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BLAZE OFF TO BEST START IN FRANCHISE HISTORY WITH WIN OVER MUSTANGS

Last Updated: April 28, 2012 11:16 PM

Utah Retains First Place in Division After Capturing Third-Straight Win

MILWAUKEE – The Utah Blaze is off to its best start in franchise history, advancing to 5-2 after earning a 61-58 victory over the Milwaukee Mustangs on Saturday night in front of a Bradley Center crowd of 6,689. The win marks Utah’s third straight, and keeps the team in possession of first place in the West Division of the Arena Football League’s National Conference.

The teams battled back and forth throughout much of the night before QB Gino Guidugli found Rookie WR Jared Jenkins on a 14-yard touchdown toss to give Milwaukee a 58-55 lead with 28 seconds remaining in the game. On the ensuing possession, Utah drove to the opponent’s three-yard line before an unlikely hero emerged with the game-winning score.

Offensive Coordinator Matthew Sauk searched the depths of his playbook to find a play the Mustangs surely wouldn’t be expecting. With just six seconds remaining on the clock, QB Tommy Grady dropped back and scanned the field before dumping the ball off to 315-pound blocking FB Alex Michael. Michael secured the football and trotted into the end zone untouched for the game-winning touchdown.

QB Tommy Grady put forth a spectacular performance, as he threw for 374 yards and eight touchdowns with no interceptions while completing over 65 percent of his attempts. He added another score on the ground via a quarterback sneak. WR Aaron Lesue caught 12 passes for 145 yards and two touchdowns, continuing his steak of having multiple touchdown receptions in every game this season. Veteran WR Maurice Bryant contributed two touchdown receptions in his first game wearing a Blaze uniform, as did Alvance Robinson.

For the Mustangs, Gino Guidugli completed 20-of-28 passes for 280 yards and seven touchdowns. His favorite target of the night was WR Marcus Everett, who snared five passes for 67 yards and four touchdowns. Guidugli also found Jared Jenkins for two touchdowns and AJ Kegg for another score.

Riddell Defensive Player of the Game

Utah DB David Hyland

Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game

Milwaukee WR Marcus Everett

JLS Ironman of the Game

Milwaukee WR/LB Marcus Everett

AFL Playmaker of the Game

Utah WR Aaron Lesue

Cutters Catch of the Game

Milwaukee WR Marcus Everett (Second-quarter TD catch over the wall)

Spalding Highlight of the Game

Milwaukee DB Kelvin Rodgers (Opening kickoff return for TD)

National Guard MVP of the Game

Milwaukee WR Marcus Everett

ABOUT THE BLAZE

The Utah Blaze (5-2) is in first place in the West Division of the Arena Football League’s National Conference. The team returns to Tim Dahle Field at EnergySolutions Arena on Friday, May 4th to face the division-rival Spokane Shock. Tickets are still available for purchase by calling 1-888-99BLAZE, or online at www.utblaze.com. Follow the Utah Blaze on Facebook (facebook.com/utahblaze) and Twitter (@utblaze) for all the latest news and updates.

—BLAZE—