Blaze fall to Chicago 70-50

Sunday June 13, 2010

Utah’s losing streak extended to five

SALT LAKE CITY –The Utah Blaze (1-7) fell to the Chicago Rush (7-3) 70-50 on Saturday night in front of 4,892 fans at the Maverik Center.

“We are just careless with the ball right now and our turnovers are hurting us,” said Blaze Head Coach Ron James. “We have some work to do this week in order to get that win.”

Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game honors went to QB Russ Michna (6-2, 220, Western Illinois) for completing 16-of-19 passes for 217 yards and six touchdowns. FB Robert Boss (6-5, 296, Northern Michigan) earned JLS Ironman of the Game. Riddell Defensive Player of the Game honors went to DB Josh Ferguson (5-7, 180, UTEP) for tallying 4.0 total tackles, one interception and one pass breakup.

Utah opened the scoring for the evening with a one-yard carry by QB Mark Thorson (6-6, 240 Western Oregon). The Rush responded with a 12-yard touchdown pass by former University of Utah wide receiver Travis LaTendresse (6-1, 205, Utah). Each team tallied another score before the end of the quarter, 14-14.

Chicago dominated the second quarter of play, outscoring the Blaze, 42-20. The Rush jumped ahead after a successful onside kick resulting in a touchdown from Michna (6-2, 220, Western Illinois) to WR Sammie Parker (5-11, 180, Oregon). FB/LB Damian Walker (6-3, 270, Howard) tallied the only Blaze score of the quarter with a 5-yard carry.

The Blaze re-ignited briefly in the second half of play with touchdown that was recovered on the kickoff by WR/DB Aaron Lesue (5-9, 190, Utah State). However, it wasn’t enough to catch-up to the Rush. Michna later connected on two touchdown passes to LaTendresse and Parker. The teams entered the final quarter of play with the Rush on top, 56-30.

QB Taylor Tharp (6-2, 205, Boise State) tallied 20 points in the fourth quarter, but it wasn’t enough to hold off the Rush.

Thorson finished the night 12-of-20 passing for 142 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Tharp completed 7-of-16 passing for 83 yards and two touchdowns.

Hampton led the defense with 7.0 total tackles. He also returned seven kicks for 125 yards.

Cutters Catch of the Game:  WR Samie Parker’s 49-yard touchdown pass

Nifty Playmaker of the Game: WR Travis LaTendresse

The Blaze will take on the Tampa Bay Storm next Saturday, June 19 with kickoff at 7 p.m. (MT). Single-game tickets can be purchased through ticketmaster.com" target="_blank">www.ticketmaster.com.  Group and season tickets are also available by calling 888-99BLAZE or information can be found at www.utblaze.com.