Las Vegas Gladiators game notes

Published on May 17, 2005 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Las Vegas Gladiators News Release


GLADIATORS VS. RATTLERS: THE FACTS

Date: Sunday, May 22, 2005
Kickoff: 12:00 PM PT
Site: Thomas & Mack Center (Las Vegas, NV)
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 SERIES – GLADIATORS VS. RATTLERS
Rattlers Lead Series 4-2
The Rattlers have a four games to two lead in the overall series between the two teams with the Gladiators taking the first meeting this year 66-63 in Arizona.

PLAYOFF SCENARIOS
Las Vegas earns a spot with a win vs. Arizona AND either a San Jose loss to Georgia or a Chicago loss at Nashville.


WHAT'S AT STAKE

If the Gladiators win, it would
· Give the Las Vegas a 3-4 record vs. the Rattlers
· Give Las Vegas a 9-7 overall record
· Give Las Vegas a 5-3 home record

SCHEDULES


LAS VEGAS GLADIATORS (8-7)
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 75-81
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 L 60-63
May 22 Arizona 12:00
All times PST


ARIZONA RATTLERS (6-9)
Date Opponent Time Result Score
Jan. 28 @ Grand Rapids 5:30 W 58-38
Feb. 3 Orlando 7:00 L 40-51
Feb. 12 @ Georgia 5:00 L 47-61
Feb. 19 Colorado 7:30 L 69-74
Feb. 27 @ New York 1:00 L 37-61
March 6 Los Angeles 6:00 L 29-33
March 13 @ Tampa Bay 10:00 AM L 56-59
March 19 Las Vegas 7:00 L 63-66
March 28 @ Nashville 6:30 W 48-35
April 3 @ San Jose 6:00 L 27-48
April 8 Columbus 7:00 W 70-53
BYE
April 22 Austin 7:00 W 52-26
April 30 @ Los Angeles 7:30 L 56-59
May 7 Chicago 7:00 W 61-43
May 14 San Jose 7:00 W 54-44
May 22 @ Las Vegas 12:00
All times AZ Time

GLADIATORS VS. RATTLERSBY THE NUMBERS
Statistical GLADIATORS RATTLERS
Category Rank Stat Rank Stat
Scoring Offense 12 49.9 9 51.1
Touchdowns 10 107 7 110
Total Offense 2 314.6 7 283.4
Scoring Defense 5 48.8 9 50.1
Total Defense 1 251.0 3 256.9
Rushing Offense 5 22.4 13 14.9
Rushing Defense 9 20.1 1 11.5
Passing Offense 3 292.2 7 268.5
Passing Defense 2 230.9 4 245.5
Pass Rating 7 112.8 10 111.1
Pass Defense Rating 3 100.7 11 110.2
Field Goals % 5t 54% 14t 36%
PAT % 15 81% 14 83%
Kick Off Return Avg. 12 16.7 5 18.9
Kick Return TDs 13t 1 5 4
Interceptions 4t 18 14 11
Sacks By 5t 16 5t 16
Sacks Against 1t 4 9 15
Turnover Margin 14 -6 12t -4
3rd Down Conversion % 5t 50.0% 2 55.2%
Opponent 3rd Down Conversion % 3 43.3% 10 47.1
Red Zone Offense 14 77.5% 12 79.7%
Red Zone Defense 7 79.9% 8 79.7%

GLADIATORS LAST WEEK

GLADIATORS FALL TO THE AVENGERS, 63-60

Los Angeles, Ca, May 14, 2005 – Los Angeles Avenger quarterback John Kaleo threw five touchdowns to lead the Avengers to their first Western Division championship with a victory over the Las Vegas Gladiators, 63-60 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

Las Vegas was stopped on a crucial fourth and one with less than one minute remaining in the fourth quarter as Marlion Jackson come up inches shy of moving the chains. It was the second time in the game the Gladiators were stopped on offense and became the pivotal point of the game for the Avenger defense.

Gladiators' quarterback Clint Dolezel completed 34-of-44 for 350 yards with seven touchdowns. On his fourth touchdown pass during the first half, Dolezel reached the 70 touchdown plateau for the seventh time in so many years. He is the only quarterback in AFL history to throw 70 or more touchdowns seven times in his career.

Kaleo finished the game completing 20-of-30 for 269 yards despite one interception. He connected with Los Angeles' wide receiver/line backer Greg Hopkins on nine receptions for 128 yards with three touchdowns.

Las Vegas' offensive specialist Marcus Nash caught 12 passes for 132 yards and four touchdowns and fullback/linebacker Marlion Jackson had two catches for 39 yards with one touchdown. He also rushed the ball for 53 yards on three carries including the longest rushing touchdown in Gladiators franchise history for 46 yards with 8:14 remaining in the game to put Las Vegas up for the last time in the game, 60-56.

The kicking game for the Gladiators had its problems as kicker Mark Lewis missed on two extra-point attempts and forced the offense to go for a two-point conversion that failed.

Las Vegas turned the ball over on downs once in the first half, but came back with a Marvin Taylor interception with 6:05 remaining to go up at the midway point, 41-35.
THE COACHES


Ron James (First Season, 8-7)

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.

Todd Shell (Seventh Season, 52-45 regular season 1-4 Playoffs)

On August 5, 2004, the Arizona Rattlers named Todd Shell as the second Head Coach in franchise history. Shell began his Arena Football coaching career as the first Defensive Coordinator in Rattlers history, leading the Rattler defense from 1992 until 1994, winning the ArenaBowl title in his final season with the club.

Shell became the first Head Coach in San Jose SaberCats history in 1995, and led the expansion SaberCats to an 8-4 record and the Western Division Title, the first expansion team to ever win a Division Championship. In his four seasons as Head Coach, San Jose was 29-25, making three playoff appearances.

Shell returned to Arizona in 2003 as the Color Analyst on Rattlers TV broadcasts, but he appeared on only one telecast, leaving to join the New York Dragons after Week 4. The Dragons, off to an 0-4 start, fired Head Coach John Gregory and replaced him with Shell. New York went 8-4 under Shell, finishing the year 8-8 and as the Eastern Division Champs. Following New York's last-second win over Chicago in the Wild Card round of the AFL playoffs, Shell was named the Arena Football League's 2003 Coach of the Year.

Shell and the Dragons defended their 2003 Division Title, winning the East again in 2004 with a 9-7 record. New York lost a tiebreaker with the Los Angeles Avengers and did not qualify for the 2004 playoffs. In his two seasons in New York, Shell compiled a record of 17-11 with two Eastern Division Championships. He also garnered a 1-1 postseason record with the Dragons.

Shell was a standout college player at BYU, where he helped lead the Cougars to three straight WAC titles from 1981 to 1983. Shell finished his career with 205 tackles and 22 quarterback sacks. He led BYU in tackles his Junior and Senior seasons. A 1984 First Round Draft Pick of the San Francisco 49ers, Shell played linebacker for five seasons in San Francisco, earning a Super Bowl ring in 1984 and 1988.
Shell and his wife Kellie reside in Mesa, Arizona. The couple has two children, Tanner, who played basketball for Arizona State from 2000 through 2002, and Krystal. Krystal and her husband Jason Arnett have twins.

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 John Kaleo (LA)
17 AZ

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 Damen Wheeler (LA)
17 AZ



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 Kevin Ingram (LA)
17 AZ


AFL TOP 10: League Leaders after Week 15
GLADIATORS
Player Rank Category Stat
Clint Dolezel 3t Had Intercepted 14
5 Completion % 66.5
8 Touchdown Passes 73
10 Total Offensive Touchdowns 73
Frank Carter 2t Sacks 9.0
7 Tackles for Loss 9.0
Mark Lewis 7t Field Goal % 53.8%
7 PAT Attempts 100
10 PAT Kicks Made 81
Marcus Nash 1 Receiving Yards 1689
2 Receptions 123
8 Yards Per Catch 13.7
1 Receiving Yards Per Game 112.6
10 All Purpose Yards 1703
2 Receiving TDs 39
2t Scoring 246
2t Touchdowns 41
Marlion Jackson 10 Rushing Yards Per Game 10.6
4 Yards Per Rush 4.8
2t Fumbles Recovered 3
Marvin Taylor 2t Interceptions 7
6 Interception Return Yards 63
10t Forced Fumbles 2
Cornelius Bonner 3t Interception Return TDs 1
1 Interception Return Yards 83
5t Interceptions 6
Joe Douglass 7 Missed FG Return Yards 88
7 Missed FG Return Avg. 17.6
4t Missed FG Returns 5
Coco Blalock 9 Kick Returns 41
10 Kick Return Yards 789


GLADIATORS' NOTES AND TRENDS


BRING IT
Since the Red and Black relocated to Las Vegas prior to the 2003 season from New Jersey, the Gladiators have faced the Rattlers five times including a playoff game in 2003. The Thomas & Mack Center has been the venue only once out of their five meetings with the Gladiators coming out victorious, 65-64.

LANDMARK
Clint Dolezel surpassed the 70 or more touchdown plateau 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). If he throws seven more touchdowns this week he will reach the 80 touchdown mark for the sixth different AFL season. Dolezel has also thrown five or more touchdown passes in each of his last nine games since being activated from the injured list. Not to mention, he has thrown more touchdowns in his last nine games than any other quarterback in the League (66).

DESTRUCTION OF THE DESERT
In Marcus Nash's last three games against the Rattlers he has compiled 40 receptions for 497 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns (3/14/2004 – 16-192-4, 4/10/2004 – 15-145-7 and 3/19/2005 – 9-160-5).

WHAT'S THE HURRY?
Rodney Filer and Marlion Jackson rushed for one touchdown a piece last week against the Avengers. They were the first rushing touchdowns since Week 10 for the Gladiators since playing in Colorado when Marcus Nash scored on the first drive of the game on a one-yard touchdown run.

REBEL'S REVENGE
Former UNLV football standout and current Arizona Rattler Randy Gatewood will once again return to Las Vegas to face the Gladiators. Gatewood was an All-American honorable mention and first team all-conference selection his senior season in 1994. In a game against Idaho (9-17-94), Gatewood caught a UNLV record 23 receptions for 363 yards with one touchdown.

THE CENTENNIAL
Las Vegas has three fullbacks with over 100 yards rushing on the season. Frank Carter has tallied 106 yards, Rodney Filer has rushed for 105 yards and Marlion Jackson has carried the ball for 127 yards. While with the Philadelphia Soul, Jackson ran for 50 yards and has rushed for 77 with the Gladiators.

FORMER CHARGERS
Arizona Rattler FB/LB Phil Glover will play against his former team this week for the second time since playing in Las Vegas last season. With the Gladiators he played in two games and recorded 3.5 tackles with one tackle for a loss. He is a Las Vegas native who attended Clark High School with current teammate DS Clarence Lawson. Glover was a two-time All-State and All-Conference selection and led the team to the state title as a senior, earning conference Player of the Year honors. Lawson was also an All-State defensive back and All-Conference running back.

RETURN TO SENDER
Coco Blalock returned a kickoff 55 yards for a touchdown against the Rattlers earlier this season. It is his only kick return for a touchdown this season.

RUN MARLION RUN
Marlion Jackson established a new Gladiators record with his 46-yard touchdown carry against Los Angeles in Week 16.

FIRST FOR EVERYTHING
Last week against the Avengers was the first time all season the Gladiators were unable to win a game while winning the turnover battle. Marvin Taylor's interception in the first half was the only turnover by either team.

EXCUSE ME
Taylor's interception last week was seventh of the season and he is currently tied for second in the AFL in picks (New York Dragons, Billy Parker, 9).

EVEN STEVEN
Las Vegas currently sits at 8-7 with their final regular season game remaining this weekend vs. Arizona. The city of Las Vegas has not scene the Gladiators finish a season without a record of 8-8 since they moved from New Jersey in 2003. In 2002, the Red and Black made the playoffs at 8-8 and lost in the first round to the Arizona Rattlers at America West Arena 69-26. They missed the playoffs in 2004 with an 8-8 record despite winning five of their final six games.

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