Des Moines, Iowa – The Arizona Rattlers, the top-ranked offensive team in the AFL, showed a different side by putting on a dominating defensive display in holding the host Iowa Barnstormers to just 48 points in a 52-48 victory on Friday night.
The Rattlers recorded three big sacks in the game, made three defensive stops, blocked an extra point, and pressured Iowa quarterback Ryan Vena nearly every time he dropped back to pass as the Rattlers set a new season-low in points allowed. The Rattlers, who are now back to .500 at 3-3, held Iowa (3-4) to just 89 yards in the first half and 221 total in the game.
The defense came up big early and often, but really showed its strength when it mattered most. With the Rattlers leading 52-48 with less than two minutes to play in the game, the defensive line dominated Iowa’s pass-blockers and kept Vena scrambling for his life. DL DARRELL SHROPSHIRE broke free on second down to record the team’s third sack of the game and set up a crucial third-and-12. After another incomplete pass, Shropshire got free again in the backfield forcing Iowa to drag him down for a holding penalty, a costly one that negated a first down catch. On fourth-and-18, the line didn’t quit, applying more pressure and forcing Vena into an incomplete pass that gave the Rattlers the ball back which they held onto until the final buzzer.
DL ALEX GUERRERO set the tone early, recording team’s first sack of the season on Iowa’s first possession of the game. DL RON JONES got to Vena on the next possession and nearly added a second a few minutes later as his sack and forced fumble was called back on a penalty. DL ANTTAJ HAWTHORNE blocked a Barnstormer extra point in the second quarter and the Rattlers defense stopped Iowa twice in the opening half and held them to a season-low in a half with 20 points.
The Rattlers secondary played exceptionally as well with tight coverage and near interceptions on most every play. DB TERRANCE SANDERS’ fourth quarter interception was called back on a penalty, but Sanders made up for it immediately, returning a kickoff 55 yards for a go-ahead score just a few plays after Iowa took its first lead of the game. Sanders just missed another interception on Iowa’s final drive.
While the defense was the story in this game, the Rattlers vaunted offense wasn’t too shabby either. Rookie start QB NICK DAVILA had another successful game, completing 23-of-34 passes for 222 yards and four touchdowns and added his team-leading third rushing touchdown as well. Davila continued to find his favorite target and fellow record-setting rookie WR ROD WINDSOR as Windsor finished with eight catches for 77 yards and a touchdown and later tied Davila for the team lead with his third rushing touchdown. Both Davila and Windsor entered the game leading the league in major offensive categories with Davila tops in passing yards per game (344.6) and Windsor number one in receiving yards per game (155.8).
The Rattlers prize free-agent acquisition, former Utah record-setting WR JJ MCKELVEY continued to impress after early season injury problems with 12 catches for 131 yards and two touchdowns and now has over 100 yards receiving in four of five games this season. McKelvey has led the team in receiving yards three times and receptions twice and now has 59 catches for 531 yards in just five games.
The Rattlers next face off against long-time division rival Utah on the road next Friday. The Blaze sit in third in the West Division at 1-4 and the Rattlers are just one game behind division-leading Spokane. The Rattlers are 5-2 all-time against the Blaze, splitting the season series in 2008.
After they return from Utah, the Rattlers will be at home for three straight weeks at the confines of the Snake Pit at US Airways Center, with two games (Saturday 6/5 and Saturday 6/19) being televised on AZ-TV 7/ Channel 13 and Spanish 44.1/ Cable 405).
GAME NOTES
Windsor, who played quarterback his entire life until switching to receiver his senior year of college, completed his first pass of the season on a trick play, a nine-yard pass to JJ McKelvey… The Rattlers used the rushing attack to their advantage, scoring twice and getting a key 2-point conversion on the ground from FB JOHNIE KIRTON… Sanders’ Kickoff return for a touchdown was his second on the season, giving the Rattlers three overall (Harvey)… DB RILEY SWANSON led the team in tackles for the second time this season… The Rattlers offensive line didn’t allow a sack for the second straight game… The Rattlers offense didn’t turn the ball over for the second time in two games…
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1
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2
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3
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4
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F
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Rattlers
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13
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18
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7
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14
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52
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Barnstormers
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7
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13
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14
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14
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48
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GAME STATS
Passing
Arizona – Nick Davila, 23-34, 222 yards, 4 TDs, 1 Rushing TD.
Iowa – Ryan Vena, 20-32, 208, 6 TD.
Rushing
Arizona – Johnie Kirton, 7 rushes, 27 yards.
Iowa – Ryan Vena, 5 rushes, 19 yards, TD.
Receiving
Arizona – JJ McKelvey, 12 catches, 131 yards, 2 TD.
Iowa – Jesse Schmidt, 8 catches, 92 yards, 2 TD.
Defense
Arizona – Darrell Shropshire, 2 tackles, sack.
Iowa – Khalil Carter, 8 tackles, 2 pass breakups.
