"Bam Bam" Back with Blaze
November 2, 2012 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Utah Blaze News Release
SALT LAKE CITY - The Utah Blaze will have its all-time leading rusher back on offense for at least two more years, as the team announced today that FB Ben Stallings has agreed to a contract that will keep him with the franchise through the 2014 season.
"Ben brings an old school, smash mouth mentality to the team," said Head Coach Ron James. "He has a blue collar work ethic and gives maximum effort every day in practice, both on offense and special teams. Our offense benefits from Ben's ability to run and block at a high level and I'm excited to see what he can accomplish in his third season."
"I'm glad to be back with this great organization," said Stallings. "Over the past two years, we've laid the foundation to win a championship. Although we fell just short of accomplishing that goal last year, it's in the past and it's time to take it to another level in 2013."
Now in his third season with the Blaze, Stallings (5-11, 265, Delta State) owns nearly every rushing record in franchise history. In his first two seasons with Utah, he set all-time career marks for rushing yards (337), touchdowns (23) and attempts (92).
In addition to his duties as a blocking back, Stallings carried the ball 43 times for the Blaze in 2012. The bruising fullback gained 129 yards with seven scores on the ground while adding 38 yards on three receptions. Stallings rewrote the team's record books in 2011, setting new single-season rushing marks for yards (208) and touchdowns (16) in his first season with Utah.
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Arena Football League Stories from November 2, 2012
- Joe Goosby Becomes Fourth to Return to Soul in 2013 - Philadelphia Soul
- Donovan Morgan Returns to Soul for Third Season - Philadelphia Soul
- Deryn Bowser Assigned to Barnstormers - Iowa Barnstormers
- "Bam Bam" Back with Blaze - Utah Blaze
- Victor DeGrate, Jr. Returns to Talons for Three More Years - San Antonio Talons
- Marco Thomas Returns to Barnstormers for Two More Seasons - Iowa Barnstormers
- Grady Inks Three-Year Contract - Utah Blaze
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