SAN JOSE, CA – March 10, 2012
It promised to be a very exciting match-up between division rivals AZ RATTLERS and SAN JOSE SABERCATS and it was!
The Arizona Rattlers traveled to San Jose Saturday, March 10th, for the Season Opener against Division Rivals, the San Jose SaberCats.
Arizona took the lead early with a 14-0 first quarter, and continued to lead until within the last 3 minutes of the game, when DB DODD-MASTERS of San Jose caught a bobbled ball which led to a touchdown. Then on the kickoff, a miss-kick only went 9 yards and the Rattlers got the ball on the 9 yard line…and tied the game with 33 seconds left. In the last 2 seconds, a field goal attempt by San Jose was no good and sent the game in to overtime, at 64-64.
In overtime, San Jose had possession first and San Jose QB MARK GRIEB connected with WR JIM ROE for a touchdown. Then Arizona QB NICK DAVILA quickly connected with WR TRANDON HARVEY for a touchdown, but was unable to convert the extra point…SAN JOSE SABERCATS win 71-70.
During the game, QB NICK DAVILA completed 29 of 40 for 369 yards and 6 touchdowns with 1 interception. He found receivers all over the field, including 11 passes to the Rattlers new acquisition WR MAURICE PURIFY (Rookie of the year for 2011) for 155 yards and 3 touchdowns. Davila also connected with WR TRANDON HARVEY twice and WR KERRY REED, for touchdowns.
It wasn’t just the wide receivers scoring either…LB ODIE ARMSTRONG ran in two touchdowns QB NICK DAVILA ran one in, and in the last seconds of the third quarter, DB VIRGIL GRAY ran back a kick return 55 yards for a touchdown.
San Jose SaberCats QB MARK GRIEB completed 34 of 59 for 432 yards and 9 touchdowns, connecting with WR BEN NELSON and WR JAMES ROE three times, and WR SAMORA GOODSON, WR HUEY WHITTAKER, and FB TOMMY TAGGART once each.
Don’t miss the next action packed game, when the Arizona Rattlers return to Phoenix to face the Milwaukee Mustangs in their Home Opener on March 17 at 7 pm at US Airways Center.
About the Arizona Rattlers
The Arizona Rattlers are a proud member of the Arena Football League, which is in its 25th season with 17 franchises from coast to coast. The Rattlers next home game is March 17, 2012, when they take on the Milwaukee Mustangs in the US Airways Center @ 7pm.
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