Thunder Enter Desert Dual with Confidence

Published on August 5, 2015 under Arena Football League (AFL)
Portland Thunder News Release


PORTLAND - The Portland Thunder (5-12, 1-5) close out their 2015 schedule with a trip to the desert, to take on the 3-time defending ArenaBowl champion Arizona Rattlers (13-4, 5-1) this Saturday evening from Talking Stick Resort Arena in Downtown Phoenix. Kickoff is set for 6:30pm PDT. Fans can listen on 750 AM THE GAME starting at 6:00pm, and watch live nationally on CBS Sports Network at 6:30pm.

The Thunder, in a second successive 'must win' scenario, will be headed to the desert full of confidence following an impressive 64-33 victory over the Las Vegas Outlaws. On a record breaking night that saw KR Duane Brooks break the AFL's single season kickoff return touchdown record in front of the largest crowd in Portland AFL history, the Thunder kept their National Conference Playoff hopes alive with a complete performance against the team that sits directly ahead of them in the playoff standings.

Portland requires a win over the Rattlers in their 2015 AFL season finale for a shot at the No. 4 seed in the National Conference, coupled with a loss by the Outlaws in their match-up with Spokane.

The 31 point victory over Las Vegas is further evidence of a team on the rise, and featured scores from all three phases, while including four interceptions of Las Vegas quarterbacks Dennis Havrilla and JJ Raterink, a season high. The Thunder boast a +6 turnover ratio over their last four games, and have outscored their opponents in the first halves of those games by 47.

"Earlier in the year, we had so many first year guys that were still learning, and then injuries were popping up. We had some trouble with that," defensive coordinator Ernesto Purnsley stated. "Now, we've been playing smarter. We're not shooting ourselves in the foot, or giving teams extra possessions."

The Thunder have been able to make a few inroads against the defending champs this season, despite their 0-2 record against Arizona in 2015. Portland has seen three receivers post 100+ yard nights against the Rattlers, and quarterback Kyle Rowley amassed a season high 296 yards the last time Portland traveled to Phoenix.

Arizona enters the contest in a very unfamiliar mood, having been embarrassed in a chippy 56-29 loss to the San Jose SaberCats last Friday. The loss was the first time since 2007 that the Rattlers were held to less than 30 points. Veteran quarterback Nick Davila completed less than 50% of his passes for the first time all season, completing just 19 of his 42 attempts, while being sacked three times. The two-time AFL MVP appeared to have been injured late in the fourth quarter of the loss, but reports from Arizona suggest that he intends to start.

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