By Daniel Dullum
Sports Radio Service
Saturday, August 22, 2015

Reggie Gray’s second touchdown reception of the night, a 6-yard scoring pass from Erik Meyer with eight seconds to play in regulation, provided San Jose with the final go-ahead score as the SaberCats edged Arizona 70-67 in the Arena Football League’s National Conference championship game.

The victory not only sent San Jose back to the Arena Bowl, but avenged three straight playoff losses to the Rattlers. San Jose, the No. 1 seed, will host Arena Bowl XXVIII next Saturday against either Jacksonville or Philadelphia.

The National Conference title game was a rare home-away-from-home contest for the SaberCats played at the Stockton Arena due to renovations being made at SAP Center.

Trailing 60-55 with less than two minutes to play in the fourth quarter, San Jose scored on a 9-yard pass from Meyer to Rich Ranglin, followed by a 2-point conversion, putting the SaberCats up 63-60.

The Rattlers recovered the ensuring onside kick, setting up their go-ahead score on an 8-yard TD pass from Nick Davila to Kerry Reed. San Jose completed its game-winning drive in 14 seconds.

Arizona’s Alex Zendajas fell short with a field goal attempt, and Gray snared the ball off the nets as time expired.

Meyer racked up 351 passing yards and nine scoring passes to five different receivers. Maurice Purify led the SaberCats with nine receptions for 150 yards and a touchdown while facing his former team. Darius Reynolds had three catches –all for touchdowns – for 104 yards.

Davila completed 22 of 37 passes for 260 yards and eight touchdowns for Arizona.

Kickoff for Arena Bowl XXVIII is scheduled for 4 p.m. Pacific Time. The game will be broadcast on ESPN and radio station KDOW (1220 AM).