This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
After the 72-57 loss, Utah Blaze linebacker Mike Lewis couldn't have summed it more efficiently.
"We had a nice crowd, we just came off beating the No. 1 team, and we lost to the New Orleans Voodoo," he said, the anger thick in his voice. "We straight quit at the end. I don't accept that. No one should accept that."
A week after winning a thrilling home opener Utah Blaze (2-2) couldn't keep their winning streak going as they fell in an ugly defeat to New Orleans (1-2) in front of a crowd of 10,078 at EnergySolutions Arena on Saturday night.
It was easily Utah's poorest showing of the season, highlighted by a whopping seven turnovers. The Blaze seemed to have a curse for losing the ball or giving up a big Voodoo play at all the wrong moments, and trailed for most of the game.
Quarterback Tommy Grady threw a season-high four interceptions in an uneven performance. Utah's defense was strong at times, finishing with four sacks of New Orleans quarterback Kurt Rocco, but gave up huge passes at other times.
"I told them you're not going to win in any league if you give up that many turnovers," coach Ron James said. "We had a lot of missed opportunities."
Utah rallied in the third quarter, benefitting from a slip-up by quarterback Rocco, who bobbled the ball, and sacked him in the end zone for a safety. Grady took the 44-40 lead by rolling out of pressure and throwing a strike to Aaron Lesue.
It didn't last long, however. New Orleans quickly drove down, as Rocco found an uncovered Greg Ellingson for a score. The Blaze then fumbled away a kickoff return, allowing the Voodoo to drive again for the score.
Utah's comeback hopes were just about crushed with just over two minutes left in the fourth quarter, as Grady threw a red zone interception to Alvin Jackson. The defense stood tall, forcing a four-and-out, but Grady threw another pick that Gladel Brutus took to the house.
Rocco played threw obvious injuries as the Blaze front four pounded him, but still finished 23-for-40 passing with 373 yards and nine touchdowns. Ellingson was his main target, and the lanky receiver finished with 167 yards and four touchdowns.
The team was incensed over a fourth quarter sack by Lewis that appeared to be a safety. The play would've given the Blaze a chance to take the lead, but officials ruled Rocco down at the one yardline.
The Blaze didn't play much better in the first half, as Grady threw a pair of picks and fumbled at the end of a long run to give New Orleans a touchback. Utah was down two scores by the second quarter.
The Blaze go into a bye week before heading out on the road to face Jacksonville.
Twitter: @kylegoon —
New Orleans 72, Utah 57
R Kurt Rocco throws nine touchdowns against the Blaze.
• Utah's Tommy Grady throws four interceptions — a season high.