The Wranglers came out firing from the very first drive on Saturday evening, as returning Wranglers wide receiver
Glen Gibbons Jr. took a pitch for an eight-yard score. The Wranglers found themselves in front of the Knight Hawks right away, by a score of 6-0. Vegas responded with a touchdown of their own, taking a 7-6 lead over Northern Arizona. The Vegas lead was instantly wiped away, courtesy of Wranglers wide receiver
Andre Williams. Williams took the ensuing kickoff from his own two-yard line, all the way to the end zone for a 48-yard score. The Wranglers took a 14-7 lead and kept that lead through the end of the first quarter.
Â
The Wranglers opened the second quarter in similar fashion to the first, with a Gibbons Jr. rushing touchdown. The Wranglers defense followed this possession with a fourth down stop on the Knight Hawks 20-yard line. The Wranglers took one offensive play to get in the end zone, with a laser from quarterback
Garrett Kettle to Wranglers returning wide receiver
Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman. Williams also notched a tackle in the end zone on the following kickoff to notch the one-point rouge. The Wranglers suddenly had a 29-7 lead over the Knight Hawks with that 20-yard score from Kettle to Chiaokhiao-Bowman. Vegas responded with a touchdown, bringing the game to a 29-14 score, in favor of Northern Arizona. With seven seconds remaining in the game's first half, Wranglers defensive back
Dorian Walker nabbed an impressive interception. The Wranglers went into halftime with a 29-14 lead.
Â
The Wranglers and Knight Hawks traded touchdowns during the third quarter, with Vegas striking first to bring the game to a 29-21 score. Chiaokhiao-Bowman nabbed his second touchdown reception, and the lead was extended yet again. To close the third quarter, former Wranglers wide receiver Quentin Randolph scored a 30-yard touchdown for Vegas. The score was 35-28 in favor of the Wranglers heading into the fourth.
Â
Chiaokhiao-Bowman added his third score of the day, as he fought past a Knight Hawks defender at the goal line. Chiaokhiao-Bowman was originally called down at the one-yard line, however the play was overturned. Chiaokhiao-Bowman crossed the goal line before slamming into the wall, which made for one of the game's most exciting moments. Vegas responded with a touchdown, forced turnover, and yet another touchdown. The game was tied at 42 apiece, with just 26 seconds remaining on the clock. The Knight Hawks opted to shoot for the lead by attempting to kick a deuce on the following kickoff. After the kick was missed, The Wranglers were given 26 seconds and two timeouts to go just 25 yards for the score. The Wranglers capped off the game with one final rushing touchdown from Gibbons Jr., as he scored with just four seconds left. The Wranglers were able to successfully get back in the win column and currently hold a 1-1 record on the season.
Â
Kettle looked great on Saturday night, notching his first win in the Indoor Football League as a starting quarterback. Kettle threw for 137 yards and three touchdowns. Chiaokhiao-Bowman hauled in seven receptions for 106 yards and three scores. On the defensive side of the football, defensive back
Kishawn Walker recorded seven total tackles, one interception, and four passes defended. The Wranglers are headed into a bye week riding high, and will return to Pinnacle Bank Field on April 16th, to play the San Diego Strike Force.
The Northern Arizona Wranglers 2023 home games, with dates and matchups and results, are listed below.
Â
Saturday, March 25th, 6:05 P.M. vs Duke City Gladiators    LOSS, 43-35
Â
Saturday, April 1st, 6:05 P.M. vs Vegas Knight Hawks         WIN, 48-42
Â
Sunday, April 16th, 3:05 P.M. vs San Diego Strike Force
Â
Saturday, May 13th, 6:05 P.M. vs Bay Area Panthers
Â
Saturday, June 3rd, 6:05 P.M. vs Arizona Rattlers
Â
Saturday, June 17th, 6:05 P.M. vs Frisco Fighters
Â
Saturday, June 24th, 6:05 P.M. vs Tucson Sugar Skulls
Â
Saturday, July 8th, 6:05 P.M. vs Massachusetts Pirates
Â
Season tickets for your 2022 IFL National Champions, the Northern Arizona Wranglers, are on sale now for the 2023 regular season.
Â
You can check our website, nazwranglers.com, for a seating map of the Findlay Toyota Center, and pricing breakdown. This is located under the Season Tickets tab on the homepage.
Â
For any Season Ticket inquiries, call us at 928-379-5581
Â
You can also email emaleighwalter@nazwranglers.com
Â
Use the link below to purchase your single game tickets. You can also purchase single game tickets by visiting the Findlay Toyota Center box office.
Â
https://www.ticketmaster.com/northern-arizona-wranglers-tickets/artist/2769030
Â
Â
Â
Â
Written by: Tucker Welch
Edited by: Ed Cole
Â
Â