Rattlers Burn Blaze for Third Time, Advance to Quarterfinals, 57-34
Published on May 20, 2006 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Arizona Rattlers News Release
PHOENIX - The Arizona Rattlers extend their home win streak to seven games, while beating the Utah Blaze for the third time this season in a 57-34 wild card playoff victory in front of 7,982 at US Airways Center.
With the victory, the Rattlers (9-8) advanced to the quarterfinals for the 13th time in their 15-year history. They will take on the San Jose SaberCats on Saturday, May 27 at 12:30 in HP Pavilion. The SaberCats swept the regular season series, 2-0.
With a two-point lead late in the fourth quarter, Arizona's defense forced the Blaze into a third-and-nine at their 13-yard line. As Utah quarterback Andy Kelly rolled out to his right, Rattler offensive/defensive lineman Jeff Ruffin broke through the line to wrestle Kelly down at the Blaze five-yard line. After the sack, Arizona forced a turnover on downs when Kelly's fourth-down pass fell incomplete.
The stop, which was the Rattlers second of the game, led to a five-yard touchdown run by quarterback Sherdrick Bonner that gave them a 43-34 lead with 2:46 left in the game.
Bonner earned "Offensive Player of the Game" honors, finishing 16-of-26 for 238 yards and five touchdowns.
Arizona increased their lead to 16, when defensive specialist Joe Todd recovered the ensuing kickoff off and took it in for the score.
"That was the one that clinched it," said Rattler head coach Gene Nudo. "You've got to really give it up to our defensive line tonight. They put us in great position to win the game down the stretch."
The Rattlers opened the game with a 7-0 lead after Bonner found Gatewood from five yards out, just over five minutes into the contest.
Utah answered with two straight scores, including a five-yard touchdown to wide receiver/defensive back Justin Skaggs that put the Blaze up 14-7 with 34 seconds left in the first quarter. The drive was set up after defensive specialist DaQu'an Davis intercepted a Bonner pass that went through wide receiver/defensive back Jeremiah Pope's hands on Arizona's second possession.
Arizona tied it at 14 two plays later when Bonner connected with offensive specialist Damien Groce for a 44-yard score with 12:49 left in the second quarter.
After trading scores, Utah kicker Steve Videtich added a 23-yard field goal as the half expired to give the Blaze a 24-21 lead heading into the break.
Blaze offensive specialist Siaha Burley caught his second touchdown, a 41-yarder from Andy Kelly which extended the Utah lead to ten, 31-21, less than a minute into the second half.
On the ensuing possession the Rattlers faced a first-and-goal at the one, when Bonner's attempt of a quarterback sneak on first down was stuffed at the goaline.
On second down, offensive/defensive lineman Steve Mascorro could not get a clean snap to Bonner, which lead to a loose ball that Blaze wide receiver/defensive back Tom Pace jumped on, giving Utah the ball on the their one-yard line with a 10-point lead.
Just when the Blaze thought they could take advantage of the turnover, Rattler offensive/defensive lineman Wendall Gaines, who was named "Defensive Player of the Game," rushed through the middle of the line and sacked Kelly for a safety on the very next play to bring Arizona within eight, 31-23, with 10:03 left in the third quarter.
After the safety, Bonner hooked up with Gatewood for a second time to bring the Rattlers within one, 31-30, with 4:29 left in the half.
"The safety was the biggest play of the season," said Bonner. "It came at a crucial time and we were able to go down and convert right after it. We never let up after that."
Arizona took their first lead of the second half, 36-34, when Bonner threw to Gatewood for a third time, a 14-yard crossing pattern that he ran in with 8:14 to go in the game. After the touchdown, Utah blocked Gary Kral's extra point to keep the Arizona lead at two.
Rattler fullback/linebacker Joey Dozier capped the scoring with 10-yard run with 15 seconds to go to make it 57-34.
Gatewood took home "Ironman" honors with seven catches for 119 yards and three touchdowns. He also had four tackles on defense.
The Rattlers will travel to San Jose to take on the SaberCats on Saturday, May 27 at HP Pavilion. Kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m. and can be seen on NBC.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 20, 2006
- Rattlers Burn Blaze for Third Time, Advance to Quarterfinals, 57-34 - Arizona Rattlers
- Blaze fall 57-34 to Rattlers in wild-card round - Utah Blaze
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