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AFL Cleveland Gladiators

Victory is Cleveland's Second-Straight Win as They Open East Division Play

May 6, 2011 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Cleveland Gladiators News Release


CLEVELAND - The Cleveland Gladiators won their second-consecutive game, 50-41, by defeating the Milwaukee Mustangs in front of 5,077 at Quicken Loans Arena on Friday night. The victory opened East division play for Cleveland and improved them to 5-2 on the season, while the Mustangs dropped to 2-6.

Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game Troy Bergeron provided the main spark for the Gladiators' scoring attack, catching seven passes for 81 yards and two scores. Troy also added an electric 58-yard kickoff return for a touchdown late in the first quarter.

Bergeron has receiving touchdowns in his last ten games played, dating back to June 7th of 2008 when he was a member of the Georgia Force. Troy has 27 receiving touchdowns during the 10-game streak.

Quarterback Dan Whalen came in relief for the second straight week when Kurt Rocco left the game with an ankle injury early in the third quarter. Whalen threw for two touchdowns and also ran for two scores in less than one half of play.

The Mustangs were paced by quarterback R.J. Archer, who was 22-of-31 for 244 yards, four touchdowns and had one interception in the game. Arena Football League great Damian Harrell had eight grabs for 102 yards and two scores on the night, adding to his all-time league leading totals. Riddell Defensive Player of the Game Andre Jones amassed 7.5 tackles, one interception and one pass defended on the night.

Milwaukee would never lead the entire contest, only tying the game for the final 5:26 of the first half. A Matt Denny field goal sailed through the uprights as time expired in the second quarter to give Cleveland a 23-20 advantage that they would never lose.

Anthony Hoke led the way defensively for Cleveland with 3.5 total tackles, one sack, one tackle-for-loss and one blocked kick. Hoke has three blocked kicks on the year, both franchise single-season and franchise career records. The Cleveland Gladiators have only had two total blocked kicks in their first two years of existence.

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