Talons Claw Out A Victory to Ruin Blitz Guarantee, 41-31

Published on May 14, 2005 under arenafootball2 (af2)
Bakersfield Blitz News Release


Bakersfield, Calif. - Robert Reed had 117 yards receiving and two interceptions to lead the Tulsa Talons (4-2) to a 41-31 victory over the Bakersfield Blitz (2-4) at the Rabobank Arena on Friday night on Blitz Guaranteed Victory Night.

Tulsa took the lead on their second drive of the game. Josh Blankenship hooked up with a nine-yard completion to Donovan Morgan for his 23rd touchdown reception of the season to make it 7-0. The Blitz answered on the next drive, with Jason Thomas stretching out from the one. Donovan Morgan and Eric Mahanke exchanged touchdown passes to make it 14-14 early in the second quarter.

After taking over on downs late in the second, Bakersfield offense had a chance to take their first lead of the game. But a long strike to Nathan Munson was called back because of a penalty and the Blitz settled for a field goal attempt. Tulsa blocked it, took over and one play later had the 21- 14 lead.

In the third quarter Tulsa got a break. An onsides kick to start the second half appeared to hit two Talons players shy of the required 10 yard line, but they took possession anyway and turned the lead insurmountable. Corky Martin's one-yard plunge made it 28-14. The Blitz answered with Munson's 18- yard bolt to make it 28-21. On the ensuing drive the Alex Wallace stripped away the ball and gave it back to Bakersfield midway through the third quarter. But again, two would-be touchdowns by Bakersfield were called back because of offensive penalties and Bakersfield settled for a field goal. 28-24 was as close as the Blitz could get.

Tulsa added two more scores in the fourth quarter and became the first team to get more than 40 points against the Blitz. Meanwhile, Thomas was picked off twice in the final stanza by Reed - the last one in the end zone with the Blitz trailing by 10 - to erase any chance of the home team making good on their guarantee.

The Blitz stays on home turf next week when they host the San Diego Riptide at 7:00 p.m. at the Rabobank Arena. That night is the return of the Blitz Foam Football Toss, courtesy of KGET-TV 17 and 98.5 The Fox. Fans are asked to bring a foam Nerf- style ball to the game and when the Blitz score their first touchdown of the night, throw them onto the field. The balls will be collected and donated to the Bakersfield Police Activities League. Also, the first 2,000 fans 12 and under will get a free Blitz Foam Football Helmet. In addition, anyone that came to tonight's game should save their ticket stub for free admission to the game against San Diego as a part of Guaranteed Win Night.

Score by Quarters (1-2-3- 4) Final Tulsa Talons (7-14-7-13) 41 Bakersfield Blitz (7-7-10-7) 31

Offensive Player of the Game: Morgan, TUL ADT Defensive Player of the Game: Wallace, BFL U.S. Army Ironman of the Game: Reed, TUL

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