The Knight Hawks were unable to fend off a last-minute comeback effort from the Arizona Rattlers on Saturday night, dropping a 50-47 decision at Desert Diamond Arena in Phoenix.
KEY STATS OF THE GAME
#0
Maurice Jackson: 1 Blocked Field Goal
#2
Ja'Rome Johnson: 4 passing touchdowns & 2 rushing touchdowns
#4
Quentin Randolph: 3 Receiving Touchdowns
#6
Antonio Wimbush: 1 Receiving Touchdown & 1 Rushing Touchdown
#8
Jemal Williams: 1 Fumble Recovery
#12
James Ceasar: 4 pass Breakups
#21
Darius Williams: 1 Fumble Recovery
NOTES
The Knight Hawks and the Rattlers started off the game going blow-for-blow as they traded touchdowns to open the contest. Two Rattler rushing scores sandwiched a 40-yard passing touchdown from
Ja'Rome Johnson to
Quentin Randolph.
Johnson ended the first quarter with a 10-yard rushing score, shrinking the Rattler lead to 14-13.
On their opening drive of the second frame, Arizona worked the ball down to within inches of the goal line before fumbling a pitch that would be recovered by
Darius Williams.
After both teams traded scoreless drives, Johnson gave Vegas their first lead of the night with his second rushing touchdown.
Vegas failed to convert an onside kick giving Arizona the ball on the Vegas five-yard line. Arizona took advantage of the short field and retook the lead, 21-19 with 40-seconds left before halftime.
Johnson found Randolph for a second time regaining the lead near the end of the half, 26-21. As time expired,
Maurice Jackson blocked an Arizona field goal attempt.
The second half began with both teams turning the ball over, followed by both teams finding wide open receivers in the endzone, Huston for Arizona and
Antonio Wimbush for Vegas.
With little time remaining in the third, Johnson broke free of a sack to find Randolph for their third touchdown connection of the game, increasing the Vegas lead 40-28.
Arizona's first play of the fourth quarter was a nine-yard touchdown run, cutting the Knight Hawks lead down to five points, 40-35.
Both teams' defenses stood tall for most of the fourth quarter with each unit getting fourth down stops.
With two-minutes remaining in the game, Wimbush ran in his second touchdown of the game, increasing the score to 47-35.
The Rattlers scored two late touchdowns and recovered an onside kick in the final 30-seconds to regain the lead 50-47.
Ben Derby's field goal attempt was wide-right, sealing a Rattler win.
NEXT TIME OUT
Next Saturday the Vegas Knight Hawks will head south to San Diego for their third and final meeting with the Strike Force. The series is split so far, with the visiting club winning each of the first two matchups. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. PT.
TICKETS
Tickets are still available for Vegas' next home game on Saturday, May 31 against the Arizona Rattlers. The Knight Hawks will be celebrating Kids Day and the first 1,500 fans 14 and under will get a free youth football jersey.
Click here for tickets.
