May 3, 2018

PHOENIX, Ariz. – The first place Arizona Rattlers (7-1) will travel to Iowa this week and face the Cedar Rapids Titans (1-7). This will be a rematch of last week’s matchup in which the Rattlers defeated the Titans 84-83. Arizona is on a six-game win streak and has only one loss which occurred on the road this season.

Last week’s victory was win number 300 and the highest scoring game in the history of Rattlers football. Rattlers RB Darrell Monroe set an IFL and Rattlers record by rushing for 11 touchdowns. WR Dezmon Epps also set an IFL record with 263 return yards.

Cedar Rapids had a strong performance on offense led by QB Jake Medlock, who threw for 210 yards and six touchdowns. Medlock found WR Marquel Wade five times for 124 yards and three touchdowns. RB Raphael Lawson-Gayle added 112 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

The two teams traded touchdowns for most of the first half, but a couple costly turnovers kept Arizona behind all game. Late in the fourth quarter, the Titans led by five facing a fourth-and-goal situation and decided to go for the touchdown rather than a field goal. Rattlers DB Arkeith Brown forced an incomplete pass as the Rattlers took over on downs. The Rattlers were able to take the lead with two seconds remaining and would go on to win 84-83.

The Rattlers have won six straight games and will be playing their third road game of the season. Their first road game was loss against the Iowa Barnstormers in week two, and their second was a road win against the Sioux Falls Storm in week eight.

Arizona has the top-ranked scoring offense in the league averaging 52.1 points per game, while Cedar Rapids offense averages 43.4 points per game and is ranked fourth. The Rattlers also have the top-ranked rushing offense (130.2 yards per game), while the Titans have the best passing offense (176.4), and the most passing yards in the league (1,411 yards).

This game will feature two of the league’s top two passers. Rattlers QB Jeff Ziemba is third in the IFL in passing yards (979) and passing touchdowns (21). The Cedar Rapids QB Jake Medlock leads the IFL in passing yards (1492), and passing touchdowns (27).

On the defensive side, the Rattlers are led by DB Arkeith Brown who leads the team with 36 tackles and DL Joshua Gordon who has 8.5 tackles for loss. The Rattlers defense leads the league in turnovers with 15 and is second in sacks with 11.

For the Titans, DB James Calhoun leads the team with 44 tackles, and DL Ricarlo Bell has four sacks. The Cedar Rapids defense allows 249.2 yards per game which ranks them sixth in the league, but the Titans pass defense is ranked second only allowing 130.2 yards per game. The Cedar Rapids defense has created nine turnovers which ranks them third in the IFL.

Kickoff is scheduled for 5:05 P.M. at U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids this Saturday, May 5th. The game will be streaming on YouTube Live (Search Keyword “IFL”).