RATTLERS SERPENTINE PAST OILERS WITH LATE HEROICS

Tulsa, Okla. — Tulsa Oilers Football, a proud member of the IFL and powered by Community Care, lost by one, 64-63 in a back-and-forth contest on the road against the Arizona Rattlers. 

Tulsa opened the game's scoring on a 5-yard slant route completed to Jerminic Smith Sr. in the endzone, making it 7-0 Oilers with 9:34 to go in the first. Arizona responded to tie the game just before TJ Edwards II rushed up the middle from the 10-yard line for a touchdown to make it 14-7 Tulsa with 3:22 remaining in the opening quarter. 

Arizona tied the game once more, but Bailey Hale reignited the lead for Tulsa with a 26-yard field goal with 9:09 to go in the second frame to bring the score to 17-14 Oilers. The Rattlers took their first lead just before Mike Carrigan responded with a 3-yard rushing score against the grain to push Tulsa ahead 24-21 with 5:41 remaining in the second. With 0:31 seconds left in the half, the Oilers regained the lead on a 3-yard pass to the left side of the endzone to Spencer Tears to make it 31-28 Oilers. Arizona took a 35-31 lead into the locker room after claiming the final touchdown of the half. 

Tulsa forced a turnover on downs to open the second half and marched down to score with 6:57 to go in the third quarter on a 2-yard rushing touchdown by Edwards II, making it 38-25 Oilers. Smith Sr. snagged a second touchdown on the day from the 1-yard line to make it 45-42 Tulsa. A muffed snap by Arizona QB, Max Meylor, rolled into the endzone where Dylan Pettway would fall on the loose ball for a defensive touchdown, making the Oilers' lead 52-42. 

Tulsa saw another field goal from Hale and another receiving score from Smith Sr., but in the final moments of the game would trail 64-63. With 0:03 left in the game, the Oilers would see Hale kick a field goal attempt from his own 5-yard line that would come up short and wide right. Tulsa fell by the final score of 64-63 to fall to 1-3 on the season. 

Tulsa will host the San Diego Strike Force on Saturday, May 2nd at the BOK Center. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. CT.