From Deseret News archives:
Utah Blaze: Even 0-9, Blaze kept focus on playoffs
Now, they are.
Earning the right to host an AFL playoff game has been the team goal all season. Even with the atrocious start, the thought was still there was enough time to turn things around and reach that goal. A three-game winning streak and four-out-of-five gave the Blaze a realistic shot at realizing that goal coming into Monday night's game against the Los Angeles Avengers. With the Blaze's 65-56 win, that dream is still alive.
"Just a well-played game against a tough team," said coach Danny White. "The difference was our receivers making plays."
There were several times it appeared the dream was going to be dashed. An L.A. field goal followed by an onside kick and touchdown late in the first half gave the Avengers a 30-28 lead at the break. When Joe Germaine threw an interception that was returned for a score on the Blaze's second offensive play of the second half, things looked bleak.
When they fell behind 50-45, Huey Whittaker answered as he caught the third of his touchdowns on the night. But the biggest play that showed the difference from the opening nine weeks to the present was a fourth down and 15-yards to go play. The Avengers LaSahun Ward broke free down the middle and caught the ball at the Blaze 15. The Utah defenders did not give up and eventually stripped Ward of the ball at the one-yard line where Damon Mason returned it back to the 23.
The Blaze forged ahead 58-50 when JJ McKelvey caught a 27-yard touchdown on the next play. The game was iced when Utah's Kelvin Morris recovered a fumble and returned it 14 yards for a score.
"The defense remembered in the middle of the fourth what it was like to be 0-9," added White.
Every player on the team stepped up when it was needed most. Whether it was quarterback Joe Germaine staying cool under pressure and bouncing back from the interception to start the third quarter, or all of the receivers coming up with big-time grabs, to the defense having some key stops down the stretch, the Blaze made the plays that are necessary to have a team not only make the playoffs, but possibly make some noise once there.
E-mail: mblack@desnews.com
Comments
- Could speed give the Utes trouble? 8:52 p.m.
- Cleveland succeeding as Fresno's fixer 8:50 p.m.
- Sentence in farm raid delayed 8:41 p.m.
- Look, Tiger, we need you to man up 8:23 p.m.
- Shaun White nearly perfect in halfpipe 8:18 p.m.
- Woods to take leave from golf 8:12 p.m.
- SL Co. to consider gay protections 7:38 p.m.
- High school football: All-region teams 6:35 p.m.
- Aunt shouldn't enable drug habit 6:30 p.m.
- Dr. explains Mitchell review change 6:12 p.m.
- Letters: Global warming a lie
276 - TCU to play Boise in Fiesta Bowl
207 - BYU football: Bronco weighs in on Hall
195 - Palin signs books, chats with fans
169 - Utah/BYU rivalry can be more civil
151 - Cougars going back to Vegas
150 - Andersen apologizes for Jordan hoax
143 - Nude bathers cited for lewdness
137 - Max Hall wants to look ahead
130 - Jazz fall apart late at L.A.
110
Jacoby Walker, a quarterback from Westfield High School in Houston, has...
Utah State signed three players a little while back and we've got some...
@Lew Jeppson 1:10 p.m.: "In the context of the times it was the John Birch...
What Tiger has done is truly tragic for him and especially for his wife and...
The only people in favor of this horrible health care bill are those who...
Gee, another journalist who doesn't "get" Sarah Palin. Really? Sounds like...
I've never seen a sharper looking uniform than the old royal blue's. The...
Sterling Nesbit. Best. Scientist. Name. Ever. "At that time, the part of...
This is typical of another BCS mess. Athletes who transfer to another school...
Not preassigned? That stinks. this time my husband will not be going with me...
best of luck tiger, youv'e dug a deep hole but if you put the same attention...
In college sports, there are currently a few distinct blues: Navy,...



You can be the first to comment on this story.