Phoenix, AZ – The Arizona Rattlers put on their best offensive show of the season in front of 12,641 at America West Arena and outscored Las Vegas 80-63 to pull even at 5-5 on the season. Rattlers QB Sherdrick Bonner led the way with nine touchdown passes to five different receivers. WR/LB Hunkie Cooper caught two of those scoring passes and surpassed 20,000 all-purpose yards for his career with a catch in the third quarter. Cooper is only the second AFL player to go over that mark, joining George LaFrance.

Cooper doesn’t make a big deal about accolades, but he knows it’s quite an accomplishment; “I guess 20,000 yards is a lot on a 50-yard field. That 20,000 had to begin at some point and it was a long time ago and I had to play a lot of games. I’ve been consistent. The thing that I’m more proud of tonight is that I still have something in the tank. I’ve never doubted that, other people have. I’m going to continue to go and when I think I’ve had enough, I’ll step away.”

The Rattlers started with their defense on the field, but scored first when DL Antionne Scott knocked the ball out of WR Cornelius Bonner’s grip and recovered the ball at the Las Vegas seven-yard line to set up the Rattler’s touchdown. The teams traded touchdowns the rest of the first quarter and were tied at 14 after 15 minutes.

The Rattlers took the lead again when Bonner found Tom Pace for a 47-yard pass and run touchdown play. Pace ran like the running back he was at Arizona State after catching the pass. Arizona’s defense stiffened up at their three-yard line and stopped FB Frank Carter on fourth and one to set up another touchdown drive. FB Bo Kelly ran 25 yards on the first play and the Cooper caught a 3-yard touchdown pass from Bonner to cap the drive and take a 28-14 lead. The teams again traded touchdowns the rest of the way to culminate in a 35-28 halftime lead for the Rattlers.

The teams continued to put on an offensive show in the second half. Las Vegas WR Marcus Nash caught four of his seven touchdowns in the last two quarters. No other Gladiator had a multiple touchdown game. Las Vegas made their first defensive stop early in the fourth quarter, but Arizona still got a field goal out of it to go up 59-49. Nash caught a 4-yard pass from QB Clint Dolezel after the Rattlers were unsuccessful with an onside kick. That closed the score to 59-56. Bonner responded with a 23-yard scoring toss to WR Randy Gatewood. On the ensuing kickoff the ball took a strange bounce off the net and ended up in the hands of Hunkie Cooper. Pace hauled in his second touchdown catch from 13-yards out to put Arizona in control with a 73-56 advantage.

Bonner finished 21 of 35 for 263 yards and the 9 touchdown passes. Gatewood caught 5 passes for 47 yards and 3 scores, Pace added 74 yards on 3 receptions and scored twice. Bo Kelly had a good night running the ball. He gained 38 yards on 4 carries and scored a touchdown on the final Rattlers drive to finish the scoring.

Coach Danny White said Bonner played very well; “Offensively, Sed played as good a game tonight as I’ve ever seen him play. He was sharp, made some great reads, reads that weren’t expected. An excellent job all-around for the offense. Hunkie played very well.”

Rattlers’ defensive specialist Kelvin Hunter had to leave the game with a bruised left knee, which forced coach White to make some adjustments in the secondary. DB Clarence Lawson had to play in the middle, which is a position he is not accustomed to playing.

Dolezel was very accurate and completed 29 of 37 for 290 yards and 9 touchdowns. Nash led all receivers with 15 catches for 145 yards and the 7 touchdowns. Bonner added 81 yards on 8 grabs and scored one touchdown.

White didn’t like giving up so many points. He thought the secondary gave up too many easy touchdowns. He thinks they are in good shape though. “We’ve got more young guys playing this year than we did last year that are just going to keep getting better. I think we’re gelling at the right time with the one exception of the secondary. We have to concentrate and get better.”

Cooper is happy with the win, but knows it’s a tough road ahead; “The win is good because it’s a conference win. It’s two in a row. We put up a lot of points, but we gave up a lot of points. We have to come back and find a way to keep putting up points, keep putting the ball up in the net and find out a way to get some stops. Then I’ll become satisfied. We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us. This is just one of the many we have to win in order to make the playoffs.”

The Rattlers host 7-3 Dallas next week. The Desparados are coming off a four-point win over San Jose. The game will start at noon on Sunday and will be televised by NBC.