San Jose deals Gladiators an ugly loss

Adam Candee

Monday, March 3, 2003 | 9:27 a.m.

The biggest wreck in the Valley Sunday did not occur in Turn 2 of the NASCAR race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Instead, the Las Vegas Gladiators crashed in front of 8,276 fans at the Thomas & Mack Center, falling 72-37 to defending Arena Football League champion San Jose in an ugly loss that may have ignited a quarterback controversy.

"The only good thing about this game is that it's over," Gladiators coach Frank Haege said.

Las Vegas (2-3) committed four turnovers, two of which were returned for San Jose (3-2) scores. Two interceptions by starting quarterback Jay McDonagh led to his second-quarter benching in favor of backup QB Todd Hammel. The 11-year Arena Football veteran, once a star in the league, turned in a strong performance, going 13-for-23 for 212 yards, with 3 TDs and no interceptions.

"That's what I came in here for," Hammel said.

Hammel said he was surprised that Haege made the call to remove McDonagh. At the same time, Hammel said he understands that he may be back on the bench this week.

"Jay's done well, but you can't fault him," Hammel said. "Everybody has a bad game."

McDonagh went 9-for-21 for 86 yards, with a touchdown and two interceptions against San Jose. McDonagh, from Western Michigan threw seven interceptions in the Gladiators' first two games, both losses. McDonagh had gone without a pick in Las Vegas' past two games, both wins.

McDonagh's 9 INTs are tops in the AFL.

"You just try to get better," McDonagh said. "We'll go in next week and make corrections."

Haege declined to name a starter for Sunday's game at Carolina.

"I have no clue," Haege said. "We'll have to look at the tape and do some soul searching."

Nothing went right for Las Vegas in a disastrous second quarter, when San Jose scored 24 points to take control.

Sabercats quarterback Mark Grieb hit wideout James Roe with two of his four scoring passes, and defensive specialist Clevan Thomas picked off his league-leading seventh pass of the season and ran it back for his third touchdown.

Las Vegas entered the second period in a 7-all tie and exited it down 31-10, with little hope for the second half.

"The second quarter was an absolute debacle," Haege said. "I can't even remember what happened. It was just a bad dream."

Grieb finished 18-for-27 for 252 yards and 4 TDs.

Offensive specialist Mike Horacek provided a bright spot for the Gladiators, catching 11 passes for 150 yards and 2 TDs. Horacek leads the AFL with 45 receptions and is tied for third with 15 touchdown catches.

Considering the beating his team took from the ArenaBowl champions, Horacek took little solace in his individual performance.

"This is the type of game you forget," Horacek said. "We didn't come to play today and it was evident in the score."

Despite the loss, Las Vegas stands just one game behind Detroit and Buffalo in the Eastern Division.