San Diego, CA

Defense, clutch finish lead Arizona Rattlers to season’s biggest win at San Diego

Published

2 years ago

June 9, 2024

Defense, clutch finish lead Arizona Rattlers to season’s biggest win at San Diego

The Arizona Rattlers returned two interceptions for touchdowns, converted a key fourth down in the last minute and watched kicker Conor Mangan miss two field goals in the last two minutes to escape the San Diego Strike Force with a 47-46 victory Saturday night at Pechanga Arena.

“We played as bad on offense as I have seen in 15 years,” coach Kevin Guy said. “We have to coach better and we have to play better. We scored on defense twice tonight. I was almost ready to bring our defensive players over to play on offense.”

Dalton Sneed threw three touchdown passes, including a 7-yard pass to Isaiah Huston which turned out to be the game-winner with 16 seconds left. Dawson Evitts’ extra point broke a 46-46 tie.

But the Rattlers needed Mangan to miss a 30-yard field goal try as time expired to get to 7-4 on the season and seize fourth place in the Indoor Football League Western Conference by themselves.

The Strike Force (6-5) had a chance to score late in the first half, after Nate Davis drove his team to the Rattlers’ 5 with three seconds left.

But he overthrew his pass in the end zone, and Jarmaine Doubs Jr. intercepted five yards deep in the end zone and returned it 55 yards for a touchdown that gave the Rattlers a 34-21 lead at the break.

Sneed was intercepted three times, including the first play of the game that the Strike Force cashed in with an early 7-0 lead.

San Diego could have taken a nine-point lead with less than two minutes to play, but Mangan hooked a 28-yard field goal try.

In the final minute, Sneed’s 14-yard pass to Huston on fourth-and-6 gave the Rattlers a first down at 7. On the next play, Sneed went right back to Huston for his first TD. This was Huston’s first game back since early in the season when he suffered an injury.

Davis, who burned the Rattlers early in the season in a 55-45 win in Glendale, passed for 144 yards and four TDs but was picked off three times.

Winfrey’s interception late in the first half came right after CJ Odom fumbled the ball away into the end zone on a first-down run from the 2.

That led to Sneed’s 13-yard scoring pass to Corey Reed Jr. with 16 seconds left and a 27-21 lead. The point-after attempt was blocked.

“We found a way to win and we kept our poise,” Guy said. “We executed when we had to. I don’t want to take anything away from San Diego. They are a very good football team.

“We converted some fourth downs on the last drive. It’s a little different when there’s pressure to make those kids. I thought Huston gave us some great minutes when he was in the game.”

The Rattlers had eight stops in the game. They’ve won six of their last seven games and are only a half-game behind the Vegas Knight Hawks (7-3) and the Northern Arizona Wranglers (7-3) in the Western Conference. The Bay Area Panthers lead the conference at 9-1.

The Rattlers are back home Saturday night at 6:05 to play the Wranglers at Desert Diamond Arena.

To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert atrichard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter:@azc_obert

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San Diego, CA

How to watch San Diego State vs. UNLV basketball game

Published

8 hours ago

March 6, 2026

Press Room

How to watch San Diego State vs. UNLV basketball game

Remarkably, the San Diego State Aztecs can still win a share of the Mountain West title despite losing four of their last five games.

SDSU (19-10, 13-6) needs to beat UNLV (16-14, 11-8) on Friday night in its home finale and then have New Mexico win at Utah State on Saturday for a three-way tie.

The Aztecs had their destiny in their hands less than a week ago, but then lost at New Mexico (13-6) on Saturday and then again at Boise State on Tuesday night, pretty much snuffing out their NCAA Tournament at-large bid chances and apparently ending their hopes at the MW title in their final season in the conference.

But then Utah State (14-5) was routed at UNLV and New Mexico lost at home to Nevada, setting up the possibility of a three-way tie. It’ll be moot, however, if the Aggies beat the Lobos, which will give them the title outright and the No. 1 seed in next week’s conference tournament in Las Vegas.

That’s life in the MW, which the Aztecs and Aggies are leaving after this season to join the new-look Pac-12, along with Boise State, Fresno State and Colorado State.

The big picture

The Aztecs were voted the unanimous preseason favorite to win the regular-season title, based on a loaded roster under coach Brian Dutcher, including the return of Miles Byrd and Magoon Gwath after pulling out of the NBA Draft, and Reese Dixon-Waters after missing last year with a foot injury.

But it’s been a rough go from almost the start, when a rough showing in the non-conference schedule put them on the bubble for an at-large NCAA Tournament berth.

They started to find themselves early in league play by running off a seven-game losing streak, but then lost consecutive games at Grand Canyon and Utah State. Their current skid includes a surprising home loss to Grand Canyon and then a startling road loss to Colorado State.

They routed Utah State at home last week before losing at New Mexico on Saturday and then being routed at Boise State on Tuesday night, when they were outrebounded 37-15.

The last three games were all Quad 1 opportunities in the NCAA NET Rankings, but going 1-2 in those games further hurt their already weak chances at an at-large tourney berth. Those rankings are used by the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee as the primary sorting tool for selection and seeding for March Madness.

Now they’ll almost certainly have to win three games in three days at the MW tournament to claim the automatic bid to reach March Madness for the sixth straight year.

Key facts

The Aztecs will be facing UNLV for the final time in the regular season, as the Runnin’ Rebels will be remaining behind in the MW.

The teams will meet for the 86th time overall, with the Aztecs leading the series 45-40. SDSU is 21-14 against the Runnin’ Rebels in San Diego and 18-8 on Steve Fisher Court.

Below is a look at how to watch UNLV at San Diego State

How to watch UNLV at San Diego State

Date: Friday, March 6

Game time: 7 p.m. PT

Where: Viejas Arena | San Diego

How to watch: CBS Sports Network

How to listen: San Diego Sports 760 (local)

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San Diego, CA

Gas prices soar nearly another dime overnight

Published

20 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

Gas prices soar nearly another dime overnight

On Thursday, the average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in San Diego County recorded its largest increase since Sept. 28, 2023, rising 8.7 cents to $4.894, its highest amount since Nov. 13.

The average price has increased 15 consecutive days, rising 28.7 cents, including 7 cents on Wednesday, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. It is 22.4 cents more than one week ago, 38.6 cents higher than one month ago and 14.5 cents greater than one year ago.

The average price has dropped $1.541 since rising to a record $6.435 on Oct. 5, 2022.

“Gas prices are rising primarily due to a recent surge in crude oil following strikes on Iran by the U.S. and Israel,” Kandace Redd, the Automobile Club of Southern California’s senior public affairs specialist, told City News Service. “Any conflict with Iran can send oil prices higher, as Iran is a major oil producer and about a fifth of the oil consumed globally travels through the Strait of Hormuz between Iran and Oman.

“Gas prices are increasing because of seasonal factors too. Refineries are beginning the switch to more expensive summer-blend fuel, and demand is picking up as we head into the spring break season with more people on the road.”

The national average price rose 5.3 cents to $3.251, its highest amount since Sept. 11, 2024. It has risen five consecutive days, increasing 26.9 cents, including 8.9 cents on Wednesday.

The national average price is 26.8 cents more than one week ago, 36 cents higher than one month ago and 14.4 cents greater than one year ago. It has dropped $1.765 since rising to a record $5.016 on June 14, 2022.

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San Diego, CA

UNLV faces San Diego State after Hamilton’s 24-point performance

Published

1 day ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

UNLV faces San Diego State after Hamilton’s 24-point performance

UNLV Rebels (16-14, 11-8 MWC) at San Diego State Aztecs (19-10, 13-6 MWC)

San Diego; Friday, 10 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: UNLV faces San Diego State after Kimani Hamilton scored 24 points in UNLV’s 92-65 victory over the Utah State Aggies.

The Aztecs have gone 13-2 in home games. San Diego State is eighth in the MWC with 9.0 offensive rebounds per game led by Miles Heide averaging 2.0.

The Rebels have gone 11-8 against MWC opponents. UNLV ranks eighth in the MWC shooting 34.4% from 3-point range.

San Diego State averages 79.1 points per game, 0.6 more points than the 78.5 UNLV gives up. UNLV averages 7.2 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.9 fewer made shots on average than the 9.1 per game San Diego State allows.

The teams play for the second time in conference play this season. San Diego State won the last meeting 82-71 on Jan. 24. Miles Byrd scored 23 points points to help lead the Aztecs to the win.

TOP PERFORMERS: Reese Dixon-Waters is shooting 35.9% from beyond the arc with 1.6 made 3-pointers per game for the Aztecs, while averaging 13 points. Byrd is averaging 10.2 points and 5.1 rebounds over the past 10 games.

Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn is shooting 50.9% and averaging 20.6 points for the Rebels. Hamilton is averaging 1.4 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Aztecs: 5-5, averaging 74.9 points, 28.9 rebounds, 13.7 assists, 6.9 steals and 4.2 blocks per game while shooting 46.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 69.0 points per game.

Rebels: 6-4, averaging 84.1 points, 32.3 rebounds, 14.7 assists, 6.4 steals and 4.8 blocks per game while shooting 50.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 80.8 points.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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