Utah Blaze can't put out the Iron's fire

WEST VALLEY CITY — Somewhere Utah Blaze coach Ron James is scanning his Rolodex searching for the name of that psychologist from the 1984 Robert Redford film "The Natural."

After losing their eighth consecutive game — this time an 82-56 decision to the Milwaukee Iron at the Maverik Center — the Blaze are in desperate need of the cure for whatever disease it is they've got.

"We want to win, but we're not getting bounces and we're not making the bounces," Utah receiver Aaron Boone said. "We still believe we can win, but now we have a little hump that we need to get over. It's tough to get over that."

The Blaze showed plenty of life in the first half, posting 35 points and picking up 166 yards of offense as Brett Elliott threw four touchdown passes and rushed for another.

But defensively, the Blaze struggled.

Milwaukee's Chris Greisen completed 14 of 15 passes for 207 yards and five scores.

Throw in an interception thrown by Elliott and a fumble on a kickoff return by Brandon Hampton and the Blaze found themselves trailing the Iron 48-35 at the half.

Milwaukee, with the first possession of the second half, efficiently pounded the ball downfield and into the end zone, got a defensive stop and did it again to build a 62-35 lead.

"The end of the first half and the first two drives of the second half were what really hurt us," Boone said. "We can't make those mistakes anymore."

That 27-point margin was too much for Utah to overcome and the fourth quarter saw the Blaze struggling to maintain intensity as the score never got close enough for Utah to seriously threaten the Iron.

Utah scored only 21 points in the second half while giving up 34.

Utah's Aaron Boone had a solid night receiving with four touchdowns, but his effort wasn't enough to offset the seven-touchdown performance from Greisen.

NOTES: The Blaze wrap up their home schedule next week against Jacksonville. … Attendance was announced at 3,537. ... The Blaze announced season ticket renewals for the 2011 season are now being accepted.

e-mail: jeborn@desnews.com