Blaze vs. Sharks - Game Preview

Published on June 12, 2013 under Arena Football League (AFL)
Utah Blaze News Release


SALT LAKE CITY - The Utah Blaze (4-7) return to Salt Lake City this week as they host the Jacksonville Sharks (8-4) on Saturday, June 15 at 7:00 p.m. MT at EnergySolutions Arena. The matchup will be nationally televised on CBS Sports Network as the "NET10 Wireless Arena Football Saturday" feature game of Week 13.

Both teams will be looking to rebound after suffering tough losses on the road in Week 12. Utah traveled to Rockford, Illinois and dropped a 67-43 decision to the Chicago Rush. Meanwhile, Jacksonville headed across the country for a matchup with the Spokane Shock before ultimately falling, 76-41.

Jacksonville remains in the top spot of the American Conference, but the Sharks have posted a 1-4 record against National Conference opponents, including an 0-3 mark against West Division foes. The franchise may be making a change at quarterback this week, bringing in AFL veteran Kyle Rowley while placing incumbent starter Bernard Morris on its inactive reserve list.

Rowley began the 2013 season as a member of the Orlando Predators, where he threw for 1,153 yards with 18 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in five games. He spent his first three seasons in Spokane, where he led to Shock to an Arena Football championship in 2010 under current Blaze Defensive Coordinator Rob Keefe - who served as Spokane's Head Coach - and Offensive Coordinator Matthew Sauk.

The Sharks receiving corps features size and strength in Jeron Harvey (6-4, 220) and Markee White (6-7, 215), as well as speed with the presence of Jeff Hughley (5-8, 180). Harvey has been Jacksonville's most effective receiver thus far, delivering 97 receptions for 1,026 yards and 26 touchdowns. White has contributed 71 catches for 724 yards with 14 scores, while Hughley has posted 69 receptions for 771 yards with 12 touchdowns. On the ground, fullback Rendrick Taylor ranks fourth in the League in rushing yards (270) and rushing touchdowns (10).

Utah's defense remains one of Arena Football's elite groups as the unit has allowed just 253.1 yards in total offense per game, placing third in the League. The Blaze have been particularly effective in the secondary, where David Hyland and Maurice Leggett pace a group that has surrendered only 234.1 aerial yards per game, ranking second in the AFL. Leggett and Hyland are Utah's top-two leading tacklers and each has notched a team-high five interceptions on the season.

Offensively, the Blaze received solid performances last week out of young wide receivers AJ Jackson and Braylon Bell. Bell contributed six receptions for 74 yards and two touchdowns, while Jackson posted six catches for 84 yards, including a 33-yard score. Mario Urrutia continues a sensational rookie campaign and currently ranks fifth in receptions (94), receiving yards (1,172), and receiving touchdowns (26).

Utah's pass protection continues to excel and has allowed just 13 sacks on the season, placing fourth in the AFL. The group will need another strong performance in the trenches this week, as Jacksonville has registered a League-high 30 sacks on the season. Defensive end Jerry Turner paces the group with eight sacks on the year and Mac linebacker Aaron Robbins has notched 7.5 of his own.

The Utah Blaze versus Jacksonville Sharks can be viewed nationally on CBS Sports Network, available in the Salt Lake area on channels 269 (Comcast), 613 (DirecTV), and 158 (DISH Network). The game can also be heard exclusively on 97.5 FM The Zone with Scott Garrard and Riley Jensen providing play-by-play analysis.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Arena Football League Stories from June 12, 2013


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