UTAH BLAZE PRACTICE SCHEDULE, May 18th -23rd

June 7th, 2010

The Blaze will practice all week at the E Center. Media is welcome at all practices. Practices are open to the public. This week’s game versus the Chicago Rush will be broadcasted live on 1280 The Zone with Hans Olsen and Kyle Gunther. It can also be viewed on CW30 and online at www.niftytv.com/afl

*** ALL PRACTICE TIMES AND LOCATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. PRACTICES ARE OPEN TO THE MEDIA. IF MEDIA MEMBERS ARE PLANNING TO ATTEND PRACTICE PLEASE CONFIRM WITH DANA ROMNEY AT 801.891.9830 or danar@utblaze.com ***

MONDAY, JUNE 7

Practice
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
E Center

TUESDAY, JUNE 8

Practice
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
E Center

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9

Practice
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
E Center

THURSDAY, JUNE 10

Practice
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
E Center

FRIDAY, JUNE 11

Walk Thru
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
E Center

SATURDAY, JUNE 12

Chicago Rush @ Utah Blaze
Kickoff 7 p.m. (MT)
BROADCAST LIVE on 1280 THE ZONE & CW30

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BLAZE DEFEATED BY GLADIATORS ON THE ROAD, 75-29

June 7th, 2010

-Still looking to pick up second win of the season-

CLEVELAND –The Utah Blaze (2-6) suffered another devastating road loss at the hands of the Cleveland Gladiators (4-5) on Friday night in front of 7,751 fans at Quicken Loans Arena.
“We hurt ourselves badly with turnovers and gave them too many opportunities,” said Blaze Head Coach Ron James. “The team is still learning the new system, but we are looking forward to pulling it together next week at home.”

Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game honors went to WR Ben Nelson (6-2, 190, St. Cloud State) after recording 10 catches for 114 yards and two touchdowns. WR/DB Brandon Hampton earned JLS Ironman of the Game after returning 9 kicks for 175 yards in addition to tallying 3.0 total tackles and one interception. Riddell Defensive Player of the Game honors went to DL Tim Cheatwood for tallying 2.0 total tackles, three fumble recoveries, one sack and one forced fumble.

The Blaze put up the first score of the evening after an interception by DB Brandon Hampton (5-9, 190, California) was returned for a touchdown, putting the Blaze on top 6-0. Cleveland responded with a touchdown run by FB Russell Monk (6-3, 270, St. Ambrose). The teams remained tied 6-6 at the end of the first quarter.

Each team tallied a score early in the second quarter before the Gladiators pulled ahead after QB Michael Affleck (6-3, 230, Utah State) was sacked. The Gladiators outscored the Blaze after a touchdown from QB John Dutton (6-4, 240, Nevada) to WR Brent Holmes (5-11, 170, Texas A&M—Kingsville) and two successful field goal attempts by K Matt Denny (6-0, 190, Carthage).
The teams entered the locker room at halftime with the Gladiators on top, 26-13.

Cleveland started out the scoring in the second half of play with a Dutton touchdown pass to WR Jermaine Lewis (6-4, 230, Western Michigan). On Utah’s first possession in the third quarter, Affleck’s pass was intercepted, leading to a change in quarterback on their next possession. QB Mark Thorson (6-6, 240, Western Oregon) tallied his first touchdown in the AFL with a pass to FB/LB Damian Walker (6-3, 270, Howard).

The Blaze attempted an onside kick following their touchdown, yet were penalized for being off sides. Since Utah recovered the kick, the officials called for a re-kick, leading to a Cleveland possession. On Cleveland’s following possession, Blaze DB Antonio Malone (6-1, 195 Toledo) returned a fumble recovery for a touchdown, bringing the score to 54-27.

Cleveland dominated the final quarter of play after two snaps were fumbled and returned for touchdowns by Cheatwood and DL Anthony Hoke (6-1, 245, Cincinnati). The Gladiators outscored the Blaze 14-7, clinching their victory.

Affleck finished the night 12-of-19 passing for 99 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Thorson completed 8-of-14 passing for 99 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

Malone led the defense with 9.0 total tackles, one fumble recovery that was returned for a touchdown and one interception.

Cutters Catch of the Game: WR Jermaine Lewis TD catch from QB Kevin McCabe
Nifty Playmaker of the Game: DL Tim Cheatwood
Spalding Highlight of the Game: Kevin McCabe 1st Career TD pass to WR Jermaine Lewis

The Blaze return home to Maakoa Field at the E Center for a two-game home stint next week. The Chicago Rush will be coming to town on Saturday, June 12th for their second match-up of the season. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. (MT). The following week, the Blaze will take on the Tampa Bay Storm on Saturday, June 19 with kickoff at 7 p.m. (MT). Single-game tickets can be purchased through Ticket Master. Group and season tickets are also available by calling 888-99BLAZE or information can be found at the Utah Blaze homepage.

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Utah Blaze Team Trivia

June 4th, 2010

Utah Football kickoffWe’re almost at the halfway point in the season, so it’s time to test out how well you know your UTAH BLAZE! Here are five questions, post your answers in the comments section. We’ll post all the answers next week and also give a shout out to the first three people that get all the answers right.

Question 1: Who is the tallest player on the Utah Blaze team?

Question 2: Who weighs the least on the Utah Blaze team?

Question 3: Which player played for the Kentucky Wildcats in college?

Question 4: Who is the youngest player on the team?

Question 5: Which player has played Arena Football the longest?

Once again, post your answers in the comments section. Answers will be available next week.

For more information about the Utah Blaze check out our homepage.

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BLAZE SIGN FORMER AF2 QUARTERBACK

June 3rd, 2010

SALT LAKE CITY –The Utah Blaze announced the signing of QB Mark Thorson (6-6, 245, Western Oregon. Terms of the contract were not disclosed due to team policy.

Thorson spent the season with the 2008 Boise Burn of the AF2 where he appeared in four games going 17-31 passing for 165 yards, four touchdowns and one interception.

Thorson played collegiately for the Western Oregon Wolves. He spent his final three years as the starter and appeared in games as a freshman. In 2007, he completed 195-of-327 passing for 24 touchdowns and 2,316 yards. In 2006, he completed 179-of-307 passing for a total of 2,342 yards and 20 touchdowns. In 2005, he was 186-of-339 passing, throwing for 1,916 yards and 16 touchdowns. As a freshman in 2004, Thorson appeared in 3 games and was 8-of-14 passing.

Blaze QB Brett Elliott is expected to by rehabbed from a hand injury for the game on June 12th versus the Chicago Rush pending final examinations.

The Blaze hit the road this week to take on the Cleveland Gladiators on Friday, June 4, with kickoff at 6:30 p.m. (MT). The game will be broadcast live on Utah’s flagship station, 1280 The Zone. The game can also be viewed online through NiftyTV. The following week, the Blaze will return home to Single-game tickets can be purchased through Ticket Master. Group and season tickets are also available by calling 888-99BLAZE or information can be found at the Utah Blaze Homepage.

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UTAH BLAZE HIRE NEW COACHING STAFF

June 1st, 2010

-Former Blaze coach Ron James leads the staff-

SALT LAKE CITY –The Utah Blaze announced today the replacement of the former Blaze coaching staff with new coaches, who will be lead by new Head Coach Ron James. James and his staff will replace former Head Coach Ernesto Purnsley, for the remainder of the season.

James will fulfill the roles of Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator, while Jermaine Younger and Jeff Hoffman will serve OL/DL Coach and Defensive Coordinator, respectively.

On Wednesday, July 9, 2008, James was promoted to the head coaching position of the Blaze, replacing Danny White. Due to the hiatus of the AFL, James never officially logged a game as the head coach of the Blaze. Prior to his promotion, James completed his second season with the Blaze as the Defensive Coordinator and Director of Player Personnel and 11th season in the Arena Football League.
James was the Head Coach of the Las Vegas Gladiators (now Cleveland Gladiators) for two seasons (2005, 2006). In 2005, his team led the AFL in total offense and team defense, and set 14 new offensive and defensive team records. Prior to being named head coach of Las Vegas, James was the assistant head coach/OL/DL/Special Teams coach of the Gladiators for three seasons. Before joining the Gladiators, he was the line coach for the Houston ThunderBears and Director of Player Personnel from 1999-2001. He also was an assistant coach with the Albany Firebirds from 1990-91.

Younger joins the Blaze after serving as the OL/DL Line Coach and Special Teams Coordinator for the Albany Conquest of the af2 in 2008. He is also an 8-year AFL veteran as FB/LB (New Jersey, New England, Toronto, Las Vegas, Georgia and Utah).

Hoffman most recently served as the northwest regional scout for the Edmonton Eskimos of the CFL. He also was the Head Coach of the Albany Conquest of the af2 in 2008. Hoffman began his career in 1997 with the New Jersey Red Dogs of the AFL, where he spent time as the Special Teams Coach, Director of Player Personnel and Football Operations. Hoffman has also served as a
Player Personnel Assistant (N.Y. Giants, 2001), Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator (St. Peters College, 2003), Special Teams Coach (Columbus Destroyers, 2005), Assistant Head Coach and Director of Football Operations (Albany Conquest, 2007).

The Blaze will be holding a press conference this evening, Tuesday, June 1, at the Murray Bajio from 6-7 p.m. New Blaze head coach Ron James and general manager Steve Videtich will be available for interviews. The address is 4361 South State Street, Murray, UT. The Blaze Coach’s Show with 1280 The Zone will take place from 7-8 p.m. (MT).

The Blaze hit the road this week to take on the Cleveland Gladiators on Friday, June 4, with kickoff at 6:30 p.m. (MT). The game will be broadcast live on Utah’s flagship station, 1280 The Zone. The game can also be viewed online through NiftyTV. The following week, the Blaze will return home to Single-game tickets can be purchased through Ticket Master. Group and season tickets are also available by calling 888-99BLAZE or information can be found at the Utah Blaze homepage.

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