Blaze Prepare To Take On Division Foe Los Angeles

Published on June 20, 2007 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Utah Blaze News Release


SALT LAKE CITY - The Utah Blaze (7-8) continue their playoff push when they take on Western Division foe Los Angeles (9-6) at the STAPLES Center on Saturday, June 23rd at 7 p.m. (MT).

The game will be shown on FSN Utah with BILL MACDONALD (play-by-play), JOHN JACKSON (analyst), LINDSAY SOTO (sideline) - Dish Network (Ch. 451) and DirecTV (Ch. 646). The game can also be heard on 1280 The Zone with KEVIN GRAHAM and TOM GOODHINES calling the action.

"It has been a tough week for everybody, but we have a group of really strong guys," said head coach/general manager DANNY WHITE. "We are staying focused and are working hard to get the job done."

This final regular season match up marks the fourth meeting between the two teams and the 16th meeting between head coach DANNY WHITE and the Avengers where White leads the series 12-3. This also will be the 12th meeting between White and Los Angeles head coach ED HODGKISS where White leads the series 9-2.

WR SIAHA BURLEY (5-10, 176, Central Florida) currently has his sights set on the AFL's version of the triple crown: leader in receptions (155, currently No. 1), receiving yards (1,996, currently No. 1) and receiving touchdowns (46, currently No. 2). The Offensive Player of the Year candidate is on pace to have 166 receptions for 2,137 yards and 49 touchdowns. Burley has already shattered the AFL records for receptions (154, MARCUS NASH in 2004) and receiving yards (1,982, CALVIN SCHEXNAYDER in 1998).

Blaze QB JOE GERMAINE (6-2, 229, Ohio State) currently has completed 402-of-582 (69.1%) passes for 4,781 yards (No. 1 in AFL), 102 touchdowns (No. 2 in AFL) and only 11 interceptions for the 2007 season. The Offensive Player of the Year and All-Arena candidate currently is on pace to throw 109 touchdowns and 5,100 passing yards - both would shatter AFL records.

Germaine has his eye on numerous AFL single-season marks including: passing yards (4,841, MARK GRIEB in 2006), touchdown passes (105, CLINT DOLEZEL in 2006), and completion percentage (70.3%, Grieb in 2004). The former Buckeye and Rose Bowl MVP has 108 total touchdowns (passing and rushing) in the 2007 season.

The Avengers are led by WRs KEVIN INGRAM (6-0, 185, West Chester) and ROB TURNER (6-3, 200, Central Michigan). Together, they combine for 195 receptions for 2,230 yards and 47 touchdowns. On defense, DB DAMEN WHEELER (5-9, 180, Colorado) has recorded 56.0 tackles, 20 pass breakups, five interceptions and four forced fumbles. Los Angeles QB SONNY CUMBIE (6-4, 235, Stanford) is 363-for-583 (62.3%) passing for 4,187 yards, 80 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

1280 The Zone will broadcast the Utah Blaze Show on Wednesday night from 7-8 p.m. at Skybox. JIM FUCHUCK will host the show along with guest appearances by, DB ORSHAWANTE BRYANT, WR/LB TOM PACE, and Salt Lake Tribune beat writer, JAY DREW.

ABOUT THE UTAH BLAZE

The Utah Blaze were winners of the 2006 Commissioner's Award, given to the Arena Football League's Organization of the Year, and the Best Support Staff Award. Individual game tickets are now available by logging onto www.utahblaze.com or by calling (801) 325-SEAT. The Blaze are owned and operated by the Ken Garff Automotive Group - www.kengarff.com.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from June 20, 2007


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