2006 season in review

Utah's inaugural season in the Arena Football League was significant in many ways. Not only did the Blaze make an impact with notable wins and electrifying performances, the team led the league in attendance and answered any questions about Salt Lake City's ability to support the sport.

From the first game, the Blaze showed they were not your ordinary expansion team. Led by coach Danny White, Utah qualified for the AFL playoffs as an expansion team before falling to their instant rival Arizona Rattlers.

White, the former Rattlers coach, brought several former Arizona players — including quarterback Joe Germaine, offensive specialist Siaha Burley, receiver/linebacker Tom Pace and others — to Delta Field, where the Blaze had some of the most memorable games of the 2006 AFL season.

Here's a look back at the Blaze's first season:

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WEEK 1 — Utah 48, San Jose 35

Quarterback Joe Germaine gave the Blaze a win in their first-ever game as he passed for five touchdowns in a debut win over what was expected to be one of the toughest teams in the league.

Kicker Steve Videtich showed why White worked hard to acquire him as he became the AFL's all-time leading scorer in the game when his point after attempt with 1:48 in the second quarter was true.

Siaha Burley scored the first touchdown in team history on a 4-yard pass from Germaine in the first quarter, and the Blaze scored 24 unanswered points to help build a 31-14 halftime lead.

Record: 1-0

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WEEK 2 — Dallas 56, Utah 53

The first AFL game in the state of Utah was a thrilling event but ultimately a bittersweet moment as the Blaze fell to the high-powered Desperados.

Germaine threw for five more touchdowns, including one with 1:35 left in the game, but Dallas was able to run the clock out without allowing the Blaze to get a shot at a come-from-behind win in their home debut.

Record: 1-1

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WEEK 3 — New York 84, Utah 81