Nail-biter keeps Utah in contention for playoffs
July 16, 2011 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Utah Blaze News Release
SALT LAKE CITY- The Utah Blaze (8-9) defeated the New Orleans VooDoo (3-14), 62-58, in front of a season-high 10,361 fans on Tim Dahle Field at EnergySolutions Arena. The final home game of the season came down to the wire as the Blaze came from behind to win in the end.
"We have a resilient organization from top to bottom and that's what you need to have success," said Head Coach Ron James. "We've been adding new pieces to the team and we're finding a way to play together and win."
Both teams were efficient to start the game, scoring on each of their possessions and ended the first quarter tied, 14-14. FB Ben Stallings (5-11, 263, Delta State) set a Blaze single-season record with his 13th rushing touchdown of the season when he rumbled in from five-yards out at the end of the quarter.
Utah QB Todd Hammel (6-2, 245, Utah) kept stride in the second quarter when he hit WR Aaron Lesue (5-10, 195, Utah State) for a 12-yard touchdown. Lesue, who has led the receiving corp since his return from an injury, hurdled over an oncoming defender on his way to the end zone early in the second quarter, earning him Cutter's Catch of the Game. The VooDoo took advantage of three Blaze turnovers in the quarter and went into halftime on top, 38-27.
New Orleans kept the pressure on in the third quarter as VooDoo QB Danny Wimprine (6-0, 230, Memphis) connected twice with WR Skylar Green (5-9, 195, Louisiana State) for short touchdowns. WR Chris Bocage (5-10, 190, USC) kept the Blaze alive, and tied the team's single-season record, when he returned his fourth kickoff return for a touchdown on the season. The VooDoo led, 55-41, at the end of the quarter.
The Blaze drove the length of the field to start the fourth quarter, resulting in a 17-yard touchdown from Hammel to WR Michael Preston (6-4, 205, Heidelberg). After the VooDoo fumbled on their ensuing possession, the Blaze made their way to the two yard-line where Bocage carried the ball in for a touchdown and tied the game, 55-55. New Orleans drained they clock down to under one minute and then made a 34-yard field goal. Utah started their next drive without a timeout and then proceeded to drive the length of the field meticulously, resulting in a game-winning five-yard touchdown pass from Hammel to Bocage.
Hammel finished the night connecting on 26-of-29 passes for 316 yards and five touchdowns. The Blaze receiving corp was led by Lesue who racked up 116 yards and one touchdown on ten receptions. DB Alfred Phillips (5-11, 190, Wagner) led the defense with 5.5 total tackles, one forced fumble, one pass breakup and one interception. The win was Utah's first when trailing in the final minute since March 10, 2007.
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