Blaze return OL Neal Tivis

Wednesday November 21, 2012

 Starting Offensive Lineman Agrees to New Deal

SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Blaze have agreed to terms on a new contract with offensive lineman Neal Tivis, the franchise announced on Tuesday. Tivis returns to the Blaze after starting the final six games for the team in 2012.

“Neal has proven he has the ability of a starter in this League,” said Head Coach Ron James. “He’s an athletic player with a powerful punch for an offensive lineman. I was really impressed by the way Neal came in and picked up the game so quickly last season. He’s still young and has the potential to be even better in 2013.”

Tivis (6-5, 310, Abilene Christian) helped solidify the Utah Blaze offensive line during the team’s playoff run in 2012. Despite joining the team late in the season, he started the final six games at tight end, including both postseason contests.

“I am very grateful to be back with the Blaze,” Tivis stated. “I joined the team a little over halfway through the 2012 season and was taken aback by how easy it was to mesh with my teammates. The coaching staff and the front office were great, and getting to know our awesome owners helped me feel more at home with the team. I’m excited to come back to Salt Lake with a little experience under my belt and play for a championship.”

A native of Sanger, Texas, Tivis (6-5, 310, Abilene Christian) started every game at offensive tackle during his final two seasons at Abilene Christian Universiy, twice earning All-Lone Star Conference accolades. As a senior in 2011, he blocked for Division II’s third-ranked passing attack (348.91 ypg) while ACU allowed the seventh-lowest average of sacks per game in the nation.

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