This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
With new players, new coaches and a new venue, the Utah Blaze still had to prove the offseason changes would add up to winning. In the team's return to EnergySolutions Arena, the statement was deafening.
The Blaze (1-0) pounded Tampa Bay (1-1) in the second half for a season-opening 72-36 win Thursday night. The victory is the first step in a season the organization hopes will redeem a disappointing 2-14 finish last year.
"Man, it feels so great — I have to be honest about it," said wideout Aaron Boone, who had 11 receptions for 135 yards and two touchdowns. "It was such a long season last year, it's great to be on the other side of it."
Utah's offense was the star of the show. Orchestrated by new coordinator Matt Sauk, the Blaze scored a touchdown on every possession except two — the first and last.
Quarterback Tommy Grady lived up to a top-notch billing, going 26-of-39 passing for 306 yards and seven touchdowns through the air and two on the ground. Five receivers caught touchdowns in the game as Utah shredded the Storm secondary.
"I didn't think we'd put up 72 points today, but we could've scored 80," coach Ron James said. "At times we were playing through lots of jitters, but we got over it in the second half."
The Blaze broke open a back-and-forth game when Brandon Taylor recovered an onside kick late in the second quarter. Only six seconds before halftime, Grady lobbed a pass to Ernie Pierce, who found miles of space in the end zone and extended the lead to 31-23 at the half.
That's when the defense showed up. After getting beat up by tall receivers and deep passes for most of the first half, Utah tightened its secondary, holding the Storm to only two second-half touchdowns and forcing two interceptions, two lost fumbles and three turnovers on downs.
"We had to keep everything in front of us," defensive back William Mulder said. "We could see that we were in better shape, and we just kept hitting guys."
The kicking game might've been the most notable weakness for Utah. John Wehrle, whom the team signed a week before the opener, missed four extra point attempts in the first half and drove the Blaze to attempt two-point conversions instead.
Wehrle later kicked three straight extra points in the fourth quarter, but James said special teams would be an area of concern.
An announced crowd of 10,077 fans came to the game — double the team's average attendance at Maverik Center last season. The Blaze hope the trend will continue, and that the team will keep buying back faith with wins.
"Utah's been famous the last few years for good football, and we want the fans to expect the same thing this season," Boone said. "We proved we can play together, and everyone on this team can make plays."
kgoon@sltrib.comTwitter: @kylegoon —
Highlights
R Utah scores 11 touchdowns, finishing all but two possessions in the end zone.
• Quarterback Tommy Grady throws for 306 yards and totals 7 passing TDs and 2 rushing TDs.
• An announced crowd of 10,077 shows up for the Blaze season opener.