Blaze fall to New Orleans , 63-49

Sunday July 7, 2013

 Turnovers & Miscues Prove Costly in Loss

SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Blaze (5-10) fell to the New Orleans VooDoo (5-10) in a 63-49 decision on Saturday night. Quarterback Jason Boltus threw for 288 yards and six scores in the game, but turnovers and miscues proved too much for Utah to overcome.

The teams traded scores to open the contest, as Quorey Payne registered an 11-yard scoring reception before AJ Jackson responded with a six-yard touchdown grab. New Orleans quarterback Chris Dixon capped off the ensuing drive with a three-yard touchdown on a designed quarterback run, but fullback Ben Stallings matched the score for the Blaze. Stallings pounded the ball into the end zone from a yard out to complete an eight-play, 39-yard series and tie the game at 14-14 early in the second quarter.

Utah’s defense dug its feet in and denied the VooDoo on the ensuing possession, as the drive resulted in a missed field goal attempt by kicker Kenny Spencer. The Blaze needed just one play to convert the turnover into points, as Boltus launched a 33-yard touchdown to DeJay Lester. New Orleans evened the score off a late touchdown reception by L.J. Castile, leaving the game tied 21-21 at halftime.

New Orleans opened the third quarter with two unanswered scores to gain a 35-21 advantage. Chris Dixon scored on a one-yard run and Chris Brown returned an interception 26 yards to the end zone for a another touchdown. The Blaze offense responded late in the third, as Chase Deadder dove over the goal line for a four-yard touchdown. The two teams traded big shots to close out the third, as Dixon tossed a 34-yard score to Larry Beavers and Boltus found Lester on a 44-yard touchdown.

The VooDoo built a 56-35 lead midway through the final quarter of action, as Quorey Payne hauled in two touchdown passes to start the fourth. Due to injuries, defensive back Maurice Leggett entered the game at wide receiver and snared a 19-yard touchdown pass from Boltus with 2:28 on the clock. Dixon rushed for his third touchdown of the night on the ensuing drive and Chase Deadder closed out the game with a four-yard scoring reception.

The Utah Blaze travel east in Week 17 to take on the Philadelphia Soul on Friday, July 12.

RUSSELL ATHLETIC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME
New Orleans VooDoo QB Chris Dixon

RIDDELL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME
Utah Blaze DB David Hyland

J. LEWIS SMALL PLAYMAKER OF THE GAME
Utah Blaze DB David Hyland (playing both sides of the ball)

CUTTERS CATCH OF THE GAME
One-handed touchdown reception by New Orleans VooDoo WR L.J. Castile
(0:05 in the 2nd QTR)

AFL HIGHLIGHT OF THE GAME
One-handed touchdown reception by New Orleans VooDoo WR L.J. Castile
(0:05 in the 2nd QTR)

ABOUT THE BLAZE
The Utah Blaze travel east in Week 17 to take on the Philadelphia Soul on Friday, July 12. Follow us on Facebook (facebook.com/utahblaze), Twitter (@UTBLAZE) and Instagram (@UtahBlaze), or head to UTBlaze.com for all the latest news!