Rattlers drop ArenaBowl bid in controversial loss to SaberCats
Aug 22, 2015, 8:52 PM | Updated: 9:24 pm
The Arizona Rattlers’ falling 70-67 to the San Jose SaberCats in the conference championship game would be painful enough.
Losing the opportunity to defend their three straight ArenaBowl titles hurt more on Saturday.
Then to lose it on a controversial, last-second touchdown call that review wouldn’t rule in favor of …
A back-and-forth affair saw the Rattlers fall behind with 1:09 left in the game before quarterback Nick Davila completed an 8-yard pass to Kerry Reed that gave Arizona a 67-63 lead with 40 seconds left. But San Jose drove the field, and with eight seconds left receiver Reggie Gray caught a pass and lunged toward the goal line, seemingly losing control of the ball just as it crossed the plane of the end zone.
The play (ruled a TD) that gave @SJSaberCats a win over @ArizonaRattlers for right to host Arena Bowl. @AFLarenaball pic.twitter.com/m4ryr7y3No
— J.B. Long (@JB_Long) August 23, 2015
Neither Arizona Republic beat writer Richard Obert nor former Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer agreed with the touchdown standing.
A spot in the Arena Bowl came down to this @AFLarenaball. Ruled a TD for SJ. #AFLonESPN pic.twitter.com/Up3YdlepUI
— J.B. Long (@JB_Long) August 23, 2015
Arizona would have one last chance, but kicker Alex Zendejas missed a potential game-tying kick, and the Rattlers’ chance of winning their conference for the fifth year in a row ended.
Davila finished by completing 22-of-37 passes for 260 yards and eight touchdowns.
Rod Windsor finished with 104 receiving yards. He recorded seven receptions for 90 yards and was on the receiving end of all four Davila touchdown passes in the first half, which ended in a 35-all deadlock.
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