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Blaze burn Avengers on late touchdown, 68-66

February 26, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Utah Blaze News Release


LOS ANGELES - Utah Blaze QB Joe Germaine found WR/DB Orshawante Bryant for a 12-yard touchdown as time expired to give the Blaze a 68-66 Western Division victory over the Los Angeles Avengers (1-4) at STAPLES Center in front of 12,314 fans on Saturday night.

The victory improved Utah head coach/general manager Danny White's all-time record in Los Angeles to 10-0 and gives the Blaze (2-3) the lead in the Western Division.

Germaine, who is a candidate for AFL Offensive Player of the Week, finished the night completing 31-of-40 passes for 387 yards, eight touchdowns and one interception, as well as adding a rushing touchdown. OS Siaha Burley led the Blaze receivers with 13 receptions for 173 yards and three touchdowns.

Bryant, who put in an Ironman performance, finished with seven receptions for 67 yards and two touchdowns on offense and 4.5 total tackles and a pass breakup on defense.

Los Angeles QB Sonny Cumbie completed 29-of-43 passes for 266 yards and seven touchdowns. WR/LB Greg Hopkins had seven catches for 93 yards and three touchdowns and also recovered a fumble for a score. Tony Locke and Kevin Ingram had two scores each.

"We took it to another level tonight," White said. "We were able to execute in the final minute and got over the hump in a close game. We'll need to carry this over for next week."

Reigning Lineman of the Year Silas Demary got the scoring started by sacking and forcing Germaine to fumble and allowing former Ironman of the Year, WR/LB Greg Hopkins to scoop up the loose ball for a 6-yard touchdown return and an Avengers' 7-0 lead.

Germaine then got the Blaze on the board with a 1-yard touchdown run to knot the score at 7-7. The Blaze ended the first quarter with a 21-14 lead after WR/LB Justin Skaggs scored on a 5-yard run.

The Blaze and Avengers each posted 14 points in the second quarter, but Los Angeles outscored Utah 14-7 in the third quarter. But, the Avengers were unable to capitalize as they twice let 10-point leads slip away in the fourth quarter.

After Hopkins scored with 15 seconds remaining to give the Avengers a 66-62 lead, Germaine completed three passes - two to Bryant and one to Burley - for 35 yards and the game-winning touchdown pass as the clock hit zeros.

Los Angeles swept the Player of the Game honors despite the loss. Cumbie was named Offensive Player of the Game, while Ricky Sharpe got Defensive honors and Hopkins took home Ironman of the Game recognition.

The Blaze head home to the Delta Center to face the San Jose SaberCats on Saturday, March 4 at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at www.utahblaze.com, the Delta Center box office, by calling Ticketmaster at (801) 325-SEAT or at all Ticketmaster outlets.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 26, 2006


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