Blaze Fall to Rattlers Despite Fourth Quarter Rally
May 11, 2013 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Utah Blaze News Release
PHOENIX - The Utah Blaze (3-4) dropped a 65-49 decision to the Arizona Rattlers (7-1) on Saturday night despite a fourth quarter surge. Utah rallied in the game's final moments, but the effort fell short following a fumbled snap exchange with under a minute remaining the contest.
Reigning MVP quarterback Tommy Grady threw for 302 yards with six touchdowns on the night, hooking up with leading wide receiver Mario Urrutia nine times for 174 yards and three scores. Wide receiver Chase Deadder contributed eight catches for 61 yards and two touchdowns while All-Arena wideout Aaron Lesue notched six receptions for 48 yards and one score.
Trailing 48-28 at the start of the fourth quarter, fullback Ben Stallings punched the ball into the end zone, barreling over the goal line from a yard out to cap a lengthy eight-play, 40-yard drive and cut the deficit to 13 points.
Utah's defense answered the call on the ensuing Rattlers drive, as defensive end Caesar Rayford sacked Nick Davila on the second play of the drive, forcing the quarterback to fumble the football. Defensive end Mike Alston recovered the loose ball, giving possession back to the Blaze with 2:49 remaining in the game.
Mario Urrutia made quick work of the turnover for Utah, streaking down field for a 23-yard touchdown reception from Tommy Grady to come within just a score of tying the game.
The Blaze defense once again stifled Arizona's offense on the following possession, holding the Rattlers out of the end zone on three straight plays to force a fourth-and-four situation at the one minute warning. Kicker Garrett Lindholm connected on a 20-yard field goal for Arizona to put the Blaze in a 58-48 hole.
Utah looked to score once again after regaining possession at the one-yard with 56 seconds remaining on the clock. However, disaster struck on a controversial play and the Blaze turned the ball over by way of a fumbled snap exchange. Arizona found the end zone on the next play from scrimmage off a one-yard touchdown run by fullback Odie Armstrong to conclude the scoring. The Utah Blaze return to Salt Lake City on Saturday, May 18 to battle the Iowa Barnstormers at EnergySolutions Arena. Support the team wearing all pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Night presented by Sports Med Utah and Salt Lake Regional Hospital! Tickets are still available for purchase by calling 1-888-99BLAZE or online at UTBlaze.com. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. MT.
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