Las Vegas Gladiators game notes

Published on May 11, 2005 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Las Vegas Gladiators News Release


Date: Saturday, May 14, 2005
Kickoff: 7:30 PM PT
Site: Staples Center (Los Angeles, CA)
Officials: Referee: Bill LeMonnier, Umpire: Mike Delaney, Head Linesman: Allen Baynes, Line Judge: Dana McKinzie, Back Judge: Billy Beckett

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 FOX SPORTS WEST (Cox Channel 49 in Las Vegas/DirecTV Channel 652) with Bill McDonald and John Jackson on the call.

THE SERIES – GLADIATORS VS. AVENGERS
Avengers Lead Series 3-1
This will be the fifth all-time meeting between the two teams and the second meeting of 2005. In Week 1 of the 2005 season, Frank Carter rushed for three scores, Clint Dolezel threw for three scores and the Gladiators picked off Avengers quarterback John Kaleo twice en route to a 46-37 win in Las Vegas.

WHAT'S AT STAKE
If the Gladiators win, it would
· Give the Gladiators a 2-3 record vs. the Avengers
· Give Las Vegas a 9-6 overall record
· Give Las Vegas a 5-3 road record

SCHEDULES


LAS VEGAS GLADIATORS (8-6)
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 L 62-63
May 7 Dallas 7:00 W 58-38
May 14 @ Los Angeles 7:30
May 22 Arizona 12:00
All times PST


LOS ANGELES AVENGERS (9-5)
Date Opponent Time Result Score
Jan. 30 @ Las Vegas 12:00 L 37-46
Feb. 4 Georgia 7:30 W 46-41
Feb. 11 @ Austin 5:30 W 64-51
Feb. 20 San Jose 3:00 W 71-69
Feb. 27 @ Colorado 12:00 L 40-58
March 6 @ Arizona 5:00 W 33-29
BYE
March 18 Dallas 7:30 L 50-72
March 26 Tampa Bay 7:30 W 59-28
April 3 @ Orlando 9:00 AM L 55-54
April 10 New York 12:00 W 66-35
April 17 @ Nashville 10:00 AM L 48-51
April 23 Chicago 7:30 W 52-49
April 30 Arizona 7:30 W 59-56
May 7 @ San Jose 7:30 W 54-42
May 14 Las Vegas 7:30
May 21 @ Grand Rapids 4:30
All times PST

GLADIATORS VS. AVENGERSBY THE NUMBERS
Statistical GLADIATORS AVENGERS
Category Rank Stat Rank Stat
Scoring Offense 13 49.1 6 52.4
Touchdowns 11 98 13 94
Total Offense 2 308.1 13 270.3
Scoring Defense 6 47.8 7 48.7
Total Defense 1 247.1 15 303.0
Rushing Offense 7 20.0 8 19.0
Rushing Defense 8 18.9 2 14.1
Passing Offense 3 288.1 11 251.3
Passing Defense 2 228.2 16 288.9
Pass Rating 9 110.6 5 113.4
Pass Defense Rating 3 99.3 6 104.6
Field Goals % 6 54% 1 76%
PAT % 15 82% 4 90%
Kick Off Return Avg. 11 17.3 17 15.5
Kick Return TDs 13t 1 17 0
Interceptions 4t 17 2 22
Sacks By 5t 16 2 21
Sacks Against 1t 4 15 22
Turnover Margin 14 -7 1 +19
3rd Down Conversion % 7 50.0% 8 48.5%
Opponent 3rd Down Conversion % 3 42.5% 5t 45.7
Red Zone Offense 14 77.3% 7 83.1%
Red Zone Defense 6 78.3% 2 75.0%

GLADIATORS LAST WEEK

LAS VEGAS DOWNS DESPERADOS, 58-38

Las Vegas, NV, May 7, 2005 – Las Vegas Gladiators quarterback Clint Dolezel threw seven touchdowns, leading the Las Vegas Gladiators (8-6) to a 58-38 win over the Dallas Desperados (7-6-1) in front of 10,078 at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Dolezel twisted his left ankle late in the second quarter, but came back in the second half and finished the game 19-for-33 for 215 yards with seven touchdowns despite two interceptions. Desperados quarterback Clint Stoerner, finished the game 19-of-36 for 181 yards with four touchdowns and four interceptions.

Marcus Nash, who caught five passes for 75 yards and three touchdowns, was named Offensive Player of the Game for the sixth time this season.

Cornelius Bonner was named ADT Defensive Player of the Game for the second time this year after picking off three passes, tying a team record that he set last season against Philadelphia in Week 14.

US Army Ironman of the Game T.J. Hill caught five passes for 64 yards and two touchdowns. On defense he tallied three total tackles with five pass breakups.

Gladiators' kicker Mark Lewis had made 22 extra-points in a row before missing on his first attempt in the fourth quarter. He finished the day connecting on 6-of-7 and made a 25-yard field goal.

The Gladiators scored on their first play from scrimmage, just :42 into the game, and never looked back. Dolezel completed his first pass of the game to Rodney Filer for a 29-yard score. Dolezel then threw his second touchdown of the game to TJ Hill after a blocked field goal by Marlion Jackson. Las Vegas led at the half 35-10.

THE COACHES


Ron James (First Season, 8-6)

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.

Ed Hodgkiss (Fourth Season, 37-23, 0-3 in playoffs)

Ed Hodgkiss, one of the brightest offensive masterminds in the Arena Football League, is in his fourth season as the head coach of the Los Angeles Avengers. In his first three seasons at the helm, he directed the Avengers to a 28-18 record. No head coach in AFL history has won more games in his first two seasons than Hodgkiss.

Hodgkiss became the head coach of the Avengers on Oct. 5, 2001, and signed a five-year contract extension shortly after a 2002 season that saw him adroitly pilot the team to an 8-6 mark.

In 2002, Hodgkiss not only led the Avengers into the postseason for the first time in franchise history, he also instantly established the Avenger offense as one of the most feared in the AFL. In the final 2002 league statistics, the Avengers ranked at No. 2 in passing efficiency (115.0), No. 4 in total offense (275.6), No. 4 in rushing yards (20.8) and No. 5 in scoring (52.2).

Prior to joining the Avengers, Hodgkiss had been with the Indiana Firebirds since 1997. He was the team's offensive coordinator for three seasons (1999-2001). In each of those campaigns, Hodgkiss proved to be the architect of one of the AFL's most prolific offenses, ranking among the league leaders in most statistical categories.

Born on Oct. 23, 1970, Hodgkiss is a native of Laurel, Md., where he attended St. Vincent Pallotti High School. He went on to graduate from Fairmont State College (Fairmont, W.V.) in 1992 with a degree in physical education and health (he later added a Master's degree in those same disciplines from Morehead State in 1995). He also was a wide receiver for the Falcons and later began his coaching career at his alma mater.

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 Raymond Philyaw (CHI)
15 DAL Marcus Nash (LV)
16 LA

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 Steve Konopka (LV)
15 DAL Cornelius Bonner (LV)
16 LA




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 Bob McMillan (CHI)
15 DAL TJ Hill (LV)
16 LA


AFL TOP 10: League Leaders after Week 15
GLADIATORS
Player Rank Category Stat
Clint Dolezel 2t Had Intercepted 14
9 Completion % 64.6
10 Touchdown Passes 66
10 Total Offensive Touchdowns 66
Frank Carter 2t Sacks 9.0
7 Tackles for Loss 9.0
10 Rushing Yards 106
Mark Lewis 10 Field Goal % 53.8%
8 PAT Attempts 92
10 PAT Kicks Made 75
Marcus Nash 1 Receiving Yards 1557
2t Receptions 111
7 Yards Per Catch 14.0
1 Receiving Yards Per Game 111.2
10 All Purpose Yards 1571
3 Receiving TDs 35
3t Scoring 222
3t Touchdowns 37
Marvin Taylor 2t Interceptions 6
5 Interception Return Yards 61
Cornelius Bonner 2t Interception Return TDs 1
1 Interception Return Yards 83
2t Interceptions 6
Joe Douglass 9 Missed FG Return Yards 71
8 Missed FG Return Avg. 17.8
7 Missed FG Returns 4


GLADIATORS' NOTES AND TRENDS


LANDMARK
Clint Dolezel is four touchdowns shy of throwing for 70 or more touchdowns in his seventh different AFL season (93 in 2004, 89 in 2003, 79 in 2002, 80 in 2001, 81 in 1999 and 81 in 1998). He has also thrown more touchdowns in his last eight games than any other quarterback in the League (59). Dolezel has thrown five or more touchdown passes in each of his last eight games since being activated from the injured list.

REVENGE AGAINST THE AVENGERS
WR/LB Joe Douglass will face his former team the Los Angeles Avengers for the second time on Saturday. Earlier this season in Week 1, Douglass caught two passes for 19 yards and recovered a crucial on-side kick in the victory. Last season, he played in 13 games and caught 35 passes for 435 yards with nine touchdowns. One of his touchdowns was against the Gladiators on February 14, 2004, at the Thomas & Mack Center with 1:53 remaining in the game. His touchdown reception from QB Tony Graziani ended up being the winning score for the Avengers in the Gladiators season opener, 62-55.
FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING
The Red and Black won their first ever season opener with a 46-37 victory over the Los Angeles Avengers in Week 1 at the Thomas & Mack Center. Since the team's debut in the Arena Football League in 2001, the Gladiators had previously lost four season openers (vs. Carolina 21-52 in 2001; @ Buffalo 51-53 in 2002; @ Los Angeles 48-60 in 2003; @ Colorado 42-43 in 2004).
FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING
Head coach Ron James earned his first win as a head coach when he defeat the Avengers 46–37 in Week 1 at the Thomas & Mack Center.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN
Las Vegas is tied for the best road record in the League at 4-3 going into this week against the Avengers (Colorado, Dallas and New Orleans).

WHAT'S THE HURRY?
The Gladiators have not rushed for a touchdown since Week 10 in Colorado against the Crush when Marcus Nash rumbled into the endzone on the first drive of the game for a one-yard touchdown run.

FINISHING STRONG
Dolezel leads all AFL quarterbacks in fourth quarter QB rating (124.6), completion percentage (72.5) and he throws a touchdown pass 25.3% of the time to lead all of his counterparts.

RIGHT BETWEEN THE EYES
Kicker Mark Lewis connected on 22 straight extra-points before missing on one of his eight attempts against the Dallas Desperados last week. Earlier this season against Los Angeles he converted his longest field-goal of the season (43-yards).

EXCUSE ME
Cornelius Bonner tied a Gladiators team record last week against the Dallas Desperados when he intercepted three passes. He previously set the team record last season in Week 14 against the Philadelphia Soul when he intercepted three passes.

MONEY PLAY
Marcus Nash leads Las Vegas in touchdown receptions with 35 and has spread out his touchdowns over four downs. On first and second downs he has totaled 24 touchdowns and on third down he has caught six. Nash leads the League with five touchdown receptions on fourth down.

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