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Rattlers Edge Blaze In Season Opener, 63-62

March 2, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Utah Blaze News Release


SALT LAKE CITY - The Arizona Rattlers (1-0) defeated the Utah Blaze (0-1) as veteran K STEVE VIDETICH'S (6-2, 228, North Carolina State) game-winning field goal attempt hit the right cross bar on the final play of the game. The 63-62 defeat was witnessed by 15,106 fans on Saturday night at the EnergySolutions Arena.

"It felt like we did all the right things," said Blaze head coach/general manager DANNY WHITE. "We have to give them credit. They made the plays when they needed to, and we didn't."

Offensive Player of the Game honors went to Arizona QB LANG CAMPBELL (6-2, 210, William and Mary) who was 31-for-47 passing with 319 yards, eight touchdowns and one interception. Arizona WR/DB KEVIN NICKERSON (5-9, 180, Central Missouri St.) was named Ironman of the Game after he recorded nine catches for 100 yards and three touchdowns, plus one rushing touchdown, 144 total return yards and 1.0 tackle. In his first contest in a Blaze uniform, DB REGGIE DOSTER (5-9, 189, Central Florida) was named ADT Defensive Player of the Game by recording 7.5 tackles and returning an interception for a touchdown.

Arizona's Nickerson and Utah WR HUEY WHITTAKER (6-5, 228, South Florida) traded a pair of touchdowns to open the scoring for the evening. The first quarter also saw a fumble return for a touchdown by Blaze newcomer DL VAKA MANUPUNA (6-1, 298, Colorado). Manupuna's first score of his career came in the first quarter of his first AFL game. The Blaze went to the locker room at halftime with a 42-35 lead.

Utah's offense stalled on its first two possessions of the third quarter and allowed the Rattlers to score twice to take a 49-42 lead. Blaze WR J'SHARLON JONES scored his first touchdown of the season as the third quarter ended with a 49-49 tie.

At the start of the final quarter, Jones came up with a key fourth down pass breakup followed by his second touchdown of the game. After scores from both teams and a missed PAT, Blaze only had a six-point lead.

Arizona WR TRANDON HARVEY (5-10, 197, Washington State) provided the final score of the game giving the Rattlers a one-point lead as Videtich's heroics missed by just inches in the final seconds.

Blaze QB JOE GERMAINE (6-2, 238, Ohio State) finished the night by throwing 19-of-31 passes for 236 yards, five touchdowns and one interception. Whittaker led the Blaze with 83 receiving yards for two touchdowns plus two rushing touchdowns.

The Blaze will be at Cleveland next Sunday, March 9th for the Cleveland Gladiators' first home game since their relocation from Las Vegas. Game time is at 10:30 a.m. at the Quicken Loans Arena.

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