Rattlers Snake Bit By SaberCats, 56-49

Sunday May 6, 2007

PHOENIX – An early deficit proved too much for Arizona (2-8) to overcome as the SaberCats (6-3) clawed their way to a 56-49 victory Saturday night in front of 10,017 fans at the U.S. Airways Center.

It was the Rattlers fourth consecutive defeat at the hands of their long-time rivals and the home team’s second straight loss this season after falling last week in New York.

Despite their record, these snakes still have some venom left in their bite.

“We’re going to show some perseverance and just keep fighting and try to make some breaks for ourselves,” Sherdrick Bonner said. “We can’t feel sorry for ourselves. This is professional football. We’ve got to become a group and make it work together.”

The breaks continued to go against the Rattlers as the team was forced to fight from behind all night after an early turnover.

San Jose opened the contest with a six-play, 49-yard drive capped by a 13-yard Mark Grieb to James Roe touchdown. Arizona appeared to have a response at the ready before Bonner was picked off by ADT Defensive Player of the Game Clevan Thomas at the San Jose 6-yard line. The SaberCats pounced on Arizona’s turnover, scoring five plays later on a 12-yard Ben Nelson touchdown for a 14-0 lead.

The Rattlers posted their first points on the scoreboard early in the second quarter as Kevin McKenzie hauled in a key fourth down reception for a 1-yard touchdown on the ensuing drive. The SaberCats would follow with another touchdown as the teams swapped scores before the tide appeared to turn in Arizona’s favor.

With San Jose leading 28-21 late in the second stanza, Grieb’s arm was hit as he attempted a pass. The ball fluttered into the waiting arms of Art Smith who took the interception into the end zone for what would have been a game-tying score. However, a defensive holding call on the Rattlers negated the play and returned possession to the SaberCats.

San Jose wasted no time in taking advantage of their second lease on life as Grieb led his team down the field, eventually running the ball himself for a 1-yard touchdown and a 35-21 advantage.

Though the Rattlers would outscore the SaberCats 28-21 in the second half, the team could never close the early gap as San Jose scored on all their possessions in the game – with exception of the final drive as the SaberCats ran out the clock.

Bright spots for the Rattlers were the play of Keyuo Craver, who led all players in the game with 10.5 tackles, and Wendall Gaines, who forced a fumble and recorded an 8-yard sack. Offensively, the Rattlers were led by Bonner, who passed for 252 yards and six touchdowns – three of which went to Atnaf Harris, who was playing in his first game since breaking his hand in a win against Las Vegas in Week 4.

The SaberCats received a 306-yard, seven-touchdown performance from Grieb, who was named the Offensive Player of the Game. Roe led all players in the game with 128 receiving yards and four touchdowns, while Nelson added 103 yards and a trio of scores.

The Rattlers return to the Snake Pit next Saturday as Arizona plays host to the Austin Wranglers.