Gladiators find some positives in crushing loss to Colorado

Adam Candee

Friday, Feb. 13, 2004 | 9:52 a.m.

The answer, just about universally, is that there is no added pressure and that it is way too early in the season to get concerned after one game.

And it's true that the Las Vegas Gladiators played rather strong football in last week's season opener against Colorado. But Las Vegas lost that game in stunning fashion, allowing 11 points in the final 36 seconds to lose to the Crush, 43-42, after dominating much of the game.

The Gladiators return to the Thomas & Mack Center on Saurday at noon to open their home schedule against Los Angeles, likely the best team in the league. The prospect of falling to 0-2 for the second consecutive year does not daunt the Gladiators, who roundly say that there is no reason to panic in the season's second week.

Gladiators wideout Terrill Shaw said the team is very pleased about the way it played in Colorado and can take many positives out of the defeat.

"The record shows that we lost the game, but we feel like we won it," Shaw said.

Las Vegas will need such confidence against the Avengers, who won at Arizona, 51-32, last week to open their season. The Avengers also defeated the Gladiators in the inaugural game of the Las Vegas incarnation of the franchise last season.

Los Angeles returns with a similarly stacked team, especially on offense. Quarterback Tony Graziani and receivers Chris Jackson and Greg Hopkins form one of the better trios in the league, but Gladiators coach Frank Haege said that he will not make any major adjustments to the team's gameplan.

"You scheme them like you scheme everyone," Haege said.

The Gladaitors felt confident in their gameplan against Colorado, and the execution matched the planning for most of the game. But Las Vegas, holding a 42-32 edge with under a minute left to play, melted down on special teams and allowed the Crush one of its four kickoff recoveries to facilitate its final game-winning drive.

You never really get used to games like that one, even in the Arena Football League, Shaw said.

"I'd rather lose by three touchdowns than the way we did," Shaw said.

The Gladiators' offense, though, clicked well under Dolezel. The new signal caller tossed four touchdown passes, including three to new receiver Marcus Nash. That performance quiets concerns about the loss.

"We're not panicking," Shaw said. "The season just started. The offense played well that game. We scored every time except one."

The team also wants to get off on the right foot with its home fans as it opens its critical second season in town. Team officials are still unsure if the game will be a sellout, but a strong turnout is expected for the Valentine's Day contest. The team is giving away carnations to the first 1,500 women through the door and a $5,000 diamond ring will be given away at halftime.

The comforts of home sound just fine to the Gladiators, who went 5-3 at the Thomas & Mack in their first season in the building.