PHOENIX -- The Arizona Rattlers flexed their defensive muscle Saturday night with a victory over conference rival Portland 65-47.
Arizona head coach and general manager Kevin Guy moved within one win from tying Jay Gruden for sixth-place in regular-season wins in the Arena League. Guy has 81 regular-season wins.
Arizona (3-1) leaned heavily on defense in the first half before the offense surged in the second half. Rattlers quarterback Nick Davila threw for nine touchdowns -- six going to wide receiver Rod Windsor -- and had 319 passing yards. Defense back Marquis Floyd forced two fumbles, and defensive back Jeremy Kellem intercepted a pass.
Arizona still struggled on special teams.
The Rattlers went to their third kicker this week when Fabrizio Scaccia was unable to go due to a pulled muscle. Former Arizona Wildcat kicker Alex Zendejas took his place, going only 5 for 9 on extra point attempts. Zendejas was better on kickoffs, able to kick the ball off the bar or the net on most of his attempts.
The Rattlers defense was stifling, only allowing the Thunder (2-2) to score 13 first-half points. Floyd forced his first fumble on wide receiver Duane Brookes, with the ball going for a touchback on Portland's opening drive. Kellem, the Riddell Defensive Player of the Game, intercepted quarterback Kyle Rowley late in the second half and returned it to midfield. The Rattlers also forced two turnovers on downs, including one where the Thunder had a first-and-goal on the 1.
Davila threw four first-half touchdowns, including a 3-yard pass to wide receiver Markee White, an 11-yarder to Windsor and two to receiver Kerry Reed -- a 32-yard bomb and an impressive one-handed grab late in the second quarter. The Rattlers led 26-13 at halftime.
The Rattlers scored twice in the third quarter with two touchdown passes from Davila to Windsor.
The offense for both teams opened up in the fourth quarter. Davila threw four fourth-quarter touchdowns.
Portland was able to score on three of its final four possessions, but it was not enough to catch up.
The Rattlers' next game is Saturday at the Los Angeles KISS.
