Hotshots 38, Salt Lake 22

Arizona shines in all facets to win Alliance of American Football debut.

Before his team took the field on Sunday night for its Alliance of American Football debut, Arizona Hotshots coach Rick Neuheisel could only make one promise.

Regardless of how many fans showed up to watch the game in person at Sun Devil Stadium or chose to watch it on television via the NFL Network, Neuheisel said, “they’re going to see great effort.”

“I can’t tell you it’s going to be perfect,” Neuheisel added. “We’ve only been together for a very short amount of time. But I will tell you the fans are going to be entertained because this a fun group and when they start playing that (Lil Jon) song ‘Shots, shots, shots, shots, shots, shots,’ I guarantee you’re going to get a little bounce in your step.”

Playing a frenetic up-tempo offense and utilizing an attacking defense that forced three turnovers, the Hotshots didn’t disappoint and they more than backed up their coach’s words in the form of a 38-22 victory over the Salt Lake Stallions.

The Hotshots didn’t offer an attendance figure, but the smallish crowd estimated to be somewhere somewhere between 10,000-15,000 were vocal and seemed to genuinely enjoy the game.

Quarterback John Wolford, getting the start ahead of Trevor Knight, threw for four touchdowns and 275 yards to spark the Hotshots.

Running back Jhurell Pressley, who played at New Mexico, rushed for a game-high 64 yards on 18 carries and caught a 30-yard pass for a touchdown.