Blaze Head to Phoenix for Rubber Match with ArenaBowl on the Line
July 31, 2012 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Utah Blaze News Release
SALT LAKE CITY - The Utah Blaze (13-6) will battle the Arizona Rattlers (14-5) for the National Conference title at the US Airways Center in Phoenix on Saturday, August 4th, with kickoff scheduled for 8:00 p.m. MT. The winner will advance to ArenaBowl XXV and play the American Conference champion in New Orleans on Friday, August 10th.
In the opening round of the Arena Football League playoffs, the Blaze went on the road and defeated the No. 1 seed San Antonio Talons (14-5), 35-34. A day later, Arizona moved on to the conference round by overcoming the division-rival San Jose SaberCats (12-7), 51-48.
This Saturday's matchup will be the third time Utah and Arizona face off against one another. In their first meeting, the Blaze surrendered a season-high scoring total while losing to the Rattlers, 86-70. Utah elected to hire Rob Keefe as its defensive coordinator and from there, allowed just 49.4 points per game while posting a 6-3 record (including postseason). That streak included a Week 18 contest in which the Blaze traveled to Phoenix and knocked off the Rattlers, 62-49.
In two regular season games against Arizona, Blaze QB Tommy Grady combined to throw for 612 yards and 16 touchdowns with four interceptions while completing over 66 percent of his attempts. WR Tysson Poots led the receiving corps in both matchups, hauling in 21 passes for 264 yards and six scores. WR Aaron Lesue also delivered strong performances, as he registered a total of 14 receptions for 211 yards and seven touchdowns.
The Arizona defense features a front line comprised of strong, physical players. Last season's Game Tape Exchange Defensive Lineman of the Year, DL Cliff Dukes, notched 6.0 sacks and 8.0 tackles for loss for the Rattlers in 2012. Nose guard Anttaj Hawthorne, an All-Arena performer in each of the previous two seasons, contributed 5.5 sacks and 9.0 tackles for loss during the regular season. DL Marcus Pittman paced the entire group with 8.5 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss.
It is imperative the Blaze offensive line protect QB Tommy Grady and allow him sufficient time to get into a groove. The unit surrendered four sacks in its midseason loss to the Rattlers, but cut that total in half the second time the two teams took the field. The group consists of center Antonio Narcisse, tight end Ed Ta'amu, guard Neal Tivis and fullback Ben Stallings. It's no secret that protecting Grady leads to an efficient offensive output.
"Pass protection is at a premium whenever you play Arizona," said President & Head Coach Ron James. "They are one of the most physical defensive fronts in the League. They consistently play at a very high level."
The Rattlers secondary includes DB Arkeith Brown, an opportunistic defender who posted 10 interceptions during the regular season and led the AFL with 214 yards on interception returns. Last week against San Jose, Brown picked off a pass by QB Mark Grieb and returned it 42 yards for a touchdown. DB Virgil Gray, DB Marquis Floyd and JLB Kevin McCullough make up the rest of the unit and combined to register 16 interceptions in 2012 (including postseason).
"The Arizona defense possesses the most opportunistic secondary in the AFL," James said. "They are very well coached and can turn the game around with their ability to make big plays. Ball security always becomes a factor when you face the Rattlers."
In the quarterfinals playoff round against San Antonio, the Blaze defense put forth its most impressive performance of the season. Utah held the Talons to a season-low 34 points while forcing five turnovers with one interception and four stops on fourth-down attempts. That effort included a fourth quarter goal line stance in which MLB Joe Mortensen sacked QB Aaron Garcia on fourth down to preserve the victory.
Mortensen leads a Blaze front four that includes two 2011 All-Arena performers in DL Michael Lewis and DL Caesar Rayford. The duo has combined for 19.0 sacks and 20.0 tackles for loss in 2012. On the inside, nose guard Keenan Mace is a bullish pass rusher capable of collapsing the pocket with brute strength. He's managed 7.0 sacks and 9.0 tackles for loss on the year.
Utah's secondary has played lock down coverage under defensive coordinator Rob Keefe. Since taking over midway through the season, Keefe's unit has allowed an average of just over 255 aerial yards per game. The group, comprised of DBs David Hyland, Al Phillips and Will Mulder, as well as JLB Antwan Marsh, consistently blanketed Talons receivers in the quarterfinals.
"We played an outstanding defensive game against one of the AFL's all-time great quarterbacks this past weekend," James said. "The ability to play sound defense in the postseason can often be the difference between playing in the ArenaBowl and watching at home."
The Blaze will need another strong effort from its secondary as it faces off against decorated Rattlers WR Maurice Purify. Purify combined for 326 yards and eight touchdowns on 17 catches in his previous two outings against Utah, and recorded 10 receptions for 134 yards and four scores last week against the SaberCats.
Arizona QB Nick Davila is protected by an offensive line that gave up just nine sacks during the regular season. The Blaze allowed Davila to throw for 372 yards and 11 touchdowns in their first meeting, but held the quarterback to 316 yards and four scores with two interceptions the second time around. Davila's receiving corps also includes WR Kerry Reed and WR Jason Geathers.
"The Arizona offense is a veteran bunch led by one of the best quarterbacks in the game. They have been explosive throughout the regular season and we will have to play at a high level this weekend if we intend to move forward."
The National Conference Championship can be streamed LIVE online and at no cost through Cox7 Arizona by visiting www.cox7.com. Fans can also stream the game through the Arena Football League's exclusive partnership with Ustream by heading to www.ustream.tv/utahblaze or www.utblaze.com/live.
The game can also be heard in the Salt Lake City area on The Zone 1280 AM/97.5 FM, the radio home of the Utah Blaze.
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