Blaze Still On Record Pace
Josh Fisher
Friday April 27, 2007
The Utah Blaze is now halfway through year number two and they are scoring at a record pace. Through eight games the Blaze have scored 542 points and gained 2,865 yards. Both are a record pace.
At their current rate the Blaze would score 1,084 points in 2007. That is 118 more than the current record of 966. To break the record they would have to score an average of 53 points per game over the final eight games. That is 15 points less than they are averaging now.
The team is also on pace for 5,730 total yards. That would break the record of 5,151 by almost 600 yards. Currently the Blaze is averaging a league best 358 yards per contest. To break the record they would have to average 286 per game.
They are also on pace to break the records for total touchdowns, total first downs, and first downs passing. If Utah continues at its current rate they will score 156 touchdowns and convert 366 first downs, including 300 passing. The record for touchdowns is 361. The first down records are 366 total and 279 passing.
Quarterback Joe Germaine is having one of the best seasons in league history. Germaine is averaging 347 yards per game and is on pace for 5,558 yards. That would destroy the record of 4,841. He would have to average just 256 yards a game to break the record.
Germaine could also break the record for touchdown passes. Currently Germaine is slated to complete 120 passes for touchdowns. That would pass the record of 105 set last season by Clint Dolezel of Dallas.
Receiver Siaha Burley could easily set two records of his own. At his current rate, Burley should haul in 167 passes for 2,346 yards. Both would set league records, which is quite impressive since he missed a game earlier this season.
Kicker Steve Videtich is on a record pace as well. Videtich is 63-of-73 on his PAT attempts. At that rate he would finish 126-of-146. The 126 makes and the 146 attempts would both be records.
The records are not all that great. Defensively the Blaze has allowed 501 points and 2,416 total yards. At that rate they will allow 1,002 points, 44 more than the record of 958. They are on pace to just miss the record of 5,046 yards allowed, but it is within reach.
The schedule does get a little tougher in the second half so things should slow down some. The team is also in a tight division race and a crowded playoff chase. Those factors could also help slow the offense.
Regardless of whether or nor they break all of these records, they are a fun team to watch.
