Rattlers Fall Short in Controversial Ending in Tampa
Published on May 1, 2010 under Arena Football League (AFL)
Arizona Rattlers News Release
Tampa Bay, Flor. - The Arizona Rattlers fell short in their quest for another dramatic come-from-behind victory after a controversial non-call on a 2-point conversion attempt in a 62-61 defeat against the host Tampa Bay Storm.
Despite trailing the entire game, the Rattlers (2-2) showed the same second-half composure and resolve that has clearly become their calling-card early in the season as they overcame another double-digit fourth quarter deficit and set themselves up for a win with under 10 seconds to play. Down 62-55, the Rattlers drove 48 yards in just over a minute and capped off the drive with a tough three-yard touchdown catch by WR JJ MCKELVEY from QB NICK DAVILA with seven seconds remaining. McKelvey had monster game, leading the team in every receiving category with 13 catches for 127 yards and three touchdowns. The Rattlers, however, weren't content with going into overtime on the road, so they lined up for a gutsy 2-point conversion attempt.
That's where the controversy began.
As Davila dropped back to pass, WR ANTHONY MIX raced to the back of the end zone but was grabbed and tackled by two different Storm players as the ball was in the air, yet no call was made by the official just a few feet away as the ball fluttered to the ground.
In the face of the tough break, the Rattlers refused to give up. On the ensuing kickoff, K JASON WITCZAK nailed a perfect onside kick that was nearly recovered by the Rattlers but slipped into Tampa Bay's hands and the Storm (2-2) finished off the final few seconds of the game for the win. With the win, Tampa Bay Head Coach Tim Marcum, already the all-time AFL leader in wins, became the first coach to reach 200 career victories.
In spite of the loss, the Rattlers tandem of star rookies, Davila and WR ROD WINDSOR, remained on pace to set a litany of team and league records.
Windsor, who entered the game leading the league in receptions and receiving yards, had another stellar game, finishing with eight receptions for 108 yards and two touchdowns. On the season, Windsor has 48 catches for 621 yards and 10 receiving touchdowns to go along with two rushing scores. He is on pace for 2,484 yards, a number which would shatter Trandon Harvey's rookie record of 1,412 yards, Calvin Schexnayder's team record of 1,984 yards, and former Rattler Siaha Burley's AFL record of 2,129.
Davila had another solid game as the 2009 af2 champion quarterback threw for 314 yards on 27-of-47 passing and 7 touchdowns and no interceptions. He even scored his first rushing touchdown of the season with a nifty 14-yard run in the third quarter. Davila now has 27 passing touchdowns and 1,346 passing yards, an average of 336.5 yards per game. If he continues this torrid mark, he would finish with 5,384 and would break former Rattler Joe Germaine's AFL record for most passing yards in a season (5,005).
The turning point of the game that gave the Rattlers the chance for the comeback was a brilliant defensive play by LB KELVIN MORRIS. Storm receiver Hank Edwards caught a short pass, but as he was going down, Morris knocked the ball out of Edwards' hands and pounced on the fumble to give the Rattlers the ball back with 11:36 to play. Two plays later, Mix made a strong leaping catch against the wall to tie the game at 48 apiece.
The 2-2 Rattlers will next face off against new division rival Spokane with first place in the National Conference's West Division on May 7th back at confines of the U.S. Airways Center
Arena Football League Stories from May 1, 2010
- Gladiators Defeat Shock, Earn First Win - Cleveland Gladiators
- Rattlers Fall Short in Controversial Ending in Tampa - Arizona Rattlers
- Storm slip past Rattlers - Tampa Bay Storm
- Iron suffer first loss of season, 67-75 - Milwaukee Mustangs
- Utah Blaze Pick Up First Win of the Season - Utah Blaze
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