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AFL I Arizona Rattlers

Snakes Snap Streak, 45-38

February 18, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Arizona Rattlers News Release


PHOENIX - The Arizona Rattlers (1-3) found their first win of the season in an unexpected defensive battle, 45-38, over the expansion Utah Blaze (1-3) in front of 11,206 at US Airways Center Saturday night.

The win broke a three game losing streak for the Rattlers, which was the longest drought to start the season in franchise history.

"We're still not where we should be," said Rattler head coach Gene Nudo. "This is a good step in the right direction though."

The win put the Rattlers in a three-way tie in the division with Las Vegas and Utah. They trail the division-leading San Jose SaberCats by a half of a game.

Offensive specialist Damien Groce earned "Offensive Player of the Game" honors, recording 11 catches for 194 yards and four touchdowns. His fourth score was a 23-yard grab that put the game out of reach, 45-31 with 26 seconds left.

"The Rattlers brought me here to make plays," Groce said. "All week we were trying to stay focused and get our first win."

Defensive specialist Joe Todd was "Defensive Player of the Game", finishing with seven tackles and five pass breakups. Todd was also responsible for two key stops, intercepting a Joe Germaine pass in the second quarter while the game was tied at 14 and breaking up a pass intended for Blaze wide receiver/defensive back Orshawante Bryant on a Blaze fourth down while Utah was trailing by three points with 7:28 to go in the contest.

Arizona, who led 28-21 at halftime, ended the first-half scoring with a 16-yard Randy Gatewood touchdown from Sherdrick Bonner. Gatewood earned "Ironman of the Game" honors with three catches for 32 yards and three tackles on defense.

It looked to be a long night for the Rattlers early, as Bonner second pass of the game was intercepted by former Rattler wide receiver/linebacker Tom Pace.

The Blaze took advantage of the turnover when Kevin Clemens ran in a seven-yard score to give Utah a 7-0 lead.

"We couldn't get a break offensively most of the game," said Bonner, who finished the game 22-of-33 for 315 yards and five touchdowns. "Fortunately, our defense kept us in it."

The teams traded touchdowns before the Todd interception. It was the Rattlers only defensive stop of the first half. During the second half, Arizona recorded four stops and their first two sacks of the season.

Lineman Wendall Gaines recorded the first one on a third down that forced Utah into a missed 54-yard field goal with the game tied a 21.

The second sack was by lineman Kelvin Ingram on a third down late in the fourth quarter that forced the Blaze into a 35-yarder that cut their deficit to seven, 38-31.

After an unsuccessful onside attempt on the proceeding kickoff, Arizona took a 45-31 lead with under a minute left when Groce caught his fourth score.

The win over former Rattler head coach Danny White, marked the first of new head coach Gene Nudo's young career.

"I have a lot of respect for him," said Nudo. "To come in here and hold a team that scored 80 points last week was a big accomplishment."

The Rattlers will head to Columbus for their first road game in almost a month when they take on the Destroyers on Friday February 24. Kickoff is set for 5:00 MST and can be heard on ESPN 860 AM.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 18, 2006


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