Struggling Gladiators still lead division race

Adam Candee

Friday, March 28, 2003 | 8:56 a.m.

NEXT UP

What: Georgia at Gladiators

When: Saturday, 7 p.m.

Where: Thomas & Mack

TV: None

Radio: KBAD 920-AM

Line: Georgia favored by 2

At the season's midway point, Gladiators coach Frank Haege stands in front of a heaping pile of "what ifs" composed of turnovers, penalties and near misses.

Thanks to a friendly geographical quirk, though, Haege and the Gladiators still find themselves not only in the playoff race, but in the driver's seat of their division headed into Saturday night's game against Georgia at the Thomas & Mack Center.

The Gladiators' last-second move to Las Vegas from New Jersey forced them to remain in the Eastern Division for this season. As it turns out, there is no place else that a struggling Arena League team would rather be.

Las Vegas and Detroit share first place at 4-4, Buffalo is a game behind at 3-5, and New York lags at 2-6. In any other division, Las Vegas would be no better than third. Instead, the Gladiators are still in position for a first-round playoff bye.

"We have not really played up to our abilities yet," Haege said after Thursday's practice.

In some ways, Las Vegas is extremely fortunate to have four wins. The Gladiators' 24 turnovers are second only to Colorado's 25, and their -8 turnover margin is the third-worst in the AFL. Las Vegas is also the most penalized team in the league with 85 in eight games.

"Turnovers have definitely been our major problem," Haege said. "And we've had a lot of penalties. Just overall, we need to sharpen up our play."

That responsibility begins with reinstalled starting quarterback Jay McDonagh, who returned from a two-week benching by tossing five touchdowns in a 50-32 road win against Buffalo last week. McDonagh's propensity for interceptions sent him to the sidelines, but Haege is convinced that his signal caller is cured.

"(The benching) gave him a chance to step back and just kind of see things from the outside looking in," Haege said. "It's paid dividends and we hope it will carry through the rest of the season."

Saturday's game against Georgia (6-2) presents a major challenge for the Gladiators, who will operate against the league's top-rated defense. Defensive specialist Kevin Gaines (4 INTs, 29 tackles) leads a Force defense that is allowing 44 points per game, second only to Tampa Bay.

"Their defense is excellent," Haege said. "They have a great pass rush and a good secondary."

The Gladiators are going after another corner of the Las Vegas market Saturday night by offering discounted tickets to all UNLV students, faculty and staff.

Those with proper ID will receive $3 off any lower bowl ticket. More than 12,000 people showed up for the Gladiators' home opener, but that number has leveled off to just more than 8,000 in the past two home dates -- both awful Las Vegas losses.