Rattlers comeback falls short at San Jose

Sunday March 16, 2008

Team loses to SaberCats, 63-43

SAN JOSE – The defense had six stops, the special teams contributed a touchdown and new starting quarterback JEFF SMOKER passed for nearly 300 yards. Despite a mad scoring rush in the fourth quarter where the Rattlers racked up nearly 30 points on the SaberCats, the team lost its first road game, 63-43.

Arizona’s defense forced San Jose’s potent offense into kicking four field goals and intercepted quarterback Mark Grieb twice. DB KEYOU CRAVER, who set a Rattler season record last season in tackles, paced the field in that category again tonight, notching 12 total (11 solo). Craver also led the team with two tackles for a loss.

“I think we’re getting closer,” said Rattler Head Coach Kevin Guy after the game. “It takes time to build chemistry with a young offense, and doesn’t help when don’t have the same guys in the lineup from week to week. But I’m proud of our team. We could have very easily folded up tent at the half. But we came back and fought. We are getting closer and closer and growing as a team.”

A pair of defensive stops opened the game for both squads, but Arizona took an early lead on a pair of plays by FB/LB ASI FAOA. Faoa slipped open on a screen pass and rumbled for 23 yards before punching through the San Jose defense for the touchdown.

Following a scoring run by San Jose, it was Faoa who came through again in the third quarter after DB ARIC WILLIAMS stepped in front of a Mark Grieb pass deep in San Jose’s end of the field. Smoker completed a crossing pass to Trandon Harvey, brining the ball down to the 1, and Faoa capped it; pounding through the goal-line.

Smoker rallied the team late with a 36 yard bomb to WR JERRIAN JAMES. Newly acquired quarterback and holder BRIAN JONES then slipped through the line on a fake extra point to add a two point conversion, brining the score within 10. After a San Jose score, it was Smoker who once again rung up a touchdown at the expense of the San Jose secondary, this time from Arizona’s own one yard line, hitting WR ATNAF HARRIS for a 49 yard touchdown pass.

Arizona’s defense would force San Jose into one more field goal, allowing San Jose kicker A.J. Haglund to tie a team record in made field goals. San Jose added seven more points as time expired.

BOX SCORE
                                    1          2          3          4          Total
Arizona                      7          0          7          29        43
San Jose                   10        17        12        24        63

STATS

Passing
Arizona                      Jeff Smoker, 22-36, 288 yards, 3 TD, 3 INT
San Jose                   Mark Grieb, 20-33, 264 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT

Rushing
Arizona                      Asi Faoa, 3 rushes, 8 yards, 2 TD
San Jose                   Phil Glover, 2 rushes, 4 yards, 1 TD

Receiving
Arizona                      Jerrian James, 5 receptions, 65 yards, 2 TD
San Jose                   Cleannord Saintil, 6 receptions, 110 yards, 2 TD

Defense
Arizona                      Keyuo Craver, 12 tackles, 2 tackles for loss
San Jose                   Steve Watson, 7 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 tackles for loss, 1 block

Awards
Offensive Player of the Game                   Kicker A.J. Haglund (SJS)
Defensive Player of the Game                  DB Clevan Thomas (SJS)
Ironman of the Game                                  WR Cleannord Saintil (SJS)

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.