Crush outlast Rattlers
Published on February 20, 2005 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Arizona Rattlers News Release
PHOENIX- John Dutton tossed five touchdown passes, and the Crush defense added two more scores to lead the Colorado Crush to a 74-69 victory over the Rattlers at America West Arena. Joe Germaine, making his third start in place of the injured Sherdrick Bonner, threw eight touchdown tosses, but had three costly turnovers in the loss.
The Crush offense struggled on their opening possession, as the Rattler defense held them to a Clay Rush 50-yard field goal. Arizona answered that with an 11-yard touchdown pass from Germaine to Siaha Burley and an early 7-3 lead. After trading touchdown passes, Ahmad Hawkins returned a kickoff 53 yards for the touchdown, putting the Crush up 24-14. It was the third kickoff return touchdown given up by the Rattlers this season. Things went from bad to worse for Arizona after that, as Germaine fumbled at his own goal line. Former Rattler John Peaua recovered it in the end zone for the score and a 30-14 lead. The Rattlers hung tough, as Randy Gatewood caught a 16-yard touchdown to pull the Rattlers to within nine. But after a Damian Harrell TD reception, the Crush defense struck again. They forced another Germaine fumble, this one recovered by Andy McCullough for the score.
It looked like a blowout in the making at the intermission, as Colorado held a 50-35 edge. But the Rattlers came out firing in the second half, scoring 21 unanswered points, including Randy Gatewood's fumble recovery in the end zone on a kickoff. Damian Harrell ended the Rattler run, catching one of his three touchdown passes. The teams would trade off scoring touchdowns, until Germaine was intercepted by Ahmad Hawkins with the Crush clinging to a 64-62 lead with 2:20 remaining.
Colorado took a 74-69 lead on Clay Rush's 29 yard field goal with 11 seconds remaining, but the Rattlers had one more chance. Germaine heaved a pass off the nets as time expired, but the ball fell incomplete, giving Colorado the 74-69 win. Despite blowing a 15 point halftime lead, the Crush improve to 2-2, while Arizona drops to 1-3 for the first time in team history.
Dutton finished 23-40 for 241 yards and five scores. Damian Harrell caught nine balls for 144 yards and three touchdowns. Germaine was 28-40 for 319 yards and a career high eight TDs. Each quarterback was picked off once. Siaha Burley ended with eight catches for 108 yards and three scores. Arizona was penalized 15 times, for 83 yards, while Colorado was flagged 12 times for 67 yards.
Arizona now hits the road as Todd Shell returns to New York for an engagement with his former team, the Dragons, next Sunday on NBC. Kickoff is slated for 1 PM Arizona time.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 20, 2005
- Georgia takes the house in Vegas - Georgia Force
- The OSC interview: Austin Wranglers President Doug MacGregor - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury
- Soul hexed by VooDoo, 61-47 - Philadelphia Soul
- New Orleans outlasts Philadelphia 61-47 - New Orleans VooDoo
- Crush outlast Rattlers - Arizona Rattlers
- Rampage Corralled 73-61 by Wranglers - Grand Rapids Rampage
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
