SaberCats Win Second Divisional Matchup, 75-55 Over Blaze

April 9, 2011 - Arena Football League (AFL)
San Jose SaberCats News Release


SAN JOSE - The San Jose SaberCats (3-2) defeated the Utah Blaze (2-2), 75-55 for their second divisional win of the season thanks to a balanced effort on both sides of the ball. San Jose put together 311 yards in total offense with the defense forcing Utah to turn the ball over on downs three times on Friday night along with two turnovers.

Owner/Head Coach Darren Arbet was happy with the effort his squad put together and hopes this is something they can build on heading into next week.

"We're a young football team and that was a big win, it was a big time confidence builder, and we're just going to get better and better every week, the guys are starting to jell together now and hopefully we can make another jump next week."

San Jose's offense was in high gear at the beginning of the game scoring a pair of rushing touchdowns as FB/LB Chad Cook rushed for the first of his two rushing touchdowns of the quarter and WR Nichiren Flowers scored the first rushing touchdown of his career. Utah answered with a 14-yard touchdown pass from QB Tommy Grady to WR Ernie Pierce and a rushing touchdown to tie the score at 14 at the end of the first quarter.

After the first of WR Samora Goodson's career-high four touchdown receptions, the teams traded touchdowns putting San Jose up 33-28. Defensive Player of the Game DL George Hypolite's first career forced fumble on fourth down shifted the momentum in the SaberCats' favor and gave San Jose the ball with seconds left on the clock.

He was pleased to see the defense execute against the Blaze tonight, "Collectively, in practice we saw some things that we thought we could exploit and I was really proud that we took it from practice and transferred it over to the game."

SaberCats QB Mark Grieb hit Samora Goodson for a two-yard touchdown pass to cap off a perfect 16-for-16 effort to put San Jose up 40-28 at the half.

The third quarter opened with Grieb's nine-yard touchdown pass to Goodson who had a career high eleven receptions. San Jose continued to put pressure on Grady highlighted by DL Adam Huebner's second sack of the year and quarterback hurries throughout the game from DL Francis Maka, DL Chris Perri, and Hypolite. The third quarter ended with San Jose leading 47-34.

The fourth quarter kicked off with two quick touchdowns including Goodson's fourth touchdown reception of the game. The score remained the same until WR Chido Nwokocha scored his first career touchdown on a 30-yard pass from Mark Grieb with just over three minutes remaining. Utah answered with a touchdown but was unable to stop Chad Cook, who ran for a career-high four rushing touchdowns and a total of 33 yards as he recorded his fifth consecutive game with at least two touchdowns. Cook's touchdown sealed the victory as San Jose notched a 75-55 victory over the Blaze.

The SaberCats (3-2) travel to Tulsa to take on the Talons (1-3) for their first ever matchup on Saturday, April 16 at 5:00 PDT.

Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game: QB Mark Grieb

Riddell Defensive Player of the Game: DL George Hypolite

JLS Ironman: WR Chido Nwokocha

NiFTy Playmaker of the Game: WR Samora Goodson

Cutter Catch of the Game: WR Alvance Robinson 35-yard pass from QB Tommy Grady

Spalding Highlight of the Game: DL George Hypolite sack and forced fumble in the second quarter



Arena Football League Stories from April 9, 2011


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