Utah Blaze hope to cut down on miscues

DES MOINES, Iowa — Utah hits the road for the second consecutive week after dropping the opening game in San Antonio.

The Blaze will look to avenge last season's two-point loss to the Iowa Barnstormers on Saturday at 6:05 p.m. at Wells Fargo Arena.

The Barnstormers, donning perhaps the most unique jerseys in professional sports — goggles on the helmet, wings on the shoulders and propellers on the pants — topped Spokane, 69-63, in overtime in an AFL Monday night game.

Iowa is led by former University of Wyoming quarterback J.J. Raterink, who completed 68 percent of his attempts through the air for 284 yards and seven TDs.

Raterink's main target is wideout Jesse Schmidt. The 6-foot-3 do-it-all receiver totaled 12 catches for 157 yards and four scores against Spokane. In 2011, he crushed every Iowa receiving record — hauling in 168 catches for 2,171 yards and a league-leading 55 touchdowns.

The Blaze, after an atypical offensive performance with only 48 points and 16 penalties, need to cut down on miscues and mental mistakes to avoid slipping into a two-game hole.

Blaze on the air

Utah (0-1) at Iowa (1-0)

Today, 6 p.m.

Des Moines, Iowa

Radio: 1280 AMBlaze on the air

Utah (0-1) at Iowa (1-0)

Today, 6 p.m.

Des Moines, Iowa

TV: none

Radio: 1280 AM

Email:tphibbs@desnews.com