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AFL I Arizona Rattlers

Arizona Rattlers game notes

April 11, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Arizona Rattlers News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Game: Chicago Rush at Arizona Rattlers
Date: Saturday, April 15, 2006
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. (Pacific)
Site: Phoenix, Ariz.
Arena: US Airways Center (16,321)
Television: OLN - 7:00 p.m. (Ari Wolfe, Charles Davis, Andrew Siciliano)
Radio: ESPN Radio 860 AM - (Kent Derdivanis, Dale Hellestrae, Craig Grialou)
Series Record: Arizona leads 3-0 (1-0 in postseason)
Last Meeting: Arizona 61, Chicago 43 - May 6, 2005 at America West Arena
Officials: Bill Athan (R), Paul King (U), Mike McCabe (HL), Wayne Mackie (LJ), Dino Paganelli (BJ)
Head Coaches: Arizona - Gene Nudo (first season, 6-5) Chicago - Mike Hohensee (13th season overall, 92-83, sixth season with Rush, 48-39, 4-5 in playoffs)

2006 RATTLERS: Despite starting the season with three losses in a row, Arizona has fought their way to the top of a wide-open Western division by winning six of their last eight. Last week, they posted their fifth divisional victory and second road win by beating the Utah Blaze to go a game above .500 and take over sole-possession of first place. This week, the Rattlers aim for their fifth-straight home victory when they take on the Chicago Rush. Head Coach Gene Nudo, who is on the sidelines this season for the first time since 1995 when he was an assistant, has led a team mixed with youth and veterans. QB Sherdrick Bonner has stayed healthy since returning from a shoulder injury in Week 3, throwing for 2,690 yards and 56 TD's in his last ten games. With last week's win, Bonner became the first quarterback in AFL history to tally 100 career victories. WR/LB Randy Gatewood, who is the team's top target, has caught touchdowns in nine games, including 14 in his last two and a career-high seven last week. The "Ironman of the Year" candidate also leads the team in interceptions (3) and tackles (44). Other key offensive weapons include WR/LB Cosmo DeMatteo, who has caught 44 passes in the last seven games, WR/DB Curtis Fagan, who has 13 catches in the last two and OS Damien Groce, who returned to the lineup last week. Defensively, the team has relied on DS Erin Damond and DS Clarence Lawson, who just came off of the injured list, as DS Joe Todd is out for another week. Linemen Kelvin Ingram and Wendall Gaines have six of the team's nine sacks.
THE SERIES: This will be the fifth meeting of the series. Arizona has taken each of four prior contests. The teams have met three times in the regular season and once in the playoffs. The most recent game was a 61-43 Rattler win in Phoenix last year. The clubs met twice in Arizona during the 2002 season with the Rattlers winning, 52-41, in the regular season and 46-35 in the postseason. Arizona has played in Chicago just once, taking a 56-44 battle on May 11, 2003. The Rattlers also beat the Rush in their first-ever game, a 58-46 preseason win on March 30, 2001.

ARIZONA RATTLERS (6-5)
Date Opponent Time(P) TV
Jan. 29 @ Los Angeles Loss 40-31
Feb. 3 Austin Loss 53-34
Feb. 12 San Jose Loss 55-50
Feb. 18 Utah Win 45-38
Feb. 24 @ Columbus Loss 42-26
Mar. 4 Nashville Win 51-49
Mar. 10 Orlando Win 60-57
Mar. 17 @ Las Vegas Win 47-33
Mar. 24 Los Angeles Win 58-45
April 2 @ San Jose Loss 61-49
April 7 @ Utah Win 64-52
April 15 Chicago 7:00 OLN
April 23 @ G. Rapids 11:00a None
April 29 @ Dallas 5:00 None
May 6 Las Vegas 7:00 None
May 12 @ Colorado 6:00 FSAZ(delay)

CHICAGO RUSH (4-7)
Date Opponent Time(M) TV
Jan. 29 @ Colorado Loss 65-56
Feb. 3 New York Loss 51-47
Feb. 12 Nashville Win 56-55 (OT)
Feb. 18 @ Los Angeles Win 65-46
Feb. 26 San Jose Win 54-48
Mar. 5 Dallas Loss 59-42
Mar. 10 Colorado Loss 49-42
Mar. 17 @ Nashville Loss 48-47
Mar. 26 Grand Rapids Win 51-44
Apr. 2 @ Orlando Loss 55-27
Apr. 9 @ Philadelphia Loss 56-55 (OT)
Apr. 15 @ Arizona 7:00 OLN
Apr. 23 Las Vegas 7:00 None
Apr. 29 Georgia 8:30 None
May 6 Utah 6:00 FSN
May 13 @ Grand Rapids 7:00 OLN


RATTLER HEAD COACH: Gene Nudo enters his first season as head coach to become the third head coach in franchise history. Nudo joined the Rattlers coaching staff in 1995 as an assistant head coach before becoming a part of the team's front office in 1996. A true pioneer in the AFL, Nudo coached the first-ever Arena Football games in Rockford, Ill. (1986) as well as its "Showcase Game" in Rosemont, Ill. (1987). He would later serve as the Director of Player Personnel and assistant coach for the Chicago Bruisers (1987-88), helping guide them to a berth in ArenaBowl II.

THIS WEEK'S QUOTES:

Rattler head coach Gene Nudo on last week's win over Utah: "It was a real grind out there. We came out a little flat and it was really anyone's game all the way up until the end there. It was a hard-fought victory and I was proud that our guys stuck in there despite mistakes. It wasn't pretty, but we came out of there with a tough road win. We will have to use this game to help us improve next week."

Nudo on Chicago: "Chicago is a good rushing team that has a number of playmakers. They have had some heartbreaking losses in the past weeks, so their record is not a good indication of what kind of team they are. They have proved that they can play with the elite and are not out of the playoff race. We expect them to come out and give us a tough game."

Nudo on the home winning streak: "Our guys have played with high energy at home. In the past, it hasn't really been that big of a factor, but with all of the young guys we have this year it really seems that they feed off of the environment. After spending the last two weeks on the road, it will be good to come out in front of our faithful. We just need to keep the same kind of focus that we have had in previous home games."

ARIZONA RATTLERS
2005 Results (7-9)
Date Opponent Result Score
Jan. 28 @ G. Rapids Win 58-38
Feb. 3 Orlando Loss 51-40
Feb.12 @ Georgia Loss 61-47
Feb. 19 Colorado Loss 69-74
Feb. 27 @ New York Loss 61-37
Mar. 6 Los Angeles Loss 33-29
Mar. 13 @ Tampa Bay Loss 59-56
Mar. 19 Las Vegas Loss 66-63
Mar. 26 @ Nashville Win 48-35
April 3 @ San Jose Loss 48-27
April 8 Columbus Win 70-53
April 22 Austin Win 52-26
April 30 @ Los Angeles Loss 59-56
May 6 Chicago Win 61-43
May 14 San Jose Win 54-44
May 22 @ Las Vegas Win 49-42

NEXT GAME: The Rattlers will travel to Grand Rapids for the first of two road games when they take on the Rampage on Sunday April 23rd. It will also be the first of three out of four road games before the end of the regular season for Arizona. The contest is set to kick off at 11:00 a.m. (PST) and can be heard on ESPN 860 AM.

THE "IF" SECTION
If the Rattlers defeat Chicago it would:
- be their seventh victory in their last nine games
- be their 13th win in their last 19 games
- give them a 5-0 all-time record against the Rush
- give them a 3-0 record on Saturday
- keep them in sole-possession of first place in the Western Division

Rattlers Coaching HistorySeason - Head Coach Record
1992-2004 Danny White 122-57 (playoffs 20-10)
2005 Todd Shell 7-9
2006 Gene Nudo 6-5

DIVISION ADDITION: The league's Western division took new shape this year with the addition of the expansion Utah Blaze. The Blaze are coached by former Rattler head coach Danny White, who is the team's head coach, while former Rattler WR/LB Hunkie Cooper is an assistant.

SECOND HALF SURGE: The Rattlers have hardly been known for breaking out of the gates quickly in recent years. In their last four seasons, Arizona has a combined 12-20 record during the first half of the season, but the team boasts a 22-5 record during the second half of the season, making championship runs in 2003 and 2004.

Record Year- Seson Result 1st Half 2nd Half Final record
2003 lost ArenaBowl XVII 4-4 6-2 13-7
2004 lost ArenaBowl XVIII 3-5 8-0 13-6
2005 missed playoffs 1-7 6-2 7-9
2006 ???? 4-4 2-1 ???

25 PERCENT OF THE TOP 20: The league's historical committee announced the top 20 players in AFL history on January 18, 2006. A total of five players with Rattler ties made the list, including current Rattler QB Sherdrick Bonner and WR/DB Randy Gatewood. Former Rattlers included WR/LB Hunkie Cooper, QB Aaron Garcia, and FB/LB Bob McMillen.

Top 20 Players of All-time
1. Eddie Brown - Albany, Indiana
2. Barry Wagner - Orlando, San Jose
3. George LaFrance - Detroit, Tampa Bay, New Jersey
4. Jay Gruden - Tampa Bay, Orlando
5. Hunkie Cooper - Arizona
6. James Baron - Chicago, Nashville
7. Sylvester Bembery - New England, Albany, Tampa
8. Sherdrick Bonner - Arizona
9. Stevie Thomas - Tampa Bay, Orlando, New Jersey
10. Dwayne Dixon - Washington, Detroit
11. Aaron Garcia - Arizona, Iowa, New York
12. Kurt Warner - Iowa
13 Sam Hernandez - Las Vegas, Anaheim, San Jose
14. Cory Fleming - Carolina, Orlando, Nashville
14. Greg Hopkins - Albany, Indiana, Los Angeles
16. Alvin Rettig - Detroit
17. Randy Gatewood - Arizona
17. Gary Mullen - Denver, Detroit, Cincinnati
19. John Corker - Detroit, Miami
20. Bob McMillen - Arizona, San Jose, Chicago
13 = 8 = GREAT: Arizona quarterback Sherdrick Bonner is one of the league's best all-time field generals, as he was honored as eighth-greatest on the league's top 20 of all-time. In addition to owning every Rattler passing record, he is steadily working his way up the league charts. Currently, Bonner ranks in the top four in four different all-time passing stats with 35,777 passing yards (No. 4 on the AFL career chart), 716 touchdowns (No. 4), 4,624 pass attempts (No. 3), and 2,823 completions (No. 4). Bonner has also won more games than any other quarterback in AFL history with 100 regular season victories and 17 playoff wins.

Career Passing Yards
1. Andy Kelly - Kansas City Brigade 38,546
2. Aaron Garcia - New York Dragons 36,102
3. Clint Dolezel - Dallas Desperados 35,939
4. Sherdrick Bonner - Arizona Ratters 35,777

Career Touchdowns
1. Aaron Garcia - New York Dragons 759
2. Andy Kelly - Kansas City Brigade 739
3. Clint Dolezel - Dallas Desperados 731
4. Sherdrick Bonner - Arizona Ratters 716

Career Attempts
1. Andy Kelly - Kansas City Brigade 5,665
2. Clint Dolezel - Dallas Desperados 4,648
3. Sherdrick Bonner - Arizona Ratters 4,624
4. Aaron Garcia - New York Dragons 4,468

Career Completions
1. Andy Kelly - Kansas City Brigade 3,506
2. Clint Dolezel - Dallas Desperados 3,024
3. Aaron Garcia - New York Dragons 2,833
4. Sherdrick Bonner - Arizona Ratters 2,823

SCORING MACHINE: WR/DB Randy Gatewood scored a touchdown in 13 of his 16 games last season. He has scored touchdowns in nine of 11 games this season and has a total of 190 touchdowns in his career as a Rattler.

PLAYERS TO WATCH THIS WEEK:

Chicago WR/DB Jeremy Unertl: The team leader, with six interceptions, Unertl recorded a team-high eight and a half tackles and returned an interception for 16 yards in last week's loss to Philadelphia. Since signing with the team in Week 3, Unertl has tallied 52 and a half tackles and has been an anchor in the defensive backfield. As he prepares for an Arizona team that gave up an interception for a touchdown last week, the three-year veteran will have some extra confidence.

Arizona WR/DB Jeremiah Pope: Pope had just two catches for 28 yards in his return two week's ago after returning from a finger injury that put him out for over a month. As the Rattlers look to build off of their highest point total of the season, Pope's production on both sides of the ball will be something to keep an eye on. The former af2 standout is also a dangerous kick returner as well, tallying 127 yards on nine returns in his last game. If Arizona is able to get Pope involved in an offense that has relied mainly on Randy Gatewood the past weeks, they could get the extra offense they need to win again.

LAST GAME:
BONNER WINS 100th, RATTLERS PUT OUT BLAZE, 64-52

Salt Lake City, Utah (April 7, 2006) - In a game that saw five lead changes and two ties, quarterback Sherdrick Bonner recorded his 100th victory, while wide receiver/defensive back Randy Gatewood scored a career-high seven touchdowns in a 64-52 Arizona victory over the Utah Blaze in front of 14,651 at the Delta Center.

The win gave the Rattlers (6-5) a half-game lead over Las Vegas for first place in the Western Division, while the Blaze dropped to 3-8.

Bonner, who is the first-ever AFL quarterback to record 100 wins, finished 25-of-49 for 345 yards and eight touchdowns. Gatewood earned "Offensive Player of the Game" honors with 13 catches for 149 yards. His seven touchdowns tied a Rattler single-game record which was held by Calvin Schexnayder.

"I couldn't have accomplished this feat without guys like Randy around me," said the 12-year veteran Bonner. "I am truly blessed to be able to play this long and have the guys I have had around me."

Down by six with under a minute left, the Blaze faced a fourth-and-goal. They attempted a trick play when quarterback Jason Gesser threw a pass to wide receiver/defensive back Orshawante Braynt behind the line of scrimmage. Braynt tried to throw the ball back to Gesser, but it fell incomplete.

"We knew all week that they were going to try some trickery," said Rattler head coach Gene Nudo. "It wasn't a pretty game, but I'm glad we hung in there to win it."

The Blaze struck first when Gesser found wide receiver/linebacker Tom Pace for a 23-yard touchdown on the first play from scrimmage.

The Rattlers responded on their second play from scrimmage, when Gatewood caught a 33-yard score to tie the game at seven, less than three minutes into the contest.

Pace scored again on Utah's next series, this time on a run from three yards out to give the Blaze a 14-7 lead. The Blaze extended their lead to 14 when wide receiver/defensive back Justin Taplin, who spent training camp with Arizona this season, intercepted a Bonner pass and took it into the endzone from 13 yards out.

After the turnover, Arizona countered with 22 consecutive points to take a 29-21 lead with 12:40 left in the first half.

The run started when Bonner found Gatewood a second time from nine yards out to cut the Blaze lead to eight, 21-13, after Gary Kral's extra point attempt failed.

On the ensuing possession, the Rattlers forced Utah into a 58-yard field goal attempt that Rattler offensive defensive/lineman Kelvin Ingram blocked in the endzone. After the ball deflected off of Ingram's arm, it hit the back wall for a Rattler safety.

Following the safety, Bonner was able to find Gatewood for a third touchdown, this time from six yards out, to give the Rattlers their first lead, 22-21.

The Rattlers scored for a fourth-straight time when wide receiver/linebacker Wilson Thomas recovered Kral's kickoff that bounced off the net and through the hands of Utah offensive specialist Siaha Burley in the endzone to put the Rattlers up eight, 29-21.

The Blaze answered with a touchdown and a stop, but was unable to take the lead when fullback/linebacker Kautai Olevao attempted a short run inside the Rattler 10-yard line. On the play, Olevao tried to push a stopped pile forward, but Rattler defensive specialist Clarence Lawson alertly stripped the ball out of his hands to give Arizona the ball back.

The Rattlers could not capitalize on the turnover, as Kral attempted a 54-yard field goal that was blocked. The ball squirted forward to the Arizona eight-yard line when Utah recovered it. On the next play, Olevao redeemed himself by rushing in a touchdown from eight yards out to give the Blaze the lead back, 34-29, with under a minute left in the second quarter.

The points proved to be the final ones of the half, as Kral attempted a 40-yard field goal that missed as the second quarter expired.

Utah recorded their third stop in a row at the start of the second half, forcing the Rattlers to go four-and-out. They upped their lead to eight, 37-29, when kicker Steve Vietich connected on an 18-yard field goal.

Gatewood's fourth touchdown of the game was a spectacular 27-yard catch to bring Arizona within one with seven minutes left in the third. After the score, the Rattlers defense came to life, recording their second safety when fullback/linebacker tackled Gesser in the endzone to give Arizona the lead back, 38-37.

Despite getting possession back, the Rattlers couldn't build on their lead, as Bonner was intercepted by wide receiver/defensive back Sale Key. The Blaze wasted no time to take advantage of the turnover, as Gesser found Burley for a 14-yard score to give Utah the lead back. Key capped the possession by pulling in a two-point conversion to put the Blaze up 45-38.

Bonner and Gatewood hooked up for a fifth time to start the fourth quarter in which the Rattlers scored 26 points. The touchdown tied the game at 45.

The Rattlers took the lead for a second time when Gatewood caught his sixth touchdown pass after a Lawson interception.

The two teams would trade scores on the next two possessions, but the Rattlers could only extend their lead to six after a touchdown by offensive specialist Damien Groce, as Kral missed his second extra point to keep the Rattler lead at 58-52 with 3:20 left in the game.

After the Rattlers stopped Utah on the fourth-and-goal, Bonner sealed the victory with a seven-yard touchdown to Gatewood for his seventh one of the night.

"It was a night that I won't forget," said Gatewood. "Thankfully we were able to win. We need to keep this kind of momentum going."

Lawson, who filled in for Joe Todd, took "Defensive Player of the Game" honors and Thomas was named the game's "Ironman".

ARIZONA (6-5) 15 14 9 26 -- 64
UTAH (3-8) 21 13 11 7 -- 52


QUEST FOR 100: Rattler quarterback Sherdrick Bonner became the first QB in AFL history to win 100 games when he led the Rattlers to a 64-52 victory over the Utah Blaze on April 7, 2006.

GETTING PASS DEFENSIVE: The Rattlers rank second in the league in pass defense, allowing just 2609 yards in 11 games (237 yards/per game average).

Passing Defense Avg. Yds per game
1. Kansas City Brigade 2568 233.5
2. Arizona Rattlers 2609 237.2
3. Nashville Kats 2641 240.1
4. Colorado Crush 2643 240.3

NFL RATTLERS: Twelve Rattlers have spent time on NFL rosters - OL/DL Vince Amey (1998 Oakland), OL/DL Sebastian Barrie (1992 Green Bay, 1994 San Francisco and Arizona), QB Sherdrick Bonner (1998 Atlanta), DS Wendell Davis (1996-99 Dallas, 1999 Washington), WR/DB Curtis Fagan (2005 Tampa Bay), OL/DL Wendall Gaines (1993-96 Arizona, 1997 Kansas City, 1998-99 Philadelphia), WR/DB Randy Gatewood (1995 Miami), OL/DL Kelvin Ingram (1995-96 New Orleans, 1996-97 Seattle), WR/DB Jeremiah Pope (2004 Philadelphia), WR/DB Wilson Thomas (2003 Kansas City, 2004 Green Bay Packers), OL/DL Mark Tucker (1991 Atlanta, 1992 Indianapolis, 1993-94 Arizona, 1995 Jacksonville), and WR/DB Talib Wise (2005 Chicago). Three Ratters -- Amey (7th round), Davis (6th round), and Tucker (7th round) -- were NFL Draft picks. Davis is the most experienced, having played in 34 NFL games.

ARIZONA CONNECTIONS: The Rattlers have three players with local connections: OL/DL Vince Amey (Arizona State alum). Two Rattlers - OL/DL Wendall Gaines and OL/DL Mark Tucker - played for the Arizona Cardinals.

CATCH RATTLE AND ROLL: The Rattlers lead the league in yards per catch, averaging over 13 yards per reception.

Passing Yards per catchRank Team Comp Yards Avg.
1. Arizona Rattlers 220 3030 13.8
2. Nashville Kats 199 2492 12.5
3. Dallas Desperados 264 3280 12.4
4. San Jose SaberCats 270 2256 12.1

SNAKES STACK STOPS: Arizona has been one of the league's stingiest teams when it comes to giving up touchdowns. Opponents have found the endzone on just 54.55 percent of their possessions.

Defense Touchdown %Rank Team Opp Poss. TD's TD %
1. Columbus Destroyers 130 61 46.92
2. Dallas Desperados 131 67 51.15
3. Orlando Predators 131 70 54.14
4. Philadelphia Soul 133 72 54.55
5. Arizona Rattleers 132 72 54.62

RECENT ROSTER MOVES:
Date Action Player
4/6 Activated from IR DS Clarence Lawson
Placed on IR DS Joe Todd
4/5 Signed FB/LB Joey Dozier
Placed on IR FB/LB Frank Trentadue
Signed to practice squad OL/DL Jeff Ruffin
4/4 Waived OL/DL Ricky Gaspar
4/1 Activated from IR OS Damien GroceWR/DB Jeremiah PopeWR/DB Wilson Thomas
Placed on IR OL/DL Anthony HutchOS Darrell JonesWR/DB Talib Wise
3/23 Activated from IR OL/DL Wendall Gaines
Signed to practice squad QB Dennis Gile
3/22 Waived QB Dennis Gile
3/16 Signed from practice squad DS Art Smith
Signed to practice squad WR/DB Johnny Marshall
Placed on IR OS Damien Groce
3/14 Signed from practice squad QB Dennis Gile
3/9 Signed from practice squad DS Erin Damond
Signed to practice squad OL/DL Tim CroffWR/DB Arthur Smith
Placed on IR DS Wendell Davis
3/3 Activated from IR DS Wendell DavisOL/DL Steve MascorroFB/LB Frank Trentadue
Placed on IR OL/DL Wendall GainesDS Clarence LawsonOL/DL Mark Tucker

THE RATTLERS ARE ...
- 4-2 at US Airways Center
- 2-3 on the road
- 4-0 when they score more than 50 points
- 2-0 when they score 60 or more points
- 6-4 when they allow less than 60 points
- 4-2 when they allow less than 50 points
- 2-0 when they allow less than 40 points
- 3-2 when they score first
- 3-0 when they commit fewer turnovers
- 1-3 when they commit more turnovers
- 5-2 when a player scores three or more touchdowns
- 0-1 when they score two or more TDs on the ground
- 5-2 when Sherdrick Bonner throws five or more TDs
- 2-1 when Damien Groce scores two or more TDs
- 2-0 when Damien Groce catches seven or more passes
- 0-1 when Bo Kelly scores two or more TDs
- 1-3 when they commit fewer penalties
- 4-1 when they record at least one sack
- 1-3 when they go scoreless for at least one quarter
- 0-0 when they pitch a shutout in a quarter
- 2-0 when the game is decided by 7 or fewer points
- 3-1 when leading at halftime
- 1-5 when trailing at halftime

LAST MEETING WITH CHICAGO
RATTLERS CRUSH RUSH, 61-43

Phoenix, Ariz. (May 6, 2005) - It was a tale of two halves for the Chicago Rush in the desert.

Unfortunately, both halves featured horrendous starts on special teams, giving QB Sherdrick Bonner and the Arizona Rattlers excellent opportunities to take control of the game.

Those opportunities were converted each time, as the Rattlers rolled to a 61-43 win over the Rush Friday night at America West Arena in front of 12,349 fans.

The loss drops Chicago to 8-6 on the season and 0-4 against Arizona all-time. Colorado-the team Chicago was tied with atop the Central Division entering the Arizona game-plays at New Orleans Sunday.

In the first half, Bonner drove the Rattlers (5-9) quickly down the field for the game's first score, finding offensive specialist Siaha Burley for a 25-yard TD.

On the ensuing kickoff, Chicago's Russell Shaw-returning kicks for the injured Henry Douglas-fumbled the ball at his own eight-yard line after a big hit from Rattlers' defensive specialist Terrance Joseph. Fullback/linebacker Phil Glover pounced on the ball giving Arizona possession at the ten. Bonner found wide receiver/linebacker Tom Pace two plays later, slicing across on the front of the end zone, putting Arizona up 14-0 less than four minutes into the game.

Down 35-21, the second half didn't start any better than the first for Chicago and its special teams unit. Receiving the ball to start the second half, the Rush couldn't corral a Gary Kral onside kick, which Arizona did at its own 17-yard line.
Bonner capitalized, finding Pace on the double-move for a 28-yard score, giving the Rattlers a commanding 41-21 lead early in the third.

"We came out and committed a big turnover at the beginning of the game and gave a team with a poor record a lot of confidence," Rush head coach Mike Hohensee said. "We wanted to come out in the second half and get back in the game, but we couldn't handle the onside kick."

Bonner was brilliant from the outset, completing 13 of 14 passes for 132 yards and five touchdowns in five possessions before the intermission. The thirteen-year veteran finished the game 22 of 25 for 240 yards and eight TDs.

"Bonner was flawless tonight," Hohensee said. "That team (Arizona) was eliminated from the playoffs last week and they played with a lot of pride. Give them credit."

Burley and Pace complicated things for the Rush defense all night long. Burley caught six passes for 108 yards and three scores, while Pace added seven catches for 80 yards and three TDs of his own.

Chicago quarterback Raymond Philyaw finished the evening 19 of 25 for 139 yards, four touchdowns and one interception, before being lifted in favor of Todd Hammel with the game out of reach in the fourth.

Rush wide receiver/linebacker Etu Molden snagged nine passes for 74 yards and a pair of TDs. Rookie C.J. Johnson filled in for the injured Douglas at offensive specialist admirably, catching seven balls for 73 yards and two TDs. He added seven kick returns for 136 yards.


CHICAGO (8-6) 7 14 7 15 -- 43
ARIZONA (5-9) 21 14 13 13 -- 61



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 11, 2006


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