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Blocked field goal douses Blaze, 49-47

March 25, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Utah Blaze News Release


SALT LAKE CITY - With ten seconds remaining in the game, K STEVE VIDITECH'S 34 yard field goal attempt was blocked to seal the victory for the Las Vegas Gladiators, 49-47, in front of 14,472 fans at the Delta Center. The defeat marked the third home loss of the season by three points or less.

Utah had a chance to seal the victory in the final minute of the game after a crucial fourth-and-goal stand by the Blaze defense. The Blaze were able to drive the length of the field, but misfired on two consecutive passes to OS SIAHA BURLEY before blocked field goal.

"We really felt like we came with a lot of energy tonight and played hard," said Blaze head coach and general manager DANNY WHITE. "In the end, they made the plays, and we didn't."

Blaze QB JASON GESSER, who made his second consecutive start and his first at home, finished the game completing 25-of-35 passes for 309 yards and six touchdowns with no interceptions. It was the first 300-yard game of his career.

Burley led the team with six catches for 104 yards and two touchdowns while piling up a total of 158 all-purpose yards. WR/DB ORSHAWANTE BRYANT tallied seven receptions for 70 yards and WR/DB TOM PACE had two touchdown receptions.

Las Vegas FB/LB MARLION JACKSON was named Offensive Player of the Game with seven carries for 27 yards and two touchdowns. DS T.J. HILL was named ADT Defensive Player of the Game after recording a game-high 11.0 tackles, while WR/DB ALERIC CLARK was named Ironman of the Game with four receptions for 62 yards and one touchdown along with one fumble recovery.

The Blaze travel to Tampa Bay, next Saturday, April 1 before returning to the Delta Center on April 7th for another divisional game against the Arizona Rattlers.

Tickets for the April 7 game against the Western Division rival, Arizona Rattlers, are available at www.utahblaze.com, the Delta Center box office, by calling Ticketmaster at (801) 325-SEAT or at all Ticketmaster outlets.

QUARTER-BY-QUARTER NOTES:

1st quarter:

The Blaze jumped out to an early 7-0 lead when QB JASON GESSER, former Washington State Cougar, completed an 8-yard TD to WR/LB TOM PACE. The Gladiators responded with an 11-yard TD pass from QB JASON FIFE to OS MARCUS NASH. Gesser then fumbled when hit by Gladiators OL/DL ALONZO SPELLMAN. On the very next play, newly acquired OL/DL AARON HAMILTON recovered Las Vegas fumble at the five yard line. Gesser then hit WR/DB JUSTIN SKAGGS for a 45-yard TD over the top to ignite the home crowd as the Blaze took a 14-7 lead.

2nd quarter:

The Gladiators tied the score early in the 2nd quarter with a 2-yard run around the end by WR/LB JOE DOUGLASS. WR/DB ALERIC CLARK forced a fumble on the ensuing kickoff return by OS SIAHA BURLEY and the Gladiators recovered and punched it in from 3 yards out by FB/LB MARLION JACKSON to take a 21-14 lead. Gesser answered with his 2nd TD pass to Pace for seven yards to tie it at 21-21. The Gladiators threatened to score in the final 10 seconds of the half, but DS KELVIN HUNTER stepped in front of the Fife pass for his fourth interception of the season with five seconds left in the half. K STEVE VIDETICH attempted a 45-yard field goal as time expired.

3rd quarter:

Las Vegas jumped out to a 28-21 lead early in the third quarter off a Jackson 5-yard run. The Blaze responded with a 41-yard strike to Burley over the top to continue his streak of scoring a TD in every Blaze game this season. It was also Burley's longest catch of the season. The PAT was no good. The Gladiators answered as Douglass scored his 2nd rushing TD of the game. Blaze FB/LB KEVIN CLEMENS punched it in from 1-yard out, his 7th rushing TD of the season and the two-point conversion attempt was unsuccessful to bring the Gladiator lead to two points, 35-33. Nash caught his second TD of the came to build the lead back to nine at the break.

4th quarter:

Utah scored first in the fourth quarter as Burley caught his 2nd TD of the game, also his 26th of the season. Las Vegas answered with a touchdown to increase the lead back to nine points, 49-40. WR/DB JUSTIN TAPLIN scored a TD with four minutes left to bring the game lead back to just two points. The ensuing onside kick attempt by the Blaze was unsuccessful. The Blaze defensive inferno came up with a big 4th-and-goal stop with less than one minute left in the game. Gesser led the Blaze down the field. Facing fourth down and nine from the 19 yard line with 10 seconds left, Videtich's field-goal attempt from 34 yards out was blocked and sealed the fate.

Attendance: 14,472

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