AFL I Arizona Rattlers

Rattlers fall to Blaze

June 22, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Arizona Rattlers News Release


PHOENIX - The playoff-bound Arizona Rattlers dropped their final game of the regular season, falling to the Utah Blaze 62-45 after nearly completing the largest comeback in team history in front of the largest crowd of the season, 13,542 screaming fans in the Snake Pit.

For the second straight week, the Rattlers fell to an early first half deficit but fought back valiantly and almost pulled out the win. After trailing 38-13 at the half, the Rattlers came out firing in the third quarter, scoring 19 straight points to cut the lead to six points heading into the fourth quarter.

In that third quarter, the Rattlers held Utah scoreless and the league's best red-zone defense forced to key turnovers inside the five yard-line set the momentum. FB/LB CHRIS ROBINSON opened the scoring in the second half with a one-yard touchdown run, the ninth of his Rattler career to move into sole possession of seventh place on the team's all-time rushing touchdown list. On that same scoring drive, WR SIAHA BURLEY caught his 833rd career catch to move into sixth on the AFL's all-time reception list.

After Robinson's touchdown, DB CHRIS MCKENZIE forced a Blaze fumble at the goal-line and QB JEFF SMOKER connected with WR TRANDON HARVEY for a 31-yard score. Smoker finished 19-of-35 for 304 yards and five touchdowns after taking over for QB MATT SAUK in the second quarter.

"Smoker came in and did a hell of a job executing and leading the team," said Rattlers Head Coach KEVIN GUY.

Robinson then made a huge play on defense to help him earn Ironman of the Game by deflecting a pass at the line of scrimmage that was intercepted by LB KURT KAHUI. Smoker then found Harvey again for another long touchdown pass, this time a 30-yarder, to cut the lead to 38-32.

Burley finished the game with nine catches for a game-high 146 yards and a touchdown. His receiver partner in crime, Harvey, had another spectacular game in his short Rattler career by catching eight balls for 125 yards and three touchdowns, all three coming in the second half.

The Rattlers will start their 2008 playoff run when they take on the Grand Rapids Rampage at the USAirways Center on Monday, June 30. Arizona defeated Grand Rapids 52-48 on May 24, 2008, holding the Rampage to a season-low 19:46 time of possession.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from June 22, 2008


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