Turnovers Beat San Jose SaberCats

“We just need to grow, we’re young,”---Head Coach Darren Arbet

By Barbara Mason 5/08/11
Bay Area Sports Drive
Published-graphics-photos by Larry Garcia

Saturday evening the San Jose SaberCats hosted the rival Arizona Rattlers in their 20^th all-time regular season match-up.  This is the first meeting of the 2011 season for these two teams as San Jose attempted to hand the Rattlers their second loss of the season.

The red-hot Rattlers struck first scoring a touchdown on their first snap of the game to take a 7-0 lead.  The SaberCats also cashed in on their first possession but missed the extra point attempt.  Arizona quickly scored on their second drive and it was not hard to see why this team has a nearly perfect record.  Their only loss this season was to the defending champion Shock by a single point, 70-69.  Mid-way through the first quarter Arizona had taken a 14-6 lead. 

Penalties in the opening quarter kept San Jose pinned deep in their own territory as they fought to keep up with the Rattlers.  Arizona put some tight coverage on San Jose and quarterback Mark Grieb had some trouble finding open receivers which eventually cost the team a stop as the Rattlers took over on downs. 

 Arizona was in the driver’s seat and the only thing that could reverse their momentum would be that all-important turnover which has changed the course of many an arena game.  It was the SaberCat defense that caused the first turnover of the game when Arizona quarterback Nate Davila was sacked and coughed up the ball. San Jose recovered (#31 Maka-Photo-right) the ball and turned it into 7 points to put themselves right back in the game although trailing 14-13. 

The Rattlers continued to score with ease as the second quarter reached the mid-way mark.  Arizona now led 21-13 as San Jose continued to struggle.  The SaberCats were working a whole lot harder than their opponents.  Time would tell if their dogged persistence would pay off.  It was quarterback Mark Grieb who would run the ball into the end zone with 3:51 left in the half to pull back within one point 21-20 as San Jose continued to fight.  Arizona would score one more time in the half to go ahead 28-20.  As the half ended, Arizona would intercept Mark Grieb and put a stop to another San Jose score.  It would be an uphill battle for the SaberCats in the second half. 

San Jose started the second half with a penalty pinning themselves deep in their own territory followed by a costly turnover via an interception. San Jose had dug themselves a very deep hole.   Two Arizona touchdowns were negated by penalties in the third quarter and the Rattlers were doing themselves no favors committing three penalties in a row and looking at a 4th and 23.  The Rattlers field goal attempt was good extending their lead to 31-20.

 As the third quarter began to wind down San Jose had a touchdown negated by a penalty.  This did not deter veteran Mark Grieb as he went right back to work throwing to #80 Ben Nelson for the score to pull within four, 31-27.  

San Jose would need a turnover to pull this one out.  Arizona showed no signs of letting down scoring again as the fourth quarter got underway now leading 38-27 and San Jose would have to keep pace.  Kept pace they did as Ben Nelson pulled in a long pass from Mark Grieb to stay within four, 38-34.  Seemingly unstoppable, Arizona struck again as Rod Windsor hauled one in for a 45-34 tally.  San Jose’s Otis Amey came right back with a touchdown, the score now 41-45.  On the Rattlers next score the extra point was blocked and recovered as San Jose ran the ball back for the 2 points and a 51-43 score.  The SaberCats were within a touchdown and two point conversion of a tie.  Another interception by Arizona put a stop to San Jose’s bid to tie up this game and with 1:36 left in the game it was all but said and done. 

It was a penalty ridden affair that ended with Arizona the victor 65-43 dropping San Jose to 5-3.   While San Jose did have their opportunities they were unable to capitalize on them which put this highly contested game just out of their reach.  It just wasn’t the kind of football that this team is capable of.  With four interceptions and one fumble in this game, the SaberCats have a lot of work to do before next week’s away game against expansion team, the Pittsburgh Power.

“We didn’t play well, we had some penalties.  We just need to grow, we’re young,” said Head Coach Darren Arbet after the game.  “We need to go and watch this tape and learn from it and get out on the practice field and get better,” he said.  He did commend Arizona on the great job that they did in receiver coverage.  Mark Grieb had a lot of trouble trying to find open receivers throughout this game.  Arbet was pleased to have one of his premier receivers back with the team in the person of Ben Nelson.  “Ben’s a good football player.  We’re going to watch the tape and see how he did,” he said.

It was the first time back on the field in San Jose for receiver Ben Nelson.  “It’s good to back out here.  I did not play a good first half and there’s stuff I’ve got to work on,” said Nelson.  “I didn’t do well, it’s as plain and simple as that and my body didn’t feel a hundred percent.”  He is thrilled to be back in front of the fans and did say that they were one of the main reasons he did come back here to San Jose.  “I’m happy to be back but disappointed with the loss and how I played but that can be corrected,” he said.