San Jose Loses Hard Fought Battle to Arizona, 65-43

May 8, 2011 - Arena Football League (AFL)
San Jose SaberCats News Release


SAN JOSE, CA - A matchup between the top two teams in the West Division resulted in a back and forth battle as the Arizona Rattlers (7-1) defeated the San Jose SaberCats (5-3) by a score of 65-43 before 9,499 fans at HP Pavilion.

After the game, Owner/Head Coach Darren Arbet was looking forward to improving his team in the weeks to follow. "We're a young football team. Arizona is a good squad and we are going to watch this tape and get better. We're going to have to get out on the practice field and get ready to go."

Things got off to a quick start when Arizona QB Nick Davila found WR Trandon Harvey for a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage. Moments later, San Jose QB Mark Grieb hit WR Otis Amey for a four-yard touchdown in Amey's first game in a SaberCats uniform. After the second Rattlers touchdown of the quarter, Arizona forced San Jose to turn the ball over on downs and took over deep in their own territory. On the ensuing drive, San Jose DL Eric Phillips collected his first career sack, forcing a fumble that was recovered by DL Francis Maka. One play later FB/LB Chad Cook scored on a five-yard run, his 17th rushing touchdown of the season, bringing the SaberCats within one point at 14-13 at the end of the first quarter.

After Arizona pulled ahead by eight, San Jose embarked on an 11-play drive culminating with a nine-yard touchdown run by Grieb to pull San Jose within a point at 21-20. Rattlers FB Odie Armstrong found the end zone with under a minute remaining in the half, giving Arizona a 28-20 lead heading into halftime.

Arizona took advantage of Grieb's second interception with a 38-yard field goal to take a 31-20 lead midway through the third quarter. San Jose answered back as Grieb completed six passes on the next drive, the last finding Nelson in the corner of the end zone for his first touchdown of the season, narrowing the deficit to 31-27 at the conclusion of the third stanza.

The Rattlers struck back with a touchdown on their first drive of the fourth quarter on a nine-yard pass from QB Davila to WR/DB Jason Geathers to put Arizona ahead, 38-27. The back and forth scoring continued when Grieb found Nelson for a 31-yard diving touchdown catch, Nelson's second touchdown reception of the game. Arizona answered on the first play of their next drive with a touchdown strike to WR Rod Windsor to lead again by eleven, 45-34. The SaberCats answered back when Grieb found Amey for a 45-yard touchdown pass, his second of the game. A PAT attempt following a Rattlers touchdown was blocked by DL Francis Maka and returned for a two-point score by WR/DB Mervin Brookins that brought San Jose within one score at 51-43. The SaberCats stalled the Rattlers next drive that resulted in a missed 44-yard field goal by K Fabrizio Scaccia, but FB/LB Kevin McCullough recovered the miss in the end zone to help the Rattlers pull away.

The loss dropped San Jose's all-time regular season record against Arizona to 16-14. Grieb finished with 264 passing yards and four passing touchdowns along with a rushing score. Amey and Nelson each hauled in a pair of touchdowns, and the defense collected two sacks and forced two fumbles in the loss. Brookins posted 155 return yards and 6.0 tackles on his way to being named JLS Ironman of the Game.

San Jose (5-3) travels to Pittsburgh (4-4) in Week 10 to take on the Power on Saturday, May 14 at 4:30 p.m. PDT, with Pittsburgh coming off a 51-41 win over the Spokane Shock in Week 9.

National Guard MVP of the Game: Arizona QB Nick Davila

Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game: Arizona WR Rod Windsor

Riddell Defensive Player of the Game: Arizona DB Virgil Gray

JLS Ironman: San Jose WR/DB Mervin Brookins

NiFTy Playmaker of the Game: Arizona WR/DB Jason Geathers

Cutter Catch of the Game: San Jose WR Ben Nelson's 31-yard diving touchdown catch

Spalding Highlight of the Game: San Jose DL Francis Maka's blocked extra point and Brookins' return for a score



Arena Football League Stories from May 8, 2011


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