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Las Vegas Gladiators game notes

April 25, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Las Vegas Gladiators News Release


GLADIATORS VS. RUSH: THE FACTS

Date: Sunday, May 1, 2005
Kickoff: 10:00 AM PT
Site: Allstate Arena (Chicago, IL)
Officials: Referee: David Lambros, Umpire: Paul King, Head Linesman: Rod Pearson, Line Judge: Brian Matthew, Back Judge: David Cutaia

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 NBC (KVBC-TV 3 in Las Vegas) with Bob Papa and Ray Bentley on the call.

THE SERIES – GLADIATORS VS. RUSH
Rush Lead Series 3-0
This will be the fourth all-time meeting between the two teams with Chicago holding a 3-0 lead in the series. In their last meeting, Raymond Philyaw hit Etu Molden with a hail mary pass off the net with no time remaining to lift the Rush to a 57-55 win in Las Vegas.

WHAT'S AT STAKE

If the Gladiators win, it would
• Give the Gladiators a 1-3 record vs. the Rush
• Give Las Vegas a 8-5 overall record
• Give Las Vegas a 5-2 road record

SCHEDULES


LAS VEGAS GLADIATORS (7-5)
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 63-43
March 19 @ Arizona 6:00 W 66-63
March 28 San Jose 7:00 L 81-75
April 3 @ Colorado 12:00 L 40-61
April 8 Grand Rapids 7:00 W 56-28
April 17 @ Philadelphia 10:00 AM W 56-49
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


CHICAGO RUSH (7-5)
Date Opponent Time Result Score
Jan. 30 @ Dallas 2:00 L 65-66
Feb. 6 Philadelphia 12:00 W 51-41
Feb. 13 @ Colorado 2:00 W 51-48
Feb. 19 @ Columbus 6:00 L 39-52
Feb. 25 Orlando 7:30 L 35-48
March 6 Nashville 2:00 W 45-38
March 13 @ Grand Rapids 11:00 AM W 48-45
March 20 New Orleans 11:00 AM L 40-46
BYE
April 2 @ New York 6:00 W 44-43
April 10 San Jose 12:00 W 55-39
April 17 Colorado 12:00 W 75-51
April 23 @ Los Angeles 9:30 L 49-52
May 1 Las Vegas 12:00
May 7 @ Arizona 9:00
May 15 Grand Rapids 12:00
May 22 @ Nashville 2:00
All times CST

GLADIATORS VS. RUSH
BY THE NUMBERS

Statistical GLADIATORS RUSH
Category Rank Stat Rank Stat
Scoring Offense 13 47.3 11 49.8
Total Offense 2 307.2 4 302.1
Scoring Defense 5 47.3 6 47.4
Total Defense 1 247.8 11 292.8
Rushing Offense 7 20.3 5 24.0
Rushing Defense 8 19.7 10 21.7
Passing Offense 3 286.8 4 278.1
Passing Defense 2 228.1 12 271.1
Interceptions 7 13 14t 9
Sacks By 4t 15 6t 10
Sacks Against 2 4 5 6
Turnover Margin 15 -9 11t -3
3rd Down Conversion % 8 47.9 1 54.4
Opponent 3rd Down Conversion % 4 43.4 16 52.5
Red Zone Offense Scoring Percentage 16 69.6 8 73.2
Red Zone Defense Scoring Percentage 6 68.4 4 66.7

GLADIATORS LAST GAME

GLADIATORS PULL OUT VICTORY AGAINST SOUL 56-49

Philadelphia, PA, April 17, 2005 – Las Vegas Gladiators quarterback Clint Dolezel found WR/LB Joe Douglass for as 27-yard touchdown with one second remaining in the game to defeat the Philadelphia Soul 56-49 in front of
16,514 at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia.

The Gladiators trailed by 14 points in the first half before scoring two touchdowns in the last :53 to head into the break trailing 27-21. The Gladiators defense also stopped the Soul twice late in the half and forced them to kick field-goals both times.

The Gladiators took the lead early in the second half 28-27 and never again let the Soul lead. Philadelphia tied the game at 49 with :12 to go in the fourth quarter after Philadelphia's Marcus Knight caught a 2-yard touchdown pass from Soul quarterback Tony Graziani and added a two-point conversion.

Dolezel finished the game 28-of-43 for 341 yards with eight touchdowns and was named the Offensive Player of the Game.

Gladiators' offensive specialist Marcus Nash left the game midway through the first quarter with a strained hamstring after only two catches for 19 yards. Nash re-entered the game during the fourth quarter, but saw limited action.

Las Vegas' WR/LB Ricky Ross picked up the slack catching eight passes for 92 yards and three touchdowns. Eight other Gladiators had receptions including U.S. Army Ironman of the Game Cornelius Bonner. He caught one pass for a 45-yard touchdown with one interception to go along with three and a half tackles and two pass breakups.

During the first quarter, Gladiators' WR/DB T.J. Hill caught his first two passes of the year, including a touchdown. He became the 11th Gladiator of the season to catch a touchdown pass, eclipsing a franchise record that was set in 2002. Later in the game, FB/LB Marlon Jackson became the 12th Gladiator with a touchdown after he rumbled for a 34-yard touchdown reception.

The Soul's FB/LB Chris Ryan led both teams in rushing with 21 yards on eight attempts with three touchdowns.

Graziani completed 17-of-31 passes for 214 yards and three touchdowns with one interception.

THE COACHES


Ron James (First Season, 7-5)

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 Hohensee (12th Season, 5th with Chicago, 86-74, 6-8 playoffs)

Mike Hoensee is in his fifth season as head coach of the Rush, his 12th as an Arena Football League head coach and his 16th as a member of an AFL coaching staff.

Became the sixth coach in league history to record 60 regular-season victories when the Rush defeated Dallas (58-52 in overtime) July 13, 2002, joining Tim Marcum, Danny White, Perry Moss, John Gregory and Michael Trigg.

Was hired as the first head coach in Chicago Rush history on September 26, 2000 ... joined the Rush after spending the previous two seasons as head coach and director of player personnel for the Arena Football League's New England Sea Wolves.

Has spent a total of 12 seasons coaching in the Arena Football League, including prior head coaching stints with the Washington Commandos (1990), the Albany Firebirds (1994-96), the Anaheim Piranhas (1997) and the New England Sea Wolves (1999-2000).

Began his coaching career as an assistant for the Chicago Bruisers in 1989 before becoming the youngest head coach in league history for the Washington Commandos in 1990.

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)
Clint Dolezel (LV)
9 SJ Marcus Nash (LV)
10 COL Damian Harrell (COL)
11 GR Clint Dolezel (LV)
12 PHI Clint Dolezel (LV)
13 BYE
14 CHI

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 Ahmed Hawkins (COL)
11 GR Cornelius Bonner (LV)
12 PHI Steve Konopka (LV)
13 BYE
14 CHI

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 Willis Marshall (COL)
11 GR Coco Blalock (LV)
12 PHI Cornelius Bonner (LV)
13 BYE
14 CHI

AFL TOP 10: League Leaders after Week 13
GLADIATORS
Player Rank Category Stat
Clint Dolezel 2t Had Intercepted 12
9 Completion % 64.6
9 QB Rating 111.3
Frank Carter 2t Sacks 9.0
3 Tackles for Loss 9.0
Mark Lewis 6t Field Goal % 50.0
9 PAT Attempts 76
Marcus Nash 1 Receiving Yards 1354
3t Receptions 95
3 Yards Per Catch 14.3
1 Receiving Yards Per Game 112.8
10 All Purpose Yards 1366
1 Yards from Scrimmage 1358
3 Receiving TDs 28
3t Scoring 180
3t Touchdowns 30
Marvin Taylor 1t Interceptions 6
2t Interception Return Yards 61
7T Forced Fumbles 2
Cornelius Bonner 2t Interception Return TDs 1
Joe Douglass 7 Missed FG Return Yards 54
7 Missed FG Return Avg. 18.0
8 Missed FG Returns 3
7 Kick Return Avg. 20.8
Coco Blalock 9t Kick Returns 30
9 Kick Return Yards 603
10 Kick Return Avg. 20.1

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 98 2
Junior Lord 2000 Career Receiving Yards 1,654 346

GLADIATORS' NOTES AND TRENDS


POINT TAKEN
Las Vegas has scored 568 points this season and given up 568 points in 12 games.

THE DONUT
Out of all 16 teams in the AFL, Chicago is one of only two teams the Gladiators have never defeated (Austin Wranglers). The Red and Black have faced the Rush three times in team history and have lost all three games.

SWITCH-A-ROO
Last season, defensive coordinator Stan Davis joined the Gladiators after spending the previous three seasons with the Rush. When he came to Las Vegas, former defensive coordinator Brian Schwartze became the defensive backs coach for Chicago. Prior to joining Chicago, Schwartze was with the Gladiators for three seasons.

CHI-TOWNS FINEST
Current Gladiators WR/LB Joe Douglass, WR/DB Dameon Porter and DS's Marvin Taylor, Cornelius Bonner and Donald Malloy are familiar with the Rush from their days in Chicago. They were each with the Rush organization at some point from 2001-2003.

FAMILIAR FACE
Chicago Rush DS Jeroid Johnson will face his former team for the first time since being trading on February 25, 2004, to the Los Angeles Avengers for kicker Brian Gowins. Johnson played for the Gladiators from 2000-2004. He was named the team's MVP in 2003 after posting 56 total tackles and a team-record eight interceptions in 13 games.


SPREAD THE WEALTH
Touchdown passes have been caught by 13 different players this season for the Gladiators setting a franchise record.

SHARING THE ROCK
Nine different receivers caught passes during the Gladiators game against Philadelphia two weeks ago setting a Gladiator record for most receivers to have a reception in a game. Also, the Gladiators tied a team record against the Soul with five different receivers catching a touchdown pass (two times, last time vs. Grand Rapids, June 8, 2002).

TOTAL DEFENSIVE STATE OF MIND
Ranked number one in the League in total defense, Las Vegas has given up an average of 247.8 yards (228.1 passing, 19.7 rushing).

ON THE ROAD AGAIN
Las Vegas is tied for the best road record in the League at 4-2 going into this week against the Rush (Dallas and New Orleans).

NUMBERS DON'T LIE
The Gladiators have averaged more than 52 points per game in their victories and 40 points in their losses. Las Vegas' defense has allowed an average of 40 points when they win and 57 points when they lose.

THE HOUSE
Clint Dolezel has also thrown more touchdowns in his last six games than any other quarterback in the League (43). Dolezel has thrown five or more touchdown passes in each of his last six games since being activated from the injured list.

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