Game Preview: Utah Blaze vs Chicago Rush

April 17, 2013 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Utah Blaze News Release


SALT LAKE CITY - The Utah Blaze return to action this weekend as they host the Chicago Rush on Saturday, April 20 at 8:00 p.m. MT at EnergySolutions Arena. The matchup will be nationally televised on CBS Sports Network as the "NET10 Wireless Arena Football Saturday" feature game of Week 5.

The Blaze (1-2) dropped a 77-65 decision to the Tampa Bay Storm during Week 3 and will be looking to get back on track following a bye week. Meanwhile, Chicago (2-2) is riding a two-game winning streak and evened its record after earning a 45-14 victory over the Pittsburgh Power in Week 4.

Reigning Arena Football League MVP Tommy Grady will face a familiar adversary in Chicago Rush quarterback Carson Coffman. Last season, Coffman served as the backup to Grady in Utah. After securing the starting role in Chicago, Coffman has passed for 816 yards with 18 touchdowns through four games in 2013.

Aside from Coffman, Chicago employs several players with ties to the Utah Blaze. Wide receiver Jared Jenkins was in camp with the Blaze this season and joined the Rush after being reassigned during final cuts. Defensive end Jacob Hardwick played for Utah as a rookie last season. Finally, linebacker Kelvin Morris started at Jack for the Blaze during the 2008 season.

With a full week of rest and recovery behind them, Utah will look to sure up the issues that plagued the team over its first three outings. "The two biggest areas we have to eliminate are penalties and turnovers and to be able to do both of those, you've got to be a little more disciplined," Head Coach Ron James stated during the bye week. "We've got to put ourselves in better positions, play smarter football and hone in on situations a lot better."

Grady will seek to improve the efficiency of the offense against a strong Chicago secondary. The Rush boast the Arena Football League's second-ranked passing defense, as the unit has surrendered 221.2 aerial yards per game while allowing just 48.5 points per contest. Chicago's defense is headlined by defensive back Jorrick Calvin, who notched 10 interceptions as a rookie a year ago and currently leads the team with 31.5 tackles.

Getting the passing game back to its usual standards will require Grady to find his top two targets early and often. Rookie wide receiver Mario Urrutia has quickly proven to be an explosive deep threat, delivering team-highs in every category with 21 receptions for 338 yards and nine touchdowns. Urrutia is currently tied for third in the AFL in scoring (18.0 ppg) and has posted the fifth-highest yards per catch average in the League (16.1). At the same time, veteran wideout Aaron Lesué continues to acclimate to the offense after missing the first two games with injury. Lesué was Grady's favorite target in 2012 and managed to snare seven passes for 103 yards and two scores in his first game back against Tampa Bay.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Blaze will be charged with the task of stopping fleet-footed wide receivers Reggie Gray and Rodney Wright. Gray has been the favorite receiver of Coffman through four games and currently leads the Rush with 31 catches for 378 yards and 10 scores. Wright isn't far behind on the stat line, registering 29 receptions for 351 yards and six touchdowns. Both receivers make up for their lack of size with speed and quickness.

Utah will rely on its pass rush to keep Coffman uncomfortable while the secondary looks to take advantage of errant throws. The front four is led by defensive end Caesar Rayford, who has contribute two sacks and three quarterback hurries this season. In the secondary, veteran David Hyland and rookie Maurice Leggett are tied for the team lead with two interceptions apiece.

CBS Sports Network is available in the Salt Lake City area on channels 269 (Comcast), 613 (DirecTV) and 158 (Dish Network). The Utah Blaze vs. Chicago Rush can also be heard on 97.5 FM with Scott Garrard and Riley Jensen calling all of the action!



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