QUICK FACTS: Game: Arizona Rattlers at Utah Blaze
Date: Friday, April 7, 2006
Kickoff: 6:00 p.m. (Pacific)
Site: Salt Lake City, Utah
Arena: Delta Center (16,400)
Television: FSN Arizona – tape delay – 10:30 p.m. (Steve Brown, Alema Harrington, Chris Harris)
Radio: ESPN Radio 860 AM – tape delay 9:00 p.m. (Kent Derdivanis, Dale Hellestrae)
Live Audio Web Stream: www.azrattlers.com
Series Record: Arizona leads 1-0
Last Meeting: Arizona 45, Utah 38 – February 12, 2006 at US Airways Center
Officials: Dennis Lipski (R), Rick Nelson (U), Kavin McGrath (HL), Darrel Leftwich (LJ), Rich Wilborn (BJ)
Head Coaches: Arizona – Gene Nudo (first season, 5-5) Utah – Danny White (14th season overall, 124-62, 20-10 in playoffs, first in Utah, 1-2)
THE SERIES: This will be the second meeting between the two teams, as Arizona took the first-ever contest, 45-38, earlier this season at US Airways Center. Blaze Head Coach Danny White coached the Rattlers during their first 13 seasons, while assistant Hunkie Cooper played with the Rattlers for the same tenure. The Blaze also have eight ex-Rattlers on their roster: FB/LB Orshawante Bryant, OS Siaha Burley, WR/DB Ryan Dennard, QB Joe Germaine, DS Kelvin Hunter, WR/LB Tom Pace and WR/DB Justin Taplin.
THIS WEEK’S QUOTES: Rattler head coach Gene Nudo on last week’s loss to San Jose: “We dug ourselves in a hole that we were unable to overcome. I was happy that our guys got themselves back into the game, but the bottom line is they made the plays when they had to and we didn’t. They are a championship caliber team. We did not play up to their level. We have to regroup and get ready for another divisional test next week.”
Nudo on Utah: “They are playing much better and have solidified their team. Even though they haven’t produced the results they’ve wanted, they have been playing inspired football. They have numerous offensive threats and are well coached. They played Tampa straight up last week, so we must be prepared. It will be a hard-fought divisional battle.”
Nudo on the state of the season: “It’s an extremely balanced league. Everyone wants to be critical of our division, but the whole league has experienced parity. Free agency has really taken over. The teams that gain momentum down the stretch of the season with be the ones that keep continuity and chemistry. There is still a lot of football to be played, and nothing has really been decided.”
THE “IF” SECTION If the Rattlers defeat Utah it would:
- be their sixth victory in their last eight games
- be their second consecutive win over Utah
- be their 12th win in their last 18 games
- give them a 5-3 record in the Western Division
- give them a 4-2 record on Friday
- keep them with a share of first place in the division
PLAYERS TO WATCH THIS WEEK: Utah QB Jason Gesser: Despite dropping the three games he has started in, Gesser has posted impressive numbers, including a 315-yard, five-touchdown performance in last week’s lost against Tampa Bay. The rookie quarterback has thrown for at least five touchdowns in all three of his starts. As Utah returns home to take on a Rattler defense that struggled last week against San Jose, Gesser may put up the same type of numbers while looking for a different result.
Arizona WR/DB Jeremiah Pope:Pope had just two catches for 28 yards in his return from a finger injury that put him out for over a month. As the Rattlers look for performers to fill the void of injured Darrell Jones and injured Talib Wise, Pope’s production on both sides of the ball will be something to keep an eye on. The former af2 standout is also a dangerous kick returner, as he tallied 127 yards on nine returns last week against San Jose. If Arizona is able to get Pope involved in an offense that has struggled to score over 50 points on a consistent basis, he could compliment other receivers and help them win a shootout against the potent Blaze.
THE RATTLERS ARE … • 4-2 at US Airways Center
• 1-3 on the road
• 3-0 when they score more than 50 points
• 1-0 when they score 60 or more points
• 5-4 when they allow less than 60 points
• 4-2 when they allow less than 50 points
• 2-0 when they allow less than 40 points
• 3-2 when they score first
• 2-0 when they commit fewer turnovers
• 1-3 when they commit more turnovers
• 4-2 when a player scores three or more touchdowns
• 0-1 when they score two or more TDs on the ground
• 4-2 when Sherdrick Bonner throws five or more TDs
• 2-1 when Damien Groce scores two or more TDs
• 2-0 when Damien Groce catches seven or more passes
• 0-1 when Bo Kelly scores two or more TDs
• 1-3 when they commit fewer penalties
• 3-1 when they record at least one sack
• 1-3 when they go scoreless for at least one quarter
• 0-0 when they pitch a shutout in a quarter
• 2-0 when the game is decided by 7 or fewer points
• 3-1 when leading at halftime
• 1-4 when trailing at halftime
INJURY REPORT
Arizona
OUT: OL/DL Anthony Hutch (L Great Toe); WR/DB Darrell Jones (R Ankle); WR/DB Talib Wise (L Ankle)
DOUBTFUL: OL/DL Sebastian Barrie (L Shoulder); DS Wendell Davis (L Quad); DS Corey Johnson (L Knee); DS Clarence Lawson (L Hamstring); OL/DL Mark Tucker (R Hamstring); FB/LB Steve Warren (L Bicep)
QUESTIONABLE: WR/LB Wilson Thomas (L Elbow)
Utah
OUT: OL/DL Garrett Smith (Back)
QUESTIONABLE: QB Joe Germaine (Finger); DS Kevin Moffett (Hamstring)
PROBABLE: OL/DL Lewis Powell (Calf) 
