Austin, TX (CSTV U-WIRE) -- The Austin Wranglers used a 34-point second quarter to defeat the Las Vegas Gladiators in their season opener 64-46 at the Erwin Center.

"This was a much needed win for the organization," said Wranglers head coach Skip Foster said. "Our fans hung in there at the end of last year. Our team and our fans needed this."

The Wranglers jumped out to an early 7-0 lead when quarterback John Fitzgerald found a leaping Derrick Lewis in the back corner of the end zone. The Gladiators quickly answered back with a 29-yard touchdown pass from Craig Whelihan to Kevin Prentiss, but that was the last time the game would be in doubt. The Wranglers outscored the Gladiators 34-to-7 in the second quarter to lead 41-14 at halftime.

Fitzgerald was a threat through the air as well as on the ground, completing 18-of-32 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for two scores.

"I had a few too many mistakes tonight," Fitzgerald said. "We did alright on offense. Our line really got after them. They did a phenomenal job."

Derrick Lewis led the Wranglers in receiving with five catches for 69 yards and a touchdown. Damon Mason, the AFL's all-time leader in career tackles, had two interceptions for Austin.

"The secondary was great," lineman Tom Briggs said. "Up front we were getting pressure on the quarterback. We were hitting him almost every snap. It's great having guys like Mason and [Deveron] Harper back there giving us a few extra seconds to get to the quarterback."

The Wranglers now embark on a five game road trip before returning home to the Erwin Center on March 12.

(C) 2006 Daily Texan via CSTV U-WIRE