Tuesday, February 25, 2003
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Las Vegas finds success by curbing interceptions

By MARK ANDERSON
REVIEW-JOURNAL

Las Vegas Gladiators quarterback Jay McDonagh threw no interceptions in victories over the Tampa Bay Storm and New York Dragons the last two weeks.

He was intercepted seven times in Las Vegas' prior losses to the Los Angeles Avengers and Arizona Rattlers.

Coach Frank Haege says the trends are related.

"The first two games, we had a lot of picks and two losses," Haege said. "The last two games, we had no picks and two wins.

"In all football, turnovers hurt you, but in Arena even more so. If you turn one over, they have a chance to score (almost automatically). In regular football, you still have a chance to make them punt."

The Gladiators will be seeking their third straight win when they face the defending champion San Jose SaberCats at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Thomas & Mack Center.

• INJURY NEWS -- Lineman Hunter Adams had an MRI performed on his knee, and the results should be known today. He was hurt in Saturday's 46-45 win at New York.

Adams could go on injured reserve just as fellow lineman Wilky Bazile comes off. Bazile missed the first four games with an ankle injury.

• DEFENSE RISES -- The Gladiators became the first team to hold New York to less than 54 points. The Dragons were averaging 57.7 points, third in the AFL.

And the Gladiators had three dropped interceptions.

"The defense played very well," Haege said. "To hold an experienced team like that in the 40s is a tribute to the players and coaches."

• COACH FIRED -- New York coach John Gregory and his assistants were fired Monday. He was in his ninth season with the organization, which was the Iowa Barnstormers before moving in 2000.

Though 66-48 with the organization, Gregory's record since the move was 11-21, including 0-4 this season.