Las Vegas Gladiators game notes
March 23, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Las Vegas Gladiators News Release
GLADIATORS VS. SABERCATS: THE FACTS
Date: Monday, March 28, 2005
Kickoff: 7:00 PM PT
Site: Thomas & Mack Center (Las Vegas, NV)
Officials: Referee: Pat Garvey, Umpire: Paul King, Head Linesman: Bill Ward, Line Judge: Wayne Mackie,
Back Judge: Dino Paganelli
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 GAME CAN BE SEEN
On AFLNET via the internet. Log onto arenafootball.com for more details.
THE SERIES GLADIATORS VS. SABERCATS
SaberCats lead 3-1
This will be the fifth meeting between the teams and the second in 2005. The SaberCats and the Gladiators met in Week 2 in San Jose and the SaberCats came away with a 66-31 victory.
WHATS AT STAKE
If the Gladiators win, it would
· Give the Gladiators a 2-3 record vs. the SaberCats
· Give Las Vegas a 6-3 overall record
· Give Las Vegas a 3-2 home record
SCHEDULES
LAS VEGAS GLADIATORS (5-3)
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 L 13-38
Feb. 26 @ Nashville 5:30 W 40-32
March 4 Austin 7:00 L 41-42
March 12 @ Columbus 4:00 W 63-34
March 19 @ Arizona 6:00 W 66-63
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
SAN JOSE SABERCATS (4-3)
Date Opponent Time Result Score
Jan. 30 @Tampa Bay 3:00 L 33-63
Feb. 5 Las Vegas 6:00 W 66-63
Feb. 13 @ New Orleans 12:00 L 61-62
Feb. 20 @ Los Angeles 3:00 L 69-71
BYE
March 6 @ Orlando 9:00 AM W 57-38
March 11 Philadelphia 7:30 W 52-26
March 18 Grand Rapids 7:30 W 72-48
March 28 @ Las Vegas 7:00
April 3 Arizona 6:00
April 10 @ Chicago 10:00 AM
April 15 Dallas 7:30
April 22 @ Colorado 6:00
April 29 Nashville 7:30
May 7 Los Angeles 7:30
May 14 @ Arizona 7:00
May 21 Georgia 7:30
All times PST
GLADIATORS VS. SABERCATS
BY THE NUMBERS
Statistical GLADIATORS SABERCATS
Category Rank Stat Rank Stat
Scoring Offense 15 42.3 1 58.6
Total Offense 6 292.8 1 323.0
Scoring Defense 1 42.3 9 48.4
Total Defense 2 251.1 9 274.1
Rushing Offense 6 22.5 13 14.0
Rushing Defense 5 16.1 4 15.9
Passing Offense 7 270.2 1 309.0
Passing Defense 3 235.5 9 258.3
Pass Rating 14 101.8 4 114.9
Pass Defense Rating 8 104.7 10 109.1
Interceptions 15 6 10 7
Sacks By 2 13 14 4
Sacks Against 1 1 10 7
Turnover Margin 16 -8 6 +3
3rd Down Conversion % 10 42.6 15 37.1
Opponent 3rd Down Conversion % 10 45.6 2 35.0
Red Zone Offense Scoring Percentage 17 68.3 4 87.2
Red Zone Defense Scoring Percentage 6t 76.9 3 72.4
GLADIATORS LAST WEEK
GLADIATORS PULL OUT VICTORY IN ARIZONA 66-63
Phoenix, AZ, March 19, 2005 Las Vegas Gladiators quarterback Clint Dolezel found Offensive Player of the Game Marcus Nash on a 16-yard touchdown pass as the Las Vegas Gladiators overtook the Arizona Rattlers 66-63 at America West Arena in Phoenix, AZ.
Nash caught nine passes for 160 yards with five touchdowns and Dolezel finished 31-of-40 for 280 yards with nine touchdowns and two interceptions.
Each team scored touchdowns on every possession of the second half with the Gladiators finishing off the scoring with Nashs reception in the endzone with two seconds remaining in the game.
In an ugly first half by both teams, Las Vegas went into the locker room up 27-26. Rattlers defensive specialist Joseph Terrance picked off Dolezel twice in the first half. Arizona fumbled the ball once, turned the ball over on downs and missed a field goal. Also, with just over six minutes remaining in the first quarter, starting quarterback Sherdrick Bonner was forced to exit the game due to a sprained knee and Joe Germaine finished out the game.
Germaine finished the day 17-of-24 for 238 yards with six touchdowns.
On the first drive of the game for the Gladiators, U.S. Army Ironman of the Game Coco Blalock returned a kick off the net 55-yards for his first kick return of the season. He also caught seven passes for 42 yards with one touchdown. On defense he made four total tackles with one tackle for a loss.
THE COACHES
Ron James (First Season, 5-3)
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 MPA from Rockefeller College, which is a subsidiary of the State University of New York at Albany. Earle Bruce (Fourth Season, 19-24, 0-1 in playoffs)
Darren Arbet (Seventh Season 68-27, 9-3 playoffs)
Coming off an ArenaBowl championship season and another year of double-digit victories, two-time Coach of the Year Darren Arbet enters season seven as head coach of the SaberCats in 2005. The success San Jose has enjoyed during his tenure has vaulted the franchise to elite status in the AFL.
Last year the SaberCats claimed their second ArenaBowl title in the last three years and posted a league-high regular season win total for the third straight year. San Jose's 11 victories in 2004 also marked the fifth consecutive season the team has won 10 or more regular season games matching an AFL record.
Arbet enters the 2005 campaign tied with John Gregory for 7th place in career coaching victories with 73 and his .730 (73-27) overall winning percentage is tops among coaches who have been involved in at least 25 games. Arbet also has the highest playoff winning percentage of any AFL coach (.750) and ranks fourth in playoff wins with nine. Last year's ArenaBowl victory at Arizona was the 100th game of Arbet's AFL career.
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 nine seasons. In that capacity he works with negotiating player contracts and has a decision in all personnel moves.
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 former Carolina head coach, 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.
Arbet began his coaching career in 1990 when he was named an assistant at his alma mater, California State University, Sacramento. During his three-year tenure with the Hornets, Arbet coached the tight ends and special teams, and served as the athletic department's academic advisor. Arbet and Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Greg Knapp were both members of the Hornets' coaching staff in the early 1990's.
A four-year letterwinner at Sacramento State, Arbet played defensive end for the Hornets between 1981 and 1985, and graduated with a Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice in 1985. He also was a member of the schools track team where he competed in the decathlon, discus and shot put.
Arbet attended Edison High School in his hometown of Stockton where he competed in both football and track. He is the father of two sons, Lamarr and Dominick, and resides in San Jose. His nephew, Kevin Arbet, and Sam Baker, son of AFL Commissioner David Baker, were teammates on the 2004 USC football team.
2005 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 Jim Kubiak (Geo)
5 NAS Craig Whelihan (LV)
6 AUS Darrin Chiaverini (Aus)
7 CLB Marcus Nash (LV)
8 AZ Marcus Nash (LV)
9 SJ
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 Kevin Gaines (Geo)
5 NAS Frank Carter (LV)
6 AUS Cedric Walker (Aus)
7 CLB Jeremy Unertl (LV)
8 AZ Jeremy Unertl (LV)
9 SJ
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 Derek Lee (Geo)
5 NAS Coco Blalock (LV)
6 AUS Dane Krager (Aus)
7 CLB Frank Carter (LV)
8 AZ Coco Blalock (LV)
9 SJ
AFL TOP 10: League Leaders after Week 8
GLADIATORS
Player Rank Category Stat
Clint Dolezel 6t Had Intercepted 6
3 Completion % 68.2
Frank Carter 7t Rushing Touchdowns 5
10 Rushing Attempts 22
1 Sacks 9.0
1 Tackles for Loss 9.0
Rodney Filer 7 Yards Per Rush 4.5
7 Rushing Yards 85
Mark Lewis 10t Field Goals Made 5
Marcus Nash 2 Receiving Yards 888
4 Receptions 62
9 Yards Per Catch 14.3
2 Receiving Yards Per Game 111.0
10 All Purpose Yards 893
5t Receiving TDs 17
8 Scoring 108
Cornelius Bonner 10 Tackles 37.5
Marvin Taylor 5t Interceptions 3
Joe Douglass 6 Missed FG Return Yards 54
9 Missed FG Return Avg. 18.0
7t Kick Return Avg. 21.1
Wilky Bazile 3 Tackles for Loss 5.0
MILESTONE WATCH
PLAYER MILESTONE CURRENT NUMBER TO GO
Clint Dolezel 600 Touchdown Passes 596 4
Clint Dolezel 30,000 Passing Yards 29,912 88
Frank Carter Single Season Sack Record (13.0) 9.0 4.5
Frank Carter 20 Career Sacks 16 4
Frank Carter 100 Career Tackles 93.0 7.0
Marcus Nash 100 Career Receiving Touchdowns 87 13
Junior Lord 2000 Career Receiving Yards 1,654 346
GLADIATORS NOTES AND TRENDS
TOP OF THE CHART
Las Vegas top scoring defense (43.6 points per game) will face the AFLs leading scoring offense (56.8 points per game) when they face the SaberCats this week. The Red and Black have allowed more than 42 points in a game just twice and have held opponents to under 40 points five times in eight games. The SaberCats have scored 50-or-more points in each of their last six games and have scored 60 or more points four times. The Gladiators are allowing an averaged of just 38.5 points per game at the Thomas & Mack Center while the SaberCats are scoring 55.0 points per game on the road.
COWBOY, BABY
Clint Dolezel is just 88 yards shy of 30,000 passing yards for his career after throwing for 280 yards last week with nine touchdowns. He is also just four touchdowns shy of 600 for his career, a plateau that only three other quarterbacks have reached (Andy Kelly, Aaron Garcia and Sherdrick Bonner).
THE OLD OUTLAW
San Jose SaberCats QB Mark Grieb is a former member of the Las Vegas Outlaws of the now defunct XFL. Grieb played four games for the Outlaws in 2001, making two starts. He completed 37-of-78 passes for 408 yards and three TDs.
MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
For the second time since being in Las Vegas, the Gladiators will play on Monday night. The first time was during 2003 when the Red and Black faced the Tampa Bay Storm on Monday, February 17. It was the first ever game for the Gladiators in Las Vegas and they won in overtime, 61-55.
HOME SWEET HOME
Dolezel has faced the SaberCats five times in his career and is 2-3. He has won both games at home and has lost three games in the HP Pavilion at San Jose. In his home games against San Jose he has completed 57-of-95 for 608 yards passing with 11 touchdowns and five interceptions.
PUT UP OR SHUT UP
The Gladiators are 2-0 when they put up more than 60 points this season. When they give up more than 60 points they are 1-1. Their loss was to the hands of the SaberCats in week two, 66-31.
BACK-TO-BACK
Las Vegas (5-3) has put together its first back-to-back victories this season with wins on the road against the Columbus Destroyers (63-34) and against the Arizona Rattlers (66-63).
MONSTER NASH
Marcus Nash has put up monster numbers when he has faced San Jose. Last season he caught 12 passes for 189 yards with five touchdowns on March 20, and 11 receptions for 117 yards with three touchdowns on May 16. Earlier this season, Nash was limited to playing in less than one half do to a knee injury, yet he still caught four passes for 128 yards with two touchdowns.
BACK AT THE MACK
Dolezel will play just his second game at the Thomas & Mack Center this season when he faces San Jose. The last time he played in the Mack was in week one against the Los Angeles Avengers when he lead the Gladiators to a 47-36 victory. This season, he is 3-1 as a starter and his only loss was in week two against the SaberCats.
RETURN TO SENDER
Coco Blalock returned the first kickoff 55-yards for a touchdown last week against the Rattlers. It was his first touchdown return of the season.
• Discuss this story on the Arena Football League (1987-2008) message board...
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 23, 2005
- Week nine injury report - AFL I
- No. 1 vs. No. 2 Battle on the Bayou for Southern Lead - AFL I
- Las Vegas Gladiators game notes - Las Vegas Gladiators
- Kats Continue To Shuffle Roster - Nashville Kats
- Colorado Crush game notes - Colorado Crush
- Columbus Destroyers game notes - Columbus Destroyers
- Tampa Bay Storm game notes - Tampa Bay Storm
- WR/LB Darrin Chiaverini Earns US Army Ironman of the Week - Austin Wranglers
- Force grab top spot in AFLWA poll - Georgia Force
- Settlement reached in Tampa Bay salary cap case - AFL I
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.
