NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



Utah Blaze game notes

February 1, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Utah Blaze News Release


THE QUICK FACTS:
Game: Dallas Desperados (1-0) at Utah Blaze (1-0).
Date: Saturday, February 4, 2006.
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. (MT).
Site: Delta Center (13,200).
Officials: Referee: David Lambros; Umpire: Al Granado;
Head Linesman: Bill Ward; Line Judge: Brian Matthews;
Back Judge: Rich Wilborn
Television: KJZZ 14 will broadcast the game live with Steve Brown (play-by-play) and Alema Harrington (commentator).
Radio: Utah's flagship station 1280 The Zone will broadcast the game live with Ryan Hatch (play-by-play) and Keith Embray (commentary).
Blaze Coaches' Show: Ryan Hatch hosts the Blaze Coaches' Show every Wednesday night on 1280 The Zone at 7-8 p.m.
Internet: Log on to www.1280thezone.com to hear a live webcast of Saturday's game.
Series Record: First game against the Desperados.
Coaches: Utah, Danny White (14th season; 122-55 regular season, 142-65 overall). Dallas, Will McClay (3rd season; 15-17-1 regular season, 15-17-1 overall).

OVERVIEW: The Blaze joined 18 previous teams when thy won the opening game in franchise history. The last teams to accomplish that feat were the Austin Wranglers and New Orleans VooDoo in 2004. The Blaze will face one of the favorites to win the Eastern Division when the JERRY JONES-owned Dallas Desperados come to town. DANNY WHITE is 2-2 against the Desperados during his career and is 1-0 against Dallas head coach WILL MC CLAY. Arena in Phoenix, AZ... White, a former Dallas Cowboys Pro Bowl QB, is 5-3 against teams from Dallas (Desperados from 2002-presnt and Texans from 1992-93)... This week's game will be broadcast on KJZZ 14 starting at 7 p.m. (MT).

THE SERIES: Although this matchup begins the series between Dallas, there is a history between DANNY WHITE and the Desperados. White is 2-2 against the Desperados and is 1-0 at home against the Eastern Division leaders... He played for the Dallas Cowboys as the team's quarterback (1976-88) and helped lead the Cowboys to the postseason five times and won three NFC East titles during his tenure as starting QB.

WHAT'S AHEAD: The Blaze end their homestand against another Eastern Division foe, New York Dragons on Feb. 11 before hitting the road for two games against Western Division rivals, the Arizona Rattlers (February 18) and the Los Angeles Avengers (February 25).

THE SCHEDULES:

2006 Utah Blaze (1-0)
Date Opponent Result Score
Jan. 28 @ San Jose Won 48-35
Game Opponent Time (PT) TV
Feb. 4 DALLAS 7:00 p.m. 1280/KJZZ
Feb. 11 NEW YORK 7:00 p.m. 1280
Feb. 18 @ Arizona 7:00 p.m. 1280/FSN
Feb. 25 @ Los Angeles 8:30 p.m. 1280/FSN
Mar. 4 SAN JOSE 7:00 p.m. 1280/FSN
Mar. 10 NASHVILLE 7:00 p.m. 1280
Mar. 16 @ Grand Rapids 5:00 pm 1280/FSN
Mar. 24 LAS VEGAS 7:00 p.m. 1280/KJZZ
Apr. 1 @ Tampa Bay 5:30 p.m. 1280
Apr. 7 ARIZONA 7:00 p.m. 1280/FSN
Apr. 15 LOS ANGELES 7:00 p.m. 1280/KJZZ
Apr. 21 @ Colorado 7:00 p.m. 1280
Apr. 28 @ Las Vegas 8:30 p.m. 1280
May 6 @ Chicago 6:00 p.m. 1280/FSN
May 12 KANSAS CITY 7:00 p.m. 1280/KJZZ

2006 Dallas Desperados (1-0)
Date Opponent Result Score
Jan. 28 KANSAS CITY Won 58-44
Game Opponent Time (PT) TV
Feb. 4 @ Utah 8:00 p.m.
Feb. 11 @ Columbus 6:00 p.m.
Feb. 17 AUSTIN 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 25 LAS VEGAS 8:00 p.m.
Mar. 5 @ Chicago 11:00 a.m.
Mar. 12 @ Tampa Bay 11:00 a.m.
Mar. 19 @ Orlando 11:00 a.m.
Mar. 25 PHILADELPHIA 7:00 p.m.
Apr. 1 COLUMBUS 6:30 p.m.
Apr. 9 @ New York 12:00 p.m.
Apr. 15 GRAND RAPIDS 8:00 p.m.
Apr. 22 @ Georgia 6:30 p.m.
Apr. 29 ARIZONA 7:00 p.m.
May 6 @ Philadelphia 6:00 p.m.
May 13 NEW YORK 7:00 p.m.

NOTABLES: The Blaze roster includes 17 veterans and seven rookies... Seven players and four coaches have previous experience with the Arizona Rattlers... 2005 AFLWA Offensive player of the Year OS SIAHA BURLEY will look to establish some new expansion records in 2006. Burley, who had 117 receptions for 1,542 yards and a league-leading 45 touchdowns, figures to be a threat to re-write the books... The expansion records Burley will be chasing are held by former Detroit Fury OS ROBERT GORDON who tallied 125 receptions for 1,630 yards and 42 touchdowns in 2001... AFL Commissioner DAVID BAKER will be in attendance for Saturday's game.

THE IFS...:
If the Blaze defeat Dallas it would...
*Be Utah's first victory in franchise history against the Desperados.
*Give Utah a 1-0 series lead over Dallas.
*Give Utah a 1-0 all-time record against Eastern Division teams.
*Give Utah a 1-0 all-time home record against Eastern Division teams.
*Give Utah a 2-0 all-time regular-season record.

THE COACHES:
Utah - Danny White, 14th season
122-55 (.688) reg. season; 142-65 (.684) overall
13-11 (.542) career vs. San Jose
White is currently in his 14th season as an AFL head coach and first with the Blaze. White has compiled a record of 142-65 and advanced to the AFL Playoffs in 12 of the previous 13 years (hasn't missed the postseason since 1992). Prior to joining the Blaze, White was the head coach of the Arizona Rattlers for 13 seasons (1992-2004). The AFL Hall of Fame coach has two titles (1994 and 1997) to his credit and has made five ArenaBowl appearances (1994, 97, 2002-04). During his last season in Arizona in 2004, White compiled a 13-6 record and made his third straight ArenaBowl appearance. White, won AFL "Coach of the Year" award in 1993. White officially became the head coach of the Blaze on April 21, 2005. He played for the Dallas Cowboys as the team's quarterback (1976-88) and helped lead the Cowboys to the postseason five times and won three NFC East titles during his tenure as starting QB. In his first year as a starter (1980), White set the club single-season record for touchdown passes (28) and then broke the record (29) in 1983. Those records still stand as the top two single-season marks in franchise history. He still owns eight Cowboy records and is the member of FOUR Halls of Fame (Arizona Sports, Arizona State, College Football and Arena Football).

Dallas - Will McClay, 3rd season
15-17-1 (.470) reg. season; 15-17-1 (.470) overall
0-0 career vs. Utah
McClay is in his third season at the helm of the Dallas Desperados. He was named the second coach in team history on Feb. 5, 2004, just three days prior to kickoff of the 2004 AFL season. In his first role as head coach, McClay's Dallas team posted a 6-10 record. He improved his second year, leading the team to an 8-7-1 despite breaking in a rookie quarterback - Clint Stoerner. In addition to his head coaching responsibility McClay is also the defensive coordinator. His 2005 defense finished the year as the league's stingiest in opponent's completion percentage, allowing a 58.0 completion percentage. His defense also finished second in the league in passing yards-per-game (238.3) and third in total yards-per-game allowed (261.8). Before taking on the role of head coach, McClay was the Desperados defensive coordinator for the club's first two seasons (2002-03). Before coming to Dallas, McClay was the assistant director of pro scouting for the Jacksonville Jaguars (2001) and the player personnel director for the XFL's Orlando Rage (spring - 2001). McClay spent 11 seasons in the AFL as a player and coach. He was the defensive coordinator and director of player personnel for the Grand Rapids Rampage (1998-99), defensive coordinator and director of player personnel for the Anaheim Piranhas (1997), defensive coordinator for Florida Bobcats (1996) and Milwaukee Mustangs (1995), secondary and the special teams coach for the Detroit Drive (1993). McClay was a WR/DB for the Drive (1989-92), helping lead the team to three ArenaBowl titles in four appearances. In the AFL offseason, McClay serves as a scout for the Dallas Cowboys.

ROSTER MOVES - The Blaze reached their season opening roster limit by waiving 11 and releasing one player. Utah also made a trade for OL/DL BERNARD HOLSEY with the Dallas Desperados for future considerations.

RECENT ROSTER MOVES
Date Action
Jan. 12 Placed FB/LB Keala Keanaaina and K Steve Videtich on the Refused to Report List.
Jan. 17 Released FB/LB A.J. Novak.
Jan. 21 Signed OL/DL Craig Kobel, FB/LB Levi Madrieta, FB/LB Vai Notoa and OL/DL Kautai Olevao. Awarded OL/DL Maurice Anderson from waivers.
Jan. 22 Waived DS Sullivan Beard, OS Hurtis Chinn, QB Tali Ena, FB/LB Mike Hodges, OS Khori Ivy, OL/DL Doug Kaufusi, FB/LB Levi Madrieta, FB/LB Vai Notoa, OL/DL Tevita Ofahengaue, OL/DL Kautai Olevao and WR/LB Emmett White. Released WR/DB Luke Leverson. Awarded FB/LB Chris Robinson from waivers.
Jan. 23 Placed WR/LB Ryan Dennard, OS Troy Mason and OL/DL Pat Hughes on the IR. Activated K Steve Videtich from the Refused to Report List. Waived OL/DL Maurice Anderson. Acquired OL/DL Bernard Holsey from Dallas for future considerations.

INJURY REPORT - Three players were placed on IR to start the 2006 campaign. League rules stipulate that players on IR must be inactive for two weeks. All players are eligible to be activated to the active roster in time for Utah's Feb. 11 game vs. New York.

Player Injury Status
Ryan Dennard Left hamstring OUT (IR)
Troy Mason Left ankle sprain OUT (IR)
Pat Hughes Left knee OUT (IR)
Erin Damond Right shoulder Probable

MILESTONES:
*OS SIAHA BURLEY needs 1 receiving TDs for 125 career; 2 rushing TDs for 10 career, 167 receiving yards for 5,500 career and 5 receptions for 430 career.
* QB JOE GERMAINE needs 10 completions to reach 200 career. This marks Germaine's first year as a starter.
*WR/DB ORSHAWANTE BRYANT needs 9 touchdowns for 50 career, 239 receiving yards for 2,500 career and 12.0 more tackles for 125 career.
*OL/DL BRYAN HENDERSON needs 4 more sacks for 15 career.

2006 LEAGUE TEAM RANKINGS
Category Blaze Desperados
Scoring Offense 48.0 (t-8) 58.0 (3)
Scoring Defense 35.0 (6) 44.0 (8)
Total Offense 198.0 (17) 279.0 (10)
Total Defense 228.0 (5) 281.0 (11)
Pass Offense 187.0 (16) 271.0 (6)
Pass Defense 232.0 (6) 273.0 (14)
Rushing Offense 11.0 (11) 8.0 (13)
Rushing Defense -4.0 (1) 8.0 (5)
Interceptions 0 (t-1) 1 (t-4)
Kickoff Return Avg. 15.5 (8) 34.5 (1)
Defense KO Return Avg. 20.8 (15) 13.0 (3)
Turnover Margin +2 (t-2) 0 (t-7)
3rd Down Conversions 37.5% 60.0%
4th Down Conversions 0.0% ---
Sacks By 1 (7) 0 (t-9)
Sacks Against 2 ((t-15) 0 (t-1)

BLAZE LEADERS IN 2006
Player Category No.
Germaine Total Offense 199
Germaine Completion Pct. 63.0
Germaine Pass TDs 5
Germaine Passer Rating 124.8
Germaine Passing Yards 199
Germaine Pass Completions 17
Germaine Pass Yards/Game 199.0
Burley Scoring 18
Burley Touchdowns 3
Burley, Pace Receptions 5
Bryant Receiving Yards 65
Burley TD Receptions 3
None Rush TDs 0
Burley KO Returns 3
Burley KOR Yards 45
Skaggs Tackles 5.5

NOTES:
WR/LB JUSTIN SKAGGS best game last season came against the Dallas Desperados on February 17th, 2005. As a member of the Orlando Predators, Skaggs finished with career highs of seven receptions and 82 yards. Skaggs scored a touchdown on a 22-yard touchdown pass from QB JOE HAMILTON. Skaggs was second on the team in tackles as well recording a career high of four tackles in the game.

THE ‘O' SHOW - WR/DB ORSHAWANTE BRYANT'S best defensive performance in the AFL came on April 18, 2004, his last game against the Dallas Desperados, when he recorded 8 solo tackles. Bryant intercepted a pass late in the fourth quarter. The Rattlers defense was outstanding that day holding Dallas to just 48 points.

SIAHA RELIEF - One of OS SIAHA BURLEY'S best overall games came against the Dallas Desperados while he was a member of the Los Angeles Avengers on April 27th, 2003. In the game, Burley recorded five receptions for 84 yards and a touchdown. It was on the defensive side of the ball that Burley shone though as he has played limited time on defense. Burley recorded 6.0 tackles in the game, all solo tackles, while also picking up his first career interception.

HE'S ON PACE - In two career games against Dallas, TOM PACE has recorded two multiple touchdown games. His first career multiple touchdown game came against Dallas on March 2nd, 2003. In the game he finished with 89 receiving yards which was his season high. On April 18, 2004, Pace recorded his third two sack game of the season against the Dallas Desperados. He also recovered a fumble in the game to help shutdown the Desperados offense.

HOW THE WEST IS WON - Up until last season, the Western Division was won by either the DANNY WHITE-led Arizona Rattlers or the San Jose SaberCats. Last season, the Los Angeles Avengers captured their first division title. White's all-time regular season record against the Western Division is 41-19.

WEST IS BEST - The Western Division will be a tough test for the Blaze in 2006. In 2005, the San Jose SaberCats (59.1 points per game, No. 1 in the AFL), Los Angeles Avengers (53.8 PPG, No. 5), Arizona Rattlers (51.0 PPG, No. 10) and Las Vegas Gladiators (49.4 PPG, No. 12) were the leading offensive division in the AFL by combining for an average of 53.3 points per game.

STORYLINES:

HE'S NO. 1 - Entering his AFL 11th season, STEVE VIDETICH connected on 6-of-6 extra points and 2-of-2 field goals for a total of 12 points in last week's victory over San Jose. The total made Videtich the AFL's all-time scoring leader for kickers (surpassing MIKE BLACK's 1,253).

ALL-TIME CAREER SCORING (KICKING)
Rank Player Points
1. STEVE VIDETICH, UTAH 1,260
2. Mike Black 1,253
3. Remy Hamilton, Los Angeles 1,159
4. Clay Rush, Colorado 1,072
5. Steve McLaughlin 792

HEY COACH! Blaze head coach DANNY WHITE is currently in four Halls of Fame (Arizona Sports, Arizona State University, College Football and Arena Football). He has 13 years of experience in the AFL and owns two ArenaBowl titles (1994 and 1997), while not having a losing season since 1992. But, did you know that the assistant coaching staff has a combined total of 33 years of Arena Football experience?

Offensive/Defensive Line coach, FLINT FLEMING, played in six ArenaBowls and has three titles (1990, 1992 and 1997) during his 16 years in Arena Football. He was also named to the AFL's 15th Anniversary Team. Offensive coordinator and future AFL Hall of Famer, HUNKIE COOPER, is the AFL's all-time all-purpose yards leader (20,587), two-time Ironman of the Year (1999-2000) and AFL MVP (1993) during his 13 years in the AFL. Assistant Offensive/Defensive Line coach, LINDSAY HASSELL, played four years with the Oklahoma Wranglers (2000-01) and Arizona Rattlers (2002-03).

Despite being in his first season of coaching Arena Football, assistant head coach/defensive coordinator, LEE LESLIE, brings 21 years of coaching experience, including 14 championship titles and a year of coaching in the NIFL (Utah Warriors).

IT'S A NUMBERS GAME - What's the big deal about a number? If you ask Utah Blaze head coach/general manager DANNY WHITE, it means a lot. One of the interesting stories early in the Blaze's inaugural season involves rookie OL/DL GARRETT SMITH. Smith is not only trying to make and immediate impact, but also trying to "earn" his number.

Smith wants to wear Coach White's old number (11), but will be wearing No. 12 against Dallas.

"Coach (White) made it clear that choosing a uniform number is not a right, it's a privilege," Smith said. "It will be something that I have to earn and I don't plan on letting him down. I intended on earning at some point this season."

CLIMBING THE CHARTS - Head coach DANNY WHITE picks up where he left off after a year absence from the AFL coaching ranks. The AFL Hall of Fame coach is currently No. 2 on the league's all-time coaches win list. Below is a list of the all-time winningest coaches in AFL history.

ALL-TIME COACHING VICTORIES
Coach, Team Victories This Week
Tim Marcum, Tampa Bay 176 @ Grand Rapids
Danny White, Utah 142 DALLAS
Mike Hohensee, Chicago 95 NEW YORK
Mike Dailey, Colorado 89 @ Georgia
Perry Moss 86 --
Darren Arbet, San Jose 82 @ Las Vegas


EXPANSION TEAMS IN ARENABOWL - The Blaze will be in elite company if they make it to the ArenaBowl XX Las Vegas on June 12. In the 20-year history, only the expansion Detroit Drive won an ArenaBowl title in their inaugural season in 1988.

EXPANSION PACE - The Blaze started off on the right foot with their 48-35 victory over the San Jose SaberCats in Week 1. The New Orleans VooDoo had the best record for an expansion team in 2004 when they finished at 10-6 won a Southern Division title. Below is a look at the most recent expansion teams and how they finished their respective seasons:

EXPANSION TEAMS REGULAR-SEASON RECORDS
TEAM YEAR RECORD
UTAH BLAZE 2006 1-0
Kansas City Brigade 2006 0-1
New Orleans VooDoo 2004 10-6
Austin Wranglers 2004 8-8
Philadelphia Soul 2004 5-11
Colorado Crush 2003 2-14
Dallas Desperados 2002 7-7
Detroit Fury 2001 7-7
Chicago Rush 2001 7-7
Los Angeles Avengers 2000 3-11

DALLAS PLAYER TO WATCH:

QB CLINT DOLEZEL - Inked a two-year deal with Dallas this past offseason. In his 11th AFL season, he is ranked No. 2 all-time in completions (2,788), No. 3 in touchdowns (666), and No. 4 in passing yards (32,950) and pass attempts (4,266). He earned Offensive Player of the Game after completing 25-of-35 passes for 271 yards, six touchdowns and one interception in his Dallas debut. Dolezel won an ArenaBowl title with Grand Rapids in 2001.

UTAH BLAZE FIRSTS

FIRST VICTORY: January 28, 2006 vs. San Jose SaberCats
RECEPTION: Tom Pace (9 yards from Germaine)
COMPLETION: Joe Germaine (9 yards to Pace)
TOUCHDOWN: Siaha Burley (4 yards from Germaine)
RECEIVING TOUCHDOWN: Siaha Burley (4 yards from Germaine)
PASSING TOUCHDOWN: Joe Germaine (4 yards to Burley)
RUSHING TOUCHDOWN: None
EXTRA POINT: Steve Videtich
FIELD GOAL: Steve Videtich (21 yards)
TACKLE: Tom Pace (on Nikia Adderson)
SACK: Hans Olsen (Loss of 10 yards)
INTERCEPTION: Kelvin Hunter (no return)
KICK RETURN: Siaha Burley (20 yards)

WEEKLY PLAYERS OF THE GAME:

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME:
Opponent Player
@ San Jose QB Joe Germaine, Utah
DALLAS
NEW YORK
@ Arizona
@ Los Angeles
SAN JOSE
NASHVILLE
@ Grand Rapids
LAS VEGAS
@ Tampa Bay
ARIZONA
LOS ANGELES
@ Colorado
@ Las Vegas
@ Chicago
KANSAS CITY

ADT DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME:
Opponent Player
@ San Jose DS Kelvin Hunter, Utah
DALLAS
NEW YORK
@ Arizona
@ Los Angeles
SAN JOSE
NASHVILLE
@ Grand Rapids
LAS VEGAS
@ Tampa Bay
ARIZONA
LOS ANGELES
@ Colorado
@ Las Vegas
@ Chicago
KANSAS CITY

IRONMAN OF THE GAME:
Opponent Player
@ San Jose WR/DB Orshawante Bryant, Utah
DALLAS
NEW YORK
@ Arizona
@ Los Angeles
SAN JOSE
NASHVILLE
@ Grand Rapids
LAS VEGAS
@ Tampa Bay
ARIZONA
LOS ANGELES
@ Colorado
@ Las Vegas
@ Chicago
KANSAS CITY


THE BLAZE RECORD WHEN...:

Scoring Allowing
0 - 9 points 0-0 0-0
10-19 points 0-0 0-0
20-29 points 0-0 0-0
30-39 points 0-0 1-0
40-49 points 1-0 0-0
50-59 points 0-0 0-0
60-69 points 0-0 0-0
70-79 points 0-0 0-0
80+ points 0-0 0-0

GAMES DECIDED BLAZE COACH WHITE
by 7 or fewer points 0-0 42-22
by 3 or fewer points 0-0 18-10

Leading/Tied after the 1st 1-0 84-21
Trailing after the 1st 0-0 38-34

Leading/Tied at Half 1-0 97-20
Trailing at Half 0-0 25-35

Leading/Tied after the 3rd 1-0 107-16
Trailing after the 3rd 0-0 15-39

Lead/Tied Turnover Ratio 1-0 93-22
Trailed Turnover Ratio 0-0 29-33

Scoring More Than 10 1-0 122-55
Scoring More Than 20 1-0 122-54
Scoring More Than 30 1-0 120-46
Scoring More Than 40 1-0 114-28
Scoring More Than 50 0-0 86-14
Scoring More Than 60 0-0 34-3
Scoring More Than 70 0-0 11-0
Scoring More Than 80 0-0 3-0
Scoring More Than 90 0-0 0-0

Monday games 0-0 3-1
Wednesday games 0-0 1-0
Thursday games 0-0 6-2
Friday games 0-0 31-13
Saturday games 1-0 63-27
Sunday games 0-0 18-12

vs. West 1-0 41-19
vs. Central 0-0 26-9
vs. South 0-0 19-9
vs. East 0-0 21-8

• Discuss this story on the Arena Football League (1987-2008) message board...

Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 1, 2006


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.

OurSports Central