Utah Blaze: 0-6 Blaze play well, lose

PHILADELPHIA — It certainly was an improvement from the previous week for the Utah Blaze, but it still wasn't quite enough.

Saturday night's Arena Football League game, like the previous five games this season for the Blaze, ended with a loss.

The Philadelphia Soul downed the Blaze at the Wachovia Spectrum 64-56 to improve to an AFL-best 6-0 on the season.

Utah, meanwhile, fell to a league-worst 0-6.

But it wasn't the mismatch that one might have expected considering the differences in their records entering the game. In fact, if it weren't for a stretch midway through the first half where the Soul scored 23 consecutive points, the Blaze might have just pulled off the upset.

The Blaze, coming off a 21-point home loss to the Georgia Force last week, was hardly embarrassed this time. They gave the AFL's best team as close a game as they have had this season.

"Compared to last week, this was a night-and-day difference in terms of energy," said Blaze coach Danny White. "I am very pleased with the effort put forth tonight. If we keep playing like this, we will win games this year."

Utah pulled to within one point in the second half before a costly turnover returned the momentum to Philadelphia.

The Soul led just 36-35 in the third quarter after Utah scored a touchdown on a Joe Germaine to Huey Whittaker connection. Philadelphia responded with a Matt D'Orazio TD pass of its own to take a 43-35 advantage.

But Utah's J'Sharlon Jones fumbled the football on the ensuing kickoff. The ball was recovered by the Soul's Mike Brown, who returned it for a touchdown. The extra point gave the Soul a 50-35 lead with 6:48 remaining in the third quarter.

Utah could get no closer than eight points down the remainder of the game.

D'Orazio had another impressive game for the Soul, completing 28 of 37 passes for 300 yards and six touchdowns with no interceptions. His favorite receiver was once again Chris Jackson, who had 13 catches for 138 yards and five scores.

Utah's defense held the Soul just one time on the night. Vaka Manupuna sacked D'Orazio and forced a fumble that was recovered by Dwayne Missouri in the first quarter. Philadelphia scored every other time its offense touched the ball until running out the clock to finish the game.