Utah Blaze Still Cling to Playoff Dreams After 51-48 Defeat of the Chicago Rush

MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com – SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Blaze (3-10) kept their playoff hopes alive with key victory over the American Conference-leading Chicago Rush (9-3) on Saturday night. Utah’s 51-48 victory came in front of 15,295 fans at EnergySolutions Arena in a game where they never trailed.

“This is a real tribute to the group of guys we have on this team,” said Blaze head coach/general manager DANNY WHITE. “Having the extra timeout in the final minute was the difference in the game.”

Utah jumped out to a 21-0 lead thanks to several key defensive and special teams plays, including a net recovery by DB J’SHARLON JONES (5-8, 188, Colorado State) and an interception by REGGIE DOSTER (5-9, 189, Central Florida). Chicago tallied their first score of the evening at the end of the first quarter, but a missed PAT kept the Blaze on top, 21-6.

Chicago scored first in the second quarter after a missed Blaze 48-yard field goal attempt was returned by DB JEREMY UNERTL (6-1, 210, Wisconsin-LaCrosse) for a Rush touchdown. After Chicago’s successful two-point conversion, both teams exchanged scores throughout the remainder of the quarter, giving the Blaze a 34-24 lead at halftime.

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The Rush outscored the Blaze 10-7 in the third quarter. Yet, Utah still held onto a 41-34 lead entering the fourth quarter.

In the decisive final quarter of play, Chicago tied the game after a three-yard touchdown pass from Rush QB RUSS MICHNA (6-2, 220, Western Illinois) to WR DAMIAN HARRELL (6-3, 182, Florida State). The Blaze then drove the length of the field, using over nine minutes of game time, resulting in a five-yard touchdown pass from Germaine to WR J.J. MCKELVEY (6-2, 227, Clemson). In the final seconds, Ironman of the Game K STEVE VIDETICH (6-2, 228, North Carolina State) secured the win with a successful 18-yard field goal.

Offensive Player of the Game honors went to QB JOE GERMAINE (6-2, 238, Ohio State) who finished the night 28-of-38 passing for 233 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions. DB DAMON MASON (5-9, 195 Southwestern Louisiana) was named Defensive Player of the Game after recording a team-high 5.0 total tackles and one pass breakup.

The Blaze hit the road next week to take on the Grand Rapids Rampage on Sunday, June 1 with kickoff set for 12 p.m. (MT).

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