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SALT LAKE CITY - The Utah Blaze took the field on Saturday night for the franchise's 100th game and put forth an effort that will forever be embedded in team history. With a decisive 61-38 victory over the Georgia Force (7-8), the Blaze advanced to 10-5 on the year and set a franchise record for the most wins in a season.
At the same time, the 9,444 fans filling the seats at EnergySolutions Arena witnessed the pinnacle of the greatest individual single-season performance of any Arena Football League quarterback.
With just 14 seconds remaining in the game, Utah Blaze QB Tommy Grady hunkered down under center for his final snap of the night. The six-foot-seven signal caller received the ball and dropped back before firing a 14-yard touchdown pass to WR Jeremy Kelley. With his last throw, Grady secured his status as the League's most prolific passer by setting a new AFL record with his 118th touchdown pass of the season.
Utah and Georgia battled early in the game before Force K Carlos Martinez booted a 28-yard field goal in the second quarter to decrease the Blaze lead, 13-10. From that point, Utah rattled off three straight scores to seize a 34-10 advantage early in the third. The Force narrowed the deficit to 10 later in the quarter, but the Blaze took control in the fourth, outscoring Georgia 21-7 in the final frame.
WR Aaron Lesue connected with Grady on two scoring completions to tie Siaha Burley's single-season Blaze record with 49 touchdown receptions. WR Tysson Poots accounted for three touchdowns and 95 yards, while Kelley hauled in two scores of his own. Even massive OL Ed Ta'amu got in on the action, as he rumbled down the field in the second quarter for a 19-yard touchdown reception. Grady finished the night throwing for 306 yards and eight touchdowns on 25-of-28 passing for a completion percentage of 89.3 - also a Blaze record.
On the other side of the ball, DL Mike Lewis delivered 2.0 sacks to set a new franchise record with 12.0 on the season. DL Caesar Rayford notched a five-yard sack of his own to go along with 2.5 tackles. DB Will Mulder and JLB Antwan Marsh paced all defenders, as each recorded 9.5 tackles on the night.
Utah heads into a bye week before returning to the field on July 6th to take on the Arizona Rattlers (11-3) in a divisional matchup. The Blaze currently has a firm grasp on the fourth and final playoff spot in the Arena Football League's National Conference.
Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game
QB Tommy Grady (Utah)
Riddell Defensive Player of the Game
DB Al Phillips (Utah)
JLS Ironman of the Game
WR Shaun Kauleinamoku (Utah)
AFL Playmaker of the Game
WR Tysson Poots (Utah)
Cutters Catch of the Game
OL Ed Ta'amu (Utah) - Second quarter TD reception
Spalding Highlight of the Game
OL Ed Ta'amu (Utah) - Second quarter TD reception
National Guard MVP
QB Tommy Grady (Utah)
