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KANSAS CITY - The Utah Blaze (7-5) rolled to a 55-45 victory over the Kansas City Command (2-9) in front of 4,618 fans at the Sprint Center. After turnovers plagued the offense over the past two weeks, QB Tommy Grady put forth a spectacular effort while Utah racked up a franchise record with 442 yards in total offense.
Grady set an Arena Football League record with 46 completions on the night while throwing for a franchise-best 436 aerial yards and seven touchdowns. He completed 83.6 percent of his attempts and added another score on the ground. WR Tysson Poots gained 131 yards with four touchdowns on 18 receptions - second-most in team history. WR Shaun Kauleinamoku snared 17 balls for a game-high 217 yards and three scores.
Utah's defense delivered an equally impressive performance, holding the Command to a season-low 45 points. The vaunted Blaze defensive line harassed Kansas City QB Brian Jones throughout the game, posting 4.0 sacks and a safety. DB David Hyland recorded an interception worthy of any highlight-reel, as he snatched Jones' pass out of the air before catapulting over the boards.
The Blaze built a 36-24 lead at halftime off of huge performances by Poots and Kauleinamoku, who combined for five touchdown receptions in the first two quarters. Kansas City inched closer to the lead in the third frame after FB Trey Bryant rushed into the end zone to cut the deficit to four points. However, the effort proved futile, as Poots hauled in two more touchdown passes to maintain the two-score lead. Utah closed out the game with a statement, as DL Mike Lewis dropped QB Brian Jones in the backfield for the final time.
Utah returns home to Tim Dahle Field at EnergySolutions Arena this Saturday, June 9th to take on the Chicago Rush. The matchup features huge playoff implications and will without a doubt be a deciding factor in determining which franchise advances to the postseason. Tickets are still available for purchase by calling 1-888-99BLAZE, or online at www.utblaze.com.
Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game
WR Shaun Kauleinamoku (Utah)
Riddell Defensive Player of the Game
DB J.C. Neal (Kansas City)
JLS Ironman of the Game
WR Jacki Chambers (Kansas City)
AFL Playmaker of the Game
DB Bradley Chavez (Kansas City)
Cutters Catch of the Game
WR Bret Smith (Kansas City)
National Guard MVP
QB Tommy Grady (Utah)
