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San Diego Halts Bakersfield\'s Roll, 34-30

July 24, 2004 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Bakersfield Blitz News Release


San Diego – Matt Guardia returned from the Injured Reserve List and bounced in for the go-ahead touchdown with a minute remaining to lead the San Diego Riptide (8-7) to a 34-30 victory over the Bakersfield Blitz (10-5) in front of 4,498 fans at the Sports Arena on Saturday night.

The Blitz took the lead on the first possession of the game when QB Chad Elliott hit Nathan Munson for a 16-yard score just over a minute into the game. However, as a part of the night's theme for the Blitz, they failed to convert on the kick and led 6-0. San Diego answered with a touchdown pass to Nakoa McElrath by QB Kevin Feterik to lead 7-6 after the first quarter. It was only the fourth time this season the Blitz has trailed after one quarter.

The second quarter saw Bakersfield take the lead with a touchdown run by Steve Wofford and a pair of safeties. Ahmad Bhatti, who recorded an interception three plays earlier, hauled down Feterik in the end zone for a 14-7 Blitz lead. On the ensuing drive, Ryan Smith for San Diego intercepted an Elliott pass in the end zone, ran it out and then back in, where he was tackled for another two-point play in favor of the Blitz. The Riptide capped off the first half by blocking a Brian Walker field goal attempt. They took over at the Blitz 10 yard line and three plays later Feterik hit Jesus Reyes with a touchdown pass as time expired to make it 16-14 Bakersfield at the half.

San Diego regained the lead in the third quarter. Ryan Cuthbert scooped up a blocked field goal attempt and ran it back 30 yards for another San Diego score. Bakersfield took the lead back with a one-yard touchdown plunge by Wofford for his second of the night. Elliott ran in the two-point conversion to make it 24-21 after three quarters.

The Blitz defense bent early in the fourth quarter, but didn't break. They stuffed San Diego on three tries from the one yard line to hold the three point lead and bring the offense back out. The Riptide in turn held the Blitz to a field goal try. The missed field goal return was fumbled at the goal line and recovered by Eric Mahanke for a Bakersfield touchdown. But it was the last time they'd put up any points. Trailing by nine points, the Riptide scored on the next play with a 40-yard touchdown pass to McElrath. On the next possession, the Blitz were denied on a 4th and 3 at their own 20, giving it back to the Riptide. Four plays later, San Diego took the lead with a three yard run by Matt Guardia. The Blitz had one last possession with a minute remaining to get in the end zone, but Elliott was picked off for the third time in the game, and the Blitz fell for the first time since June 12th.

Bakersfield could clinch the West Division Title and the No. 2 seed in the National Conference with a win or a Hawaii loss tonight, and the Islanders trailed Central Valley late in the game. Log on to www.af2.com updates.

The Blitz returns to their home turf for the regular season finale against the Hawaiian Islanders at Centennial Garden on July 31st. The first 2,000 fans through the gates will get a free Blitz regulation-size football, courtesy of KGET-TV 17 and Stinson's. It's also Pigskin Pride Night, providing any fan that wears a football jersey to the game 2-for-1 admission. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. kickoff.

Groups of 20 or more can take advantage of discounted rates to all Blitz home games. Contact the Blitz office at 716-BLITZ (2548) or by stopping by the Bakersfield Sports Entertainment office located at Centennial Garden for more information. Log on to www.bakersfieldblitz.com and register for the Blitz e-mail list to stay up-to-date with the latest team information.



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