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Defense fuels Blaze blowout, 63-34

March 11, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Utah Blaze News Release


SALT LAKE CITY - The Utah Blaze (3-4) finally broke through and posted a home victory when they handed the Nashville Kats (4-3) a 63-34 loss at the Delta Center on Friday night in front of 14,052 fans to remain in first place in the Western Division.

"This was a great shot in the arm for us," said head coach/general manager DANNY WHITE. "We beat a good team tonight, and to beat them in that fashion is a real confidence builder for us. It was the complete game we have been looking for all year."

The Blaze came into the game with one of the best offenses in the league, but used a unique blend of rushing, screen passes and quick slants to keep the Nashville defense on their heels.

Offensive Player of the Game, FB/LB CHRIS ROBINSON, led the team with six carries for 19 yards and two touchdowns. Ironman of the Game WR/DB ORSHAWANTE BRYANT led the receiving corps with three catches for 58 yards, a touchdown pass off a screen and an interception off the wall. ADT Defensive Player of the Game OL/DL BRYAN HENDERSON finished with a sack, a tackle for a loss, a forced fumble and a recovered fumble.

In fact, two of the teams five receiving touchdowns came from offensive linemen as OL/DL JOHN CULP recorded his first receiving touchdown in a Blaze uniform, while Henderson added the other.

The Blaze game out hot as FB/LB KEVIN CLEMENS started the scoring with two one-yard plunges before the Kats first snap. Clemens scored on Utah's first possession and the ensuing kickoff bounced off the goal post into the WR/LB TOM PACE's hands and scored again for a quick 14-0 lead they would never relinquish.

AFL Offensive Player of the Month for February SIAHA BURLEY was held to just four catches for 40 yards and only one touchdown.

"If they want to lose and stop me from scoring, I will take it every time," Burley said. "I can't sleep when we lose. I had six touchdowns against New York and I couldn't sleep because we lost."

Utah QB JOE GERMAINE finished 14-of-20 passing for 160 yards with two touchdowns before being relieved by JASON GESSER, who finished 4-of-7 passing for 32 yards and two touchdowns.

The Blaze travel for a Thursday night matchup against the Grand Rapids Rampage on March 16, and are back at the Delta Center to face the Las Vegas Gladiators on Friday, March 24 at 7 p.m. Tickets 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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