By Matt Loeschman
Twitter: @MattLoeschman

PHOENIX — Ravaged by injuries and player departures all season long, the Arizona Rattlers just keep finding ways to win.

Fueled by their new quarterback and a defense that forced three interceptions, Arizona remained atop the Indoor Football League standings on Saturday with a gritty 56-46 victory over the Nebraska Danger at Talking Stick Resort Arena.

“We had a receiver tweak a hamstring in warmups and another tweak a hamstring on the first drive,” explained Rattlers Head Coach Kevin Guy. “I was pleased with the fact that we found a way to overcome adversity. We found a way to win tonight.”

The win propelled the Rattlers to 9-0 this season. As the lone unbeaten IFL team, Arizona holds a one-game lead over the Iowa Barnstormers (8-1) with each team having five games remaining on the regular season schedule. Arizona and Iowa do not play each other during the regular season. Nebraska is still in a solid position for a playoff spot after falling to 5-5.

“Nebraska has the number two scoring offense in this league,” Guy explained. “We knew this game wasn’t going to be easy.”

For one of the few times this season, the Rattlers and their opponent played a scoreless first quarter.

Arizona drove inside the Nebraska 20 to start the game but they were stopped on fourth down when quarterback Jeff Ziemba tossed the football about 10 rows deep into the stands.

“Jeff has to be a little more consistent,” Guy said. “You have to give someone a chance to make a play on fourth down.”

Arizona quarterback Drew Powell, right, gets a fist bump from Rattlers Head Coach Kevin Guy after Powell scored a touchdown Saturday at the Snake Pit against the Nebraska Danger. [Matt Hinshaw/Arizona Rattlers][/caption]The Rattlers’ defense responded with their own stop. The Danger took the ball inside the Arizona 15 but Nebraska kicker Diego Marquez was wide right with a 27-yard field goal attempt.

Arizona finally got on the board early in the second quarter. Jamal Miles darted into the end zone from 3 yards out on a jet sweep and Jimmy Camacho nailed the PAT to make it 7-0.

The Danger responded with a 10-yard TD pass from Tommy Armstrong to Johnny Jackson IV. Marquez tied the game at 7-7 with his extra point.

Drew Powell, the 2018 IFL MVP acquired in late April, replaced an ineffective Ziemba and immediately led the team down the field. The 7-play, 42-yard drive concluded with Powell’s first TD pass as a Rattler — 6 yards to Jarrod Harrington.

“It felt great to be back on the field,” Powell said after the game. “Feels like it’s been forever. But I’m still doing the same things I was able to do last year and help my team any way I can.”

Harrington is becoming a reliable target for Arizona’s quarterbacks.

“We are doing a great job executing offensively,” Harrington said. “We have had some guys get hurt but other players have stepped up. It’s hard having all this turnover but we are making the best of it.”

Arizona’s defense made a big play to get the ball back as Dillion Winfrey picked off Armstrong along the right sideline. It was Winfrey’s fifth interception this season.

Powell then connected with Miles on a quick toss that resulted in an 8-yard touchdown. Camacho made it 21-7.

With the crowd of 9,889 still celebrating, Nebraska’s Davontae Sapp-Lynch returned the ensuing kickoff 52 yards for a score to cut the lead to 21-14.

Harrington came back with a huge kick return then took the ball in on a 3-yard run with 11 seconds left in the first half to put the Rattlers back up by two scores.

“This is Jarrod’s second year here and the light bulb has come on for him this season,” Guy said. “He has become a reliable playmaker for us.”

As the second half began, Lynch brought the Danger closer with a 13-yard touchdown run. Marquez missed the PAT and Nebraska trailed 28-20.

Powell then scored two rushing TDs — from 7 and 18 yards, respectively — the second score set up by Bubba Chapman’s interception of Armstrong. The Rattlers led 42-20 before Armstrong countered with his own 14 yard TD run as the third quarter ended. Marquez missed another PAT and the Rattlers held a 42-26 advantage.

Jackson IV caught his second score of the game, a 17-yarder from Armstrong, to start the fourth quarter. Arizona looked to get back ahead by two scores but Powell had a pass tipped and intercepted in the end zone. With a chance to get within a score, former Nebraska Cornhusker Armstrong connected with Eric Thomas on a 9-yard TD strike. Marquez missed a third PAT and the Rattlers held a 42-38 lead with 11:26 left in the game.

Powell converted a crucial fourth down on the next series, connecting with running back Darrell Monroe on a crossing pattern to take the ball inside the Danger 10 yard line. Powell then completed the drive with his third rushing TD of the game to make it 49-38.

The Danger weren’t done — Armstrong darted around the left side for a 27-yard touchdown run and after Gregory Dent Jr. caught a 2-point conversion pass, Nebraska trailed 49-46 with 4:39 to go.

“We knew we had to stick together at that point,” Harrington said. “That’s when team chemistry really kicks in and we have that here.”

Powell, showing the same leadership that took Iowa to the IFL title last season, calmly led the Rattlers down the field and connected with Miles on a 15-yard TD pass at the two minute mark. Camacho added a final PAT and Armstrong was picked off by Chapman on the next series to cement the Arizona win.

“Drew came in and gave us some great minutes,” Guy said. “He kept his poise — I see the confidence in him. Our offense will grow as Drew continues to get reps.”

Powell rushed for 63 yards and three TDs in the game. He was 8-for-10 through the air for 96 yards, two TDs and one INT. Miles added two rushing scores and a receiving TD. Harrington added a pair of scores, one rushing and one receiving.

Chapman snagged two interceptions for the Rattlers defense while Winfrey had one.

Armstrong led Nebraska with five total touchdowns — three passing and two rushing.

The Rattlers have their third and final bye of the season next week. They return to play on Sunday, May 19 at Pechanga Arena against the 1-8 San Diego Strike Force. Kickoff is set for 5:05 p.m. and the game can be seen live on YouTube.

“We are a tired football team,” Guy admitted. “We need to get healthy. This bye week comes at a good time for us.”

Rattlers defensive back Phillips Henry (36) attempts a tackle on Nebraska's Quincy Walden on Saturday at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Rattlers won 56-46 to stay undefeated. [Matt Hinshaw/Arizona Rattlers][/caption]