RATTLERS FALL TO RUSH

RATTLERS FALL TO RUSH

Chicago defeat Arizona 63-42

Phoenix, AZ – The Arizona Rattlers (14-3) came out of the gate strong in their final regular season home game but couldn’t hold on as the Chicago Rush (10-7) handed them their first home loss of the season on Ak-Chin Field at the US Airways Center on Saturday night in front of 11,353.

Arizona DB Arkeith Brown wasted no time putting the Rattlers on the scoreboard. He took the opening kickoff and returned it 56-yards for a touchdown. Rod Windsor would add another Arizona touchdown, but not to be outdone was Chicago WR Reggie Gray, who reeled in two scores in the first quarter for Rush. The Rattlers closed out the first quarter strong with Nick Davila sneaking in a touchdown to make it 21-14 and Marquis Floyd intercepting Coffman.

The Rattlers strong first quarter didn’t carry over into the second as they started their first two drives with a turnover on downs and fumble. JJ Payne cashed in the first Rattlers turnover, but Virgil Gray saved the fumble with an interception. Arizona’s offense briefly found its stride as Davila hit Windsor again for a touchdown to put the Rattlers back on top, 28-21. QB Carson Coffman tied the game up again on a strike to Jared Jenkins and gave the Rush a 35-28 lead when he connected with Reggie Gray for his third touchdown of the half. The Rattlers last two possessions ended in turnovers and they went into the locker room down by a score.

Jose Martinez misfired on a 24-yard field goal to start off the second half and Arizona had a chance to tie the game, but turnovers continued to haunt the Rattlers as Vic Hall came up with a pick. This time it was Reggie Gray throwing for a touchdown to offensive lineman Colin Madison off a flea flicker. Chicago scored again when Jorrick Calvin recovered another Rattler fumble and ran it into the end zone making t 49-28 Rush. Davila’s final drive of the quarter resulted in Hall getting another interception off the boards in the end zone.

The Rush continued their offensive push as Jenkins caught his second touchdown of the game to extend Chicago’s lead to 56-28. Jason Murietta entered the game for Davila on Arizona’s next possession, but it was Armstrong who ended the Rattlers scoring drought with a rush touchdown. Another Martinez missed field goal allowed the Rattlers to pull within two scores on Windsor’s third touchdown catch of the game. The Rush recovered the onside kick attempt and Coffman ran in a touchdown. Hall capped off the scoring with his third interception of the game, which he returned for a touchdown.

Coffman went 21-of-38 for 262 yards, five passing touchdowns, two interceptions, and one rushing touchdown. Davila finished the game 17-of-33 for 235 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions. Reggie Gray led the Rush with nine caught passes for 135 yards, three touchdowns, and even threw a touchdown. Windsor finished the game with six receptions for 97 yards and three touchdowns for Arizona.

The Rattlers will wrap up the regular season in Iowa on July 27 against the Barnstormers before returning home for the first round of the playoffs on August 4.

MEDIA AWARDS

RUSSELL ATHLETIC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME

Chicago Rush QB Carson Coffman

RIDDELL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME

Chicago Rush DB Vic Hall

J. LEWIS SMALL PLAYMAKER OF THE GAME

Chicago Rush WR Reggie Gray

CUTTERS CATCH OF THE GAME

Chicago Rush OL Colin Madison 17-yard pass from WR Reggie Gray

AFL HIGHLIGHT OF THE GAME

Arizona Rattlers DB Arkeith Brown 56-yard kickoff return to start the game

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About the Arizona Rattlers

The Arizona Rattlers are the 2012 ArenaBowl XXV World Champions and are proud members of theArena Football League (AFL). ArenaBowl XXV marked the Rattlers seventh appearance in the AFL Championship Game where they have earned Arena Bowl titles in 1994, 1997 and 2012.

For ticket information please call (602) 514-TDTD (8383) or visit www.azrattlers.com.