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SALT LAKE CITY - The Utah Blaze (2-1) sent shockwaves throughout the Arena Football League on Saturday night, as the team upset the top-ranked San Jose SaberCats in front of a crowd of 8,128 at EnergySolutions Arena. The victory puts Utah in the driver's seat in the West Division and at the same time, sends a clear message that the Blaze is serious contenders.
"The win is big anytime you beat San Jose," said President & Head Coach Ron James. "They're a quality program, a great organization and a division opponent, so it means a lot. Hopefully that can propel us into next week with some confidence as we prepare for New Orleans."
Utah struck first with a six-yard touchdown pass from QB Tommy Grady to WR Alvance Robinson, but San Jose answered with a short scoring pass from QB Mark Grieb to WR Ben Nelson. The teams exchanged scores again to end the first quarter in a 13-13 tie, as Grady rushed into the end zone from a yard out on a quarterback sneak and Grieb hooked up with WR Samora Goodson on a 48-yard touchdown pass.
In the second frame, WR Ernie Pierce took a handoff and produced a highlight-reel run, as he slipped past a San Jose defender and raced into the end zone for the first rushing touchdown of his career. Utah then increased its lead off a 13-yard scoring connection between Grady and WR Aaron Lesue.
The SaberCats answered with a one-yard touchdown run by WR Huey Whitaker, but Grady and Lesue hooked up for their second touchdown of the night to maintain a two-score lead. San Jose got the final word in to end the half, as Grieb found Nelson for an 11-yard touchdown as time expired to give Utah a 34-26 advantage heading into the locker room.
San Jose opened the third quarter with a 27-yard touchdown pass from Grieb to Nelson, but the Blaze responded with a 14-yard scoring toss from Grady to Lesue. The SaberCats took their first lead of the night with back-to-back scores, as Grieb connected with Whitaker on a 34-yard touchdown pass before DL Gabe Nyenhuis took an interception nine yards to the end zone for a 46-41 advantage.
Alvance Robinson hauled in a five-yard touchdown pass from Grady to start the fouth quarter before San Jose regained the lead off a one-yard scoring run by FB Tommy Taggart. Lesue caught his fourth and final touchdown pass of the game in with 45 seconds left on the clock, but Taggart found the end zone again just nine seconds later to give the SaberCats a 59-53 lead. With just 10 seconds remaining in the game, Robinson juggled a pass in the corner of the end zone before coming down with the reception in dramatic fashion to give Utah a 60-59 lead. San Jose lined up for a field goal as time expired, but a missed attempt gave the Blaze the victory.
Tommy Grady finished the night completing 33-of-51 attempts for 339 yards with seven touchdowns and just one interception. Aaron Lesue continued to be his favorite target, as he caught a game-high 15 passes for 125 yards and four touchdowns. Alvance Robinson contributed 165 yards and three scores on 12 receptions, while Ernie Pierce caught six balls for 49 yards and gained three yards with a touchdown on his only carry.
DB Carlton Brown produced 6.5 tackles with one tackle for loss, one interception and one pass breakup. All-Arena defensive linemen Caesar Rayford and Mike Lewis combined for Utah's only sack, as Lewis also snared one interception.
Mark Grieb completed 22-of-29 passes for San Jose, gaining 246 yards with five touchdowns. Ben Nelson managed six receptions for 70 yards and three scores, as Samora Goodson and Huey Whitaker each contributed touchdown catches. Tommy Taggart scored twice on the ground while producing eight yards. Defensively, DB Vince Hill paced the SaberCats with 13.0 tackles.
Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game
Blaze WR Aaron Lesue
Riddell Defensive Player of the Game
SaberCats DL Gabe Nyenhuis
Cutters Catch of the Game
SaberCats WR Huey Whitaker - 34-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter
Spalding Highlight of the Game
Blaze WR Alvance Robinson - Game-winning nine-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter
National Guard MVP
Blaze QB Tommy Grady
