Mistakes Costly in Gladiator Loss
Scott Miller
Tuesday February 4, 2003
Mistakes, including penalties (7/51 compared to the Avengers’ 2/1) and four turnovers (LA 1), were the main reason for the Gladiators’ loss. The Gladiators were fortunate that all their turnovers resulted in only seven Avenger points. The Gladiators seemed on the verge of a comeback, scoring on all of their third quarter possessions to make the score 48-41, Los Angeles.
The penalties were too costly. The first play of the fourth quarter, defensive specialist Damon Mason intercepted an Avenger pass only to have it wiped out by a holding penalty. The Avengers scored a touchdown on the next play. Later in the fourth quarter, a Las Vegas touchdown was called back for an illegal shift.
A key error was the attempted onside kick at the end of the first half. Granted, I am analyzing this with the knowledge that the Gladiators went 0/2 in onside attempts. I understand and respect head coach Frank Haege’s aggressive play selection and the confidence it demonstrated in his players. Furthermore, I admit that had it worked, I would be at the front of the chorus singing his praises! It didn’t work. Further analysis shows it was not worth the risk, and, despite all the other miscues, may have been the one error to cost the Gladiators the game.
With 2:59 remaining in the second quarter, the Gladiators attempted an onside kick. It was unsuccessful and the Los Angeles Avengers recovered the ball on the Las Vegas 11. The Avengers used all but four seconds of the quarter and scored another touchdown to lead 34-20 at halftime. Had the Gladiators not attempted this, Los Angeles might well not have scored, leaving Las Vegas down by eight points at the half.
Without giving up that extra touchdown before halftime, Las Vegas would not have attempted another onside kick at the end of the fourth quarter. The Avengers’ recovery of this kick resulted in another touchdown. Those two touchdowns were the difference in the final score.
The Gladiators’ next game is on the road against the Arizona Rattlers. Their home opener is February 17th at Thomas and Mack Center against the Tampa Bay Storm.
Scott Miller is a professional computer geek and talk show host in Las Vegas. His show is streamed live from klav120am.com on Fridays at 8PM. Archives of his show, The Usual Suspects can be found at his website.
