The Gladiators, 5-6 with five games remaining in the regular season, desperately needed a victory to remain relevant in the National Conference playoff chase.
Brent Holmes' fourth-quarter touchdown catch and celebration was some enjoyable icing on the Arena League cake for Cleveland fans as the Gladiators rolled over Iowa Saturday night at The Q.CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Gladiators defensive back Levy Brown called his shot -- sort of.
Before a kickoff in the first quarter Saturday night, Brown responded to the request of several observers on the other side of the padded wall by saying he would, indeed, return an interception for a touchdown.
Brown made it happen midway through the third quarter. His first pick of the season in his second game as a Gladiator effectively sealed the outcome in a 76-35 rout of Iowa at The Q.
The Gladiators have been on a wild ride the last three games. They pounded the Utah Blaze, 75-39, at home June 4 before being flattened by the Milwaukee Iron, 82-54, on the road June 12.
The Gladiators, 5-6 with five games remaining in the regular season, desperately needed a victory to remain relevant in the National Conference playoff chase. The Barnstormers slipped to 4-6.
"We don't even have a Plan B, only a Plan A -- to win out," Brown said.
John Dutton threw for 284 yards and seven touchdowns and was not intercepted as the Gladiators swept the season series against Iowa. On May 8 in Des Moines, Dutton threw for 355 yards and five touchdowns and was not picked in a 70-56 victory.
Iowa's secondary had few answers for Dutton and Ben Nelson when it mattered. Nelson, who entered the weekend ranked second in the Arena Football League in receptions (107) and first in receiving yards (1,369), caught 11 for 157 and five touchdowns. Four of the TDs came from Dutton, one from backup Kevin McCabe.
Defensive back Jason Simpson, in particular, routinely was a step or three behind Nelson and others. Simpson stood out because of his neon-green shoes.
Brown and his defensive teammates more than complemented the Gladiators' potent offense. Among other standouts were linebacker Tim Cheatwood, a former Buckeye, and lineman Anthony Hoke. The unit contained Iowa quarterback Ryan Vena (18-for-24, 207 yards, four TDs, one interception).
"Our defense played great," Gladiators coach Steve Thonn said. "We talked all week about putting pressure on Vena and their offense, and we were able to do that."
Brown was assigned to the Gladiators on April 22. He debuted at Spokane on May 1, making two tackles and assisting on two others. He was inactive the next two weeks, then placed on injured reserve because of an ankle problem.
Iowa paid for the extended down time. Brown delivered numerous hard hits as a defensive back and special teamer.
"It felt good to be back out there with my teammates," he said. "Coach pushed me throughout the week, he expected big things, and I delivered."
With 6:13 remaining in the third, Brown returned Vena's pass 13 yards for a 49-21 advantage. Brown needed to sweat out a flag, which turned out to be on Iowa, before he could dance in the end zone.
The Gladiators scored five touchdowns in five possessions in the first half and led, 35-21.
The opening kickoff from the Gladiators' Matt Denny bounced off the net and away from the Barnstormers return man. Denny emerged from the pile with the ball at the Iowa 16.
The recovery turned into six points when Russell Monk rumbled in from a yard out.
With nine seconds left in the half, Dutton connected with Nelson from nine yards. Denny's extra point made it a 14-point spread.