In most AFL games, the defensive backs are gluttons for punishment. If they’re not getting pushed off, they’re getting beat by the guy who got the running start.
But like Colorado Crush defensive specialist Rashad Floyd, they keep coming back for more.
That was the way Floyd played again Sunday. Only this time, it was the Crush’s star defender who did most of the punishing in a come-from-behind, 65-55 victory over the Las Vegas Gladiators at the Pepsi Center.
When the defending Arena Bowl champions needed an onside kick to work on their two-touchdown deficit early in the third quarter, it was Floyd who recovered the ball.
When the Crush needed a turnover later in the quarter to regain the lead, it was Floyd who made a one-handed grab on a pass by backup quarterback Glenn Gauntt. And when Las Vegas was threatening to score the tying touchdown with about six minutes left in the fourth quarter, it was Floyd who jumped on deep ball intended for Gladiators star Marcus Nash.
Then just for good measure, it was Floyd who came back for more again, knocking down the pass on Las Vegas’ two-point conversion attempt after the Gladiators’ last touchdown to keep them from getting to within eight points with 41 seconds left in the game.
“Today, the defense made plays,” Floyd said. “It’s arena football, they’re going to score points. But the team that can get the turnovers … I’ve been just a hair away in all three games, and a lot of times, the quarterback will not throw the ball if I’m in good position.
“But if you continue to press, (eventually) they have to go to their go-to guy. I just kept working, kept working and finally I was able to make some plays. The first one was just by the grace of God. I was lucky to get that one. The second one, I got a good jump.”
After Willis Marshall fumbled the opening kickoff, the Crush quickly fell behind. But Marshall more than made up for it, catching two touchdown passes and running for another as Colorado posted its third straight 60-point game to remain the only undefeated team in the American Conference.
“I take the blame for putting us in a hole,” Marshall said. “But we fought back, and our defense won the game for us in the second half.”
Down 35-27 at halftime, coach Mike Dailey put the pressure on the defense in the locker room, and it went right out and put the pressure on Las Vegas quarterback Craig Whelihan, knocking him out of the game for a series on a hit by defensive end Saul Patu. In came Gauntt, who threw the first interception to Floyd.
Then late in the game, after Clay Rush kicked his first field goal of the season to put the Crush ahead 58-49, Hugh Hunter sacked Whelihan in the end zone and stripped him of the ball. Dustin Barno recovered to put the Crush ahead 65-49.
Except for the one interception, Whelihan and wide receiver Joe Douglass pretty much had their way against the Crush secondary, combining for four touchdowns.
“But it was all for naught,” Douglass said. “The onside kick, the interceptions. For whatever reason, Colorado has a knack for making those plays.”
Las Vegas 13 22 7 13 – 55
Colorado 7 20 14 24 – 65
FIRST QUARTER
LV – Whelihan 1 run (kick blocked), 8:27.
Colo – Peaua 1 run (Rush kick), 4:45.
LV – Hill 25 pass from Whelihan (Houle kick), 2:09.
SECOND QUARTER
Colo – Hawkins 3 pass from Dutton (Rush kick), 13:41.
LV – Douglass 45 pass from Whelihan (Houle kick), 12:22.
Colo – Marshall 4 pass from Dutton (Rush kick), 11:13.
LV – Nash 26 pass from Whelihan (Nash pass from Whelihan), 6:36.
LV – Douglass 23 pass from Whelihan (Houle kick), :44.
Colo – Marshall 11 pass from Dutton (kick failed), :02.
THIRD QUARTER
LV – Douglass 13 pass from Whelihan (Houle kick), 12:22.
Colo – McCullough 45 pass from Dutton (Rush kick), 11:13.
Colo – Marshall 2 run (Rush kick), 6:27.
FOURTH QUARTER
Colo – Harrell 12 pass from Dutton (Rush kick), 14:55.
LV – Douglass 4 pass from Whelihan (Houle kick), 11:49.
Colo – Harrell 10 pass from Dutton (Rush kick), 8:41.
Colo – FG Rush 28, 2:11.
Colo – Barno fumble recovery in end zone, 1:38.
LV – Bell 29 pass from Whelihan (pass failed), :32.
A – 15,116.
LV COLO
First downs 19 20
Rushes-yards 8-20 4-5
Passing yards 298 307
Passes 23-35-2 27-46-0
Return yards 130 126
Fumbles-lost 1-1 1-1
Penalties-yards 5-35 4-30
Time of possession 29:08 30:52
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING – Las Vegas, Jackson 4-26, Mann 1-2, Whelihan 3-(minus 8). Colorado, Peaua 3-3, Marshall 1-2.
PASSING – Las Vegas, Whelihan 23-34-1-298, Gauntt 0-1-1-0. Coorado, Dutton 27-46-0-307.
RECEIVING – Las Vegas, Douglass 6-104, Nash 6-85, Blalock 6-35, Hill 4-45, Bell 1-29. Colorado, Harrell 9-108, Marshall 8-80, McCullough 7-101, Hawkins 3-18.
Joseph Sanchez can be reached at 303-820-5458 or jsanchez@denverpost.com.
