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Show /port/ AIO MONDAY • MARCH 12 • 2007 Utah Blaze fire up the season James Warnick Sports Writer For those of you who don't know that Utah has its very own professional football team, now you do. The Utah Blaze of the Arena Football League kicked off their second season with a win at the Energy Solutions Arena. Utah pulled out a last second thriller as the former Ohio State star-quarterback Joe Germaine marched his team down the field to give his kicker a shot to win. Kicker Steve Videtich split the uprights with a 23-yard field goal as time expired to give the Blaze a 63-61 victory over the New Orleans VooDoo. During that final drive, it looked as though New Orleans would pull out the victory in their first game played since 2005, after they suspended play last year due to Hurricane Katrina. Germaine fumbled the ball on the 1-yard line which the VooDoo recovered only to have the play reversed by the officials, due to a defensive illegal contact penalty downfield called on New Orleans. The game had an interesting twist as AFL longtime veteran quarterback Andy Kelly, who helped lead the Blaze to a 4-1 mark down the stretch last sea- son and a wildcard playoff birth in their inaugural season, was back playing on the other side of the ball for New Orleans. The cancellation of the VooDoo's season last year allowed their players to be leant out to other squads, and the Blaze were lucky enough to pick up Kelly after Germaine went down with an injury last season. Before the game, Kelly received a nice ovation from the fans and his former teammates. But Kelly was disappointed that a critical penalty down the stretch ruined the VooDoo's opening season victory in Utah. The game of Arena Football is different than the normal game that we are used to, but it is still full of hard-hitting action, excitement, intensity and amazing athletes. First off, they play indoors, in basketball arenas-the field is half the size of the traditional fields, at 85 feet wide and 50 yards long. There are also fourfoot high, padded barriers that surround the playing surface and 30-feet wide by 32-feet high end zone rebound nets. The nets are used for kickoffs, making it much harder for players to field kicks coming off of them. The goal post for kickers is more narrow than NFL regulated posts-they are nine-feet wide with a bottom crossbar height of 15-feet, instead of the standard 10. The AFL only has 20man rosters, where eight men are on the field at a time. The arena game is known for "Ironmen" players. These are players that play both ways, offense and defense. There is also no punting in the AFL; a player either goes for it on forth down or kicks a field goal. Forward motion is legal for one offensive receiver before the ball is snapped, giving the receiver a huge advantage off the line of scrimmage. Arena football is a very fan-friendly and fan-oriented game. If the ball lands in the crowd, fans are free to keep it. Also, after Blaze games, one can go onto the field and meet the players and coaches. If you're a fan of football, check out the Blaze this season. Ticket prices aren't too bad either as the Blaze have seven home games remaining this season. Quarterback Joe Germaine said, "We are a team that fights and plays hard until the final snap; if you come you will like our product! We have such a great showing from our fans and hopefully it will continue to get stronger and stronger." Mark Johnston/NetXNews Blaze defenders Kautai Olevao and Tom Pace take down Tyronne Jones in the Season opener for the Blaze. US FIELO LI V o C obwdewb opecia/i RESEARCH Flexible schedules, (both FT/PT shifts avail.) Market research callsNO SALES INVOLVED! • : > • • * PARKWAY PARKWAY PARKWAY PARKWAY CROSSING CROSSING CROSSING CROSSING J Low new a Perfect for studentsyou can study at work! RESIDENTIAL COMPANY • Come work in a fun and exciting work environment. • We are hiring in both our Orem and Payson offices. (Orem office close to UVSC) parkwaycrossing.com CIIir801-226-1911 or send resume toi jobs@usfieidresesrch,com the college times the college times 801 -431-0000 1270W. 1130S. Orem You must present this ad to the leasing office before March 31r 2007. the college times the college times the coiiegevtimes |