Blaze Split Season Series, Fall to Shock 80-41
June 21, 2013 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Utah Blaze News Release
SPOKANE, WA - Following three consecutive victories over their division rival dating back to 2012, the Utah Blaze (5-8) finally fell to the Spokane Shock (10-4) in an 80-41 decision. In his second career start, quarterback Jason Boltus completed 30-of-44 pass attempts for 362 yards with six touchdowns and one interception.
Utah struck first as Boltus lofted a 10-yard pass to Mario Urrutia during the game's opening series. Urrutia used his 6-5 frame to snatch the ball out of the air, ripping it from the grasp of a Shock defender for the touchdown. The Shock took a 7-6 lead following a missed PAT by the Blaze, as Erik Meyer scored on a quarterback sneak.
Spokane regained possession off a net recovery on the ensuing kickoff and Meyer found Kamar Jorden from 15 yards out. The Shock missed the PAT attempt and Utah quickly tied the game on the following drive. Boltus rolled to his right to avoid pressure and gunned a 26-yard touchdown pass to a wide open Urrutia.
The Shock jumped out a 33-13 lead in the second quarter, beginning with a two-yard touchdown run by fullback Will Falakiseni. On the ensuing Blaze possession, Boltus fumbled the football after being sacked from behind and Terence Moore recovered in the end zone for Spokane. Meyer completed the next Shock drive with a six-yard completion to Arvell Nelson for a score.
On the third play of the third quarter, Meyer bombed a 43-yard completion to Brandon Thompkins for a touchdown. The Blaze finally responded as Boltus scored off an 11-yard touchdown pass to AJ Jackson, who came wide open in the right corner of the end zone.
Spokane followed with another short touchdown run by Meyer and the Blaze answered with a nine-play, 45-yard scoring drive. Boltus capped off the lengthy series with a four-yard touchdown pass to Urrutia, but Shock defensive back Terrance Sanders took the ensuing kickoff 57 yards for a score to put the Blaze in a 53-27 hole.
Midway through the final frame, Boltus eluded pressure and rolled to his left before lofting a four-yard touchdown to Jackson. Spokane would mount a 67-33 advantage with two unanswered scores. On the next Shock series, Adron Tennell fumbled the ball into the end zone, but Spokane was able to recover for a score. Utah regained possession, but Boltus fumbled the snap exchange and Terence Moore ran it in from 17 yards out for a Spokane touchdown.
Boltus connected with Chase Deadder on a 25-yard touchdown a series later, but Tennell caught a four-yard score on the next play from scrimmage. Kamar Jorden would catch a touchdown as time expired, ending the 80-41 contest.
Utah returns to Salt Lake City in Week 15 to battle San Jose SaberCats on Saturday, June 29.
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