Slow start played big part in defeat

Adam Candee

Monday, Feb. 3, 2003 | 9:45 a.m.

First Quarter: LA 14, Las Vegas 7

Key Play: On the game's first play from scrimmage, Tony Graziani fired a 32-yard TD pass to Chris Jackson, who was as open as a 7-Eleven on the deep corner route. That score set the tone, as Los Angeles sprinted ahead and never looked back.

Inside the game: Las Vegas should have trailed by more, but Jay McDonagh made an All-World play to get the Gladiators' lone score. On 3rd-and-11 from the LA 17, McDonagh eluded two rushers, rolled left and took a monstrous hit near the boards. Somehow, he managed to fire the ball across his body to the other side of the end zone to Mike Horacek for a score. McDonagh came up dizzy, but did not miss any action.

Second Quarter: LA 34, Las Vegas 20

Key Play: McDonagh's lone first-half interception dearly cost Las Vegas. McDonagh fired long for Sedrick Robinson, but the Avengers' Damen Wheeler made a diving pick in the end zone. Four plays later, Los Angeles extended its lead to 14 points and established control.

Inside the game: Frank Haege's decision to kick onsides with 56 seconds left in the first half backfired. Los Angeles recovered at the Las Vegas 12 and scored with four seconds to play, bumping its lead back to 14 after the Gladiators appeared to have wrested momentum heading into halftime.

Third Quarter: LA 48, Las Vegas 41

Key Play: Not so much a play, but a play call by Los Angeles made a big difference. After earlier beating Las Vegas deep three times for scoring passes, the Avengers set their receivers and motion man to the right on 2nd-and-10 from the Gladiators' 19. Instead of looking long, Graziani threw a tight end screen to the left, where Tony Plantin used his one blocker to rumble untouched for a score. That call illustrated Las Vegas' frustration in defending Los Angeles.

Inside the game: Las Vegas adjusted to the Avengers' soft zones by throwing to the middle of the field on crossing routes and deep hitches. McDonagh hit five different receivers in the quarter as the Gladiators' offense began to hit some kind of a stride.

Fourth Quarter: LA 60, Las Vegas 48

Key Play: After pulling within 54-48 with 1:26 left, Las Vegas recovered an onside kick that would have given it a chance to drive for the go-ahead score. Instead, the play was called back for offsides on lineman Jerry Crafts, who was lined up on the side away from where the ball was kicked. Los Angeles took the ball and then the game.

Inside the game: Don't think Los Angeles was pouring it on late when Graziani scored on his sneak to account for the final margin. Arena rules mandate that teams attempt to gain yardage, disallowing the common practice of kneeling on the ball to run out the clock at the end of the game.