We mixed in a lot of young talent at the end of the year, which showed up consistently in the last few games. It was pretty erratic throughout the season, but at least we ended on a high note. – Utah Blaze coach Ron James
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Blaze had nothing to gain from Saturday's game against Cleveland other than preserving self-pride. No matter the outcome — win or lose — the 2013 season was in the books.
On the opening play from scrimmage Utah announced its decision: a 39-yard heave from Tommy Grady to LaVaughn Macon down to the Gladiators' 1-yard line.
The following snap Grady dumped a rollout pass to fullback Ben Stallings to cap a scoring drive, and in turn set the tempo as the Blaze concluded their lackluster season on a positive note with a 48-46 win at EnergySolutions Arena.
“They’re professionals and they’re going to work all the way through,” Utah coach Ron James said. “We mixed in a lot of young talent at the end of the year, which showed up consistently in the last few games. It was pretty erratic throughout the season, but at least we ended on a high note.”
Utah (7-11) and Cleveland (4-14) exchanged scores for the majority of the first half and with 5:50 remaining in the second quarter, Stalling rumbled in from 7 yards out to pull the score even at 20-20.
As the final seconds dwindled in the first half, Cleveland lined up for a field goal. But, in a rare event in arena football, Utah blocked the attempt, and eventually David Hyland flopped on the skin for six points as time expired.
The block allowed Utah to address the second half in a completely different matter considering Cleveland was set to receive the opening kick in the third quarter.
“The blocked field goal enabled us to have that extra possession,” James explained. “We don’t have that, and they score? They’re getting the ball coming out.”
After the Gladiators knotted things at 27-27, Joe Phinisee returned a botched onside kick 14 yards.
“We planned on using that onside kick coming out in the third quarter,” James said. “We had it. It went right through Stallings’ hands. I mean it was a perfect kick — the ball dropped right through — and they walked into the end zone.
“The way you have to look at that is: They score on that play, no big deal. We’re getting it back anyway,” James continued. “We knew going into this game we were stronger defensively than they were offensively, so we weren’t worried about playing red zone defense.”
Utah quickly responded with an 11-yard score from Grady to Mario Urrutia. Then, with 5:40 remaining in the third quarter, Cleveland quarterback Chris Dieker fell awkwardly — forcing Cleveland to kick an unrealistic field goal.
Following the missed kick, the Grady-to-Urrutia connection delivered once more to fluff the cushion to 41-27.
But, as it had done all season, Utah struggled to put the finishing touches down the stretch, and ultimately let the Gladiators make things interesting with a late touchdown to pull within two points, 48-46. However, the Blaze recovered the ensuing onside kick.
“Defense and special teams,” James said when asked what the difference was. “We got the ball out to midfield consistently. We probably averaged 24 yards a return, and the defense played lights out.”
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