Blaze Travel to Cleveland to Battle Gladiators
April 24, 2013 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Utah Blaze News Release
SALT LAKE CITY - The Utah Blaze travel to Quicken Loans Arena this week to battle the Cleveland Gladiators on Saturday, April 27 at 5:00 p.m. MT. The matchup can be heard on The Zone 97.5 FM in the Salt Lake City area, with Scott Garrard calling all of the action. The game can also be streamed online through AFL Live by visiting http://blaze.arenafootball.com/allaccess/.
The Blaze (1-3) came up short in Week 6 during a back-and-forth contest with the Chicago Rush, ultimately losing on a game-deciding field goal as time expired. On the same weekend, Cleveland (1-3) earned its first victory of the season following three straight losses. The Gladiators upset the Philadelphia Soul in a 64-57 overtime win.
Reigning Arena Football League MVP Tommy Grady threw for 345 yards and a season-high seven touchdowns last week against the Rush, but turnovers still plagued the offense. Utah turned the ball over four times, leading to three extra possessions and 14 points for Chicago.
The offense will have the opportunity to get back on track this week against a Gladiators defense that has surrendered 64.8 points per game, ranking last in the Arena Football League. Cleveland places 12th in pass defense, as the unit has allowed 307.2 aerial yards per contest. That bodes well for the Blaze, who have posted and average of 301.5 passing yards per game, placing second in the AFL. Additionally, the Gladiators have managed six turnovers on the season, including two interceptions, which is the second-lowest total in the League.
Grady spread the wealth in his last outing, finding All-Arena wide receiver Aaron Lesué for three touchdowns and wideouts Brandon Thompkins and Mario Urrutia for two scores apiece. Lesué has shown improvement each week as he continues to recapture his timing and rhythm with Grady, hauling in eight passes for 136 yards against the Rush. Urrutia has been sensational in his rookie campaign and leads the Blaze with 30 receptions for 420 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Offensively, Gladiators quarterback Brian Zbydniewski is coming off a nine touchdown performance against the Soul that earned him Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week honors. Zbydniewski completed 72 percent of his attempts for 316 yards and eight touchdowns while adding another score on the ground.
Cleveland's receiving corps includes second-team All-Arena performer Dominick Goodman, who set a franchise record with 170 receptions in 2012. Goodman has posted 24 catches for 247 yards with five scores this season. Second-year receiver Jonathan Wilson currently leads the Gladiators with 25 receptions for 304 yards and six touchdowns.
The Gladiators offense is especially effective in the red zone, where the team has scored on over 91 percent of its possessions. Fullback Derik Steiner is a powerful runner and has rushed for four touchdowns in short yardage opportunities. Utah's defense allowed opponents to score on 89.5 percent of red zone opportunities. Ironically, the only defense in the Arena Football League that has allowed a higher percentage of red zone scores is the Cleveland Gladiators (93.3%)
The Blaze defense currently ranks 12th in scoring having allowed an average of 61.5 points per game through the first four contests, but the unit forced three takeaways last week against the Rush. Utah forced a four-and-out during Chicago's opening drive and recovered two fumbles in the third quarter. The Blaze will make great strides defensively this week if the team can with the turnover margin against the Gladiators.
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Arena Football League Stories from April 24, 2013
- Lesué earns Catch of the Week - Utah Blaze
- Soul Set to Face off against Unbeaten Sharks - Philadelphia Soul
- Jacksonville returns to the road looking to remain unbeaten - Jacksonville Sharks
- Blaze Travel to Cleveland to Battle Gladiators - Utah Blaze
- Game Preview: Rush Head to Iowa Looking to Continue Hot Streak - Chicago Rush
- Undefeated Shock Remain Atop Week 6 Coaches' Poll - AFL
- VooDoo Looks to End Three-Game Skid, Moves to the Superdome - New Orleans VooDoo
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