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Talons defeat Blaze

June 11, 2011 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Tulsa Talons News Release


TULSA, OK - It could not have gone any better for the Talons. Tulsa turned in its highest scoring total since joining the AFL last season and the highest scoring output in the entire AFL this year, defeating the Utah Blaze, 81-51, at the BOK Center.

The scoring output was catalyzed on the defensive end as Tulsa scored three defensive touchdowns, including two interceptions returned for touchdowns by J.C. Neal and a fumble recovery by Jamar Ransom. The Talons held the Blaze to just three scores for 18 points in the second half and just six points in the final quarter.

Despite the Talons' stifling defense, Utah quarter, Tommy Grady, managed to still throw for 344 yards and seven touchdowns on 26-of-32 passing but his two picks led directly for 14 Talons points.

Before Grady even had a chance with the ball, the Blaze got off to an incredible start as Utah's Chris Bocage took the opening kickoff the distance for a 7-0 Blaze lead just seconds into the game. The Talons took their first lead of the game on Neal's first pick-six of the game at the 11:17 mark of the second quarter, breaking a 13-13 tie. After exchanging touchdowns for most of the second quarter, the Talons finished the first half on a 14-0 run on the strength of an Al Hunt off-the-wall touchdown reception and a Jamar Ransom one-yard scoring run as the half expired. Tulsa took a 41-33 lead into the break.

Quarterback Justin Allgood threw for three touchdown passes, including two to Troy McBroom in the first half. Allgood finished the game 24-of-34 for 254 yards and six touchdown passes, four of them to McBroom who amassed 130 yards on 12 receptions.

Riding the momentum of the end of the first half, Tulsa opened the third quarter scoring three of the first four possessions, capped by Ransom's four-yard fumble recovery that extended the Talons' lead to 61-39 with 4:01 still remaining in the quarter.

After a 28-yard touchdown pass to Ernie Pierce from Grady, Utah cut the lead to 61-45, Neal responded with his second of three non-offensive touchdowns of the game, returning a Blaze onside attempt for a touchdown, helping the Talons finish the third quarter as strong as they did the second.

With the Talons' record book in site, fittingly Neal completed the game's scoring with his second pick-six of the game; this time a 43-yard return to make it a 30-point game, 81-51.

The 81 points by the Talons surpassed the previous 2011 AFL high of 79 set by the Jacksonville Sharks in a game against the Iowa Barnstormers on May 13. The total is also the highest point total in Talons franchise history since joining the AFL, besting their previous high of 76, set in a loss to the Arizona Rattlers on April 23, 2010.

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