Georgia Force improve to 2-3 with 70-49 win over Utah

Monday March 31, 2008

SALT LAKE CITY, UT – The Georgia Force improved their record to 2-3 on the season by defeating the Utah Blaze 70-49. The 70-point outburst marks a season-high, surpassing the previous high of 58 vs. Los Angeles in Week 3. The Force defense produced three defensive stops and one turnover in the contest. Force NT Ernest Allen sacked Blaze QB Joe Germaine in the fourth quarter for his 40th sack of his career. His 40 sacks rank him sixth all-time in AFL history and leaves him three shy of fifth place Sylvester Bembery (43.0). Force QB Chris Greisen threw a season-high eight touchdown passes in the victory on 21 of 32 passing for 248 yards and was named Offensive Player of the Game for his efforts. His favorite target on the evening was rookie WR Tiger Jones who hauled in nine catches for 131 yards with five touchdowns in his AFL debut.

Georgia’s offense and defense helped produce points in the opening quarter of action as the Force led the Blaze 14-7. The Force offense converted on two fourth downs on their opening possession and capped the drive off with a two-yard touchdown run by FB Matt Huebner. Georgia’s DB Stephen Cason forced a fumble on Utah’s next drive and returned it 15-yards for a touchdown to give the Force a 14-0 lead. The Blaze’s lone score in the quarter came on a nine-yard touchdown pass to WR Aaron Boone from Germaine.

Georgia led Utah 35-28 at the end of the first half. The 35 points in the first half were the most by the Force this season, surpassing the previous best of 28 (at Orlando, 3/22). The Force opened the second quarter with a touchdown pass from Greisen to WR Carl Morris in the back corner of the endzone. Georgia and Utah traded scores throughout the quarter with the Blaze scoring last on a nine-yard touch-pass to WR Huey Whittaker.

The Force defense pitched a shutout in the third quarter as they held the Blaze scoreless on their two possessions. Georgia’s offense capitalized on both stops as they outscored Utah 14-0 in the quarter, giving the Force a 49-28 lead going into the final quarter. Greisen connected with newly acquired Jones for both scores with one coming from eight yards out and the other one from 22 yards.

Georgia and Utah combined for 42 points in the fourth quarter, but the Blaze were unable to cut into the Force’s 21-point lead. Jones added two more scores in the quarter to bring his game tally to five in his AFL debut. Morris posted his second touchdown of the game on a seven-yard pass from Greisen early in the final quarter of action.

SCORE             1          2          3          4          TOTAL
GA                   14        21        14        21        70
UT                    7          21        0          21        49

PASSING
GA – Chris Greisen                  21-32-248-8-1
UT – Joe Germaine                  31-48-356-7-0

RECEIVING
GA – Tiger Jones                     9-131-5
UT – Aaron Boone                   14-170-2

RUSHING
GA – Matt Huebner                 3-10-1
UT – Rodney Filer                    3-11-0

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME: QB Chris Greisen, GA
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME: DB Stephen Cason, GA
IRONMAN OF THE GAME: WR Damien Groce, GA