Kelly provides spark as Blaze win, 63-61

Published on April 16, 2006 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Utah Blaze News Release


SALT LAKE CITY - Newly-acquired QB ANDY KELLY, the AFL all-time leading passer, only had six days to prepare for a pivotal game against Western Division rival Los Angeles, but he responded with eight-touchdown performance as the Blaze swept the series against the Avengers with a 63-61 victory in front of 15,642 fans at the Delta Center on Saturday night.

The victory keeps Utah's postseason hopes alive and snaps a four-game losing streak with their first home victory against a divisional foe.

"I knew we had to win and we had to win now," head coach DANNY WHITE said. "We just needed a spark and Andy provided that tonight."

Kelly found OS SIAHA BURLEY five times in the end zone to help the Blaze primary offensive out of a mini-slump and the two were named Co-Offensive Players of the Game. Kelly finished 21-of-33 passing for 285 yards and eight touchdowns and one interception. Burley finished with 11 receptions for 152 yards and five touchdowns.

"Siaha was pretty much unstoppable," White said. "His legs have been tired. We rested him the last two days and I think it helped him a lot tonight."

Holding onto a one-point lead late in the fourth quarter, Utah elected for an onside kick. FB/LB KEVIN CLEMENS successfully recovered and Kelly then found Burley for his fifth touchdown of the game, 34th of the season. The Avengers scored late in the game but WR/LB JUSTIN SKAGGS tipped the two-point pass attempt to seal the victory.

Utah WR/DB ORSHAWANTE BRYANT finished with five receptions for 57 yards and two touchdowns. Kelly showed poise in the pocket as he continued to buy time and find open receivers all game long.

"From day one, the guys made me feel at home," Kelly said. "Once the game started, I felt pretty comfortable. Coach (White) did a great job of keeping it simple tonight. The guys responded around me and did a great job."

The Blaze scored on nearly every possession in the first half, but were only able to head into the break with a 35-34 lead as the Avengers QB SONNY CUMBIE threw a Hail-Mary pass as time expired that bounced off the cross bar and into the hands of WR/DB KEVIN INGRAM.

DS KELVIN HUNTER was named ADT Defensive Player of the Game as he finished with 6.5 tackles and three pass breakups. DS/KR KEVIN MOFFETT was name Ironman of the Game as he lead the team with 8.0 total tackles and returned kickoffs for the first time all season and finished with five returns for 136 yards, including and electrifying 54-yard touchdown return, the first in Blaze history.

"It was a big win. We needed it." Moffett said. "My blocking did a great job, gave me a seam, and I was able to accelerate. We just need to take it one game at a time."

The Blaze will play their next three games on the road, and return to the Delta Center to face expansion Kansas City on May 12. Tickets for the game 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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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 16, 2006


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