This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated.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.
The Utah Blaze were record-setting, consistently unstoppable and downright prolific on offense Friday night at EvergySolutions Arena.
The Blaze scored on their first 10 possessions and remained unbeaten at home with a 69-62 Arena Football League victory over defending champion Spokane.
Receiver Aaron Boone caught three of Tommy Grady's six touchdown passes to tie the franchise career mark held by Siaha Burley, and Boone became the Blaze's all-time leader in receiving yards in the second quarter.
"I'm glad I was able to get these records here in front of the home crowd," said Boone, in his fourth season with the Blaze. "I'm the old guy on the team, and it couldn't have gone down in a better way."
Boone, who needed 35 yards to break Burley's record, set the mark with a 14-yard reception from Grady on the Blaze's second play of the second quarter. Boone finished with 10 receptions for 100 yards.
Grady missed on just seven of his 32 pass attempts and connected with Boone with 49 seconds left to give Utah a 69-55 lead. Grady finished with 245 yards, and threw three TDs to Aaron Lesue. Blaze fullback Ben Stallings also scored three touchdowns rushing.
"They have one of the best pass rushes in the league," Boone said of the Shock, "and we shortened up, stopped looking down deep and went to a shorter, quick game. I think we kind of had them on their heels."
The Blaze defense made two stops in the first half – it forced a fumble by Shock quarterback Kyle Rowley and held the Shock on downs – and led 24-21 at halftime.
"The difference in the game, which is what we talk about every week, is that we got two more turnovers," Blaze coach Ron James said. "Our defense did a good job."
Proof that the ball was bouncing the Blaze's way most of the night came in the form of two plays in the second half.
Spokane recovered its own kickoff after the ball bounced off an upright, but the play was negated by a personal foul penalty that gave possession back to the Blaze (3-2).
Later on an onside kick by Spokane, Utah's Ernie Pierce sneaked in as players watched the ball bounce and returned the kick 7 yards for a TD.
Storylines Blaze 69, Shock 62
R Aaron Boone, Aaron Lesue and Ben Stallings each score three touchdowns as the Blaze stay unbeaten at home.
• Aaron Boone becomes the Blaze's all-time leader in receiving yards and ties the record for career touchdowns, each held previously by Siaha Burley.
• The Blaze score touchdowns on their first 10 possessions.