CLEVELAND, Ohio -- As magical as the Cleveland Gladiators' stunning 2014 campaign was, the ending will always leave a scar. On Saturday against the Arizona Rattlers, Cleveland has a chance to heal that still-tender wound just a little.

The Gladiators' home opener in Quicken Loans Arena is a rematch of last season's ArenaBowl embarrassment. The Rattlers defeated Cleveland at The Q, 72-32, the largest margin of victory in the Arena Football League's championship game.

For Cleveland fans, it was an unexpected ending to a season in which the Gladiators set a league record for regular-season victories (17-1) and came from behind to win six games in the last minute. Quarterback Shane Austin, a career backup until taking over early last season, led five of those comebacks.

But for the rest of the AFL, the ArenaBowl was business as usual. Quarterback Nick Davila led Arizona to its third straight title.

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GLADIATORS UPDATE

Record: 2-0

Last week: Shane Austin threw seven touchdowns, five to Dominick Goodman, in a 70-42 victory at New Orleans.

Streak: Cleveland has won 10 consecutive regular-season games.

Award winner: Defensive back Joe Phinisee, a Warren native and Walsh University product, was named AFL Defensive Player of the Week in each of the first two weeks. He had five tackles, a fumble recovery and an interception returned for a touchdown at New Orleans. He has recovered three fumbles and scored a two TDs on the season.

QB check: Austin is tied for the league lead in TD passes (14) and is fifth in QB rating (115.1). He has completed 64.5 percent of his passes (40-of-62) for 493 yards and has thrown two interceptions.

Top receivers: Dominick Goodman, 17 catches, 193 yards, 7 TDs; Collin Taylor (12, 126, 3), and Amarri Jackson (7, 117, 3).

Key stats: Cleveland outscored its first two opponents, 130-86. Its 65 points per game is 13.1 points over the league average. It is tied for the league lead in average scoring differential (plus-22).

Notable: Cleveland has not attempted a field goal; Austin leads the team in rushing with 19 yards on six carries and one TD; linebacker Tim Cheatwood (Benedictine/Ohio State) came out of retirement and had a sack last week; Coach Steve Thonn is 0-8 lifetime against Arizona.

ARIZONA RATTLERS UPDATE

Record: 1-1

Last week: Arizona suffered a surprising 70-53 road loss to the expansion Las Vegas Outlaws, who won their first game. The Outlaws took the lead before halftime and never trailed again. Las Vegas scored four rushing TDs. Arizona's Markee White caught five of Nick Davila's six TD passes. Arizona struggled on special teams, missing two field goals and Las Vegas became the first AFL team to return two missed field goals for touchdowns.

Injury ward: Injuries and turnover at wide receiver has slowed the Rattlers. All-AFL receiver Rod Windsor and Kerry Reed missed the first two games. Maurice Purify is out until midseason with a knee injury. Tyson Poots signed with Las Vegas in the off-season. Arizona also was missing All-Arena defensive back Marquis Floyd and key offensive lineman Michael Huey last week.

QB check: University of Cincinnati product Nick Davila has thrown 10 TD passes and one interception. He completed 44 of 71 passes (62 percent) for 510 yards and has a 113.0 QB rating, which ranks sixth.

Top receivers: Chase Deadder 16 catches, 144 yards 4 TDs; Markee White (14, 144, 5), and Jared Perry (11, 170, 1).

Notable: All-AFL defensive back Rayshaun Kizer was signed in the off-season. He had four interceptions against Austin in a playoff game last year playing for Philadelphia.

Rankings: Arizona is third and Cleveland sixth in the ArenaFan.com power rankings this week. The Gladiators are behind 0-2 Jacksonville at No. 5.