a 1-2 record vs. the SaberCats
· Give Las Vegas a 7-7 overall record
· Give Las Vegas a 5-2 home record

SCHEDULES


LAS VEGAS GLADIATORS (6-7)
Date Opponent Time Result Score
Feb. 6 @ Colorado 6:00 L 42-43
Feb. 14 Los Angeles 12:00 L 55-62
Feb. 22 @ Grand Rapids 12:00 W 51-14
Feb. 29 New Orleans 12:00 W 50-30
March 7 @ Georgia 9:00 AM L 40-55
March 14 Arizona 3:00 W 65-64 (ot)
March 20 @ San Jose 7:30 L 62-79
March 27 @ Orlando 4:30 L 43-60
April 4 Chicago 3:00 L 55-57
April 10 @ Arizona 7:00 L 63-80
BYE
April 25 Detroit 12:00 W 60-34
May 2 Indiana 12:00 W 60-38
May 8 @ Philadelphia 4:30 W 63-35
May 16 San Jose 3:00
May 22 @ Los Angeles 7:30
May 30 Columbus 3:00
All times PST


SAN JOSE SABERCATS (10-3)
Date Opponent Time Result Score
Feb. 5 @ Detroit 4:30 W 58-43
BYE
Feb. 22 @ Los Angeles 12:00 W 61-55
Feb. 28 Grand Rapids 7:30 W 62-31
March 7 @ New York 9:00 AM L 50-64
March 14 Colorado 5:00 W 55-35
March 20 Las Vegas 7:30 W 70-62
March 26 Los Angeles 7:30 W 55-52
April 4 @ Tampa Bay 9:00 AM W 62-55
April 10 @ Dallas 5:30 L 54-58
April 16 Chicago 7:30 W 51-43
April 25 @ Georgia 9:00 AM W 63-34
May 1 New Orleans 7:30 W 68-34
May 9 @ Arizona 12:00 L 58-41
May 16 @ Las Vegas 3:00
May 22 Philadelphia 7:30
May 30 Arizona 1:00
All times PST

GLADIATORS VS. SABERCATS
BY THE NUMBERS

Statistical GLADIATORS SABERCATS
Category (2004 Per Game) Rank Stat Rank Stat
Scoring Offense 3 54.5 1 58.4
Scoring Defense 11 50.1 8 48.0
Total Offense 1 297.2 4 280.2
Total Defense 3 248.5 18 297.6
Pass Offense 1 279.4 5 258.2
Pass Defense 1 220.0 18 267.9
Rushing Offense 11 17.8 9 22.1
Rushing Defense 16 28.5 2 11.7
Pass Rating 3 121.4 1 134.3
Pass Defense Rating 6 104.8 4 103.7
Turnover Margin 8 +4 5 +7
Sacks By 6t 11 6t 11
Sacks Against 1 3 13 16
3rd Down Conversion % 1 61.0 7 50.0
Opponent 3rd Down Conversion % 8 47.8 15 51.6
Red Zone Offense Scoring Percentage 6 86.8 4 87.5
Red Zone Defense Scoring Percentage 4 79.3 18 87.9

GLADIATORS LAST WEEK

GLADIATORS ROLL TO THIRD STRAIGHT VICTORY

Philadelphia, Penn., May 8, 2004 – Cornelius Bonner intercepted three passes, including one he returned 50 yards for a score, as the Las Vegas Gladiators extended their winning streak to three games with a 63-35 victory over the Philadelphia Soul at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia on Saturday.

The Gladiators kept their playoff hopes alive as their defense forced six turnovers and held their third straight opponent to less than 40 points.

The Gladiators offense was led by Baby Ruth Real Deal Offensive Player of the Game Marcus Nash, who caught 13 passes for 184 yards and four touchdowns. Nash now has 128 receptions on the season, within 10 of Eddie Brown's AFL record of 138.

With the game tied at seven, the Gladiators ran off 21 unanswered points to extend the lead to 28-7 and put the game out of reach.

Gladiators quarterback Clint Dolezel completed 18 of 32 attempts for 215 yards and five touchdowns in a little more than three quarters of action. Back-up quarterback Rod Robinson threw his first career touchdown pass in the fourth quarter.

The Soul was led by Army Ironman of the Game Marlion Jackson, who caught three passes out of the backfield for 26 yards and three scores and rushed for 27 yards and another score. Soul quarterback Todd Hammel was ineffective, completing only 8 of 18 passes for 85 yards and throwing four interceptions before being replaced by Nick Browder in the third quarter. Browder was nearly perfect, completing nine of 10 for 120 yards and three touchdowns.

THE COACHES


Frank Haege (Third Season 23-20 regular season, 0-2 in playoffs)
The Las Vegas Gladiators third-year head coach can look back upon his first two seasons 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 in 2002.

The 2003 season was the first for the Gladiators in Las Vegas and Haege led them to a second consecutive playoff appearance and an 8-8 record.

In 2002 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.

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.

Haege is in his tenth season in the Arena Football League.

Darren Arbet (6th Season, 69-25 regular season, record, 6-3 playoffs)

One of the most successful head coaches in the Arena Football League, two-time Coach of the Year Darren Arbet enters his sixth campaign leading the SaberCats in 2004.
Last season, Arbet guided the SaberCats to a league-high tying 12 victories, their fourth straight double-digit win season - the longest current streak in league history - and captured its fourth consecutive Western Division title and fifth overall. Along the way, Arbet earned his 50th career victory with a 71-49 win at Chicago on March 9, and achieved his 50th regular season victory with a 65-49 defeat of Colorado on April 27. He became the eighth coach in league history to win 50 career games and the second fastest to reach the milestone. San Jose also earned the top playoff seed in 2003 for a second straight season and the third time in four years.
With a regular season winning percentage of .736 (53-19), Arbet ranks second in league history among coaches with at least 20 victories and his 59 career wins place him eighth in AFL annals.
Along with his duties as head coach, Arbet will also continue as the team's director of player personnel, a position he has held the past eight seasons. In that capacity he works with negotiating player contracts and has a decision in all personnel moves. Arbet was responsible for acquiring the nucleus of the 2002 team that won a league record 16 games and captured the first title in team history with the most lopsided game in ArenaBowl history.
An original member of the team's coaching staff, Arbet became the SaberCats second head coach and ninth former Arena Football League player to be named head coach of an AFL franchise on January 13, 1999. Arbet joined the SaberCats for their inaugural season in 1995 as a defensive assistant and special teams coordinator. He was named the team's player personnel director the following season.
Prior to joining the SaberCats, Arbet spent one year with the Albany Firebirds as an assistant to their defensive coordinator, and current Los Angeles assistant, Doug Kay. His duties at Albany included working with the fullbacks and linebackers, breaking down game film and handling the players' living arrangements. His previous year of head coaching experience came in 1993 when he guided the semi-pro River City Gamblers to a league championship.



2004 SEASON

Baby Ruth Real Deal Offensive Player of the Game
Week Opp. Player
1 @ CO Damian Harrell (COL)
2 LA Tony Graziani (LA)
3 @ GR Clint Dolezel (LV)
4 NO Clint Dolezel (LV)
5 @ GEO Leon Murray (GEO)
6 ARI Marcus Nash (LV)
7 @ SJ Marcus Nash (LV)
8 @ ORL Connell Maynor (ORL)
9 CHI Etu Molden (CHI)
10 @ ARI Sherdrick Bonner (AZ)
11 BYE
12 DET Marcus Nash (LV)
13 IND Clint Dolezel (LV)
14 @ PHL Marcus Nash (LV)


ADT Defensive Player of the Game
Week Opp. Player
1 @ CO Ahmed Hawkins (COL)
2 LA Kevin Ingram (LA)
3 @ GR TJ Hill (LV)
4 NO Marvin Taylor (LV)
5 @ GEO Morris Anderson (GEO)
6 ARI Chameion Sutton (LV)
7 @ SJ Omarr Smith (SJ)
8 @ ORL Doug Miller (ORL)
9 CHI John Moyer (CHI)
10 @ AZ Hunkie Cooper (AZ)
11 BYE
12 DET Marvin Taylor (LV)
13 IND Cornelius Bonner (LV)
14 @ PHL Cornelius Bonner (LV)

Army Ironman of the Game
Week Opp. Player
1 @ CO Kevin McKenzie (COL)
2 LA Kevin Ingram (LA)
3 @ GR Dennison Robinson (LV)
4 NO Cornelius Bonner (LV)
5 @GEO Dameon Porter (GEO)
6 ARI Maurice Bryant (LV)
7 @ SJ Rashied Davis (SJ)
8 @ ORL Cory Fleming (ORL)
9 CHI Dennison Robinson (LV)
10 @ AZ Wendall Gaines (AZ)
11 BYE
12 DET Coco Blalock (LV)
13 IND Frank Carter (LV)
14 @ PHL Marlion Jackson (PHL)

AFL TOP 10: League Leaders after Week 13
GLADIATORS
Player Rank Category Stat
Clint Dolezel 2 Completions 303
2 Attempts 462
2 Yards 3549
2 Passing Yards Per Game 273.0
3 Touchdowns 75
3 Completion Pct. 65.6
3 Rating 121.1
10 Yards per Attempt 7.7
2 Total Offense 276.3
6 Had Intercepted 8
Marcus Nash 1 Receptions 128
1 Receiving Yards 1517
1 Receiving TDs 39
1 Scoring 254
1 Receiving Yards Per Game 116.7
Frank Carter 10 Yards per Rush 3.8
6 Rushing TD's 10
Marvin Taylor 4t Interceptions 5
Cornelius Bonner 4t Interceptions 5
Brian Gowins 6 PAT Kicking Percentage 89.4
Coco Blalock 5 Missed FG Return AVG. 29.0
8 Missed FG Return Yards 87


MILESTONE WATCH

PLAYER MILESTONE CURRENT NUMBER TO GO
Marcus Nash 139 Receptions (AFL Record) 128 11
47 Touchdowns (AFL Record) 39 8
Terrill Shaw 100 career receiving TDs 88 12


GLADIATORS' NOTES AND TRENDS


Duel In The Desert

Las Vegas is 1-8 against the Western Conference all-time (1-4 vs. Arizona, 0-2 vs. Los Angeles and 0-2 vs. San Jose). The only victory was earlier this season against the Rattlers when the Gladiators won in overtime 65-64.

Streaking

Since the Gladiators' bye week in week 11, Las Vegas has won three games in a row. Following a four game losing streak, the Red and Black have averaged 61 points per outing and have given up an average of only 36 points (vs. Detroit 60-34, vs. Indiana 60-38, @ Philadelphia 63-35).

Nash-tradomus

Marcus Nash has excelled on the football field throughout the season and last week was no exception. Nash caught 13 passes for 184 yards with four touchdowns to bring his season totals to 128 receptions for 1,517 yards and 39 TD's. The Arena Football League record of 138 receptions was set by Eddie Brown in 1999. Also, Nash is within range of breaking the league record of 46 receiving touchdowns in a season (Mike Horacek 2001, Chris Jackson 2003, Mike Furrey 2003). He has already shattered the Gladiators team records in touchdowns, receptions and is only 69 yards shy of surpassing Mike Horacek's record for receiving yards with 1,585 set in 2003.

Picked Corn

In the first half of the game against the Philadelphia Soul, Cornelius Bonner recorded a Gladiators team record with three interceptions. One of his picks was returned 50 yards to the house for a touchdown, marking the longest interception return for a touchdown in the AFL this season. Bonner has five interceptions in 2004 and is tied with fellow teammate Marvin Taylor for fourth in the league.

Shaw-shank Redemption

Terrell Shaw made his long awaited comeback last week against the Soul and recorded his 300th career reception. Shaw had been out for eight games with an injured gluteus. On the season, Shaw has played in five games and has recorded 25 receptions for 344 yards and five touchdowns, bringing his career numbers to 301 receptions for 4,150 yards and 88 touchdowns.

Take It To The Banks

DeVon Banks faces his former team for the first time this week. Banks began the season with the SaberCats on their practice squad and was signed by the Gladiators on April 21. He has played in two games with Las Vegas since being activated and has recorded six total tackles.

Rod Robinson's Neighborhood

Rod Robinson tallied his first career passing touchdown in the Arena Football League this past week when he connected with Marcus Nash on a 12-yard score. He completed the game with 40 yards passing, completing two of his three passes and rushing for three yards.

Dolezel looks to get in the win column

San Jose quarterback Mark Grieb and Gladiators' QB Clint Dolezel will be facing each other for only the third time in their Arena Football League careers on Sunday with Grieb taking the previous two match-ups. The first time they faced each other was last season while Dolezel was a member of the Grand Rapids Rampage. The SaberCats took the game 56-55 as Grieb threw six touchdowns and ran for the game winning 2-point conversion. The second time they met was earlier this season in San Jose and Las Vegas came up short in a 79-62 loss. In that game, Dolezel threw for a season league-high 451 yards on 31-of-50 passes with nine TD's despite two interceptions. This week's game will mark the first time these two quarterbacks will be facing each other away from San Jose.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 11, 2004


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