PHOENIX – Two years ago former Eastern Illinois defensive back Terrance Sanders had made the break through to the Arena Football League signing a deal with the Utah Blaze following a promising career in arenafootball2 with the Boise Burn where he was a first-team af2 selection as a kick returner and defensive back.

In 2009 the Arena Football League ceased operations for the year to garner support of new investors. In 2010 the league once again was in operation with games televised on the NFL Network. The opening game was on Friday, April 2 between the Iowa Barnstormers and the Chicago Rush.

One day later Sanders was back in the AFL as the Arizona Rattlers picked up a 61-56 win over the Cleveland Gladiators. In that opener Sanders had a kick return for a 58-yard touchdown to go along with four solo tackles. That kick return opened the door to several more kick return chances as Sanders currently ranks fifth in the AFL in total returns with an average of 19.8 yards per return. He is tied for second in the league with two returns for touchdown. Defensively Sanders has recorded 36 tackles with two interceptions and four pass break-ups as Arizona has posted a 4-3 record to open the season.

Arizona will next be in action on June 5 as they host the Milwaukee Iron as part of a three-game home stand. For more information on the Arizona Rattlers visit – www.azrattlers.com  

Sanders played for Eastern Illinois from 2002-06 helping the Panthers win back-to-back Ohio Valley Conference championships in 2005 and 2006. He had 28 pass break-ups and six interceptions during his career. In the Panthers 2006 playoff game against Illinois State he returned an interception 87 yards for a touchdown. He becomes the ninth former Eastern Illinois player to appear in an Arena Football League game, the first was former quarterback Sean Payton as a member of the 1987 Chicago Blitz.