First signature win of season locked down as Knight Hawks take down Rattlers

After suffering back-to-back losses by three points, the Vegas Knight Hawks are back in the win column.

Vegas beat Arizona, 52-37, Saturday, May 31 from Lee’s Family Forum in a Week 11 matchup. The Rattlers were responsible for the first of those back-to-back three points losses for the Knight Hawks two weeks ago.

“I thought we matched their intensity,” head coach Mike Davis said. “We made some plays. We had some miscues too, it’s stuff we can build on and learn from. But we matched the intensity and really didn’t give up any big plays.”

Vegas is now 5-4 this season while hovering around the third spot in the Western Conference. Looking to capitalize on a win over the conference’s top team, the Knight Hawks have a road game against the Northern Arizona Wranglers to turn their attention to.

That contest is set for Saturday, June 7 with kickoff set for 6 p.m.

“We’ve been losing games by a point, two points, three points,” running back Antonio Wimbush said. “It’s just a matter of time before we get it going. I think this game is a statement game right now and we’re really about to get this train rolling like we’ve been talking about.”

Wimbush had another productive night for Vegas, this time in a winning effort. He scored the team’s first win of the game in the first quarter to take a, 7-6, lead. While that first score came on the ground, he caught another one in the third quarter.

Wimbush did it all in the win, even delivering a jarring hit on the ensuing kickoff after his touchdown catch.

“They call it white hot,” Davis said. “You see it when everything just kind of slows down. His team is doing a great job blocking for him too so it makes it easy.”

Before the conclusion of the third quarter, Wimbush raced a kick return to the end zone for six points. He now has two kick return touchdowns in as many weeks.

Wimbush closed the night with 183 all-purpose yards on 17 total touches including kick returns.

“I think we have one of the best offensive lines in the league,” Davis said. “He’s a phenomenal player. You get a guy like that: He’s explosive, he’s tough, he can do everything, great hands out of the backfield. He’s just multi-talented, multi-dimensional and he makes it a tough matchup for anybody.”

Quarterback Jayden De Laura got the start in a big spot with an even bigger opportunity after starting the season as the backup behind reigning MVP Ja’Rome Johnson.

De Laura tossed a pair of touchdown passes in the first half including one each to receivers CJ Windham and Quentin Randolph. Late in the fourth quarter, the former Arizona play caller hustled into the end zone with his legs on his way to an 11-for-17 night for 108 passing yards and five total touchdowns.

“That’s kind of why he’s playing,” Davis said. “He’s taking care of the football for us. He hasn’t given us the costly turnovers – a lot to improve on right, he’s still a rookie. He’s made some mistakes but they’re all correctable.”

Kicker Ben Derby shook off a rusty outing last week beginning with his first made field goal of the season early in the second quarter. In addition, he went 7-for-7 on extra points.

“It’s kind of a do-or-die thing for Ben,” Davis said. “He stepped up, we worked a lot yesterday. We haven’t been able to be in the arena, the only time he’s been able to kick the last three weeks has been on gamedays. Being able to practice in here helps and we’ll be in here for the next couple of weeks.”

Vegas had a near explosion early after blocking an extra point on the first Arizona touchdown on the night but having the return blown dead by an inadvertent whistle. After back-to-back losses by three points, Davis and company could not let that moment go unaddressed as it confronted several referees about the stopped play.

Later in the first half, the Knight Hawks defense blocked its second extra point of the night. Just before halftime, the Rattlers connected on a field goal but prior to that had gone 2-for-4 on drives with a turnover on downs.

Just before the final horn, Vegas’ defense picked up its second turnover on downs to preserve the win.

“We played together,” Wimbush said. “In all aspects, special teams, defense, offense. Just being out there sacrificing for our brothers.”