Sports stats



Blaze Fall To San Jose On The Road, 74-64

May 18, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Utah Blaze News Release


SAN JOSE - San Jose (7-5) QB MARK GRIEB (6-3, 215, UC Davis) threw nine touchdown passes as the SaberCats defeated the Utah Blaze (2-10), on Saturday night, 74-64, in front of 13,252 fans at the HP Pavilion.

"We played hard and the energy was good, but we made the mistakes that we had been talking about not making all week," said Blaze head coach/general manager DANNY WHITE. "When you play a good team and a good quarterback, you can't have those mistakes."

Offensive Player of the Game honors went to SaberCats QB MARK GRIEB (6-3, 215, UC Davis) who finished the night 27-of-39 passing for 283 yards, nine touchdowns and one interception. San Jose DL GARRETT McINTYRE (6-3, 270, Fresno State) was named Defensive Player of the Game after recording 2.5 total tackles, including 2.0 sacks for a loss of 11 yards, and one forced fumble. WR/LB JASON GEATHERS (6-2, 205, Miami) was named Ironman of the Game after recording 3.5 total tackles, one pass breakup and one touchdown rush.

Utah's fumbled the opening kickoff return to set San Jose up for the first score of the evening, a four-yard touchdown pass from Grieb to WR JAMES ROE (6-1, 197, Norfolk State). Blaze FB RODNEY FILER (6-2, 266, Iowa) found the endzone on a one-yard touchdown run to tally Utah's first score of the night. Both teams recorded another touchdown, and San Jose turned the ball over on downs to end the first quarter with the game tied, 14-14.

Utah and San Jose traded scores throughout the second quarter resulting in a 42-42 halftime score.

San Jose opened up second half scoring with an eight-yard touchdown strike from Grieb to WR CLEANNORD SANTIL (6-1, 190, Middle Tennessee State), but the SaberCats failed to connect on the extra point. Utah answered with a 10-yard touchdown pass from Blaze QB JOE GERMAINE (6-2, 238, Ohio State) to WR HUEY WHITTAKER (6-5, 228, South Florida). The SaberCats tallied another score, and on Utah's next possession, San Jose LB STEVE WATSON (6-3, 250, SW Missouri State) sacked Germaine in the endzone recording the safety. The SaberCats held onto a 57-49 lead going into the final quarter of play.

With Utah down by 11 midway through the fourth quarter, an interception by DB DAMON MASON (5-9, 195, SW Louisiana) set the Blaze up for another touchdown and a successful two-point conversion. Now within three, a San Jose score coupled with an intercepted Germaine touchdown pass would ensure a San Jose victory as the SaberCats pulled away to win, 74-64.

Germaine finished the night 27-of-41 passing for 325 yards, six touchdowns and one interception. WR AARON BOONE (6-3, 208, Kentucky) led all receivers with 13 receptions for 143 yards and one touchdown.

The Blaze return to the EnergySolutions Arena this week to take on the Chicago Rush on Saturday, May 24, with kickoff at 8:30 p.m. (MT).



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 18, 2008


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.

OurSports Central