"Bam Bam" is back with the Blaze

Friday November 2, 2012

 Stallings Returns to Utah for Two More Seasons

SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Blaze will have its all-time leading rusher back on offense for at least two more years, as the team announced today that FB Ben Stallings has agreed to a contract that will keep him with the franchise through the 2014 season.

“Ben brings an old school, smash mouth mentality to the team,” said Head Coach Ron James. “He has a blue collar work ethic and gives maximum effort every day in practice, both on offense and special teams. Our offense benefits from Ben’s ability to run and block at a high level and I’m excited to see what he can accomplish in his third season.”

“I’m glad to be back with this great organization,” said Stallings. “Over the past two years, we’ve laid the foundation to win a championship. Although we fell just short of accomplishing that goal last year, it’s in the past and it’s time to take it to another level in 2013.”

Now in his third season with the Blaze, Stallings (5-11, 265, Delta State) owns nearly every rushing record in franchise history. In his first two seasons with Utah, he set all-time career marks for rushing yards (337), touchdowns (23) and attempts (92).

In addition to his duties as a blocking back, Stallings carried the ball 43 times for the Blaze in 2012. The bruising fullback gained 129 yards with seven scores on the ground while adding 38 yards on three receptions. Stallings rewrote the team’s record books in 2011, setting new single-season rushing marks for yards (208) and touchdowns (16) in his first season with Utah.

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The Utah Blaze is in its seventh season in the Arena Football League as Salt Lake City’s most exciting and innovative professional sports franchise! 2012 AFL MVP QB Tommy Grady returns to the turf to lead the charge towards an AFL Championship title in 2013! Reserve your 2013 season tickets by calling 1-888-99BLAZE! Follow the Utah Blaze on Facebook (facebook.com/utahblaze) and Twitter (@utblaze) for all the latest news and updates!