Comeback attempt thwarted by Mustangs
May 15, 2011 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Utah Blaze News Release
SALT LAKE CITY- The Utah Blaze (4-4) fell to the Milwaukee Mustangs (3-6), 56-53, in front of 7,667 on Tim Dahle field at EnergySolutions Arena. After being down by 20 in the second quarter, Utah fought back to take the lead before falling in the final minutes. The loss was the first at home for the Blaze this season.
"It's a tough loss for us," said Head Coach Ron James. "We made some mistakes and that kept us from being able to pull off the comeback. Now we have to move on and gear up for San Jose next week."
The game started out with an unfortunate bounce for the Blaze, as Milwaukee recovered the opening kickoff. The Blaze defense forced the Mustangs to kick a field goal attempt, and K Garrett Lindholm (5-10, 190, Tarleton State) converted for the first points of the game. The Blaze responded with a score of their own on a 21-yard touchdown pass from QB Tommy Grady (6-7, 245, Utah) to WR Aaron Lesue (5-10, 195, Utah State). The quarter ended with the Mustangs leading, 24-6, after three consecutive touchdowns.
The Blaze began their comeback attempt at the start of the second quarter with another touchdown pass from Grady to Lesue. But the Mustangs countered with a 44-yard touchdown pass from QB RJ Archer (6-2, 220, William & Mary) to WR Dwayne Eley Jr. (5-10, 180, Stony Brook). After another Mustang field goal, Grady hit WR Eddie Jackson (6-4, 220, West Virginia) in the end zone as time expired and the teams entered the locker room with Milwaukee leading, 33-19.
After trading scores to start the second half, Utah was given a new life when LB Devin Johnson (6-3, 240, Utah State) recovered a Milwaukee fumble and returned it 23 yards. Grady then found WR Aaron Boone (6-3, 215, Kentucky) in the end zone to cut the Mustang lead to three as the third quarter ended.
On the second play of the fourth quarter, Utah recovered another Milwaukee fumble and once again capitalized with a Grady to Boone touchdown to take their first lead since 4:27 remaining in the first quarter. Milwaukee snagged the lead back with a one-yard rushing touchdown by WR Brent Holmes (5-9, 170, Texas A&M-Kingsville). The Mustangs extended their lead to six with only 16 seconds remaining, giving the Blaze one last drive. On the final play of the game, Milwaukee DB Kelvin Rogers (6-1, 182, Minnesota State) intercepted a pass intended for Boone in the end zone, returning it for a touchdown. Milwaukee handed the Blaze their first home loss of the season with a final score of 65-53.
Grady finished the night completing 28-of-48 passes for eight touchdowns, while Boone led Blaze receivers with four touchdowns. DB Rod Mosley (5-11, 185, Texas A&M) led the defense with 7.5 total tackles.
Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game: Milwaukee QB RJ Archer
JLS Ironman of the Game: Milwaukee WR Brent Holmes
Riddell Defensive Player of the Game: WR/DB Kelvin Rogers
Nifty Playmaker: Milwaukee DL Dwayne Lefall
Cutter's Catch of the Game: WR/DB Kelvin Roger's INT for TD-0:00 4th
Spalding Highlight of the Game: LeFall Sack for Everett TD-6:48 4th
National Guard MVP: WR/DB Kelvin Rogers
• Discuss this story on the Arena Football League message board...
Arena Football League Stories from May 15, 2011
- Late Score Surges Power To Victory - Pittsburgh Power
- Spokane Shocks Dallas - Dallas Vigilantes
- Rush Defeat Arizona Rattlers With Last Second Field Goal, 50-49 - Chicago Rush
- Spokane wins a wild one, 71-49 - Spokane Shock
- Rattlers Drop Contest to the Rush - Arizona Rattlers
- Comeback attempt thwarted by Mustangs - Utah Blaze
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.
