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CHICAGO - The Utah Blaze (6-9) came into Saturday's game looking to clinch a playoff berth, but ended up leaving with an 84-48 loss to the Chicago Rush at the Allstate Arena.
"We were beat up front, plain and simple," said Blaze head coach-general manager DANNY WHITE. "We have our work cut out for us if we want to continue to play after next week."
Chicago (6-9) opened the scoring when QB MATT D'ORAZIO connected on an 24-yard scoring strike to OS BOBBY SIPPIO for a 7-0 lead. The Blaze's first drive ended with an incomplete pass on 4th-and-five.
The Rush then followed with a scoring drive of 39 yards to take a 14-0 lead when D'Orazio found Sippio on a 26-yard touchdown pass. The Blaze offense continued to struggle on the second drive, a fumbled snap by QB ANDY KELLY resulted in a 46-yard fumble return by WR/DB DEJUAN ALFONZO to give the Rush a 21-0 to end the first quarter.
The second quarter began with a Rush interception. Kelly's pass in the front of the end zone was tipped by OL/DL JOHN SIKORA into the waiting arms of DS MARVIN TAYLOR to stop the Blaze scoring drive. The Rush capitalized when D'Orazio found Sippio for the third time on a 40-yard connection to give Chicago a 28-0 lead.
Kelly threw his second interception when DS JEREMY UNERTL stepped in front of OS SIAHA BURLEY in the end zone to stop the Blaze on the first four drives.
D'Orazio then found WR/LB ETU MOLDEN on an 8-yard pass to give the Rush a 35-0 lead with 5:30 remaining in the first half.
Kelly finally got the Blaze on the board when he hit Burley on a 24-yard touchdown to make it 35-7 with 3:18 remaining in the first half. But, D'Orazio then connected on his fifth touchdown when he found Alfonzo on a 10-yard strike to give the Rush a 42-13.
WR/LB JUSTIN SKAGGS punched in a 1-yard rushing touchdown, but the extra point was blocked and returned WR/DB DENNISON ROBINSON for two points and gave the Rush a 44-13 lead. The Rush ended the first half with a 28-yard field goal by DAN FRANTZ, as the Blaze trialed 47-13 at the intermission.
The second half started with much of the same as Kelly was sacked for a safety and Sippio added another touchdown on the ensuing possession to make the score 56-13.
Chicago went on to outscore Utah, 37-35 in the second half to cruise to the American Conference victory.
The second half marked the return of QB JOE GERMAINE under center. It was Germaine's first game action since he broke the middle finger on his throwing hand in a victory against Nashville in Week 7.
Kelly finished completing 13-of-21 passes for 185 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Germaine finished completing 12-of-19 passes for 150 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions. Burley led all Blaze receivers with 11 receptions for 138 yards and three touchdowns.
Sippio, who was named Offensive Player of the Game, finished with 10 receptions for 217 yards and six touchdowns. Chicago OL/DL CHARLIE COOK, who was named ADT Defensive Player of the Game, finished with 2.0 total tackles, a forced fumble that he returned for a touchdown. Chicago's Alfonzo earned Ironman of the Game honors by recording a receiving touchdown, 3.5 total tackles and a 46-yard fumble return for a touchdown.
The Blaze return to the Delta Center on next Friday, May 12 for the final game of the regular season against the Kansas City Brigade. Tickets for the game are available at www.utahblaze.com, the Delta Center box office, by calling Ticketmaster at (801) 325-SEAT or at all Ticketmaster outlets.
--BLAZE--
