Rattlers Defeat SaberCats 54-44
Published on May 15, 2005 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
San Jose SaberCats News Release
PHOENIX, Ariz. (May 14, 2005) - Sherdrick Bonner tossed six touchdown passes and the Rattlers (6-9) forced three turnovers to put the playoff chances of the defending champion SaberCats (8-7) in jeopardy with a 54-44 win over San Jose in an Arena Football League game on Saturday.
Bonner completed 18-of-29 for 228 yards without an interception as the Rattlers snapped a two-game losing streak to San Jose and extended the SaberCats losing streak to three games.
Arizona struck first when Bonner tossed a 24-yard scoring strike to Randy Gatewood on the first offensive possession and the Rattlers never trailed.
San Jose tied the game at 7-7 when Rashied Davis hauled in a 6-yard scoring pass from Mark Grieb. Davis established a new San Jose season record with his 39th touchdown of the year breaking Steve Papin's 2000 record.
Davis tied the game at 14-14 with a 56-yard kickoff return at the end of the first quarter, but Arizona responded on the ensuing kickoff when Tom Pace scampered 55 yards to quickly give Arizona the lead back.
Arizona scored twice more following the kickoff return touchdown to build its lead to 34-14 early in the third quarter.
Grieb completed 29-of-44 attempts for 289 yards, but was intercepted twice by Randy Gatewood. Grieb has tossed seven picks in his last three games and San Jose has committed a total of 10 turnovers in that span.
The SaberCats are still in playoff contention and need a win next week against Georgia. Arizona hosts Las Vegas in the final weekend of regular season play.
Notes: The SaberCats won the coin toss for the first time in five games...Rashied Davis broke Steve Papin's single season TD record with a 7-yard reception in the 1st quarter...San Jose converted two two-point conversion attempts for the first time in a game since May 4, 2002...Grieb has thrown for 4,568 yards on the year, the second-highest single season total in AFL history.
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- Rattlers sting SaberCats - Arizona Rattlers
- Rattlers Defeat SaberCats 54-44 - San Jose SaberCats
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