AFL Arizona Rattlers

Rattlers' Improbable Comeback Falls One Play Short in Chicago

July 10, 2010 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Arizona Rattlers News Release


Chicago - What appeared to be a comfortable lead in the National Conference's race for the playoffs now feels a bit shaky for the Arizona Rattlers after a second-straight last minute nail-biting loss, this time coming at the hands of Midwest Division-leading Chicago, 55-50 at Allstate Arena in Chicago.

After a heart-breaking one-point defeat last week in Spokane, the Rattlers again felt the sting of a close loss after making one of the most improbable comebacks you will ever see in arena football just to fall one play short in the end.

Trailing by 17 heading into the fourth quarter, Arizona's defense stepped up big holding Chicago to a field goal then forcing three consecutive turnovers, including recovering an onside kick with 20 seconds left, to give the Rattlers a chance for the incredible comeback win. The offense had the ball trailing by five in the final moments of the game and set up a first and goal at the six with five seconds to play and the game on the line. After a quick incompletion left just two seconds on the clock, QB NICK DAVILA's pass fell incomplete in the end zone as time expired to cap a wild game and drop the Rattlers (8-5) to a tie for the final playoff spot with Milwaukee, though the Rattlers hold the tiebreaker after beating the Iron in Arizona.

The defense played strong all game long, but couldn't get the necessary stops on the Rush offense in the first half. However in the second half, Chicago could only muster 13 total points, the third straight game the defense held an opponent to 13 or fewer points in a half. The aggressive defense had three more sacks on the night giving them eight in the past three games and made a total of five stops, all coming in the second half. Three different Rattler rushers made the sacks, as DL ANTTAJ HAWTHORNE, DL RON JONES, and LB DALE ROBINSON did the honors.

With the team trailing 55-42 with just over a minute to play and Chicago on offense, the Rattlers never gave up hope. DB BRANDON FREEMAN made a diving interception of Rush quarterback Russ Michna to give the team what seemed to be one final opportunity. Unfortunately, Davila was intercepted on the ensuing possession with just 46 seconds to play and the game seemed well in hand for the Rush (10-4).

However, with less than 50 seconds left, Chicago oddly went against conventional wisdom and threw the ball deep rather than try to run the clock out. While they completed the pass, Rush receiver Marco Thomas tripped, fell, and fumbled the ball, which was recovered and returned by DB TERRANCE SANDERS and the improbable comeback was on.

Davila threw a 22-yard touchdown strike to WR ROD WINDSOR on the next play to bring the Rattlers to within five and give the team real hope. That touchdown catch was Windsor's 166 reception on the year and tied him for the all-time Arena Football record for catches, previously set by former Rattler Siaha Burley in 2007. Windsor already owns the AFL rookie records for receptions and yards and needs just one more catch and 199 receiving yards in his final three games to set the all-time league marks in both of those categories. Windsor finished with 15 catches for 179 yards, two receiving touchdowns, one rushing score, and the former college quarterback even threw for a touchdown in the second quarter.

After Windsor's score, the Rattlers had to go for an onside kick which K FABRIZIO SCACCIA executed perfectly, bouncing the ball off a Rush player's foot and recovering the live ball himself to set up the dramatic final drive.

The Rattlers never seemed to get into rhythm in the first half and had to fight an uphill battle all night long, falling behind 21-7 after a Davila pass was picked off and returned for a Rush touchdown in the first quarter.

Despite the loss, the Rattlers still appear to be in good position to make the playoffs after fifth seeded Iowa fell to 6-7 after a loss to Oklahoma City on Saturday. The Rattlers hold a two-game lead over the Barnstormers and own the tie-breaker over them as well. The two teams meet up in the final game of the season at the Snake Pit in what could be a playoff-deciding battle.

Up next for the Rattlers is West Division rival Utah. While the Blaze are 1-12 on the year, starting quarterback Brett Elliot recently returned from an injury and Utah playing some of their best football of the year. With the win and an Iowa loss, the Rattlers would clinch a playoff birth for the second straight season.

Be sure to come out to U.S. Airways Center on Friday, July 16th for what promises to be a *special* night for both the team and the fans.

GAME NOTES:

Dale Robinson's sack was the first of his career... Windsor's touchdown run was his seventh of the year, tying him with Hunkie Cooper for most rushing touchdowns by a receiver in Rattlers history... The Rattlers offensive line has not given up a sack in six straight weeks and has only allowed one in the past nine weeks...



Arena Football League Stories from July 10, 2010


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