San Jose’s Head Coach Darren Arbet talks about his approach going into this week’s divisional game, “Just be consistent with the ball and do what we do, take what the defense has given us. Defensively, we just got to keep putting our hands on receivers. If we’re off make the tackle, make them work for everything and get pressure on the quarterback.”

San Jose’s quarterback Russ Michna has a 68.9 completion percentage for pass attempts with 949 yards and 20 touchdowns. This smart and mobile quarterback has been very careful with the ball as he’s only had two interceptions in his four games with the team. Michna’s successful game performances come down to the diligent work he and his receivers put in at practice communicating about routes and game situations together along with their coaches. San Jose’s offensive line has done a great job at protecting week to week, allowing Michna to consistently connect with his talented receiving corps.

Michna talks about his experience in San Jose since arriving in week six, “This is a great group of guys, it really is. I’m having a blast so far. You know I keep on telling everyone, I’ve been really impressed with the maturity and professionalism of this organization and this group of guys and I’m really excited about where we’re going to be able to take it to.”

Coach Arbet couldn’t be more pleased with Michna’s impact on the team, “He’s a leader. He understands this offense, he understands the game and he’s getting better every week.”

Game to game the SaberCats have played at a high-level, executing well in every phase and coming out on top. The team’s bond and work-ethic seems to be what shapes them as they approach the half way mark of the season sitting tied for second in their division. Aside from the offense’s consistent performances week to week, the ‘Cats defense have proven that they can change a game’s outcome despite what type of talent they’re going up against.

Coach Arbet has been very happy with San Jose’s defensive performance, “They’ve been doing great. They’re improving every week, coming to work, working hard and they’re starting to really understand each other.  It’s showing in the games.”

San Jose’s defense has held their opponents to under 40 points in the past four games. The SaberCats have registered 20 sacks this season and 10.5 are a combined total of linebacker Francis Maka and defensive lineman Jason Stewart. The battle in the trenches will be interesting to watch as the ‘Cats defense will be going up against a Utah pass protection that has only given up seven sacks all year.

Defensive back JC Neal attributes the defense’s surge of success to every man on the team playing his part efficiently to help the defense perform as a unit. “We’re just buying in, you know everybody is doing their job, doing it the right way and we’re just working as a unit out there instead of a lot of the individual stuff. We just want to get better as a defense. We want to shut people down but we also want to be the best we can be out there,” said Neal.

Coach Arbet discusses his respect for the Blaze’s offense saying, “It’s a big game, reigning MVP of the league in Tommy Grady, Urrutia is having a great year and Lesue one of the best in the league. It’s going to be a tough football game and our guys know it and we know it.”

Neal points out what he’s seen on the Blaze’s offense after studying film, “They’ve got a lot of big receivers, you know 6’5”, 230-pounds or whatever and that’s the biggest part I’ve seen. Most teams don’t have all big receivers but they have a majority of big receivers.”

In a game set up for offenses to light up the score board, this game might just come down to these two dominant defense’s and their ability to make game changing stops. The Blaze’s defense has forced 19 turnovers in the past four games. Michna describes the defensive style of play as, “Physical and athletic.” Michna’s focus this week is to, “Be smart with the ball because they’re going to come up, they’re going to hit you, they’re going to be close most of the time and you know it’s mostly about us executing and making the right decision every single time.”

The SaberCats are looking forward to playing back at home in front of their fans at the HP Pavilion on Saturday at 7:30 PM P.T. Expect to see two talented and physical teams battle it out as every divisional game counts.

Neal describes how it feels to play at home in the ‘Cats Lair, “It’s a lot of energy in there and the fans are loud and crazy, they’re screaming in there the whole time. It’s fun to play at home.” 

Leanne is a freelance sports journalist residing in the San Francisco Bay Area as she finishes up her Mass Communication, Media Production B.A. at Cal State University, East Bay. This will be her second season as a correspondent covering the San Jose SaberCats.