Estimated read time: 2-3 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 Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information.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.
SALT LAKE CITY - The San Jose SaberCats (11-3) outscored the Utah Blaze (8-7) 30-7 in the second quarter en route to their eighth consecutive victory as they handed the Blaze a 70-49 defeat on Saturday night in front of 15,336 fans at the EnergySolutions Arena.
"We just weren't ready to play mentally or physically," said Blaze head coach/general manager DANNY WHITE. "We got dominated in every phase of the game. We were just not ready to play football tonight."
San Jose QB MARK GRIEB was named Offensive Player of the Game by going 26-for- 39 passing with 249 yards and 10 touchdowns - which is a career high and San Jose record. Ironman of the Game honors went to DL GEORGE WILLIAMS after he recorded two rushing touchdowns and 2.5 total tackles, including one assisted tackle for a loss of five yards. DL ALAN HARPER was named ADT Defensive Player of the Game by recording 2.5 sacks for a loss of 19 yards.
San Jose opened the game with a quick score and never looked back. The defensive performance of the SaberCats sealed the win as the team finished the game with one interception, six pass breakups and 3.0 sacks. Special teams also contributed to the victory by recovering one of their own onside kicks in the second quarter.
Blaze QB JOE GERMAINE finished the night by throwing 23-of-36 passes for 285 yards, five touchdowns and one interception. With those five touchdowns, Germaine now has 102 touchdowns on the season and is four away from breaking the AFL record of 105 set by Dallas' CLINT DOLEZEL in 2006. WR SIAHA BURLEY also set records tonight by recording 10 receptions for 103 yards and two touchdowns. Burley broke both the AFL's single-season receiving yardage record (1,996) and single-season receptions record (155).
The Blaze will be off next week but will resume play Saturday, June 23rd against Western Division foe Los Angeles Avengers in their final game of the regular season. Game time is at 7 p.m. at the STAPLES Center and can bee seen on FSN. The game can also be heard on 1280 The Zone with KEVIN GRAHAM and TOM GOODHINES calling the action.
