Rattlers defeat Iron 68-67 in overtime

Sunday June 6, 2010

Phoenix – It took overtime and a dive by WR ROD WINDSOR, but the Arizona Rattlers (5-3) overcame an unfortunate mistake at the end of regulation that nearly cost them the game and held on for their third consecutive victory 68-67 over the Milwaukee Iron (6-3).

In front of 10,031 that packed US Airways Center, the Rattlers trailed 67-66 in overtime, but decided to go for the two-point conversion and the win instead of kicking the extra point and taking their chances on winning the coin toss in the second overtime, which in Arena Football signifies sudden death. On the attempt, QB NICK DAVILA pitched the ball back to a sprinting Windsor, he then turned the corner, dove and landed into the endzone giving the Rattlers the victory.

“It was an option play,” said Windsor. I could throw the ball, but I was going to keep it anyway.”

The last time Arizona was in this position to go for two and the win there was a different outcome. In Week 5 against the Tampa Bay Storm the Rattlers went for two and failed on what many considered to be a questionable non-call in the endzone. That didn’t stop Rattlers Head Coach Kevin Guy from rolling the dice again.

Despite the theatrics in overtime, the Rattlers looked like they had the game locked up near the end of regulation thanks to the stellar defense plays of DB BRANDON FREEMAN. With the Rattlers trailing 57-54 and under five minutes to play, Freeman picked off Iron quarterback Chris Greisen in the endzone, as Greisen tried to make a play while falling on his backside. The Rattlers took advantage of the costly turnover and regained the lead 60-57 as the clock hit the one minute warning.

Freeman’s timely plays did not stop there as he made an acrobatic pass breakup on fourth down that was tipped off the net to LB KELVIN MORRIS for the Rattlers third interception of the game. Coming into the game Greisen had only thrown one interception in his previous eight contests, but the Rattlers constant pressure and tight coverage was too much for him to overcome.

With the game seemingly in hand and the Rattlers leading by three with three seconds to play,  the defense was called for a costly facemask penalty as time expired which gave the Iron one untimed down that lead to a game-tying field goal to send the game into the extra frame.

Windsor had another monster game overall accounting for 16 more receptions for 162 yards and three receiving touchdowns to go along with his two on the ground. Windsor is still on pace to break the AFL record for receptions and receiving yards and now has 101 receptions for 1,170 yards and 26 touchdowns. Windsor and fellow WR JJ McKELVEY accounted for all eight of Davila’s touchdown passes and combined to haul in 30 receptions for 348 receiving yards. Davila also completed 37 of his 52 pass attempts on the night for 420 yards and eight touchdowns, giving him 17 in his last two games.

The Rattlers next take on the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz at US Airways Center Friday, June 11th in the second of three straight home games. This will be the first ever meeting between the two teams. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 pm.

GAME NOTES

The Rattlers dominated time of possession, controlling the ball for 53:48 compared to Milwaukee’s 24:57… The Rattlers drew a season-high 14 Iron penalties for 98 yards… Davila’s 420 yards passing was his second 400-yard game of the season… Davila is now second behind Greisen averaging 333.7 passing yards per game… DB RILEY SWANSON collected his team-leading fourth interception on the year… The Rattlers missed two 2-point conversions before the game-winner in overtime… DL ALEX GUERRERO had one tackle for loss that led to a fumble…

GAME STATS

Passing
Arizona -  Nick Davila, 37-52, 420 yards, 8 touchdowns, 2 INT.
Milwaukee – Chris Greisen, 24-36, 397 yards, 8 touchdowns, 3 INT.       

Receiving
Arizona – JJ McKelvey, 14 receptions, 186 yards, 5 touchdowns.
Milwaukee – Nate Forse, 11 receptions, 127 yards, 4 touchdowns.

Rushing
Arizona – Rod Windsor, 2 rushes, 2 yards, 2 touchdowns.
Milwaukee – Tyree Young, 5 rushes, 9 yards, 1 touchdown.         

Defense
Arizona – Brandon Freeman, 8 tackles, 1 INT, 3 pass breakups.
Milwaukee – Tyus Jackson, 2 sacks.

Players of the Game
Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game – JJ McKelvey (AZ)
JLS Ironman of the Game – Johnie Kirton (AZ)
Riddell Defensive Player of the Game – Brandon Freeman (AZ)
Spalding Highlight of the Game – Rod Windor’s (AZ) 2-point conversion game-winner in overtime
Nifty Playmaker of the Game – Brandon Freeman (AZ)
Cutters Catch of the Game – Tiger Jones (Mil) falling into the crowd and holding onto the ball