Game Preview: Utah Blaze at Iowa Barnstormers

Wednesday July 17, 2013

 Utah Battles Barnstormers in “Iowa Bacon Bowl”

SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Blaze (5-11) travel to play the Iowa Barnstormers (6-10) on Saturday, July 20 in a matchup that has been dubbed the “Iowa Bacon Bowl.” The Barnstormers have partnered with the Iowa Bacon Board in recognition of the state’s prominence in the pork industry. The winner of this week’s game will be presented with a unique “bacon-inspired” trophy.

The Utah Blaze versus Iowa Barnstormers can be heard exclusively on 97.5 FM The Zone with Scott Garrard providing play-by-play coverage. The game can also be streamed online through AFL Live by visiting http://blaze.arenafootball.com/allaccess/. Kickoff from Wells Fargo Arena is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. MT.

In their first meeting of the season, Utah upended the Barnstormers 43-34 in a Week 9 home victory on May 18. Each team will be looking to snap a losing streak this time around, as the Blaze have dropped their last four contests while the Barnstormers have taken losses in each of their last three outings. Pride will be on the line as both franchises have been eliminated from postseason contention.

Iowa’s top offensive threat is veteran wide receiver Marco Thomas, who ranks second in the AFL in receptions per game (9.29) as well as sixth in receiving yards per game (104.1). Thomas has registered 130 receptions for 1,457 yards with 28 touchdowns through 14 games. Thomas is joined in the receiving corps by 2012 AFL Wide Receiver of the Year Jesse Schmidt, who has contributed 65 catches for 654 yards with 18 scores in 11 games. Marcus Harris ranks second among Barnstormers receivers with 87 receptions for 1,146 yards and 19 touchdowns.

Barnstormers quarterback J.J. Raterink is an Arena Football veteran and has thrown for 3,805 yards with 74 touchdowns while completing 328-of-537 pass attempts (61.1%). Iowa ranks fourth in the AFL in turnover margin (+8). However, the Blaze defense will have an opportunity to cause turnovers this week, as Raterink has thrown 15 interceptions on the season, ranking as the third-highest mark in 2013.

Iowa employs the League’s fourth-ranked scoring defense, as the unit has allowed 48.4 points per game. The defensive line features a familiar face in defensive end Mike Lewis, who earned All-Arena honors as a member of the Blaze in 2012. Lewis currently ranks second in the AFL in both sacks (12.5) and tackles for loss (16.0).

Kickoff between the Utah Blaze (5-11) and Iowa Barnstormers (6-10) is set for 6:05 p.m. MT this Saturday, July 20.

ABOUT THE BLAZE
The Utah Blaze travel to take on the Iowa Barnstormers in Week 18 on Saturday, July 20. Kickoff from Wells Fargo Arena is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. MT. Follow us on Facebook (facebook.com/utahblaze), Twitter (@UTBLAZE) and Instagram (@UtahBlaze), or head to UTBlaze.com for all the latest news!