Blaze Emerge Victorious in Rematch with Barnstormers
April 20, 2012 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Utah Blaze News Release
SALT LAKE CITY - For the second time in just over a month, the Utah Blaze (4-2) defeated the Iowa Barnstormers (3-3) as the teams faced off in front of a crowd of 7,319 on Tim Dahle Field at EnergySolutions Arena. Although the score was much closer than their previous meeting, Utah still managed to come out on top, 63-62.
Utah held on to a one-point lead until QB J.J. Raterink found WR Jesse Schmidt for a 30-yard touchdown completion with a minute remaining in the contest. Moments later, Utah recovered an onside kick and took just one play to score, as QB Tommy Grady rolled left before firing a nine-yard strike to WR Ernie Pierce.
On the ensuing kickoff, the Blaze attempted an onside kick of their own and received a game-changing effort from an unlikely hero. As players on both sides fought and clawed for the loose football, backup QB Carson Coffman emerged with the recovery for Utah. That allowed the Blaze to run out the clock and seal the victory.
The combination of QB Tommy Grady to WR Aaron Lesue continued its potency against the Barnstormers, as the duo hooked up on four touchdown connections. Lesue totaled 11 receptions for a career-high 166 receiving yards, while Grady finished the night with 291 yards and eight touchdowns through the air. K Kyle Brotzman set a new team record, as he successfully connected on all nine of his PAT attempts. In a game that was decided by a single point, his contribution was invaluable.
Although the Blaze defensive line fell short of the record-setting 10 sack performance it delivered in its first matchup with Iowa, "Sack City" still applied relentless pressure. All-Arena defensive ends Michael Lewis and Caesar Rayford combined to total 3.0 sacks for 11 yards in losses. DB David Hyland paced the group with 5.0 total tackles and added a five-yard touchdown run after Iowa failed to secure a second quarter kickoff that bounced off the net.
Raterink finished with 356 yards and seven touchdowns, as he found Schmidt for 12 receptions, 172 yards and four scores. Barnstormers WR Chris Matthews registered eight receptions for 110 yards and two touchdowns, while FB Rodney Filer contributed scores on a one-yard run and a 24-yard reception.
Arena Football League Stories from April 20, 2012
- Blaze Emerge Victorious in Rematch with Barnstormers - Utah Blaze
- Soul Shines Through the Storm, 83-48 - Philadelphia Soul
- Philadelphia Tramples Tampa Bay, 83-48 - Philadelphia Soul
- Storm Offense Sputters, Fall to Soul 83-48 - Tampa Bay Storm
- Predators Win First Game of the Season - Orlando Predators
- Georgia Force Fall to the Orlando Predators 27-24 - Georgia Force
- Top 25 QBs in AFL History: No. 1-5 - AFL
- Philadelphia's Bear Named Week 7 National Guard Community MVP - AFL
- From the Church to the Turf: Jeremy Kellem Remains Faithful to the Lord - New Orleans VooDoo
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
