Crush Still Winless Against Blaze
Published on May 11, 2008 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Colorado Crush News Release
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - After getting a 35-point victory over the Grand Rapids Rampage a week ago, the Colorado Crush fell by the same spread at the hands of the Utah Blaze, 71-36 on Saturday night.
The Crush (4-6) is now 0-3 all-time against the Blaze (2-9) and is the only team in the Arena Football League that the Crush has not beaten. The last two times out, including last season, the Blaze has outscored the Crush by a score of 122-50.
After limiting the Blaze on their second possession of the game to a K Steve Videtich 21-yard field goal, the Crush was able take the lead 14-10 early in the second quarter. Crush QB John Dutton found WR Aaron Hosack in the corner of the endzone from six yards out completing an impressive six-play drive. The four-point lead was the first and last the Crush would see in the game as Utah would score a touchdown in each of their remaining possessions.
"Having such a young team it is hard to see how they are going to react to every situation," Crush head coach Mike Dailey said. "We put ourselves in a good position on several occasions and were unable to capitalize tonight."
The Crush was not without the chances in the first half. Up 14-10, Crush DL Aaron McConnnel secured his sixth and seventh sacks of the season on consecutive plays and put the Blaze in a seemingly troublesome 3rd and long.
Blaze QB Joe Germaine would complete his next three passes including a clutch fourth and ten pass, and the ensuing touchdown pass to WR J.J. McKelvey. Germaine finished the game 25-of-33 for 289 yards and six touchdowns; including the one to McKelvey to take the 16-14 lead.
"There were a couple of times on defense when we should have come up with a stop and didn't," Dailey said. "And in this game when you don't get those stops it can open the floodgates."
The Crush would squander their final three possessions of the first half losing the ball on downs, a missed 29-yard field goal, and a failed seven-play drive with 45 seconds remaining. Colorado went into the locker room with a 16-point deficit, 30-14.
In the second half the Crush was able to chip away at the lead after Videtich missed his second point after attempt of the game and Colorado was able to convert a two-point try at 22-36. Going into the fourth the Crush was within striking distance down only seven when Utah was able to reel off 21 unanswered.
With 7:45 remaining in the fourth the Crush was poised to bring the game back within seven as they lined up first-and-goal from the five yard line. Dutton then mishandled a snap from OL Kyle Moore-Brown, who was playing in his 200th consecutive career regular season game, and Blaze DB Kelvin Doster fell on the ball.
In the confusion, Doster was able to return the ball untouched 48-yards for the score. The play was a 14-point swing and put the game out of reach at 50-29.
"It got out of hand real quick there in the fourth quarter," Moore-Brown said. "You can not give up 35 points in the fourth quarter and expect to win. We have to take care of the ball and play within ourselves."
The Blaze were able to hold the Crush scoreless in the fourth quarter until 1:58 left when WR Willie Quinnie got his second touchdown of the game on a 16-yard pass from Dutton. However, Utah would score twice more in the remaining time, the second being a recovered fumble returned for touchdown on a kickoff by Blaze LB Kelvin Morris.
Dutton finished with four touchdowns on 29-of-43 throwing for 298 yards and one interception. WR Chad Owens led all receivers with 11 receptions for 114 yards and one touchdown. Owens would also add a rushing touchdown; his fifth of the season.
The Crush will head home next week against a Cleveland team that has won their last two ballgames against some of the best in the AFL. Utah heads to San Jose to take on the SabreCats.
NOTES
CRUSH OL Kyle Moore-Brown started his 200th consecutive career regular season game on Saturday.
DL Aaron McConnell recorded his sixth and seventh sacks on the season, breaking the Crush all-time single season record of six. He now only trails Henry Taylor of the New York Dragons for the league lead at 7.5.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 11, 2008
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