Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
DES MOINES - After falling to San Antonio on the road a week ago, the Utah Blaze headed to Des Moines looking to make a statement. That statement was made loud and clear on Saturday night, as the Blaze knocked off the Iowa Barnstormers, 69-49, in front of a hostile crowd of 8,258 at Well Fargo Arena.
The Blaze defense pummeled Barnstormers QB J.J. Raterink throughout much of the night, racking up eight total team sacks. Utah held Iowa to just 220 yards in total offense while forcing six turnovers, including two fourth-down stops, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries.
After earning high praise throughout training camp, the Blaze defensive line terrorized the Barnstormers with a ferocious pass rush. First Team All-Arena DL Caesar Rayford tied his own single-game franchise record with 3.0 sacks while also forcing a fumble. DL Mike Lewis, who earned Second Team All-Arena accolades last season, notched a solo sack, as did LB Dain Taylor. On the inside, Keenan Mace contributed 2.0 sacks and recovered a fumble from his nose guard position.
On the first play from scrimmage, QB Tommy Grady fumbled the snap on the exchange from OL Antonio Narcisse. Iowa recovered the ball, and quickly converted the turnover into points off a five-yard touchdown pass from QB J.J. Raterink to WR Jesse Schimdt. The Blaze responded with two scoring drives, both of which ended in short touchdown runs off quarterback sneaks by Grady, taking a 13-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Utah jumped out to a 20-7 lead early in the second frame, as FB Ben Stallings plowed into the end zone from a yard out. Iowa cut the lead off another scoring completion from Raterink to Schmidt, but Utah would convert a fourth-down attempt into another touchdown, as Grady found WR Aaron Lesue in the end zone from 21 yards out.
Later in the second, Raterink scrambled to avoid pressure before hitting WR Marco Thomas for a 33-yard touchdown, lessening the Blaze lead, 27-21. Barnstormers DB Cameron McGlenn intercepted Grady on the ensuing possession, but the Blaze defense rose to the challenge and responded by stopping Iowa on a fourth-down attempt inside the red zone. Utah's offense executed a perfect drive to end the second quarter, scoring on a 19-yard touchdown pass from Grady to Lesue with less than a second on the clock to take a 34-21 lead into the locker room at halftime.
The Blaze defense set the tone at the start of the third quarter, halting another Iowa drive on fourth down. Tommy Grady connected with Ernie Pierce on a 14-yard touchdown pass to take a 41-21 lead. The Barnstormers raced back with consecutive scores to end the third period, as Raterink first found Jesse Schmidt for their third touchdown connection of the night. Iowa DL Rodney Gnat then stripped Grady on a sack, and DL Justin Mincey recovered the loose ball in the end zone for another touchdown to inch closer to the lead, 41-35.
Utah's defensive line would take over in the final frame, as Mike Lewis sacked Raterink and jarred the ball loose on the first drive of the fourth quarter. Keenan Mace recovered the fumble, and WR Chris Bocage hauled in a 14-yard touchdown pass to make it 47-35 Blaze. Utah notched back-to-back sacks on the next series, forcing Raterink to put the ball on the turf on both plays. Dain Taylor recovered the fumble in the end zone for a touchdown on the second sack, giving the Blaze a 55-35 lead. The teams exchanged several scores to close out the game, as Raterink hooked up with Marco Thomas and Chris Matthews on touchdown passes. Grady lofted a 33-yard score to Chris Bocage and Ernie Pierce returned an onside kick 15 yards for the game's final touchdown.
Tommy Grady finished with 282 yards and five touchdowns. Aaron Lesue led the team with eight receptions for 93 yards and two touchdowns, while Pierce contributed 59 yards and one score on six catches. Bocage snared three passes for 73 yards with two touchdowns, and Tysson Poots grabbed four balls for 54 yards.
Utah improves to 1-1 on the season. The Blaze head back to Salt Lake City and will make their home debut next Saturday at EnergySolutions Arena with a divisional matchup against the San Jose SaberCats. Seats are still available for purchase by calling 1-888-99BLAZE or online at www.utblaze.com.
Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the game - Tommy Grady (Utah)
JSL Ironman of the Game - Jesse Schmidt (Iowa)
Riddell Defensive player of the game - Caesar Rayford (Utah)
Cutters Catch of the Game - Marco Thomas (Iowa)
Spalding Highlight of the Game - Rodney Gnat (Sack/FF) / Justin Mincey (FR/TD)
