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Photo by Al Walter |
SALT LAKE CITY – The playoff guaranteed Arizona Rattlers are one for one. The team took down the Utah Blaze by a score of 63-62 at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City tonight.
The young team weathered a series of high and lows, down as much as two scores in the second quarter before taking the lead late in the third. The teams slugged it out all night, and it all came down to a defensive stand in the game’s waning seconds, forcing Utah into a missed long field goal attempt.
“Seven rookies. Six second year players,” remarked a jubilant Arizona Head Coach Kevin Guy. “We showed mental toughness throughout the game. We got the win, and we’re only going to get better.”
QB LANG CAMPBELL, who took the Offensive Player of the Game award, tossed eight touchdowns, going 31 of 47 with 319 yards. Campbell was efficient and spread the ball amongst his receivers, with WR/DB KEVIN NICKERSON, WR TRANDON HARVEY and WR/LB JERRIAN JAMES each snagging more than eight passes a piece, and Nickerson and Harvey breaking the 100 yard mark. Each scored two touchdowns, with Nickerson adding a third. Nickerson, who was also named Ironman of the Game, also rushed for a touchdown, had nine kickoff returns for 120 yards and made a tackle.
The Rattlers took their opening possession of the season straight down the field for a touchdown, fueled by Nickerson 23 yard return. Campbell opened the game with an incompletion but connected on his next three passes to find Nickerson in the corner of the endzone.
The turnover bug bit the Rattlers early as, with the score tied at seven, Campbell dropped back to pass and had the ball stripped from his hand by Utah rookie Vaka Manupuna, who returned it for a touchdown. The teams twice traded touchdowns before DB Reggie Doster stepped in front of a ball and returned it for a score. However, the Rattlers were able to score twice more to Utah’s one before the end of the half.
Inspired by a last-minute stand at the end of the first half, Arizona opened the third quarter with two straight defensive stops. Rookie LB KURT KAHUI intercepted Germaine, and Campbell followed that up with a touchdown pass to WR JERRIAN JAMES on the first play of the series. On the ensuing defensive stand, DB KEYUO CRAVER knocked the ball away from the Utah receiver to force a fourth down, where Utah’s field goal attempt was no good. Rookie OL JOHNATHAN INGRAM caught a screen pass on the next offensive possession and rumbled for 11 yards and a 1st down, setting up a Campbell touchdown pass to James, putting the Rattlers ahead 49-42.
Utah then scored on two consecutive nine yard passes from Germaine to WR J’Sharlon Jones, putting the Blaze back ahead at 56-49. The teams traded scores again, with Utah kicker Steve Videtich missing an extra point late in the fourth. The Rattlers went ahead for good when Campbell connected with Harvey on a six yard pass with less than a minute to go.
The 2008 Arizona Rattlers have guaranteed their season ticket holders a trip to the playoffs. The team’s home opener is on Monday, March 10 against Los Angeles at USAirways Center. Season tickets, group tickets and premium single game tickets can be purchased by calling 602-379-2333. Single game tickets are now on sale at the USAirways box office and all Ticketmaster locations. More information is available at www.azrattlers.com.
