Arizona Rattlers: Chicago Rush Victorious, but Rattlers Maintain 2-Game Lead

U.S. Airways Center in Phoenix was alive with an old energy brought by new majority owner of the Arizona Rattlers, Ron Shurts. The new ownership brought back old traditions like fireworks, but the team failed to keep the spark after a last second loss to the Chicago Rush.

Nick Davila led his offense with five passing touchdowns and 297 passing yards. Of that yardage, Rod Windsor caught 119 yards and three touchdowns. RB Oddie Armstrong rushed for 24 yards and two touchdowns.

On the defensive side of the ball, the defensive backs Virgil Gray and Marquis Floyd both brought in an interception.  Linebacker Kevin McCullough forced and recovered a fumble on his two-yard line. Finally, Lineman Kyle Harrington left the field with a sack.

With the great play on both sides of the ball the Rattlers were able to hold a lead for the majority of the game except in the last minute. It was the collapse of Arizona’s special teams that ultimately lead to the one-point loss to last year’s nemesis from Chicago.

All night the Rattlers’ special teams were allowing big plays from the Rush. Most of their kickoffs were returned past the 10-yard line and one even went coast to coast.

On what would be the most important play of the night they failed to pull down an onside kick that eventually resulted in a Chicago field goal by Chris Gould that put the Rush ahead by one point.

Immediately after the field goal, a Rush player took his helmet off in celebration and the penalty gave the Rattlers one more play after the kick off because of an Arena Rule that will not allow a game to end on a defensive penalty.

Throughout the night, Rattlers Kicker, Fabrizio Scaccia, scored on every PAT. But, in the end his 51-yard field goal attempt with a second on the clock was too much as it failed to travel through the uprights.

On a final note, Arizona may have lost a tough game but it will not affect their playoff march yet. The Pittsburgh Power beat the San Jose Sabercats tonight and maintains the Rattlers two-game lead in the NC West.