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Blitz beat Stockton 45-42

April 22, 2007 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Bakersfield Blitz News Release


BAKERSFIELD, CA - The Bakersfield Blitz went into hostile environments for their first two games in 2007 and emerged victorious both times. On Saturday, the location was different, but the result was the same.

The Bakersfield Blitz won their home opener against the Stockton Lightning by the score of 45-42 in front of 3,457 fans at the Rabobank Arena.

Penalties and untimely turnovers looked like they were going to haunt the Blitz, but WR/LB Eric Mahanke (Fresno State, '98) turned into "Johnny On the Spot" when he recovered a fumble in the end zone with 1:00 left to put the Blitz on top. Mahanke was named the U.S. Army Ironman of the Game and had the Cutters Catch of the Game when he snagged a Chad Elliott pass in on the sideline that looked destined to be a souvenir.

Mahanke finished with three catches for 42 yards, the winning touchdown on a fumble recovery and 2.5 tackles.

OL/DL Leon Moore (UNLV, '04) lead the defensive effort for the Blitz and he was selected as the ADT Defensive Player of the Game. Moore was key in stuffing the Lightning rushing game and finished with three tackles and a sack.

WR/DB DeRonn Finley (Idaho State, '00) was named the Schutt Offensive Player of the Game. Finley had eight catches for 91 yards and one touchdown.

"We're 3-0, one way or the other," said Blitz Head Coach Gary Compton (East Texas State University, '90) of his team's wild game. "It was great to get a win here at home for these great fans of Bakersfield. They never stop believing in us."

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