Las Vegas Gladiators game notes

Published on March 30, 2005 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Las Vegas Gladiators News Release


GLADIATORS VS. CRUSH: THE FACTS

Date: Sunday, April 3, 2005
Kickoff: 12:00 PM PT
Site: Pepsi Center (Denver, CO)
Officials: Referee: Steve Pamon, Umpire: Jeff Carr, Head Linesman: Brent Durbin, Line Judge: R.G. Detillier , Back Judge: Tony Lombardo

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. CRUSH
Series Tied 1-1
This will be the third meeting between the two teams with each winning in their home arena. The last meeting took place in the opening week of the 2004 season when the Crush came back from 12 points down with less than :15 seconds to play and won 43-42.

WHAT'S AT STAKE

If the Gladiators win, it would
· Give the Gladiators a 2-1 record vs. the Crush
· Give Las Vegas a 6-4 overall record
· Give Las Vegas a 4-1 road record

SCHEDULES


LAS VEGAS GLADIATORS (1-0)
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 L 75-81
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


COLORADO CRUSH (6-2)
Date Opponent Time Result Score
Jan. 30 @ Orlando 10:00 AM L 36-39
Feb. 5 Grand Rapids 1:00 W 72-56
Feb. 13 Chicago 1:00 L 48-51
Feb. 19 @ Arizona 7:30 W 74-69
Feb. 27 Los Angeles 1:00 W 58-40
BYE
March 13 @ Nashville 4:30 W 42-35
March 20 Columbus 1:00 W 52-37
March 25 @ Dallas 6:30 W 66-58
April 3 Las Vegas 1:00
April 10 Philadelphia 11:00 AM
April 17 @ Chicago 11:00 AM
April 22 San Jose 7:00
April 30 @ Grand Rapids 6:00
May 8 @ New Orleans 11:00 AM
May 13 Nashville 7:00
May 21 @ New York 5:00
All times MST

GLADIATORS VS. CRUSH
BY THE NUMBERS

Statistical GLADIATORS CRUSH
Category Rank Stat Rank Stat
Scoring Offense 14 46.2 2 56.0
Total Offense 3 305.2 12 267.5
Scoring Defense 5 47.8 6 48.0
Total Defense 4 254.4 16 312.8
Rushing Offense 7 21.2 16 9.5
Rushing Defense 9 17.7 14 28.4
Passing Offense 4 284.4 10 258.8
Passing Defense 4 236.6 15 284.4
Pass Rating 14 102.0 3 116.2
Pass Defense Rating 8 106.5 6 102.0
Interceptions 14 7 4 11
Sacks By 2 13 1 14
Sacks Against 1 1 2 2
Turnover Margin 15 -9 2 +10
3rd Down Conversion % 9 45.3 1 54.3
Opponent 3rd Down Conversion % 14 48.4 5 42.3
Red Zone Offense Scoring Percentage 16 69.6 5 86.1
Red Zone Defense Scoring Percentage 7 79.0 15 86.0

GLADIATORS LAST WEEK

GLADIATORS COMEBACK EFFORT FALLS SHORT TO SAN JOSE 81-75

Las Vegas, NV, March 28, 2005 – Despite coming back from a third quarter 28-point deficit to tie the game, the Las Vegas Gladiators (5-4) could not hold on and fell 81-75 to the San Jose SaberCats (5-3) in front of 9,227 at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Las Vegas Gladiators' quarterback Clint Dolezel passed for 11 touchdowns, tying an AFL record. Dolezel found Offensive Player of the Game Marcus Nash on a 15-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter to eclipse 30,000 career passing yards and found Nash later in the game for his 600th career touchdown pass. Dolezel finished the game 30-of-55 for 395 yards passing with three interceptions.

In the first half, the SaberCats capitalized on two late interceptions by Tremain Mack to take a 41-20 lead into halftime.

Nash broke the Gladiators franchise record for receiving yards in a game, with 215. He set the previous record last season when he caught 16 passes for 192 yards against Arizona on March 14. Nash also scored six touchdowns on 14 receptions.

U.S. Army Ironman of the Game Rashied Davis caught three touchdown passes and ran for three more in the SaberCats' winning effort. He caught 10 passes for 163 yards and ran back a kick-off for 53 yards for a score.

Grieb finished the game 17-for-24 for 245 yards with four passing touchdowns as well as one rushing score.

THE COACHES


Ron James (First Season, 5-4)

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)

Mike Dailey (Seventh Season 75-49, 6-5 playoffs)

Mike Dailey enters his second season in Colorado and ninth as head coach in the AFL, after becoming the Crush's second head coach on June 26, 2003. Dailey joined the Crush following 13 seasons in the Albany/Indiana Firebirds organization, including the final seven as head coach.

In his first season in Colorado, Dailey helped guide the Crush to the largest turnaround in AFL history, inheriting a 2-14 team and leading them to an 11-5 record in 2004, tied for the best in the league. He also led the Crush to their first playoff appearance and first win, advancing to the AFL Semifinals before falling nine yards short of up-ending top-seeded Arizona and earning a trip to ArenaBowl XVIII.

One of the most successful and well-respected coaches in AFL history, Dailey's teams have compiled an overall record of 75-52 record, a winning percentage of .591, and he ranks sixth on the AFL's all-time list for coaching wins (regular season and playoffs). Dailey's teams have made six postseason appearances and he has won three division titles.

The Crush traded three players (Anthony Derricks, Delvin Hughley and Chris Janek) to Indiana for the rights to Dailey, whose Firebirds teams compiled a 63-46 record, a winning percentage of 57.8 in his seven seasons. In 1999 Dailey led the Firebirds to their only ArenaBowl championship and a regular season-playoff record of 14-3, best in franchise history. He was named AFL Coach of the Year following that standout campaign.

Before being named head coach of the Firebirds in 1997, Dailey served as an assistant in Albany for five seasons under current Chicago head coach Mike Hohensee. He spent three seasons as the team's offensive coordinator, during which time the Firebirds led the league in scoring, with an average of 60.4 points per game. Dailey also coached the other side of the ball, serving as Firebirds defensive coordinator in 1992 and 1993. During the 1993 season the Firebirds forced 13 fumbles while recovering 14, and also totaled 16 interceptions and 358 tackles.

Dailey began his AFL coaching career with the Washington Commandos where he served as offensive/defensive line coach in 1990. He joined the Firebirds organization in the same capacity in 1991.

Prior to the AFL, Dailey served as an assistant coach at Towson State University and was the offensive coordinator at Montgomery College-Rockville (Md.).

Dailey got his start in coaching in 1981 as a 22-year-old assistant at Georgetown Prep High School in Rockville, Md. The move to coaching followed a semi-pro football career in the Baltimore area.
Dailey has been married to his wife, Jodie, for 20 years.

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 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 Marcus Nash (LV)
10 COL


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 Tremain Mack (SJ)
10 COL

U.S. 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 Rashied Davis (SJ)
10 COL

AFL TOP 10: League Leaders after Week 9
GLADIATORS
Player Rank Category Stat
Clint Dolezel 1t Had Intercepted 9
Frank Carter 1 Sacks 9.0
1 Tackles for Loss 9.0
Rodney Filer 8 Rushing Yards 92
Mark Lewis 7 Field Goal % 55.6
8 PAT Attempts 54
9 PAT Made 43
Marcus Nash 1 Receiving Yards 1103
3 Receptions 76
9 Yards Per Catch 14.5
1 Receiving Yards Per Game 122.6
10 All Purpose Yards 1112
2 Receiving TDs 23
2 Scoring 144
Marvin Taylor 7t Interceptions 3
Joe Douglass 6 Missed FG Return Yards 54
9 Missed FG Return Avg. 18.0
7t Kick Return Avg. 21.1
Coco Blalock 6 Kick Returns 27
Wilky Bazile 4t Tackles for Loss 5.0

MILESTONE WATCH

PLAYER MILESTONE CURRENT NUMBER TO GO
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 93 7
Junior Lord 2000 Career Receiving Yards 1,654 346



GLADIATORS' NOTES AND TRENDS


FORMER VOLENTEERS
Marcus Nash and Colorado Crush WR/LB Andy McCullough were teammates in college at Tennessee from 1994-1997.

ROAD WARRIORS
The Gladiators are 3-1 on the road this year and have won their last three away from the Thomas & Mack Center (Nashville, Columbus and Arizona).

MARCH MADNESS
During the month of March, Nash caught 41 passes for 601 yards with 17 touchdowns in four games. He averaged 10 catches for more than 150 yards and four touchdowns per game.

TWO-HUNDO
Nash shattered the Gladiators franchise record last week when he compiled 229 receiving yards. The previous record was set last season by Nash against Arizona on March 14, when he went for 192 yards.

DEADLY DOLEZEL
Clint Dolezel tied a League record last week with 11 touchdown passes (Aaron Garcia, New York vs. Carolina, July 7, 2001). His previous best was 10 touchdowns in 1997 as a member of the now defunct Texas Terror and again in 1999 with the defunct Houston Thunderbears.

WELL AIN'T THAT SPECIAL "TEAMS"
The Red and Black recovered two on-side kicks last week against the SaberCats. In their previous nine games the Gladiators were only able to recover one.

OFFENSIVE SUPERIORITY
Two of the League's best offensive specialists, the Gladiators' Marcus Nash and Colorado's Damian Harrell, will battle this week. Last season, they both finished one and two in most receiving categories. Nash finished the year with 154 catches for 1,771 receiving yards and 46 touchdowns and was named AFL Offensive Player of the Year while Harrell had 114 receptions for 1,715 yards with 43 touchdowns. This season, Harrell leads the Crush with 56 receptions for 733 yards with 21 touchdowns and Nash leads the Gladiators with 77 catches for 1,117 yards with 23 touchdowns.

MOVING ON UP
Las Vegas' offense has exploded since Dolezel came back to action, averaging 68 points per game (Columbus – 63, Arizona – 66 and San Jose – 75). They are currently ranked number two (305.2) in the League in total offense behind San Jose (316.3).

PAYBACK
This week's meeting against the Crush will be the first time the Gladiators have traveled to Colorado since the first week of last season on February 6. Colorado's Damien Harrell caught two touchdown passes in the final :20 seconds of the game to lead the Crush to a 43-42 win.

MILE-HIGH MEMORIES
In 1998, Marcus Nash was the 30th overall pick of the Denver Broncos and earned a Super Bowl ring his rookie year. He finished the season with four receptions for 76 yards in seven games of action.

JOIN THE CLUB
Clint Dolezel surpassed 30,000 passing yards in his career after throwing for 395 yards last week with 11 touchdowns. He also reached 600 touchdowns for his career, both plateaus that only three other quarterbacks have reached (Andy Kelly, Aaron Garcia and Sherdrick Bonner).

NO AVERAGE JOE
Joe Douglass played for the Crush during the 2003 season and led the team with 2,515 all purpose yards (more than 1,000 yards ahead of his nearest teammate). He started 15 games for the Crush, catching 79 passes for 1,031 yards with 15 touchdowns. With the Gladiators this season he has 712 all purpose yards with 39 receptions for 387 yards with 10 touchdowns.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 30, 2005


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