Arizona 60, Orlando 53

ORLANDO, FLORIDA (TICKER) —Matt Sauk threw for six touchdowns and ran for another as the Arizona Rattlers withstood a huge rally by the Orlando Predators in a 60-53 victory Saturday night.

With the Rattlers (7-6) holding a commanding 50-29 lead early in the fourth quarter, Orlando quarterback Shane Stafford threw three of his six scoring passes in the final 8:28, including one with 44 seconds to play that deadlocked the game at 50-50.

Sauk needed just three plays to deliver the winning touchdown, hitting Siaha Burley with a 19-yard scoring pass with five seconds remaining.

Burley had eight receptions for 105 yards and three touchdowns for the Rattlers.

T.T. Toliver also had eight catches for 105 yards with a pair of touchdowns for Orlando (8-6).

Avengers 66, Rattlers 59

LOS ANGELES, CA -- QB Tim Hicks was 19 of 36 for 328 yards and six touchdowns, two to WR Kevin Ingram, as the Los Angeles Avengers defeated the Arizona Rattlers, 66-59, in a Western Division battle on Satuday night at STAPLES Center. WR Timon Marshall had nine catches for 120 yards and two touchdowns while WR LaShaun Ward added four catches for 111 yards and two scores.

Rattlers QB Lang Campbell finished 22 of 34 for 277 yards and seven touchdowns. WR Siaha Burley had six catches for 95 yards and three touchdowns. WR Todd Devoe hauled in eight catches for 74 yards and two scores. WR Trandon Harvey had seven catches for 99 yards and two touchdowns and also contributed on special teams with eight returns for 158 yards and a score.

The Rush crush The Rattlers 59-35

This time it was the Arizona Rattlers who served as the victims, offering little resistance in the face of Chicago’s overwhelming defense. The Rush gave up an early touchdown to the Rattlers but dominated play the rest of the way in a 59-35 win in front of 15,058 fans Friday night at Allstate Arena.

Head coach Mike Hohensee had said the early part of the season was crucial to the team’s success because four of the first five games were at home. The Rush finished that stretch with a 4-1 record and now go on the road for four of the next five.

Chicago’s overpowering defense led the way once again. Defensive lineman John Moyer was dominant, recording three tackles, 2.0 sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and an interception.

“We knew they were bigger than we were on the line, but we didn’t look at that as any kind of a disadvantage,” Moyer said. “That’s because we knew we were quicker than they were and that’s what we used to do our jobs.”

That speed and quickness caused significant problems for Arizona quarterback Jeff Smoker. The former Michigan State QB was under pressure throughout the game and never had a chance to get comfortable. He was sacked four times – James Baron and Joe Peters also registered sacks – and he was hit numerous times.

The Rush offense had no such problems. Rush QB Sherdrick Bonner was able to function efficiently behind solid protection from the Chicago offensive line. He completed 17-of-32 passes for 216 yards with 5 touchdowns and 1 interception. He was not sacked once.

Damian Harrell registered six catches for 100 yards and 3 touchdowns. Fellow receivers Donovan Morgan and Travis LaTendresse also made solid contributions. Morgan caught five balls for 60 yards and LaTendresse had four catches for 34 yards and a score. Tight end Robert Boss also contributed 2 catches for 22 yards and a touchdown.

The Rush got key plays from the running game again. While the yardage totals were not overwhelming – 5 rushes for 13 yards – the rushing attack produced three touchdowns. Dan Alexander, DeJuan Alfonzo and Russ Michna each pounded the ball into the endzone.

The Rush took charge of the game in the second quarter. After Chicago took a 14-7 lead at the end of the first quarter, Arizona tied it up when defensive back Keyuo Craver cut in front of Harrell and picked off Bonner’s pass, returning it 42 yards for a touchdown.

There was no panic after that play. Bonner came right back and threw a 15-yard TD pass to Bonner, and Michna followed with his touchdown after a sensational stand by the defense. The Rattlers were desperate to close the gap before halftime, but the Rush defense gave up nothing as Chicago had a comfortable 14-point lead at the break.

RUSH NOTES: The Rush defense has been on fire the last three games, holding all three opponents to 35 points in each game. ... The Rush defense forced Smoker into three fumbles. ... Kevin Nickerson of Arizona had 175 all-purpose yards. ... Chicago’s next home game is April 20 against Grand Rapids