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Last Stand
The San Jose SaberCats defense thwarts a frantic fourth-quarter comeback to defeat the Arizona Rattlers on the last play of ArenaBowl XVIII.
06.27.04 - Phoenix, AZ – San Jose Quarterback Mark Grieb passed for a record eight touchdowns, five of those to WR/LB James Roe, as the SaberCats defeated the Arizona Rattlers, 69-62, in ArenaBowl XVIII.Grieb connected on 27 of 36 passes for 328 yards, without an interception, and was named the Offensive Player of the Game.
Roe tied an ArenaBowl record with his five touchdown receptions, including one in the final two seconds of the first half that resulted in a momentum-swinging 38-yard score that gave San Jose a 35-28 lead. He was named the game's Ironman and had eight total receptions for 119 yards.
In a back and forth thriller that was tied eight times and featured the most combined points ever scored in an Arena Football League championship game, it would prove to be a defensive stand that determined the outcome.
With the SaberCats leading 62-56, Arizona Quarterback Sherdrick Bonner connected with Siaha Burley for 9 yards with 31 seconds left.
Rattlers Head coach Danny White elected to go for a two-point conversion but Bonner's pass was low to Hunkie Cooper, with San Jose's Omarr Smith covering, and the SaberCats led, 63-62.
On the ensuing kickoff, Nelson Garner's on-side kick went right to lineman Chuck Reed who scooped it up and went in untouched for eight yards.
Sabercats kicker Dan Frantz, who had made nine consecutive extra points, missed wide left and the margin remained 69-62.
With 30 seconds left in the game, Bonner was forced to rally his troops from their own 11 yard line. He drove the team to the San Jose five yard line and with two seconds remaining had one play left.
Under pressure from the defense, Bonner's pass went through the end zone incomplete as San Jose wrapped up its second AFL title in three seasons. The contest also marked the third consecutive ArenaBowl loss for the Rattlers.
Just one play short of victory, Bonner ended the day passing for 367 yards and seven touchdowns with no picks.
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