Post by DiamondThief on Mar 11, 2017 21:21:13 GMT -8
3/11/17 --
PHOENIX, AZ - The Arizona Rattlers scored 29 second-quarter points to open up a 36-13 lead, then cruised to a 71-27 win over Intense Conference foe Colorado Crush.
It was the first-ever meeting between the teams.
Colorado entered the second quarter with a 10-7 lead after Spender Groner's 31-yard field goal. The Rattlers then went on a 36-3 run, starting with a 12-yard run by backup quarterback Jon Wolf, who head coach Kevin Guy incorporated as a running back for much of the game. The Rattlers went up 21-10 on a seven-yard pass from Darron Thomas to Demarius Washington.
They added a pair of touchdowns in the second on a 15-yard run by Jamal Miles and a 19-yard pass from Thomas to Anthony Amos. The Crush's lone points in the quarter came on a 23-yard field goal from Groner.
The Rattlers scored three times in the third quarter to put the game out of reach.
Arizona not only scored on offense, but on both defense and special teams as well. Adam Sauder, who led the Rattlers with 15 tackles on the night, showed up on defense to recover a Colorado fumble in the end zone, and Jamal Miles returned a kickoff for 49 yards for the final score of the fourth quarter.
The Crush won the time of possession, 36:52 to 23:08. Penalties hurt the Crush, as they were flagged for 10 accepted infractions for 84 yards. The Rattlers registered three sacks after having not recording any in their first two games.
With the Rattlers rushing for 151 yards, Thomas was not much called upon to use his arm. When he was, he was efficient, completing six of six passes for 70 yards and three touchdowns. Wolf, who played nearly the entire second quarter under center, did not attempt a pass, though he ran six times for 10 yards and three scores. Darrell Monroe was the workhorse, gaining 93 yards on 12 carries and a trip to the end zone. In addition to his kickoff return, Miles rushed for 35 yards and a score. Anthony Amos had three catches for 46 yards and a score. While Sauder's 15 tackles led the Rattlers, Justin Shirk added 11 of his own and a sack. Allen Chapman had an interception, and Chris McCallister recorded a pair of sacks and a total of five tackles for loss.
Aaron Aiken, making his first start of the season, completed 15 of 27 passes for 116 yards, a touchdown and an interception. he also rushed 12 times for 70 yards and a touchdown. Josh Ford ran the ball 10 times for 48 yards. Recent acquisition Lovie Rose III scored on a rushing touchdown, and caught two passes for 25 yards. Tim Lukas and Kyle Kaiser each caught five passes, for 49 and 42 yards, respectively. Lukas scored a receiving touchdown as well. Mikell Mair recorded seven tackles, while Cardelro Jones added five for the Crush.
The Crush (0-3) are next in action on March 17 when they host the Spokane Empire at 5 p.m. (the Empire play at the Salt Lake Screaming Eagles on March 13). The Rattlers (1-2) have a bye week in week 5, but will return to action on March 26 when they visit the Green Bay Blizzard for a 1:05 p.m. kickoff (the Blizzard host the Iowa Barnstormers on March 12). kickoff. Both of those games, as well as all of the leagues games this season are available for streaming on the IFL's Youtube channel.
- ANM
(Graphic courtesy SCtoC)
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Why was Goldrich not the QB? How does everyone think Aiken did in comparison to Goldrich?