Utah Blaze Game Notes
Published on June 22, 2010 under Arena Football League (AFL)
Utah Blaze News Release
THE QUICK FACTS:
Game: Utah Blaze (1-9) vs Iowa Barnstormers (4-6)
Date: Saturday, June 26, 2010
Kickoff: 6 p.m. (MT)
Site: Wells Fargo Arena (11,209)
Officials: Referee: Brad Van Ark; Umpire: Robert Colosimo; Head Linesman: Kelly Saalfeld; Line Judge: Jeff Johnson; Back Judge: Larry Smith
Internet TV: This week's game can be viewed live on Nifty TV. (www.niftytv.com/afl).
Radio: Utah's flagship station 1280 THE ZONE will broadcast the game live.
Coaches: Utah, Ron James 3rd AFL season; 0-3 regular season, 13-21 overall). Iowa, John Gregory (10th AFL Season, 117-90 overall (AFL/af2).
OVERVIEW: The Blaze fell to their second worst record in franchise history last week at the hands of the Tampa Bay Storm, 65-40. The team has only tallied one win this season versus the Bossier-Shreveport BattleWings in Week Five. Last week, the Barnstormers were steamrolled by the Cleveland Gladiators, 76-35.
THE SERIES: This will mark the first meeting between the two franchises.
NFL NETWORK SCHEDULE: The National Game of the Week will be showcasing the Tampa Bay Storm as they take on the Chicago Rush on Friday, July 2nd. The game will be on live at 6:00 PM Mountain Time and is available exclusively on the NFL Network.
WHAT'S AHEAD: The Blaze return to Maakoa Field at the Maverik Center for their final two home games of the season. First, the Milwaukee Iron come to town on Friday, July 2, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. In their final home game of the season, the Blaze will face off against the Jacksonville Sharks on Friday, July 9.
LAST WEEK:
STORM EXTINGUISH BLAZE IN SIXTH CONSECUTIVE LOSS, 65-40
Utah Falls to 1-9 on the season
SALT LAKE CITY - The Utah Blaze (1-9) fell to their second worst record in franchise history at the hands of the Tampa Bay Storm (7-3) 65-40 on Saturday night in front of 4,525 fans at the Maverik Center. The Blaze previously went 0-9 in 2008 prior to the hiatus of the AFL.
"We battled back but we didn't help ourselves with turnovers," said Blaze Head Coach Ron James. "I felt coming into this week we knew what we wanted to accomplish but we were just unable to pull through."
Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game honors went to WR Hank Edwards (6-3, 185, Texas Southern) for recording 14 catches for 195 yards and five touchdowns. DB Justin Phinisee (5-11, 200, Oregon) earned JLS Ironman of the Game. Riddell Defensive Player of the Game honors went to DB Erick McIntosh (5-10, 175, Florida Atlantic) for tallying 3.0 total tackles, one interception and one pass breakup.
Tampa quickly opened the scoring for the evening as QB Brett Dietz (6-4, 235, Hanover) connected with WR Hank Edwards (6-3, 185, Texas Southern) for the touchdown. Utah's first offensive play resulted in an interception by QB Brett Elliott (6-3, 210, Linfield) after he failed to connect with his intended receiver. The Storm were swift to score again on a Dietz strike to WR Tyrone Timmons (6-4, 215, Mississippi Valley State), jumping ahead early 14-0.
After a rough start for the Blaze, the team was able to close the gap 28-27 in the second quarter after an interception by Blaze DB Patrick Body (6-2, 205, Toledo). However, it wasn't enough for the Blaze to take the lead after Dietz connected with Edwards for the eighth time in the half. The teams entered the locker room with the Blaze down by eight, 27-35.
Utah was unable to keep up with the Storm in the final half of play, tallying only 14 points.
After missing three games due to a hand injury incurred in Spokane, Elliott returned to finish the night 19-of-33 passing for 179 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions.
Body led the defense with 9.0 total tackles and one interception.
THE COACHES:
Utah - Ron James, 3rd AFL season
0-3 (.000) 2010 reg. season; 13-21 (.353) overall
This season marks James's first official season with the Blaze franchise. On Wednesday, July 9, 2008, James was promoted to the head coaching position of the Blaze, replacing Danny White. Due to the hiatus of the AFL, James never officially logged a game as the head coach of the Blaze. Prior to his promotion, James completed his second season with the Blaze as the Defensive Coordinator and Director of Player Personnel and 11th season in the Arena Football League.
James was the Head Coach of the Las Vegas Gladiators (now Cleveland Gladiators) for two seasons (2005, 2006). In 2005, his team led the AFL in total offense and team defense, and set 14 new offensive and defensive team records. Prior to being named head coach of Las Vegas, James was the assistant head coach/OL/DL/Special Teams coach of the Gladiators for three seasons. Before joining the Gladiators, he was the line coach for the Houston ThunderBears and Director of Player Personnel from 1999-2001. He also was an assistant coach with the Albany Firebirds from 1990-91.
Iowa Barnstormers - John Gregory, 10th AFL season
117-90 (.565) overall
Coach John Gregory returns for his third year back to Des Moines since he led to the re-birth of the Barnstormers in
2008. Coach Gregory has a reputation of consistently taking over struggling football programs and making them successful. Gregory's career began as an assistant head coach and athletic director at Iowa Central Community College, where he was given the task of building a football program from the ground up. In just three years, the program had a 24-3-1 record and won the Wool Bowl in 1969.
THE IFS...
*Give Utah a 1-0 record all-time versus the Barnstormers.
*Give Utah a 2-9 regular-season record for 2010.
*Give Utah a 1-4 away game record for 2010.
*Give Utah a 27-36 record in franchise regular season.
*Give Utah a 27-39 overall, including playoffs.
MAKING THEIR MARK
Despite having a rough start this season, several Blaze players are still ranked within the Top 10 of the AFL statistical leaders.
WR/DB BRANDON HAMPTON ranks second in the AFL in Kickoff Return yards with 1,202. He also ranks fourth in Kickoff Return Yards per attempt with 21.9.
WR AARON BOONE ranks seventh in total scoring touchdowns (174) and in total scoring per game (17.4). He also ranks tenth in total receptions (81).
K BEN SCOTT ranks second in AFL field goals (0.500) and sixth in Total Field Goals and Field Goal Percentage (.500)
DB ANTONIO MALONE ranks tenth in tackles per game (6.7)
MILESTONES:
*WR WENDALL WILLIAMS needs 24 catches to reach 150 career receptions. He also needs 134 yards to reach 1,500 in career yards.
*DB TOURE CARTER needs 4.0 total tackles to reach 100 career.
*OL/DL VAKA MANUPUNA needs 1.0 total tackles to reach 50 career.
*WR AARON BOONE needs 22 touchdowns to reach 100 career.
BARNSTORMERS PLAYERS TO WATCH:
QB RYAN VENA - Ryan Vena is an AFL vet, who spent the last four seasons in the af2. While Vena is not the most prolific passing QB in the AFL he brings to the table a different asset, running ability. Through ten games Vena is first among quarterbacks in the rushing, and third overall with 194 yards. He is also second in the AFL in rushing TDs with 16 total.
DB TANNER VARNER - Varner, an AFL rookie, leads the AFL in tackles, and has been a true shutdown corner for the Barnstormers. He has recorded 88.0 total tackles, six interceptions and 10 pass breakups through the "Stormers first ten games.
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