Power Deefeated by Utah Blaze
Published on June 19, 2011 under Arena Football League (AFL)
Pittsburgh Power News Release
SALT LAKE CITY- The Utah Blaze extended the slide the Pittsburgh Power recently began by defeating them, 81-40, in front of 9,096 at the Energy Solutions Arena Saturday night. The loss drops the Power to 7-6, and knocks them out of first place in the American East. The Blaze improves to 6-7 with the win, as well as stay in the close playoff race with the rest of the National West.
If the Power's first drive was a preview to the rest of the game, it wasn't looking good. In just the first play, QB Kevin McCabe, who was starting in place of Bernard Morris, was sacked. That sack resulted in a forced fumble, which was recovered by the Blaze and turned into a touchdown. Once Pittsburgh got the ball back, McCabe was able to lead the team down the field and ultimately find WR Jerome Mathis for the first Power score of the game. After another Blaze touchdown, Pittsburgh tried to even the score. But for the second time in three drives, McCabe was sacked and Utah recovered his fumble for a TD. Coach Siegfried pulled McCabe after that, and newly acquired QB Chris Wallace stepped in. That switch seemed to help the Power, who scored on every drive after. Unfortunately, so did the Blaze. The first half ended with Utah on top, 41- 27.
The second half wasn't any kinder to the Power, with the Blaze scoring just two minutes into the third. Pittsburgh just couldn't seem to find the end zone in the third, with all three of their drives ending in a turnover. Multiple penalties on both teams didn't help their cause. The scoring drought lasted until Wallace connected to WR Mike Washington with about four minutes left to play. They were able to get one more late in the fourth, but the damage was done. Utah was able to find a way to get past the Pittsburgh defense on every drive, scoring on each. The six unanswered touchdowns by the Blaze were more than enough to put away the Power, in their most lopsided defeat of the season.
After taking over in the first, Power QB Wallace went 19-of-39, with 196 yards and four touchdowns. In his first game back, WR Irving Campbell had four receptions for 62 yards and one touchdown. He also had one rushing touchdown.
Utah's Alvance Robinson racked up 94 yards with eight receptions and three touchdowns, while Aaron Lesue had 11 receptions and five touchdowns for 97 yards. QB Tommy Grady went 31-of-39, throwing for 313 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Pittsburgh returns home to the CONSOL Energy Center next week to take on their division rivals, the Milwaukee Mustangs, and end their two game losing streak. To purchase tickets, visit www.pittsburghpowerfootball.com or call 888-769-2011.
Arena Football League Stories from June 19, 2011
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- Power Deefeated by Utah Blaze - Pittsburgh Power
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- SaberCats Lose to Rattlers in Final Seconds, 64-57 - San Jose SaberCats
- Rattlers take down the SaberCats - Arizona Rattlers
- Shock Continue to Roll, 63-60 - Spokane Shock
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