SaberCats drop Blaze, 74-64
Published on May 18, 2008 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
San Jose SaberCats News Release
SAN JOSE, Calif. (May 17, 2008) - San Jose quarterback Mark Grieb threw for 283 yards and nine touchdowns as the SaberCats won their 16th consecutive Western Division matchup defeating Utah, 74-64, in Arena Football League action Saturday night, ending the Blaze's two-game win streak.
Grieb had five scoring passes and Utah's Joe Germaine four in a game that was tied five times. Grieb's 5-yard strike to James Roe with 17 seconds left in the second quarter tied the game for a final time at 42-42 heading into halftime.
Following a Grieb to Cleannord Saintil scoring pass opening the second half, A.J. Haglund missed the PAT. The Blaze took advantage and grabbed its only lead of the game on the next possession when Huey Whittaker snared a 10-yard scoring pass from Germaine and Steve Videtich tacked on the PAT for a 49-48 advantage.
Grieb, who completed 27-of-39 attempts, teamed with Saintil on a 9-yard scoring pass to culminate San Jose's ensuing possession with 4:56 left in the third for a 55-49 SaberCats lead and Steve Watson's sack for safety of Germaine on Utah's next possession increased San Jose's lead to eight entering the final frame.
Rodney Wright led San Jose (7-5) with 11 catches for 117 yards and two touchdowns. Saintil finished with 121 yards and three scores on nine receptions and James Roe added four touchdowns on his six grabs.
Germaine completed 27-of-41 attempts for 325 and six touchdowns. Wide receiver Huey Whittaker was a double threat for the Blaze catching two touchdown passes and rushing for two more. Aaron Boone, the league's leading receiver, caught a game-high 13 passes for 143 yards and a touchdown.
San Jose defensive back Clevan Thomas intercepted his 45th career pass on Utah's final drive, moving into sole possession of fourth place on the AFL's career list.
NOTES:
San Jose extended its regular season winning streak over Western Division opponents to 16 and overall streak to 17...The SaberCats improved to 28-1 when scoring 70-or-more points in a game...The SaberCats totaled three sacks in the game raising their league-leading total to 22...Rodney Wright totaled 105 yards on kickoff returns and reached 2,000 for his career. He also had his 250th career reception...Cleannord Saintil had the 100th catch of his career...Omarr Smith reached 500 total tackles for his career...A.J. Haglund became the SaberCats all-time leader in kick scoring passing Daron Alcorn (282) with 293...Steve Watson had the 100th tackle of his career and his second safety of the season...Garrett McIntyre recorded two QB sacks and has four in the last three games.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 18, 2008
- Los Angeles-Chicago Game Deep In Ties To Grand Canyon State - Arizona Rattlers
- Orlando escapes with 58-51 victory over Kansas City - Kansas City Brigade
- Rush Can Clinch Central Division With Win Monday Vs. Los Angeles - Chicago Rush
- SaberCats drop Blaze, 74-64 - San Jose SaberCats
- Blaze Fall To San Jose On The Road, 74-64 - Utah Blaze
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
