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SALT LAKE CITY - The Utah Blaze lost their third consecutive home game to division rival San Jose SaberCats, 65-50, in front of a sellout crowd 16,395 fans at the Delta Center on Saturday night. A late comeback came up short but the Blaze still maintain tied for the Western Division lead with a 2-4 record.
"On paper, it's a game of turnovers. Three fumbles lost and two interceptions, you don't win many games in this league, or any league," Blaze head coach/general manager DANNY WHITE said. "The real root of the problem is up front. We are not protecting the quarterback and we are not getting pressure on their quarterback."
The Blaze started the fourth quarter down 27 points, but cut the lead down to eight with less than a minute in the game. The onside kick attempt was unsuccessful and denied the Blaze their first home win at the Delta Center.
"I saw positive things even though we lost the game," said OS SIAHA BURLEY, who finished with four touchdown receptions. "We had five turnovers and we were still in the game. That shows a lot for our character."
QB JOE GERMAINE finished 28-of-43 passing with 367 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions. WR/DB ORSHAWANTE BRYANT led the receiving corps with nine catches for 115 yards. DS THAL WOODS recorded two onside kick recoveries for the second consecutive game.
"We want to win here very much. We really appreciate our fans coming out to support us, more than anything," Germaine said about the sellout crowd. "We want to win at home for these guys. We want to feel that we have the best home field in the league."
San Jose swept the Player of the Game honors. QB MARK GRIEB was named Offensive Player of the Game going 25-of-34 passing with 295 yards and eight TDs. DS CLEVAN THOMAS received ADT Defensive honors with recording both an interception and a fumble recovery. WR/LB JAMES ROE took home Ironman of the Game recognition with 12 catches for 115 yards and four touchdowns.
The Blaze are back at the Delta Center to face the Nashville Kats on Friday, March 10 at 7 p.m.
