Blaze's streak hits three with 63-52 win over Las Vegas

Published on April 30, 2006 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Utah Blaze News Release


LAS VEGAS - Behind the pin-point accuracy of 13-year veteran QB ANDY KELLY, the Utah Blaze (6-8) improved their postseason chances by defeating the Las Vegas Gladiators, 63-52, Saturday night at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Kelly, who earned Offensive Player of the Game honors, passed New York's AARON GARCIA (757) on the all-time touchdown passing list by throwing for nine scores on 25-of-33 passes for 312 yards. Kelly now has 762 career touchdown passes.

"This was a big win for us," said Blaze head coach/general manager DANNY WHITE. "The offense has been clicking, but we are focusing on taking it 'one game at a time'. Every week is the postseason for us for the rest of the regular season."

The Gladiators began the scoring by quickly jumping on the scoreboard when WR/DB ALERIC CLARK ran the opening kickoff back 57 yards for a touchdown on the game's first play.

The Blaze promptly answered when Kelly delivered with a 39-yard scoring strike to OS SIAHA BURLEY at the 13:00 mark to even the score at 7-7.

The Blaze got a key turnover when WR/LB TOM PACE picked off QB CRAIG WHELIHAN pass in the end zone. Kelly found WR/LB JUSTIN SKAGGS on a 14-yard pass to give the Blaze a 14-7 lead.

After the Gladiators scored consecutive touchdowns to take a 21-14 lead, Utah answered with touchdowns by Skaggs and Burley. The Blaze took a 28-24 halftime lead.

The game turned when the Blaze scored on a Pace four-yard reception from Kelly to extend the lead to 35-24. ADT Defensive Player of the Game, WR/DB ORSHAWANTE BRYANT intercepted Whelihan then hauled in a 12-yard pass from Kelly to make the score, 42-24.

Burley led all Utah receivers with seven receptions for 138 yards and three touchdowns. Pace, who earned Ironman of the Game, finished with six receptions for 63 yards, two touchdowns, forced a fumble and recorded an interception. Bryant, who earned ADT Defensive Player of the Game honors, recorded 3.0 total tackles and a key interception.

The Blaze outscored the Gladiators 35-28 in the second half and to take sole possession of the fifth seed in the American Conference postseason standings.

The Blaze travel to Chicago next Saturday to play the Rush at the Allstate Arena before returning to the Delta Center on May 12 for the final game of the regular season against the Kansas City Brigade. Tickets for the game are available at www.utahblaze.com, the Delta Center box office, by calling Ticketmaster at (801) 325-SEAT or at all Ticketmaster outlets.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 30, 2006


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