Arizona Rattlers Lose to Chicago Rush 59-35 - AFL

MLN - THE RAW FEED - www.mlntherawfeed.com – ROSEMONT, IL – WR SIAHA BURLEY snagged four touchdown passes in his Rattlers road debut Friday night in Chicago and second-year DB KEYUO CRAVER returned an interception 42 yards for a touchdown, but it was not enough, as the Rattlers lost to the Rush, 59-35.
 
“Right now, our Achilles heal is the turnovers,” said Rattlers Head Coach Kevin Guy. “We have continuity on special teams and defense, but we don’t have that on offense. We’re playing out of sync. We have to keep improving out protection, but every team we played this year has protection problems. We’re not the only ones, and we’re not going to make excuses.”

ADVERTISEMENT  
The playoff-guaranteed Rattlers have a bye next week, but return to action in Tampa Bay against the Storm on April 13. They return home to USAirways Center five days later to battle the New Orleans VooDoo. Kickoff is slated for 7:00pm on Friday, April 18.
 
“We’re going into a bye week,” said Guy. “I have a week to make some evaluations and see what I can do to help improve this football team. But here’s what we’re not going to do: we’re not going to get on an emotional rollercoaster.”
 
WR/DB KEVIN NICKERSON paced the field once again in all-purpose yards, carrying for football for 175 yards, nearly twice as many as the next closest competitor. Nickerson grabbed five passes to add to his 142 return yards. WR/LB JERRIAN JAMES added eight receptions as well.
 
Arizona marched down the field on its opening drive, highlighted by a pair of QB JEFF SMOKER passes to Burley, including a 29 yard bomb to convert a 3rd and 15 situation. Burley and Smoker connected again on the following play on a three yard strike, allowing Arizona to take an early lead.
 
Following a pair of touchdowns by the Rush, the Rattlers were backed up against their goal-line, with Chicago poised to take a 21-7 lead. However, Craver stepped in front of a Sherdrick Bonner pass, returning it 45 yards for a touchdown.
 
Down 28-14 to open up the second half, the Rattlers rallied with the defense once again setting the tone, harassing Bonner in the Chicago backfield, forcing three straight incompletions and turning the ball back over to the offense after stopping the Rush on downs. Smoker and the Rattlers responded, capping a seven-play drive with another touchdown to Burley to bring Arizona within seven.
 
Burley and Smoker would hook up a third time in the early fourth quarter, with the Rattlers quarterback capping a quick and efficient six play drive with a nine-yard touchdown pass to the wide receiver.
 
With the game out of reach, the Rattlers nonetheless kept fighting, with Smoker tossing another strike to Burley in the waning seconds of the fourth period.
 

If you like the daily news of the Raw Feed, SUBSCRIBE TODAY to the nation's only alternative professional sports magazine, SZ, with original features and great action photography in baseball, hockey, basketball, and football. Just $11.99 per year for an e-zine like youʼve never seen!