2010 Utah Blaze season
The 2010 Utah Blaze season is the 4th season for the franchise in the Arena Football League. The team was coached by Ernesto Purnsley, who was fired on June 1, 2010, with Ron James named as his replacement.[1] Home games are played at the Maverik Center, which was known as the "E Center" prior to being renamed on June 8, 2010.[2] The Blaze missed out on the postseason after finishing the season 2–14, the worst record in the league.
2010 Utah Blaze season | |
---|---|
Head coach | Ernesto Purnsley (fired June 1) Ron James |
Home field | Maverik Center |
Results | |
Record | 2–14 |
Division place | 3rd NC West |
Playoff finish | did not qualify |
Standings
West Division | |||||||||
Team | W | L | PCT | PF | PA | DIV | CON | Home | Away |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
z-Spokane Shock | 13 | 3 | .812 | 988 | 843 | 4–0 | 8–2 | 6–2 | 7–1 |
x-Arizona Rattlers | 10 | 6 | .625 | 987 | 885 | 2–2 | 5–5 | 5–3 | 5–3 |
Utah Blaze | 2 | 14 | .125 | 742 | 1040 | 0–4 | 0–10 | 1–7 | 1–7 |
z - Clinched division and conference's best record
x - Clinched playoff berth
Regular season schedule
The Blaze did not open their season in the league's opening week, but instead in Week 2 at home against the Shock on April 9. They visited the Vipers on July 31 for their final regular season game.[3]
Week | Day | Date | Kickoff | Opponent | Results | Stadium | Report | ||
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Score | Record | ||||||||
1 | Bye | ||||||||
2 | Friday | April 9 | 9:05 pm | Spokane Shock | L 34–68 | 0–1 | E Center | ||
3 | Saturday | April 17 | 9:05 pm | Alabama Vipers | L 54–63 | 0–2 | E Center | ||
4 | Friday | April 23 | 8:00 pm | at Chicago Rush | L 40–63 | 0–3 | Allstate Arena | ||
5 | Friday | April 30 | 9:05 pm | Bossier–Shreveport Battle Wings | W 65–46 | 1–3 | E Center | ||
6 | Bye | ||||||||
7 | Saturday | May 22 | 10:00 pm | at Milwaukee Iron | L 55–56 (OT) | 1–4 | Bradley Center | ||
8 | Saturday | May 22 | 10:00 pm | at Spokane Shock | L 28–77 | 1–5 | Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena | ||
9 | Saturday | May 29 | 9:05 pm | Arizona Rattlers | L 58–83 | 1–6 | E Center | ||
10 | Friday | June 4 | 7:30 pm | at Cleveland Gladiators | L 29–75 | 1–7 | Quicken Loans Arena | ||
11 | Saturday | June 12 | 9:05 pm | Chicago Rush | L 50–70 | 1–8 | Maverik Center | ||
12 | Saturday | June 19 | 9:05 pm | Tampa Bay Storm | L 45–60 | 1–9 | Maverik Center | ||
13 | Saturday | June 26 | 8:05 pm | at Iowa Barnstormers | L 32–68 | 1–10 | Wells Fargo Arena | ||
14 | Saturday | July 3 | 7:00 pm | Milwaukee Iron | L 56–82 | 1–11 | Maverik Center | ||
15 | Saturday | July 10 | 9:05 pm | Jacksonville Sharks | L 56–67 | 1–12 | Maverik Center | ||
16 | Friday | July 16 | 10:30 pm | at Arizona Rattlers | L 20–48 | 1–13 | US Airways Center | ||
17 | Friday | July 23 | 8:30 pm | at Dallas Vigilantes | W 51–41 | 2–13 | American Airlines Center | ||
18 | Saturday | July 31 | 8:30 pm | at Alabama Vipers | L 64–68 | 2–14 | Von Braun Center |
All times are EDT
Final roster
2010 Utah Blaze roster | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Quarterbacks
Fullbacks
Wide receivers
|
Offensive linemen
Defensive linemen
|
Linebackers
Defensive backs
Kickers
|
Injured reserve
Other league exempt
Refuse to report
Inactive reserve
League suspension
Team suspension
Recallable reassignment
Rookies in italics | |||
Regular season
Week 2: vs. Spokane Shock
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Shock | 14 | 21 | 20 | 13 | 68 |
Blaze | 7 | 7 | 6 | 14 | 34 |
Game information | ||
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The Blaze did not open the season well, never scoring more than twice in any quarter during the game. Quarterback Michael Affleck completed only 4 passes for 42 yards by halftime. At halftime the Blaze trailed 35–14. Brett Elliott replaced Affleck at the start of the 3rd quarter. Elliott fared slightly better, completing 10 of 17 passes for 122 yards and 2 touchdowns, but it was not enough to get the Blaze back into the game, as they lost to the former AF2 team by 34 points.
Week 3: vs. Alabama Vipers
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vipers | 21 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 63 |
Blaze | 19 | 13 | 14 | 8 | 54 |
Game information | ||
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Utah came up short in a game that featured several lead changes. Both teams exchanged touchdowns until the Vipers had consecutive scores in the 3rd quarter. The Blaze were able to cut the deficit to 49–46 going into the 4th quarter, but did not score again until the final minute of the game. By that time, the game out of reach, and the Blaze dropped to 0–2. Brett Elliott, who came into the previous week's game after halftime, got the start in this game, throwing for 231 yards and 4 touchdowns. None of Utah's receivers caught for over 100 yards.
Week 4: at Chicago Rush
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Blaze | 7 | 7 | 13 | 13 | 40 |
Rush | 14 | 14 | 14 | 21 | 63 |
Game information | ||
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The Blaze remained winless after being defeated by the undefeated Rush. Utah was the first to score in the game, but it was their only lead of the night. The Rush answered with a 34-yard touchdown pass to tie, and took the lead on a 1-yard run following a blocked field goal attempt by Utah. At halftime, the Blaze trailed 28–14. In the 3rd quarter, after an onside kick by the Rush following another touchdown went out of bounds, the Blaze scored a touchdown on the very next play, cutting the deficit to 35–20, but it was the closest they would get to Chicago, eventually losing by a final score of 63–40. Brett Elliott finished with 316 passing yards and 5 touchdowns. Chris Francies was the leading receiver with 129 yards on 9 receptions and 3 touchdowns.
Week 5: vs. Bossier–Shreveport Battle Wings
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Battle Wings | 14 | 6 | 13 | 13 | 46 |
Blaze | 10 | 14 | 20 | 21 | 65 |
Game information | ||
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The Blaze earned their first win of the year by defeating the Battle Wings, thanks in part to their defense. With a 24–20 lead in the 2nd quarter, Bossier–Shreveport looked to take the lead on what would be their last drive of the 1st half. Facing a 4th down just 2 yards away from the end zone, the Battle Wings got a new set of downs following a costly pass interference penalty by the Blaze defense. However Utah was able to keep the Battle Wings out of the end zone with a goal-line stand. Missing a field goal on the last play of the quarter, the score remained 24–20 at halftime. On the Battle Wings' first drive of the 3rd quarter, the Blaze came up with an interception, and the offense capitalized on the takeaway with a touchdown. The defense continued to come up with stops in the 4th quarter which allowed the offense to continue to build on its lead and secure the victory. Brett Elliott threw for 237 yards and had 8 total touchdowns in the game. With 97 yards and 2 touchdowns, Chris Francies was the leading receiver.
Week 7: at Milwaukee Iron
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Blaze | 7 | 20 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 55 |
Iron | 13 | 14 | 14 | 7 | 8 | 56 |
Game information | ||
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Week 8: at Spokane Shock
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Blaze | 16 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 28 |
Shock | 14 | 35 | 7 | 21 | 77 |
Game information | ||
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Week 9: vs. Arizona Rattlers
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rattlers | 27 | 21 | 14 | 21 | 83 |
Blaze | 14 | 25 | 13 | 6 | 58 |
Game information | ||
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Week 10: at Cleveland Gladiators
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Blaze | 6 | 7 | 14 | 12 | 39 |
Gladiators | 6 | 20 | 28 | 21 | 75 |
Week 11: vs. Chicago Rush
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rush | 14 | 28 | 21 | 7 | 70 |
Blaze | 14 | 6 | 10 | 20 | 50 |
Game information | ||
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Week 12: vs. Tampa Bay Storm
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Storm | 21 | 14 | 16 | 14 | 65 |
Blaze | 6 | 21 | 13 | 0 | 40 |
Game information | ||
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Week 13: at Iowa Barnstormers
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Blaze | 13 | 13 | 6 | 0 | 32 |
Barnstormers | 21 | 28 | 6 | 13 | 68 |
Game information | ||
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Week 14: vs. Milwaukee Iron
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Iron | 21 | 27 | 20 | 14 | 82 |
Blaze | 14 | 21 | 7 | 14 | 56 |
Game information | ||
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Week 15: vs. Jacksonville Sharks
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sharks | 13 | 27 | 20 | 7 | 67 |
Blaze | 7 | 7 | 21 | 21 | 56 |
Game information | ||
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Week 16: at Arizona Rattlers
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Blaze | 3 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 20 |
Rattlers | 0 | 34 | 7 | 7 | 48 |
Game information | ||
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Week 17: at Dallas Vigilantes
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Blaze | 14 | 20 | 7 | 10 | 51 |
Vigilantes | 13 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 41 |
Game information | ||
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Week 18: at Alabama Vipers
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Blaze | 14 | 14 | 13 | 23 | 64 |
Vipers | 21 | 21 | 14 | 12 | 68 |
Game information | ||
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References
- Dana Romney (June 1, 2010). "Utah Blaze Hire New Coaching Staff". Utah Blaze. Archived from the original on 13 June 2010. Retrieved June 19, 2010.
- Dana Romney (June 8, 2010). "Blaze's Home Arena Changes Name". Utah Blaze. Archived from the original on 12 June 2010. Retrieved June 19, 2010.
- "AFL 2010 Regular Season Schedule" (PDF). Arena Football League. 31 December 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 March 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2010.