Rattlers Defense Claws SaberCats
May 8, 2011 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Arizona Rattlers News Release
San Jose, Calif. - The Rattlers defense, which was dominant for the first four weeks of the year, reverted back to its early season form and delivered five sacks and four interceptions as Arizona defeated the SaberCats 65-43 Saturday night in San Jose's HP Pavilion. Arizona improves to 7-1 on the season, and now enjoys the National Conference's best record, as well as a two game lead in the West Division. Leading the Rattlers defensive charge was DE TYRE GLASPER with three sacks, and LB KEVIN MCCULLOUGH with two touchdowns.
Back-to-back interceptions of SaberCats QB Mark Grieb to close the first half and to open the second, allowed Arizona to pull away and take an 11-point lead early in the third quarter. The teams exchanged scores throughout the second half until San Jose returned a blocked K FABRIZIO SCACCIA point after attempt for a two-point conversion, pulling San Jose within eight points of the Rattlers at 51-43 midway through the fourth quarter.
After a DB MARQUIS FLOYD interception, Arizona attempted to seal the game with a field goal. Scaccia's missed his kick to the right, but McCullough recovered the loose ball and scampered untouched into the end zone putting the Rattlers up 58-43. Moments later McCullough added a second touchdown to his night when he intercepted Grieb and cruised down the right sideline to finish off the SaberCats.
The five Rattlers sacks more than doubled the total (4) allowed by San Jose all season prior to Saturday's game. DL KYLE HARRINGTON and DL ANTTAJ HAWTHORNE each recorded a sack in addition to the three by Glasper.
Arizona was sharp offensively throughout the game. WR TRANDON HARVEY, WR JASON GEATHERS and WR ROD WINDSOR all hauled in two touchdowns apiece. QB NICK DAVILA had a productive night with six touchdown throws.
Arena Football League Stories from May 8, 2011
- San Jose Loses Hard Fought Battle to Arizona, 65-43 - San Jose SaberCats
- Rattlers Defense Claws SaberCats - Arizona Rattlers
- Command Bewitched by VooDoo 52 - 59 - Kansas City Command
- Vigilantes win fourth-straight game at home - Dallas Vigilantes
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