Rattlers fall to Blaze in regular season finale

Sunday June 22, 2008

Team set to host Grand Rapids in the first round of the playoffs on Monday, June 30
 
PHOENIX – The playoff-bound Arizona Rattlers dropped their final game of the regular season, falling to the Utah Blaze 62-45 after nearly completing the largest comeback in team history in front of the largest crowd of the season, 13,542 screaming fans in the Snake Pit.
 
For the second straight week, the Rattlers fell to an early first half deficit but fought back valiantly and almost pulled out the win. After trailing 38-13 at the half, the Rattlers came out firing in the third quarter, scoring 19 straight points to cut the lead to six points heading into the fourth quarter.
 
In that third quarter, the Rattlers held Utah scoreless and the league’s best red-zone defense forced to key turnovers inside the five yard-line set the momentum. FB/LB CHRIS ROBINSON opened the scoring in the second half with a one-yard touchdown run, the ninth of his Rattler career to move into sole possession of seventh place on the team’s all-time rushing touchdown list. On that same scoring drive, WR SIAHA BURLEY caught his 833rd career catch to move into sixth on the AFL’s all-time reception list.
 
After Robinson’s touchdown, DB CHRIS MCKENZIE forced a Blaze fumble at the goal-line and QB JEFF SMOKER connected with WR TRANDON HARVEY for a 31-yard score. Smoker finished 19-of-35 for 304 yards and five touchdowns after taking over for QB MATT SAUK in the second quarter.
 
“Smoker came in and did a hell of a job executing and leading the team,” said Rattlers Head Coach KEVIN GUY.
 
Robinson then made a huge play on defense to help him earn Ironman of the Game by deflecting a pass at the line of scrimmage that was intercepted by LB KURT KAHUI. Smoker then found Harvey again for another long touchdown pass, this time a 30-yarder, to cut the lead to 38-32.
 
Burley finished the game with nine catches for a game-high 146 yards and a touchdown. His receiver partner in crime, Harvey, had another spectacular game in his short Rattler career by catching eight balls for 125 yards and three touchdowns, all three coming in the second half.
 
The Rattlers will start their 2008 playoff run when they take on the Grand Rapids Rampage at the USAirways Center on Monday, June 30. Arizona defeated Grand Rapids 52-48 on May 24, 2008, holding the Rampage to a season-low 19:46 time of possession.
 
GAME NOTES
Harvey finished the regular season with 1,446 yards receiving, setting a new career high after leading the team with 1,412 yards last season… Burley finished the season with 114 receptions, the third most in team history and the most since he caught 117 back in 2005… He also finished with 33 touchdown catches, the most in two years and finished second on the team with 1,344 yards… The Rattlers out-gained the Blaze by 139 yards to 58 in that 19-point third quarter…
 
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Passing
Arizona – Jeff Smoker, 19-35, 304 yards, 5 touchdowns, 1 INT
Utah – Joe Germaine, 24-34, 324 yards, 6 touchdowns, 1 INT
 
Rushing
Arizona – Chris Robinson, 2 rushes, 2 yards, 2 touchdowns
Utah – Rodney Filer, 5 rushes, 2 yards, 1 touchdown
 
Receiving
Arizona – Siaha Burley, 9 catches, 146 yards, 1 touchdown
Utah – JJ McKelvey, 11 catches, 146 yards, 2 touchdowns
 
Defense
Arizona – Isaiah Trufant, 6 tackles, 1 forced fumble
Utah – Kelvin Morris, 5.5 tackles, 1 breakup, 1 Int, 1 touchdown
 
PLAYERS OF THE GAME
Offensive – Joe Germaine, Utah
Defensive – Kelvin Morris, Utah
Ironman – Chris Robinson, Arizona
 
The 2008 Arizona Rattlers guaranteed a trip to the playoffs for its season ticket holders, and have come through on that promise. Any Rattlers fan who purchases or renews season tickets between now and June 23rd will be guaranteed FREE PLAYOFF TICKETS for the 2008 season. 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.
 
Catch all the action tomorrow as the Chicago Rush take on the Dallas Desperados at 1:00pm PT on ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD.