Anaheim, CA - The LA KISS (7-7) were able to survive a fourth-quarter comeback by the
Cleveland Gladiators (7-8) and ultimately walked out of the Honda Center victorious by a
final score of 63-to- 61 in front of 8,069 fans on Saturday evening.
“We took a huge step in today’s game,” said Head Coach Omar Smith. “We were able to
handle some adversity. There was one point where Cleveland started to come back and our
guys did not waver. They made the plays that were necessary to get the win.”
Under Armour Player of the Game, quarterback Nathan Stanley had a career night. He tied is
career-high of nine touchdowns, eight passing and one on the ground, while completing 25-
of-37 pass attempts for 317 yards. Stephens hauled in 10 receptions for 126 yards and four
touchdowns to lead the LA KISS receiving corps. Donovan “Captain” Morgan found the end
zone three times, while catching seven passes for 102 yards. Fullback Rory Nixon recorded
three passes for 41 yards, while scurrying his way for 12 yards on the ground.
For the Gladiators, quarterback Arvell Nelson threw six touchdowns, and scrambled for two
more. He completed 19-of- 32 pass attempts for 332 yards and one interception. Quentin
Sims registered 12 receptions for 197 yards and five touchdowns to lead all receivers. Collin
Taylor added four receptions for 81 yards and a touchdown.
Riddell Defensive Player of the Game, jack linebacker Qumain Black led the LA KISS defense
with seven and a half total tackles (six solo) and an interception. Fredrick Obi added five
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solo tackles. For Cleveland, Demar Robinson led the way with five and a half tackles, while
Joe Powell recorded four and a half.
After the LA KISS won the coin toss and differed possession to the second half, Cleveland got
on the board first when Nelson tossed a 19-yard touchdown pass to Sims. The Adrian
Trevino kick split the uprights and the Gladiators took a 7-0 lead with 12:53 remaining in
the first quarter. Three plays later, the LA KISS evened the score on a six-yard Stanley-to-
Morgan touchdown. After Nelson scored on a three-yard quarterback-keeper, the Gladiators
regained a seven-point lead with 5:44 left in the first. Then Stanley tossed a six-yard
touchdown to Morgan and, after the Chris Gould kick was good, the score was tied at 14. As
time expired in the first quarter, Nelson hooked up with Taylor for a 28-yard score. The PAT
was good and Cleveland led 21-14 at the end of the quarter.
After the LA KISS opened the second quarter with a turnover on downs, Mike Lewis forced
DJ Brandel to fumble and the LA KISS regained possession. The home team quickly
capitalized on Cleveland’s turnover when Stanley his Colin Madison for a four-yard
touchdown. Gould’s kick split the uprights and the score was even at 21 with 5:03
remaining in the half. Two plays after an unsuccessful onside attempt by the LA KISS, Sims
was good for six on a seven-yard pass from Nelson. The kick was good and the Gladiators
were up by seven points. Then, with four seconds remaining in the half, the LA KISS
eliminated the Gladiators seven-point lead on a 11-yard Stanley-to- Morgan touchdown. At
halftime the LA KISS and Cleveland Gladiators were even at 28 points.
When the LA KISS struck first in the second half, they took their first lead of the game. On
fourth down, Stanley plowed through the goal line and scored a one-yard QB sneak. After a
successful kick, the LA KISS led 35-28 with 8:16 left in the third quarter. After Cleveland
couldn’t muster anything on offense and turned the ball over on downs, Stephens hauled in
a 41-yard touchdown pass from Stanley and the LA KISS led by 14 points. At the end of the
third quarter, the LA KISS led 42-to- 28.
The LA KISS defense continued to shine and opened the final period with a Qumain Black
interception. Then Stanley tossed a 14-yard touchdown pass, which gave Stephens his
second hat trick in as many games. The LA KISS led by 21 points with 7:55 remaining. The
Gladiators had a chance to cut their deficit to 14 points on a 15-yard Sims touchdown
reception, but the PAT was wide left and they trailed by 15. Two plays after Cleveland
completed a successful onside kick, Nelson and Sims were good for six on a 28-yard pass.
Morgan, on the immediate play following Cleveland’s unsuccessful onside kick, recorded his
third touchdown of the night on an eight-yard pass from Stanley and the LA KISS led by 15.
Then Nelson scrambled for a one-yard touchdown to cut the LA KISS lead to 8. Following an
onside recovery, which they retuned for a touchdown, the Gladiators had a chance to even
the game at 56 points. But Nelson couldn’t find an open receiver and the LA KISS retained a
two-point lead with a minute left in the game. On the ensuing possession, Stanley converted
on fourth and goal and hooked up with Stephens for a seven-yard score. Gould’s PAT spilt
the uprights, which gave the LA KISS a two-score lead with 35 seconds remaining in the
game. Cleveland attempted to surmount a last-minute comeback and Sims caught a 19-yard
touchdown to bring the Gladiators within two points. However, it was for naught and an
onside kick recovery my Morgan clinched the win for the LA KISS. The LA KISS ultimately
walked out victorious, and defeated the Gladiators by a score of 63-to- 61.
Next week the LA KISS will start their final two-game road trip of the 2016 regular season
and travel to Jacksonville to take on the Sharks (5-9) at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial
Arena on Saturday, July 23 rd . The game, which is set to kickoff at 4:00 PM PST, will be
available to be streamed live via WatchESPN/ESPN and on the ESPN App.
Media Awards:
Under Armour Offensive Player of the Game – LAK QB Nathan Stanley
Riddell Defensive Player of the Game – LAK JLB Qumain Black
J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Game – LAK WR DJ Stephens
Cutter Catch of the Game – CLE WR Collin Taylor’s 28-yard TD catch
Reception AFL Highlight of the Game – LAK DB Qumain Black’s interception in the fourth quarter
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