NEW ORLEANS — If the Utah Blaze played every quarter like they did the fourth quarter against the VooDoo, they wouldn't be limping home with an 0-9 record.
But the Blaze didn't play every quarter like Friday night's fourth. In fact, the three quarters leading up to Utah's 28-point explosion were more than enough to make sure the Blaze kept their season-long losing streak alive and well as New Orleans stormed out to a big lead and held on for a 70-56 win.
Utah actually took a 7-0 lead on the first possession of the game when quarterback Joe Germaine hit Huey Whittaker for a 5-yard score with 10:11 left in the quarter.
The Blaze scored just once more in the half and trailed 42-14 just a few minutes into the third quarter as Utah's offense went cold and its defense was unable to hold the VooDoo back on frequent short-field possessions.
Germaine threw for 389 yards and six touchdowns on 36-of-47 passing. But New Orleans' Danny Wimprine's nine touchdown passes were plenty to get the win.
After taking a 63-28 lead early in the fourth, New Orleans was subjected to a quick-strike offense from the Blaze who, despite having the perfect opportunity to do so, did not pack things in for the final minutes of the game.
Germaine hit J.J. McKelvey for a touchdown and Carlton Brown recovered a loose ball in the kickoff, returning it for a touchdown to make the score 63-42 with 7:19 to play.
Germaine found Aaron Boone and Whittaker again to close out the game but the rally was little more than some positive momentum for the Blaze as they return to Salt Lake City hoping to finally break into the win column when they host Kansas City on Saturday.
Whittaker had a phenomenal game, catching 20 passes for 208 yards and two touchdowns.