Game Preview: Power at Rattlers
April 17, 2014 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Pittsburgh Power News Release
PITTSBURGH, PA (April 16, 2014) - The Pittsburgh Power travel to Phoenix, AZ, to take on the defending ArenaBowl XXVI Champions the Arizona Rattlers this Saturday, April 19. Kickoff at Ak-Chin Field at the US Airways Center is scheduled for 9:00 pm ET. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN3. The game will also be broadcast on TribLIVE Radio with Ken Laird and Dom Errico commentating.
THE GAME:
Pittsburgh Power (3-1) at Arizona Rattlers (4-0)
Saturday, April 19 - 9:00 pm ET
Ak-Chin Field at the US Airways Center - Phoenix, AZ
TV: ESPN3
Radio: TribLIVE Radio
All-Time Series: Rattlers lead 2-0
LAST WEEK:
The Power enter Week 6 coming off a victory against the New Orleans VooDoo last week on their home field, 56-14. With the 42-point win, Pittsburgh set a franchise record for largest margin of defeat at home. On an individual note, Power defensive back Virgil Gray set a franchise record for single-game interceptions with three picks in the game. The 14 points scored by New Orleans was a franchise-low for the VooDoo.
The Rattlers enter the matchup with an undefeated record and having held the number one spot in the Coaches' Poll every week this season. Last week, Arizona took on the San Jose SaberCats on Ak-Chin Field and squeaked out a victory with :07 seconds remaining in the game when quarterback Nick Davila completed a 7-yard pass to give the Rattlers a 57-51 lead over the SaberCats.
POWER TO WATCH | OFFENSE:
At the helm of the Power's offense is veteran quarterback Tommy Grady. In four games for Pittsburgh this season, Grady as connected 86-of-155 passes for 889 yards and 20 touchdowns. He has posted a QBR of 91.03.
Leading the Power's receiving corps is Aaron Lesue who has caught 35 of Grady's 86 completions on the season. He also has recorded a team high 340 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Also adding to the offense for Pittsburgh is Shaun Kauleinamoku with 28 catches for 301 yards and three touchdowns.
RATTLERS TO WATCH | OFFENSE:
At the quarterback position for Arizona is four-year AFL veteran Nike Davila. Davila has completed 82-of-122 passes for 1,046 yards and 29 touchdowns. Averaging seven touchdown passes per game, Davila is ranked fourth in the league for passing stats.
Leading the team's receiving yards is Maurice Purify. In four games, Purify has caught 32 passes for 412 yards and 12 touchdowns. Also contributing to the offense is Tyson Poots who has recorded 21 catches for 296 yards and seven touchdowns.
POWER TO WATCH | DEFENSE:
Veteran defensive back and former Rattler Virgil Gray leads the Power's defensive efforts with 18.5 tackles, six interceptions, and seven pass breakups. Gray has recorded a pick in four straight games so far this season. Defensive back Brandon Freeman has also contributed to the team's defense with a team high 20.0 tackles.
RATTLERS TO WATCH | DEFENSE:
Leading Arizona's defensive units is defensive back Jeremy Kellem with a team high 26.5 tackles. Kellem has also recorded one interception and six pass breakups on the season. Defensive back Marquis Floyd has also chipped in with 25.0 tackles and two pass breakups.
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