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Las Vegas Gladiators game notes

February 15, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Las Vegas Gladiators News Release


GLADIATORS VS. FORCE: THE FACTS

Date: Sunday, February 20, 2005
Kickoff: 3:00 PM PT
Site: Thomas & Mack Center (Las Vegas, NV)
Officials: Referee: Tom McCabe, Umpire: Matt Jordan, Head Linesman: Neil Brunner, Line Judge: Bob McElwee, Back Judge: Keith Washington

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

THE SERIES – GLADIATORS VS. FORCE
EVEN 1-1
This will be the third meeting between the teams. The last meeting came in Week 5 of 2004, when the Force beat the Gladiators in Georgia 55-40.

WHAT'S AT STAKE

If the Gladiators win, it would
· Give the Las Vegas a 2-1 record vs. the Force
· Give Las Vegas a 3-1 overall record
· Give Las Vegas a 3-0 home record

SCHEDULES


LAS VEGAS GLADIATORS (2-1)
Date Opponent Time Result Score
Jan. 30 Los Angeles 12:00 W 46-37
Feb. 5 @ SanJose 6:00 L 31-66
Feb. 11 New York 7:00 W 41-37
Feb. 20 Georgia 3:00
Feb. 26 @ Nashville 5:30
March 4 Austin 7:00
March 12 @ Columbus 4:00
March 19 @ Arizona 6:00
March 28 San Jose 7:00
April 3 @ Colorado 12:00
April 8 Grand Rapids 7:00
April 17 @ Philadelphia 10:00 AM
BYE
May 1 @ Chicago 10:00 AM
May 7 Dallas 7:00
May 14 @ Los Angeles 7:30
May 22 Arizona 12:00
All times PST


GEORGIA FORCE (2-1)
Date Opponent Time Result Score
Jan. 29 New Orleans 7:00 W 46-44
Feb. 4 @ Los Angeles 10:30 L 41-46
Feb. 12 Arizona 7:00 W 61-47
Feb. 20 @ Las Vegas 6:00
Feb. 25 @ Austin 8:30
March 6 Columbus 12:00
March 12 @ New York 7:00
March 19 Orlando 1:00
March 26 @ New Orleans 8:00
April 2 @ Tampa 7:30
April 8 Austin 7:30
April 15 Grand Rapids 7:30
April 22 @ Orlando 7:30
BYE
May 8 Tampa Bay 1:00
May 14 Dallas 7:00
May 21 @ San Jose 10:30
All times EST

GLADIATORS VS. FORCE
BY THE NUMBERS

Statistical GLADIATORS FORCE
Category Rank Stat Rank Stat
Scoring Offense 16 39.3 8 49.3
Scoring Defense 8 46.7 5 45.7
Total Offense 7 295.3 9 282.7
Total Defense 1 226.0 13 304.0
Pass Offense 8 265.0 9 263.7
Pass Defense 3 214.0 13 290.0
Rushing Offense 5 30.3 9 19.0
Rushing Defense 4 12.0 7 14.0
Pass Rating 15 84.7 2 124.9
Pass Defense Rating 9 104.1 8 103.3
Turnover Margin 16 -5 9 +1
Sacks By 1 8 8 2
Sacks Against 1t 1 2t 3
3rd Down Conversion % 17 25.0 5 61.1
Opponent 3rd Down Conversion % 14 61.1 4 40.9
Red Zone Offense Scoring Percentage 12t 75.0 15 68.8
Red Zone Defense Scoring Percentage 8t 80.0 8t 80.0

GLADIATORS LAST WEEK

GLADIATORS COME FROM BEHIND TO SLAY DRAGONS 41-37

In his first start in the AFL, quarterback Rod Robinson led the Las Vegas Gladiators to their second victory of the season 41-37 over the New York Dragons on Friday night at the Thomas & Mack in Las Vegas. Robinson rushed for three touchdowns and threw for three more as the Gladiators climbed over the .500 mark for the first time since the 2003 season.

Las Vegas was led by their defensive front line that sacked Dragons' quarterback Aaron Garcia four times and knocked him down countless others. Garcia finished the game 20-of-32 for 198 yards with two touchdowns. Army Ironman of the Game Frank Carter led the Gladiators defensive charge, sacking Garcia on three consecutive plays in the first half.

Robinson finished the day throwing for 262 yards on 26-of-37 passing. He struggled at times throwing three interceptions but was poised enough to lead the Gladiators on their final game winning drive. Trailing 37-35 with under a minute to play, Robinson marched the Gladiators down the field, and finished off the drive with a rushing touchdown with four ticks left on the clock.

Despite a sore knee, Offensive Player of the Game Marcus Nash recorded 11 receptions for 126 yards and one touchdown.

THE COACHES


Ron James (First Season, 2-1)

Ron James enters his first season as the head coach of the Gladiators. He spent the previous three seasons as assistant head coach/offensive defensive line/special teams coach.

James previously served as line coach for the Houston ThunderBears and Director of Player Personnel from 1999-2001. He is entering his seventh season in the Arena Football League.

Prior to his time in the AFL, James served as the Assistant Football coach, offensive line coach and Admissions Support Officer at Army in 1998 and 1999. Army captured two Collegiate Sprint Football League (CSFL) rushing titles during his stint, averaging more than 257 yards per game.

James spent five seasons at Kentucky Wesleyan College, where he served as associate head coach for the final four years. James began his stay at Kentucky Wesleyan in 1993 as offensive coordinator in addition he managed the offensive line. In 1994, James was promoted to associate head coach at Kentucky Wesleyan and added defensive coordinator/secondary coach to his repertoire.

James coached a combined fourteen years at the collegiate level. In 1992-93, he served as defensive coordinator/secondary coach at Hartwick College. From 1989-1991, James was defensive coordinator/linebacker coach at St. Lawrence University. He began his coaching career in 1986 as a linebacker coach at Siena College (New York) and served as head coach of the junior varsity team.

James was a four-year starter at offensive tackle at Siena College. An N.C.F.A All-America First Team and two-time First-Team All-Conference selection, James also saw action at defensive tackle. He earned a BA from Siena and a MBA from Rockefeller College, which is a subsidiary of the State University of New York at Albany.

Doug Plank (First Season 2-1)

On July 30, 2004, Doug Plank was announced as the new head coach of the Georgia Force becoming the fourth head coach in the team's history. Plank comes to the Force having served as the defensive coordinator for the Arizona Rattlers from 2002-2004, which included three consecutive ArenaBowl championship game births.

Following a 3-5 start in 2004, the Rattlers turned their season around to finish with a league-tying best 11-5 record and secure the top seed in the AFL playoffs. In 2002, Plank helped guide the Rattlers defense to a number one regular season ranking in rushing defense and scoring defense. In his three years with the Rattlers, he coached four First Team All-Arena selections, two Second Team All-Arena players and four All-Ironman Team choices, including 2003 AFL Ironman of the Year Randy Gatewood.

A former member of The Ohio State University football team, Plank played in three consecutive Rose Bowls, 1973, 1974, and 1975. While at Ohio State, he played for legendary coach Woody Hayes.

Plank brings with him a wealth of football experience that includes an impressive career in the NFL. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the 12 th round of the 1975 NFL Entry Draft and started at safety for eight seasons. The "46 Defense" created by Buddy Ryan was named for Plank's jersey number and aggressive style of play. Plank was also the first Bears rookie to ever lead the team in tackles.

Following his playing career, Plank became a franchisee for the Burger King Corporation owning and operating 17 restaurants in three different states.

Plank's professional history also includes experience as a member of the Rattlers broadcast team. Prior to becoming defensive coordinator, he spent five years as the Rattlers' radio analyst and two seasons as their television color analyst.

His broadcasting experience also includes stints with the Arizona Cardinals, Arizona State University Football, Fox Sports Net, Westwood One and Sports USA Radio Network.

Plank and his wife Nancy have two children, Andrea and Michael.

2004 SEASON

Offensive Player of the Game
Week Opp. Player
1 LA Marcus Nash (LV)
2 SJ Calvin Schexnayder (SJ)
3 NY Marcus Nash (LV)
4 Geo


ADT Defensive Player of the Game
Week Opp. Player
1 LA Antuan Simmons (LA)
2 SJ Omarr Smith (SJ)
3 NY Billy Parker (NY)
4 Geo

Army Ironman of the Game
Week Opp. Player
1 LA Dameon Porter (LV)
2 SJ Matt Kinsinger (SJ)
3 NY Frank Carter (LV)
4 Geo


AFL TOP 10: League Leaders after Week 3
GLADIATORS
Player Rank Category Stat
Clint Dolezel 1 Had Intercepted 4
Rod Robinson 2 Passing Completion % 70.7
2t Rushing TDs 3
Frank Carter 2t Rushing Touchdowns 3
8 Rushing Attempts 11
5 Rushing 45
7 Yards Per Rush 4.1
1t Fumble Recoveries 1
1t Rushing TD's 3
1 Sacks 5.0
Coco Blalock 9 Kick Returns 10
9 Kick Return Yards 174
Mark Lewis 7 Scoring (kickers) 22
3t Field Goals Made 3
9 Field Goal Attempts 4
9 PAT Percentage 86.7
2 FG % 75.0
Marcus Nash 2 Receiving Yards 370
7 Receptions 22
2 Receiving Yards Per Game 123.3
6 Yards per Catch 16.8
9 Yards from Scrimmage 115
7 All Purpose Yards 373
Marvin Taylor 7t INT Return Yards 16
Dameon Porter 2t Interceptions 2
7t INT Return Yards 16
Wilky Bazile 4t Sacks 1.0
Steve Konopka 4t Sacks 1.0
Rodney Filer 4t Sacks 1.0

MILESTONE WATCH

PLAYER MILESTONE CURRENT NUMBER TO GO
Clint Dolezel 600 Touchdown Passes 582 18
Clint Dolezel 30,000 Passing Yards 29,359 641

GLADIATORS' NOTES AND TRENDS


SHOW ME HOW YOU DO IT
In his first start in the AFL, backup QB Rod Robinson held his composure in a tight battle last week against the New York Dragons to get the Gladiators a victory, 41-37. He finished the day completing 26-of-37 passes for 262 yards with three touchdowns. He also rushed for three touchdowns including the game winner from three-yards out in the final seconds of the game. Prior to last week, he was 3-of-4 for 31 yards passing. Last season, Robinson played in seven games, going 7-of-10 for 88 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. He also rushed the ball 11 times for 37 yards and one touchdown.

ANOTHER ONE.....HUNDRED
OS Marcus Nash surpassed the 100-yard receiving plateau for the third consecutive game of the season. Nash caught 11 passes for 126 yards with one touchdown against the New York Dragons last week (vs. Los Angeles 7-116; @ San Jose SaberCats 4-128). Last season, he led the League with eight games with 100 yards or more.

THREE IS NOT A LUCKY NUMBER
The Gladiators have yet to score in the third quarter in three games thus far this season.

COACH CARTER
FB/LB Frank Carter was named the League's ADT Defensive Player of the Week last week after setting a new Gladiator record by sacking New York Dragons quarterback Aaron Garcia three times in the Gladiators win. The three sacks came on consecutive plays in the first half and it marked the first time he has earned an AFL weekly honor. On the season, he has 4.5 sacks to lead the League and 6.5 total tackles in three games. On offense, he has carried the ball 11 times for 45 yards with three touchdowns.

LET'S DO IT AGAIN
WR/DB Dameon Porter will be facing his former team, the Georgia Force for the second time since playing for them in 2004. He played for the Force organization last season in 10 games and caught 31 passes for 342 yards with seven touchdowns. On defense, he tallied 23 total tackles with one interception and two pass breakups. He was later waived and picked up by the Austin Wranglers. With the Wranglers, he faced the Force one time and caught eight passes for 100 yards with one touchdown. He also returned three kicks for 57 yards in that game despite his team losing the game 34-51.

COME ON BACK
Georgia Force FB/LB Jermaine Younger returns to Las Vegas for the first time since playing for the Gladiators in 2003. While with Las Vegas, he played in five games and rushed for 11 yards, caught three passes for 23 yards and totaled 12 tackles on defense. He faced the Gladiators last season in Georgia and rushed the ball two times for three yards with one touchdown and tallied two tackles.

SOMETHING TO GAIN
Georgia Force DS Kevin Gaines will have something to prove against his former team this Sunday. Gaines played for the Gladiators from 2000-2001. As a member of the New Jersey Red Dogs and New Jersey Gladiators, Gaines finished second on the team in 2000 with 53 total tackles. He also added 24 pass deflections and six interceptions to go along with two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble. He played in four games in 2001 and tallied 22.5 tackles with four breakups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Since moving on, Gaines has led his teams to a 2-1 record against the Gladiators.

DENIAL
Las Vegas is ranked #1 in the League in total defense after three games. They are allowing just 226 yards of offense (passing 214.0, rushing 12.0).

HOME COOKIN'
The Red and Black are 2-0 in the Thomas & Mack Center this season and the Force are winless on the road at 0-1.

REUNITED
Head coach Ron James will reunite with Georgia offensive coordinator Steve Thonn. They both worked together from 1999-2001 as coaches of the now defunct Houston Thunderbears. James was the line coach and Director of Player Personal while Thonn was the head coach and offensive coordinator.

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