PHOENIX – The playoff-guaranteed Arizona Rattlers lost their first game of the season in front of the largest season opening crowd in two years, falling 65-33 to the Los Angeles Avengers (2-0). 11,532 rabid Rattler fans got to see the Rattlers perform on the national stage, with the Russell ESPN AFL Monday Night Football crew on hand broadcasting the game.
Starting quarterback LANG CAMPBELL started out the game strong, racking up 60 yards early and a touchdown and rushing for a second score. However, Campbell left the game in the second quarter and JEFF SMOKER came in to replace him with 2:58 left in the first half. It only took Smoker, a former standout and all Big-10 performer at Michigan State, four passes to throw his first touchdown in a Rattlers’ uniform, completing a 27-yard strike to SIAHA BURLEY.
“Jeff came in and did well,” said Head Coach Kevin Guy.
Burley, the Rattlers’ big off-season pickup playing in his first game of the season after missing last week’s opener at Utah, caught two first half passes for 42 yards, both resulting in Rattlers’ touchdowns. Last year, Burley set the all-time AFL single-season marks for catches and yards while grabbing 49 touchdowns. He finished the game with six catches for 101 yards and a game-high three scores.
Rattlers’ legend WENDALL GAINES had two first-half sacks of Avenger quarterback Sonny Cumbie, and added a third in the third quarter. Gaines was named the Defensive Player of the Game. The Rattlers had four total sacks as a team, with DARRELL SHROPSHIRE and KURT KAHUI combining to drop Cumbie for a six yard loss.
Unfortunately for the Rattlers, the Avengers overcame many of the long yardage situations and converted a few into touchdowns.
“We had them in third and long and fourth and long all night,” said Coach Guy, “but we just didn’t close it out.”
WR/DB KEVIN NICKERSON continued to impress all around, catching six more passes for 117 yards. On the season, Nickerson now has 15 catches for 217 yards and three touchdowns.
“We’re better than what we showed tonight,” proclaimed Guy, “but before you can grow, you need some adversity to make you stronger. We will have to see how the team responds.”
STATS
Passing
AZ Jeff Smoker, 13/28, 220 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
LA Sonny Cumbie, 15/29, 267 yards, 7 TD, 0 INT
Receiving
AZ Siaha Burley, 6 rec, 101 yards, 3 TD
LA Timon Marshall, 6 rec, 119 yards, 2 TD
Defense
AZ Wendall Gaines, 3 tackles, 3.0 sacks, 3.0 TFL
LA Damen Wheeler, 7 tackles, 1 INT, 1 PBU
Offensive Player of the Game: QB Sonny Cumbie, LA
Defensive Player of the Game: DL Wendall Gaines, AZ
Ironman of the Game: WR Timon Marshall, LA
The 2008 Arizona Rattlers have guaranteed their season ticket holders a trip to the playoffs. Season tickets, group tickets and premium single game tickets can be purchased by calling the Rattlers ticket hotline at 602-514-TDTD. Single game tickets are now on sale at the USAirways box office and all Ticketmaster locations. More information is available at www.azrattlers.com.
