The Gladiators can't get out of bounds as time expires before attempt for winning FG.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Unlike so many that came before, Kurt Rocco's last pass Saturday went exactly where he intended it to go -- straight into the hands of Gladiator receiver Victor Williams.
Williams, however, didn't get to where he was supposed to go -- out of bounds.
The clock expired before the Gladiators could attempt the field goal they needed as the New Orleans VooDoo held on for a 34-33 victory over the previously undefeated Cleveland arena football team at The Q. The Gladiators fell to 3-1, while the VooDoo captured their first victory to improve to 1-4.
After enduring a subpar offensive game littered with 11 penalties, Gladiators coach Steve Thonn said his plan at the end was to run the clock down to 8.7 seconds, toss a quick pass to get within a couple yards and run the ball out of bounds to stop the clock.
But after Williams caught Rocco's pass at the New Orleans 2, he failed to get out of bounds. The clock expired and VooDoo players celebrated in front of 7,123 at The Q.
"We knew the quick pass would be there, we really didn't think of anything else," Thonn said. "We just didn't get the ball out of bounds to stop the clock. That's the bottom line."
Even if the Gladiators had executed, kicker Matt Denny would have had to knock the ball between the uprights, something he failed to do twice in his four extra-point attempts. In three previous games this season, Denny made 21 of 25 conversions.
The offense, in general, sputtered against a VooDoo defense that used a zone to disrupt rookie quarterback Rocco. The Mount Union product was intercepted on his first attempt of the game, and again on the Gladiators' final significant drive with 52.7 seconds remaining.
Rocco completed 19 of 31 passes for 217 yards and one touchdown, his worst performance since securing the starting position after veteran John Dutton went down with a torn Achilles in the season opener. Rocco entered leading the AFL in passer efficiency with a 126.5 rating.
"There's no words for it," Rocco said. "I came out soft with that first throw, and didn't get any better."
In between, Gladiators fullback Russell Monk produced his best game of the season in scoring three first-half touchdowns. He tied a Gladiators record for rushing TDs in a half. Receiver Troy Bergeron also played solidly, catching 11 passes for 117 yards, scoring once.
New Orleans quarterback Danny Wimprine completed 22 of 36 passes for 200 yards, connecting on three touchdowns.
Source: http://www.cleveland.com/gladiators/index.ssf/2011/04/cleveland_gladiators_botch_fin.html
Lee Cattermole Wales Craig Bellamy Mikel Arteta Nicolas Anelka Mark Bright
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