Quarterback Russ Michna made his home debut and completed 18-of-25 passes for 197-yards and four touchdowns. Michna managed the ball efficiently and contributed to the SaberCats first game without a turnover this season.

“He’s getting better. He’s smart with the football. He gets it out of his hands quick and he definitely can throw a good long ball,” said Owner/ Head Coach Darren Arbet. 

Michna connected with wide receiver Jason Willis grabbing eight catches for 85-yards and three touchdowns, matching wide receiver Jamarko Simmons three scores.

Michna’s stellar performance was on the same night that former SaberCats quarterback Mark Grieb and current Menlo College head coach, had his No. 16 jersey officially retired at half time in front of over  eight thousand fans wearing ‘16’ t-shirts. Grieb shared some words with the fans and his former team giving his thanks and stating that in his 13-year stint at San Jose, “I was taught by some of the greatest coaches.”

The SaberCats defense executed well all night starting from the beginning of the game where they held the Gladiators to a scoreless first quarter.

“They did well, it starts with those guys up front we got a lot of pressure on the quarterback. The defensive backs covered really well tonight,” said Coach Arbet.

The defense finished with four forced turnovers on downs for the night. Dominant Defensive Back Clevan Thomas was a playmaker against the Gladiators passing game, finishing the night with six pass breakups and two of those at the goal line. Defensive back Ken Fontenette led the team with ten tackles helping shut down the Gladiators offensive attempts.

Defensive linemen Terrance Carter had a fourth down sack on Gladiators quarterback Brian Zbydniewski and then later blocked the Gladiators extra point attempt.  Defensive linemen Jason Stewart also had a big night with his sack on Zbydniewski and his interception on a ball tipped by Justin Warren, getting the only pick of the night.

Wide receiver and kick returner Fred Williams kept the momentum swinging in the ‘Cats direction as he returned two kicks to the house for over 50-yards each with help from his teammates blocking alongside of him. The SaberCats special teams were responding to the challenge presented to them this past week in practice, “We challenged all the special teams this week, we didn’t think they were playing up to their ability so we challenged them pretty good and they came out and played well tonight,” said Coach Arbet.

Fred Williams talked about his strategy when returning kicks reflecting on his breakout performance, “There’s a time and place for dancing. I think you should dance early on in your returns, just to set up your block. Then after that you just got to go in a straight line. That’s always been my philosophy and that’s what I’m going to keep doing.”

Though the Gladiators fought hard late in the third quarter getting within one possession of the SaberCats with a score of 35-29, they weren’t able to catch them as SaberCats quarterback Michna continued to consistently connect with this offensive targets.

Michna talks about the team’s mentality following the first half of play, “Going into the (second) half, we feel like we’re in control of the game and all of a sudden it’s a one score game before we even get to walk on the field. That’s what makes this game amazing, interesting at least. But I thought we did a good job responding, we continued to execute.”

Coach Arbet also commented about the ‘Cats ability to seal the victory following the Gladiators last attempt at catching up, “I thought our guys kept their composure, came out finished the game off, and won by 20.”

“I felt 95-percent better today than walking on that field last week and I think it showed a little bit. There we’re still a couple of balls that I’m not used to missing, I’m used to them being completions and we’ll get those right, but like I said it’s been two weeks and we’re figuring each other out and it can only get better from here.”

Leanne is a freelance sports journalist residing in the San Francisco Bay Area as she finishes up her Mass Communication, Media Production B.A. at Cal State University, East Bay. This will be her second season as a correspondent covering the San Jose SaberCats.