Utah Opens Season at Pittsburgh
March 20, 2013 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Utah Blaze News Release
SALT LAKE CITY - With the dust from training camp still settling, the Utah Blaze will waste no time in transitioning into the regular season. Preparation for the season opener begins immediately, as the franchise travels on the road to kick off 2013 against the Pittsburgh Power on Saturday, March 23rd. The game can be heard on 97.5FM with Scott Garrard calling all the action.
An All-Arena defensive back during his playing career, Pittsburgh Head Coach Derek Stingley parlayed his playing experience into producing the Arena Football League's top-ranked secondary in 2012, as the Power surrendered just 218.8 passing yards per game last season.
The unit is led by defensive back Chris Leflore, who posted a team-high nine interceptions last year. Also added to the secondary was defensive back Sergio Gilliam, who delivered 15 interceptions over the past two years for the Kansas City Command. However, Pittsburgh's biggest free agent acquisition of the offseason was landing first-team All-Arena Jack linebacker Alvin Ray Jackson. Jackson led the Arena Football League with 14 interceptions in 2012 as a member of the New Orleans VooDoo.
Of course, it will be strength against strength when the Blaze meet the Power, as Pittsburgh's defense is charged with the task of stopping MVP quarterback Tommy Grady and the explosive Utah offense. Despite setting nearly every AFL passing record last season, the early indication from the coaching staff is that this year's group could be even more effective.
The 2013 wide receiver corps features veterans in Aaron Lesué, Brandon Thompkins and L.J. Castile. That trio produced astonishing numbers last season, posting 335 receptions, 3,913 receiving yards and 109 touchdowns combined. Rookie wideouts Mario Urrutia and Chase Deadder have drawn rave reviews and add an extra element of size and strength, as both players measure in at 6-5 and over 225 pounds. Hard-nosed fullback Ben Stallings also returns to the backfield for his third campaign in the orange and black.
On the offensive front, Utah will roll out a new group that features returning starter Antonio Narcisse, AFL veteran Shannon Tevaga and rookie Jermarcus Hardrick. They must protect Grady from defensive ends Dominie Pittman, who notched five sacks as a rookie with Pittsburgh last season, and Neil Purvis, who has delivered four sacks over five seasons in the AFL. Pittsburgh features a rookie along the interior in nose guard Willie McGinnis.
Utah is excited to unveil a new-look defense that figures to be much improved from seasons past. Veteran defensive backs David Hyland and Al Phillips return to the secondary. Hyland looked significantly more explosive during training camp after a full offseason of rest and Phillips is the franchise's all-time leader in tackles. First-year starter Maurice Leggett enters his rookie season in the AFL, but has already displayed outstanding coverage ability thanks to a unique combination of size and athleticism. Antwan Marsh is a natural playmaker and will also be back in the lineup as Utah's starting Jack linebacker.
Pittsburgh lacks size in its receiving corps, but features explosive speedsters in Mike Washington and PJ Berry. The duo notched 226 receptions for 2,766 yards and 52 touchdowns for the Power in 2012. Former LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson is a dual-threat passer with running ability, but will be making the first appearance of his AFL career as Pittsburgh's starter this Saturday.
Jefferson's inaugural game will be baptism by fire as he takes on the vaunted Blaze defensive front, nicknamed "Sack Lake City." Caesar Rayford is the longest-tenured member of the team and contributed 7.5 sacks last season. Keenan Mace returns to anchor the interior after leading all AFL nose guards with seven sacks in 2012. Joe Mortensen is a ferocious pass rusher at Mac linebacker and often looked like the best player on the field during training camp. The Blaze also added veteran defensive end Mike Alston, who bring explosive rushing ability off the edge.
The Blaze will take on the Power this Saturday, March 23rd at the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh. The game can be streamed online through AFL Live and CBS Sports Network by visiting http://blaze.arenafootball.com/allaccess/. Utah versus Pittsburgh can also be heard on The Zone 97.5 FM. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:00 PM MT.
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Arena Football League Stories from March 20, 2013
- Will Mulder Joins Shock Coaching Staff - Spokane Shock
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- AFL Vet Joins the New Orleans VooDoo - New Orleans VooDoo
- Utah Opens Season at Pittsburgh - Utah Blaze
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